At a recent service call, my dealer measured my rear tires at 4/32 and noted them as "Need replacement soon." The fronts are at around 6/32.

Am I being silly to replace them now? Is that too early?

It's just that the snow season is starting here, and if they're gonna be worn enough to fail inspection in six months anyway... it's tempting to get new ones now before it snows a lot.

I don't swap summer/winter tires, I use the same set year 'round. I've been using Pirelli Snowsports all year (which actually last through a couple summers), but now I'll probably switch to their new "The P Zero Nero All Season" (for longer life mainly).

I'm just not sure if 4/32 is where they start to seriously lose snow traction... ?

 

When I can see the steel belting

 

LOL, I'm guessing steel doesn't grip snow real well though...

 

Link: http://www.cooksvilletire.com/techarticles/td_chart.htm

^best link i could find.

IMHO, not neccessary since you're familiar with driving around with that kind of tire. Just be cautious.

 

Personally, if I was driving my car in winter, I'd want fresh tires. Ice and snow is just to damned unpredictable....

 

For Snow/Winter conditions it is recommended that the tires be replaced at 4/32. For normal/summer conditions it is recommended tires be replaced at 2/32. For reference, I believe the legal limit for tires is 2/32 though this isn't really enforced, as far as I know.

These are just recommendations, however, and many tend to go past these marks. If optimal snow grip is your primary concern, I too would recommend replacing the tires at ~4/32.

 

Im a bit confused. Just went to mazda and i got 13/32 on all four tires. And these are BRAND NEW blizzaks that have been on the car barely one month. Is it the higher the number out of 32 the more worn it is or the less worn ??

 

The higher the number the more tread depth you have. As mentioned before, if the tread goes down to 2/32nds then it means replacements are needed.

 

Oh okay. But since my tires are brand new.. should it be like 32/32 or close to 32

 

That's what I'm thinking too. If it was summer, I'd let it go until the legal limit. But we just had an early snow squall here a few days ago (Trenton, NJ area) and it was a nightmare driving in it. I've been in snow before when the tires were new and it was almost fun lol... but this last storm was NOT fun, even though it was only a dusting... and icy underneath.

I DO so love the Stability Control on these cars

 

Not really, the majority of passenger tires start between 10/32 and 12/32. So yours are basically new.

 

Oh Alright lol thanks guys . I was like wtf i just bought these

 

Not a problem... but hey, I'll take them if you don't want them... ha ha ha ha

 

lol I need them. THey grip great in the snow

 

Fractions FTW!!!

Tread depth is measured in 32-nds of an inch. It takes 32 of these to measure one inch.

32/32 = 1.0 inch
13/32 = 0.406 inches
4/32 = 0.125 inches
2/32 = 0.0625 inches

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=51

math r fun

 

May I ask what kind of tires they are?

 

Bridgestone Blizzaks

 

Look into Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60's and Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D for some good snow/winter tires. If you need something with a bit more bite, look into the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 - these are considered studless snow tires but should be driven on dry pavement as little as possible.

The Michelin Pilot Alpin is also a great winter/snow tire, but a bit pricier than those listed above.

 

I normally replace mine when they look like these

Photo0152.jpg?t=1292627296

I use RE01R's right now. The kinda suck on ice.

 

^ lol thats what i have. The bizzaks lm 60. Theyre amazing in snow