Tire tread depth

[AmyF]

Ok I don't have a tape measure handy so I checked my tire tread depth with a penny. When placing it head down into the tread the tread goes to about mid forhead before the nose. The tires look decent but that doesn't seem like very deep tread esp with occasional snow covered roads. I still have my all season tires on.   Could be partly the reason for poor handling in the snow because the tread depth is shallow. I can't get a hold of four good snow tires right now so just seeing what is acceptable tread depth and what is not.

[Shakey]

Ok I don't have a tape measure handy so I checked my tire tread depth with a penny. When placing it head down into the tread the tread goes to about mid forhead before the nose. The tires look decent but that doesn't seem like very deep tread esp with occasional snow covered roads. I still have my all season tires on.   Could be partly the reason for poor handling in the snow because the tread depth is shallow. I can't get a hold of four good snow tires right now so just seeing what is acceptable tread depth and what is not.

Could be partly the reason for poor handling in the snow because the tread depth is shallow.

I think you answered your own question right there!   

[AmyF]

It's ok on partially plowed roads but unplowed with an incline especially, car likes to slide.  Is this when I should use the extra drive modes? I have D, and D1 thru D5.  Never used those yet just drove in regular D.

[Shakey]

It's ok on partially plowed roads but unplowed with an incline especially, car likes to slide.  Is this when I should use the extra drive modes? I have D, and D1 thru D5.  Never used those yet just drove in regular D.

Just use D and drive with caution!

[moparnation74]

Just before the nose your probably around 5-6mm of tread left.  So your tread depth is good, you have to drive accordingly for the conditions.

[odcics2]

Huge difference in tires from 11/32 to 5/32. 

At 5/32, I take my wife's tires off and  put them on C'list and some clown buys them for his wifes car.

(I am not kidding - has happened many times in the last 30 years...)

So, 5/32 is better than no/32, but you can't beat NEW tires.

Currently using Michelin Defenders and they are great.   
Yes they cost a little more, but how much is your life worth?   

[moparnation74]

Huge difference in tires from 11/32 to 5/32. 

At 5/32, I take my wife's tires off and  put them on C'list and some clown buys them for his wifes car.

(I am not kidding - has happened many times in the last 30 years...)

So, 5/32 is better than no/32, but you can't beat NEW tires.

Currently using Michelin Defenders and they are great.   
Yes they cost a little more, but how much is your life worth?   

Based on your 5/32 statement.  Why would you pose injury to someone else or others?  Because you make a few dollars on someone who does not know the risk? 

Half the tread depth is not as good as new tires and affects stopping distance in rain and handling in snow.  Thats obvious but is not an immediate need for replacement.  So you have to drive the car accordingly for the conditions.

[odcics2]

Some people are cheap with tires.  Why spend over $500. on a set of new tires when $50. bucks for a used set can get you by for a year or two? 

That's way less than the tire store was going to charge for them after they'd clean them up and put them on their own used tire rack....   

I prefer to have better tires on all my cars. That's my choice.
Everyone makes their own choices on tires and what amount of tread they are happy with.

[1974dodgecharger]

On the other end of the coin u got dudes who change tires every 2k miles so they can act like a pro and then  give the tire away to the store so then some worker takes em to resell em.


Yeah it's happened......at least here in AZ.

[odcics2]

On the other end of the coin u got dudes who change tires every 2k miles so they can act like a pro and then  give the tire away to the store so then some worker takes em to resell em.


Yeah it's happened......at least here in AZ.

It happens all over!   I had a guy at work once tell me his kid was strapped for cash so I gave him some used tires for his car, a Neon, and they were on craigslist the following day...   

[moparnation74]

Some people are cheap with tires.  Why spend over $500. on a set of new tires when $50. bucks for a used set can get you by for a year or two? 

That's way less than the tire store was going to charge for them after they'd clean them up and put them on their own used tire rack....   

I prefer to have better tires on all my cars. That's my choice.
Everyone makes their own choices on tires and what amount of tread they are happy with.

I agree completely.  Good point.

[odcics2]

Some people are cheap with tires.  Why spend over $500. on a set of new tires when $50. bucks for a used set can get you by for a year or two? 

That's way less than the tire store was going to charge for them after they'd clean them up and put them on their own used tire rack....   

I prefer to have better tires on all my cars. That's my choice.
Everyone makes their own choices on tires and what amount of tread they are happy with.

I agree completely.  Good point.