Tire tread wear Calculation

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Old 02-08-2009, 06:38 PM
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Meltdownblitz
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Tire tread wear Calculation

I searched and couldn't find any threads on this topic. So my question is how do you figure out how much tire thread you have left before you have to change your tires? I know there are a few different methods of checking that, what do you guys perfer?

Also what is the usual thread ware for the stock tires? I heard it was 20-25k miles depending on how you drive, that sound accurate?

Thanks a lot for the help.
Old 02-08-2009, 07:38 PM
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Black Betty
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There is only one correct way to calculate tread wear: Use a tread depth gauge. It will tell you exactly how many 32nds of tread are left and you can use it across the entire tread width of the tire to see if they are wearing evenly; sometimes your eyes will lie to you about this. Pick one up for a few bucks at an auto parts store or tire retailer. Change tires with before you reach the last 2/32nds of tread depth.

It's really impossible to say what you should get on a given set of tires. I may get 20K, you may get only 12K and someone else may get 30K.



And by the way it's tread not thread and wear not ware.

Last edited by Black Betty; 02-08-2009 at 07:44 PM.
Old 02-09-2009, 01:28 AM
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Meltdownblitz
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^^ Haha lol @ the spelling mistakes lol.

But alright sounds good, I'll pick one up, thanks alot man.
Old 02-09-2009, 08:38 AM
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DiamondGCoupe
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Originally Posted by Meltdownblitz
^^ Haha lol @ the spelling mistakes lol.

But alright sounds good, I'll pick one up, thanks alot man.
You can stop by an place that sells tires and ask them how much tread is left. For anyone who is leasing you must return your car with 5/32's of tread left. Your tires should be changed around 4/32's.
Old 02-09-2009, 08:54 AM
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chicklet
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Originally Posted by DiamondGCoupe
You can stop by an place that sells tires and ask them how much tread is left. For anyone who is leasing you must return your car with 5/32's of tread left. Your tires should be changed around 4/32's.
Yeah I agree with you...change tires at 4/32nds (no less)...if you don't care about running slicks then change them whenever. If you notice the "wear bar" on your tires, it actually should be the point where you determine when you need new tires. I have Michelin PS2's and the wear bar is coming close at 6/32nds. The wear bar will be exposed (even with the tread) at 4/32nds.

What's a "wear bar"??? Look in between the tread of your tires...there should be little rubber bars that runs across the tread. There are a few of them on the tire.

I wouldn't say that a tire gets a certain amount of mileage because everyone has different driving habits. One person could get 10k out of a rear set...another could get 20k. Just depends.
Old 02-09-2009, 01:38 PM
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Meltdownblitz
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Thanks a lot for the comments guys.
Old 02-09-2009, 02:47 PM
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VIP G
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Yea my rears were down to the steel at 16k but I'm still using my fronts at 21k
Old 02-09-2009, 02:55 PM
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Meltdownblitz
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^^ Drift alot? I'm at 18.5k right now, still good as far as I know.
Old 02-09-2009, 03:56 PM
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HB4LTHR
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What about the old penny tire check? You stick a penny upside down in your tread and if you see all of Lincoln's head, its time for new tires?
Old 02-09-2009, 05:20 PM
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w0ady
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just use your wear bar. i usually get new tires shortly after i hit my wear bar cause its the smart/safe thing to do.
Old 02-11-2009, 01:30 AM
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Meltdownblitz
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Thanks, I'll have to go to a local tire shop and show me how to check my wear bars.
Old 02-11-2009, 08:26 AM
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Black Betty
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Originally Posted by Meltdownblitz
Thanks, I'll have to go to a local tire shop and show me how to check my wear bars.
If you look closely down in your tread, you'll notice some slightly raised bars that run across the tread every few inches. Those are the wear bars.





You can see them in these photos. If the tire is worn down to where these bars are no longer recessed in the tread, it's time to change them. You should probably change before then.

I miss my S drives!
Old 02-11-2009, 03:33 PM
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Meltdownblitz
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^^ I see, thanks for explaining that to me, I'm such a newbie, I never even knew tires had such a thing!

So every tire and brand has this or just select tires/brands?
Old 02-11-2009, 03:41 PM
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Black Betty
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Most do. Probably an tire you'd put on a G37 will have them. Take a look at your tires.
Old 02-11-2009, 03:43 PM
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Meltdownblitz
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Cool, I am running the stocks, they have them? I will check a little later. Thanks though for the info!


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