Tire tread and when to replace

[Rookie2]

I can measure tire tread with the end of my caliper. Seems like I've read a recommendation before, but can't find it now. For a typical all terrain, at what tread thickness is it time to replace?

Thanks,
Rookie2

 

[whodat]

Most tires have wear strips that when exposed tells you to replace. I've also heard of the old penny trick..put lincoln in head first...if you can see the top of his head,replace.

 

[cruiserdan]

Treadwear indicators are required on DOT tires. The treadwear indicator bars show up with 2/32 of an inch of tread remaining. That is damn little tread left. I usually chicken out before then.

 

[whodat]

Treadwear indicators are required on DOT tires. The treadwear indicator bars show up with 2/32 of an inch of tread remaining. That is damn little tread left. I usually chicken out before then.

chicken!

 

[flintknapper]

Some people wait until the air is showing thru.

Treadwear indicators are required on DOT tires. The treadwear indicator bars show up with 2/32 of an inch of tread remaining. That is damn little tread left. I usually chicken out before then.

I'm with C-Dan....only I chicken out well before then.

For mud tires, when they're worn about 75% they are pretty much useless to me.

All terrains on a DD I'll let go a little longer because I'm about 1/2 frugal.

 

[turbocruiser]

I think once the tire tread is down to 10/32 its pretty much useless for offroad and once down to about 5/32 its safe street life is over too. That means you only get to use about 10/32 to 12/32 of the average AT tires' 17/32 tire tread!!!

 

[MTNRAT]

I usually get new tires much earlier than most others. Cheapest investment in driving performance and safety you can make.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[Rookie2]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[e9999]

that would be a function of conditions I imagine.
If they are worn at the beginning of a wet winter it's not good.
If it's the beginning of a hot dry summer, you're probably fine -traction wise at least...- and can get a few extra thousand miles out of them?

 

[turbocruiser]

If it's the beginning of a hot dry summer, you're probably fine -traction wise at least...- and can get a few extra thousand miles out of them?

Not me. Remember that old ad about "the only thing between your car and the road..." its just not one of the things I take the chance with. I try to time it but I just replaced a set of tires on my wifes vehicle that had tread of 8/32 evenly and all around cause we are in the middle of snow season and I could feel they were tiny bit skittish in just a tiny bit snow! If it was any other season I would go with 5/32 but not now, not worth it. I guess different strokes for different folks but seriously for ANY of our rigs, once you get lower than 10 to 8 32nds, you just cannot handle crap offroad, s***, I have almost 10/32nds on my two front tires and they sucked this last time out, major difference between 10 and say 14 32nds. HTH.