Tyre wear measurement

[ikeja]

Just a comment really about how accurate/scientific tyre wear measurement is.

At my last service my Lexus dealer advised that my tyres were getting to the point where they would need to be replaced. Not urgent, but advisory.

They assessed the tyre wear as 4mm on the NSF tyres but 2mm on the OS rear with bald areas on the inner edge.

As the tyres are from new I have recently had all four replaced with Continental Premium Contact 6.

The tyre fitter, National tyres, noted on their report that all tyres were down to 4mm, thus still fully legal.

I will never take chances with tyres so I am happy that I now have four new tyres, but my point is how accurate/scientific is tyre wear measured.

 

[zoricib]

To the best of my knowledge tyre thread depth needs to be measured in 3 places - on the outside edge, middle and inside edge. I got myself a digital tyre depth measuring device for around £5 I think and take a reading every now and then. I know the inside of the tyres wear much quicker on the 2is so it may be the case with the 3is too. 

[Las Palmas]

Last service wife was told that she needed 2 new front tyres. I have many years been in car business, and looked at the tyres. Still 5mm left all over. Suppose they just needed to make money. On top of that they wanted close to 400€ for Continental UltraContact 215/45/17 W and calling tyre centre I was informed they would change for 151€ each.

Not only wanted they to tell wife to change tyres before needed but also wanted almost 100€ more than a reputed tyre garage.

In winter where snow etc. is on the roads 5mm is not much, but here where we have lowest temperatures in winter around 10 degrees Celsius, slicks would be rather safe; rain is something we hope for, bananas and vegetables need water and rain is rare. The green north side of the island is green because wind is coming from the sea and while being pressed up the mountain it leaves moisture and everything is growing fantastic.

[serbarry]

John a small OT for you: don't you suffer the extreme heat in summer there? 

[NemesisUK]

1 hour ago, zoricib said:

To the best of my knowledge tyre thread depth needs to be measured in 3 places - on the outside edge, middle and inside edge. I got myself a digital tyre depth measuring device for around £5 I think and take a reading every now and then. I know the inside of the tyres wear much quicker on the 2is so it may be the case with the 3is too. 

From the RAC

"The legal tyre tread depth for cars in the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, according to law. The tread must meet this minimum requirement across its complete circumference"

For winter tyres the requirement is the same, legally but one is advised to replace at 4mm for safe use on snow.

I replace (summer) tyres once they are down to 3mm 

"The difference in wet braking distance between a tyre worn to 3mm and one worn to 1.6mm can be as much as 44%. "