Tyres - when to replace

[mawallace]

I know that it used to be the perceived wisdom to change tyres at 3mm. Yet, Halfords say 2mm https://www.halfordsautocentres.com/advice/tyres-a...

Michelin seems to say that this is nonsense. Their tyres are safe to at least 1.6mm!

https://www.michelin.com/eng/media-room/press-and-...

I have some of their Sport 4 tyres on my Golf and it is noticeable that at just over 2mm the car will 'slide' if on a greasy road.

What are the experiences of others re 'modern' tyres.

[GreenV8S]

mawallace said:

Michelin seems to say that this is nonsense. Their tyres are safe to at least 1.6mm!

In the dry, maybe. The ability to disperse standing water is compromised noticeably well before tyres reach the legal limit and I'm sure that is as true for Michelin as it is for any other brand.

[havoc]

In the height of summer, 2mm probably isn't unreasonable.

At this time of year, with the amount of rain we're having, I'd be considering more like 3mm...

[HustleRussell]

Due to environmental and consumer pressure plus more stringent testing, manufacturers are having to make tyres which work down to the legal limit. As a driver who generally likes to wear the tyres down to the wear bars I have noticed the difference with modern premium tyres.

Current Michelin Primacys are approaching 2mm and just starting to show in the current cold and greasy conditions. Continentals in the shed ready to go on.

[SV_WDC]

1.6mm is legal minimum.

3mm quoted by most tyre manufacturers.

UK Emergency services replace their tyres at 3mm as the stopping distances are greatly increased. As another poster says it will impact the tyres ability to disperse water on the road.