Tyre tread rant - rip off?

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Batman

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#1615839 22-Aug-2016 14:59

and here http://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/drivers-ed/how-to-check-your-tire-tread-penny-test

and here http://www.continental-tires.com/car/technology/tire-knowledge/lex-1-1

ok i better stop searching

Jase2985

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#1615840 22-Aug-2016 15:02

you do realise that 2/32 of an inch is 1.5mm

Jase2985

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#1615841 22-Aug-2016 15:03

you have just gone and disproved yourself

Batman

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#1615842 22-Aug-2016 15:08

Jase2985:

how often are you speeding/going fast enough through puddles that would cause you to experience this? if thats the case maybe you need to slow down.

puddles - never. because one in their right mind would slow down.

hydroplaning when there are no puddles, well, you may be surprised when tyres are below 3mm.

now back to sipes disappearing at 5mm ... I guess the more you pay the more the tyre is oriented towards circuit racing in the dry.

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#1615843 22-Aug-2016 15:09

Jase2985:

you do realise that 2/32 of an inch is 1.5mm

yes that's correct

Batman

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#1615846 22-Aug-2016 15:12

Jase2985:

you have just gone and disproved yourself

maybe less words may help

frankv

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#1615849 22-Aug-2016 15:19

In fact, if the road surface is dry, then *no* tread depth is best (hence in motor racing they have slicks). So there is no absolutely unsafe depth... any statement that Xmm is safe (or unsafe) is pretty much meaningless.

From http://www.dexel.co.uk/blog/2014/06/importance-tyre-tread-depth/

Independent tests carried out by the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) found that a cars braking ability started to dramatically reduce once the tread depth on the tyres reached 3mm[iii].

The tests were carried out using sets of tyres with 5 different tread depths and involved braking from 50 mph on a wet asphalt surface to replicate driving after or during a rain shower.

The results showed that from new, with around 8mm of tread down to 3mm of tread (5mm reduction) the tyres ability to brake in the wet reduced by less than 16%. However, from 3mm of tread down to 1.6mm (only an additional 1.4 mm reduction) the tyres ability to brake in the wet reduced by almost 40%, making it less than half as effective as when it was new.

Given Thinking Distance: 49 ft (15 m), Braking Distance: 125 ft (38 m), Stopping Distance: 174 ft (53 m), which I guess will be for 3mm or more tread depth, then 1.6mm depth will add about 16m.

Whether it's safe to stop in 79m (or 53m) depends on a whole lot of other factors.

[Edit] Which is particularly interesting when compared to the post above mine (which I hadn't seen). I suggest that it would be naive to trust tyre companies to tell you what is safe or not.

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Batman

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#1615852 22-Aug-2016 15:23

ok last one I promise. I have decided there is no right answer to when you should change your tyres, or why the sipes disappear at 5mm for certain ultra ultra high performance tyres

frankv

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#1615853 22-Aug-2016 15:23

joker97:

[Says everyone that has conducted aquaplaning/hydroplaning tests. Occurs without fail when below 4/32

One example https://www.nokiantyres.com/innovation/safety/dangers-of-aquaplaning/

Without fail? Yeah right.

Aquaplaning occurs sometimes. Sometimes it happens to cars with more than 3mm of tread. Sometimes (a lot more often) it happens to cars with 1.6mm tread depth.

Jase2985

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#1615855 22-Aug-2016 15:25

joker97:

maybe less words may help

you can quote all the pages you can find but the majority of tire manufactures state 1.5/1.6mm as the recommended depth to replace tyres, the NZTA also has the same figure.

If your driving to the conditions then 1.5mm is fine.

Ive just replaced 2 sets of tyres on 2 different vehicles that were down to the wear indicators and i had zero issues staying on the road with them even in the wet. why? because i drive to the conditions and i dont think imLewis Hamilton when im driving around.

if you want to change your tyres at 3mm, go for it but you are just wasting money.

richms

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#1615868 22-Aug-2016 15:37

NZTA minimums are just to stop people doing really stupid things. And whenever they make things safer there is endless howls from people that seem to be happy to drive a deathtrap on wheels that it is too hard for them and they need the car to get to work and other silly excuses.

Richard rich.ms

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