Minimum tread depth for winter tires? Suggestions?

[Robert]

Hi all,

I have a set of older Gislaved snows mounted on wheels for my 760.

The tread is at around 5/32nds.

Are these tires done?

I'm after good overall traction and safety, and unfortunately need to save
every penny for the time being. Otherwise, what would the minimum tread
depth be for a winter tire? (other than for minimum safety standards).

Cheers

 

[volvoguy]

As long as the tire wear is even all the way across the min should be
3/32". Do you need to replace them? You'll found out with the first snow I
guess.

 

[Marvin Margoshes]

Hi all,

I have a set of older Gislaved snows mounted on wheels for my 760.

The tread is at around 5/32nds.

Are these tires done?

I'm after good overall traction and safety, and unfortunately need to save
every penny for the time being. Otherwise, what would the minimum tread
depth be for a winter tire? (other than for minimum safety standards).

Cheers

The test I've learned is to put a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head
first. If there is enough tread to cover part of his head, the tire is OK.
Of course, that only works in the US. Perhaps other countries have a
similar test,

 

[Jim Carriere]

The test I've learned is to put a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head
first. If there is enough tread to cover part of his head, the tire is OK.
Of course, that only works in the US. Perhaps other countries have a
similar test,

The "Lincoln's Head" test usually measures slightly less than 3/32".
3/32" happens to be the minimum allowable tread in most parts of
the USA.

Personally, I think if you are going to drive in the snow anwhere
except flatland with that little tread, you're nuts. I don't think
that 5/32 is nuts, although it may wear down and not last the whole
season.

My opinion only, YMMV

 

[Franz Bestuchev]

Agreed, if you're going to the trouble/safety of having snow tires you
probably want them to have more than the lincoln head tread depth.

My nearby tire shop has a neat little gauge and they sell gas too, so every
now and then I pull in to fill up and have the service guy give me a "state
of the tires"

 

[John Robertson]

a common match laid sideways is a good guide or less than an eighth of an
inch means less water is able to be removed .How much will an accident cost
you if you cant stop in time ?

 

[Byrocat]

Check with your local MOT/DOT/Roads-whatever on what the legal minimum
is and check against that. I'd also suggest that you check out what
the tread depth on a new set is, and say to yourself "Do I have
doubts? What's winter like around here? Who depends on me to stay
alive?"

My suggestion: any uncertainty, get a new set.

 

[Byrocat]

Just did some digging around and found this item:
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/Regs/English/900625_e.htm

Legal minimum in Ontario is 1.5mm (2/32nds).

I'd toss the tires (I see that you were trying to sell them elsewhere)
and get a new set of all-seasons.

I'm getting good wear from BF Goodrich via Crappy Tire.