Clever way to measure tread depth?

woody33 · 27-07-2009 10:43am #1

Does anybody have a clever way to measure tyre tread depth, something 1.6mm deep such as the edge of a coin or... hmmm...I suppose I could go to Halfords.

gofaster_s13 · 27-07-2009 10:54am

All tyres have tread depth indicators on them, if this shows replace the tyre.

Gran Hermano · 27-07-2009 11:14am

http://www.2pass.co.uk/tyres.htm shows how to check.

From here
Description/Underline:
The tread depth is measured in the main grooves. On modern tires, a tire wear indicator (TWI for short) is very useful in this regard. The statutory minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm has been attained when these supplementary crossbars are flush with the surrounding tread. Tread depth can also be checked with a one-euro coin. The coin is inserted into the tread depth. If the coin\'s golden border is still visible, the tire has insufficient tread depth.

Saab Ed · 27-07-2009 11:19am

gofaster_s13 wrote: »

All tyres have tread depth indicators on them, if this shows replace the tyre.

Thing is that the thread depth indicator on a tyre is set at 3mm and not the 1.6mm crazy low legal limit set in Ireland. I think its 1993 since the law was updated in this country with regards to tyres. The 3mm set on the tyre itself is inline with most European countries and is a much safer limit to go by. If you've ever seen a tyre on the actual Irish limit of 1.6mm its virtualy bald. Crazy stuff. No way I'd let mine down past 3 mm.

Gregor Samsa · 27-07-2009 11:55am

woody33 wrote: »

Does anybody have a clever way to measure tyre tread depth, something 1.6mm deep such as the edge of a coin or... hmmm...I suppose I could go to Halfords.

A CR2016 watch battery is 1.6mm thick, but you'd have trouble using it itself to measure thread depth.

If you happened to have such a battery, you could mark the thickness of the battery on a piece of card, and use that in the tyre thread. Of course, at such a small scale, even the pen you use to mark the line will probably make the measurement inaccurate by a fraction of a mm.

Probably not a very practical solution, but offered in the spirit of the challenge posed by the OP

As for the 1.6mm legal limit - that's used in the UK too, so obviously that's why we have it :rolleyes:

Interesting video here comparing the stopping distance between a car on 3mm thread and the same car on 1.6mm thread.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/tyres_for_life/themes/16_v_3mm/video_footage_en.html

Tipsy Mac · 27-07-2009 12:06pm

phutyle wrote: »

Interesting video here comparing the stopping distance between a car on 3mm thread and the same car on 1.6mm thread.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/tyres_for_life/themes/16_v_3mm/video_footage_en.html

Very interesting video, I'm out to check mine now

btkm8unsl0w5r4 · 27-07-2009 12:33pm

phutyle wrote: »

Interesting video here comparing the stopping distance between a car on 3mm thread and the same car on 1.6mm thread.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/tyres_for_life/themes/16_v_3mm/video_footage_en.html

This is shocking, I was not expecting such a difference. It amazes me how a lot of car owners give no consideration to the tyres as long as they dont have a puncture.

Should be manditory viewing for all.

dudara · 27-07-2009 1:16pm

Use the tyre indicators - quick and easy - although it's not the same as the legal limit, it is a good sign that you need new tyres.

Wossack · 27-07-2009 1:19pm

phutyle wrote: »

A CR2016 watch battery is 1.6mm thick, but you'd have trouble using it itself to measure thread depth.

If you happened to have such a battery, you could mark the thickness of the battery on a piece of card, and use that in the tyre thread. Of course, at such a small scale, even the pen you use to mark the line will probably make the measurement inaccurate by a fraction of a mm.

Probably not a very practical solution, but offered in the spirit of the challenge posed by the OP

As for the 1.6mm legal limit - that's used in the UK too, so obviously that's why we have it :rolleyes:

Interesting video here comparing the stopping distance between a car on 3mm thread and the same car on 1.6mm thread.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/tyres_for_life/themes/16_v_3mm/video_footage_en.html

in the same vein as this, I wonder if the balder tyres stop quicker in the dry?

Saab Ed · 27-07-2009 2:35pm

Wossack wrote: »

in the same vein as this, I wonder if the balder tyres stop quicker in the dry?

Maybe but a tyre with good thread will still stop slower on a wet road than a bald tyre on a dry road. Which would you prefer?

woody33 · 27-07-2009 4:48pm

I like the 1 Euro coin method, my measurements show the gold ring to be 3mm (or so).

.Longshanks. · 27-07-2009 4:51pm

Slightly off topic, but very interesting video regarding replacing two versus four tyres on a car

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5YsQ_a_ijA

woody33 · 27-07-2009 5:16pm

I believe it, but still my local tyre place only a couple of days ago said new tyres should go on the front.

Zascar · 27-07-2009 5:23pm

How many mm of tread are on new tyres?

Can't find the link but I read an article about tyres in the future that will have a trick, so that when they wear a certain amount they will essentially rip exposing new deeper treads underneath - so you'll get more miles between changes

Alun · 27-07-2009 5:26pm

TREAD =

THREAD =

Thank you

Captain Slow IRL · 27-07-2009 7:23pm

Zascar wrote: »

How many mm of tread are on new tyres?.......

It's usually 8mm, sometimes 9mm

Rougies · 27-07-2009 11:29pm

Longshanks100 wrote: »

Slightly off topic, but very interesting video regarding replacing two versus four tyres on a car

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5YsQ_a_ijA

That makes sense regarding cornering at relatively high speed in wet conditions, but wouldn't it be safer having new tyres on the front as this would decrease straight line stopping distance in the wet?

I suppose it depends on what kind of driver you are and what type of roads you usually use, but surely in general (especially for city drivers) new tyres on the front make sense

Clever way to measure tread depth?

Comments