Tyre Advice
Author
Discussion

Tom8

Original Poster:

6,349 posts

183 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
I am off on holiday in a couple of weeks driving down through France. I have oldish tyres on the front of the car but no idea how much life is in them. Is there a simple way of judging how many miles are left in the tyres as there is still tread but compared to the back about half the amount based on sticking fingers in tread.

sleep envy

62,260 posts

278 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
About <------------> that much.

Seriously, depends on car, driving style, geometry, mileage done, mileage you'll do, etc

Based on the info you've given it's impossible to answer.

BritishRacinGrin

26,500 posts

189 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Look for the wear markers. They'll be at 2mm usually (legal minimum in the UK 1.6mm). How much tread do you have left before these are flush with the rest of the tread (normally measured in mm).

Are the legal minimum tread depths the same in the UK as in the countries you'll be driving through?

Half the amount of tread as the back doesn't help because we have no idea how much tread you have at the back hehe

TA14

14,332 posts

287 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Oldish tyres means possiblly sidewall cracks and definitely reduced grip through going hard. If that's on the TVR don't p!ss about - get new tyres and enjoy your blast through France.

Silverbullet767

11,273 posts

235 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Yes, no, wait...... maybe....

andy-xr

13,204 posts

233 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Buy a tread depth gauge from Halfords, they're a couple of quid. Or ask for a free checkup at Kwik Fit

Tom8

Original Poster:

6,349 posts

183 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
BritishRacinGrin said:
Look for the wear markers. They'll be at 2mm usually (legal minimum in the UK 1.6mm). How much tread do you have left before these are flush with the rest of the tread (normally measured in mm).

Are the legal minimum tread depths the same in the UK as in the countries you'll be driving through?

Half the amount of tread as the back doesn't help because we have no idea how much tread you have at the back hehe
Haha! Good point. No it is the Audi. Back tyres relatively new, I put them on about a year ago and they've done about 6,000 miles so thick tread. I can see the arrow on the front tyre for the wear marker arrow. Being a complete numpty does this start disappearing as the tyre wears?

kambites

71,466 posts

250 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
There will be a bar across the main tread groove. If this is flush with the surface of the tyre tread blocks, you have less than 2mm left.

BritishRacinGrin

26,500 posts

189 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Tom8 said:
BritishRacinGrin said:
Look for the wear markers. They'll be at 2mm usually (legal minimum in the UK 1.6mm). How much tread do you have left before these are flush with the rest of the tread (normally measured in mm).

Are the legal minimum tread depths the same in the UK as in the countries you'll be driving through?

Half the amount of tread as the back doesn't help because we have no idea how much tread you have at the back hehe
Haha! Good point. No it is the Audi. Back tyres relatively new, I put them on about a year ago and they've done about 6,000 miles so thick tread. I can see the arrow on the front tyre for the wear marker arrow. Being a complete numpty does this start disappearing as the tyre wears?
The arrows aren't the markers but they do show you where the markers are! Look where the arrow is pointing and then look across the tread pattern of the tyre along the line that the arrow points to. You're looking for raised spots in the grooves of the tread. They indicate the legal minimum (or just over). if you still have some tread to go before the tyre is worn down to those, the tyre still has legally usable life.

Of course the other way is to use a tread depth gauge... but a 20p piece makes a cost-effective substitute



The 'border' around the coin is 3mm thick. if the coin goes furhter into the tread, you have more than 3mm and visa versa.

MysteryLemon

4,968 posts

220 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
Stick a 20p in the groove. If you can see the rim around the edge then I believe they have more than 3mm.

If they're bald enough for you to worry about it, just get them replaced. If you're doing mega miles, last thing you want it to get pulled over for having illegal tyres (I dont know what the law is in France) or having a blow out etc.

Tom8

Original Poster:

6,349 posts

183 months

Monday 7th July 2014
quotequote all
BritishRacinGrin said:
The arrows aren't the markers but they do show you where the markers are! Look where the arrow is pointing and then look across the tread pattern of the tyre along the line that the arrow points to. You're looking for raised spots in the grooves of the tread. They indicate the legal minimum (or just over). if you still have some tread to go before the tyre is worn down to those, the tyre still has legally usable life.

Of course the other way is to use a tread depth gauge... but a 20p piece makes a cost-effective substitute



The 'border' around the coin is 3mm thick. if the coin goes furhter into the tread, you have more than 3mm and visa versa.
Perfect! I will do that and check. Thank you for the help. As you can see, a complete numpty when it comes to maintenance hence I pay others to do it for me!