How close to the legal limit do you let yours tyres go?

mdaw1985

Active Member
Aug 3, 2008
227
27
St.Leonards, East Sussex
I'm currently nearing the end of my Bridgestone t001 tyres at a guess I have about 1mm left before it reaches the legal limit and have started to notice a slight loss in grip. Just wondering whether to hold out any longer before changing? They have done 15.5k so far. They have been on since new I'm assuming as I got the car at 8.9k.
 

mdaw1985

Active Member
Aug 3, 2008
227
27
St.Leonards, East Sussex
Yeah I'm thinking it's probably sensible to ditch these tyres before I ditch it. To be fair 15.5k isn't bad out of Fronts for me. 16.5k is the best I have had on my previous exeo from yokohama v105s. Got to say as bad as people rate bridgestone and the official tests of this tyre, I can't say that I have found them to be that bad at all. They have decent turn in and progressive grip even if they are not the most grippy they aren't bad. I won't be replacing like for like with the t005 because I can get either maxxis victra sport 5 for £67 or Goodyear assy 5 xl for £72 fully fitted on 225/45/17. Not willing to pay £20 extra a tyre for the Michelin ps4 as the other 2 are worthy competitors even if it is the best. Those tyres should still be better than what I have.
 

BigJase88

Jase
Apr 20, 2008
3,767
1,069
Yeah I'm thinking it's probably sensible to ditch these tyres before I ditch it. To be fair 15.5k isn't bad out of Fronts for me. 16.5k is the best I have had on my previous exeo from yokohama v105s. Got to say as bad as people rate bridgestone and the official tests of this tyre, I can't say that I have found them to be that bad at all. They have decent turn in and progressive grip even if they are not the most grippy they aren't bad. I won't be replacing like for like with the t005 because I can get either maxxis victra sport 5 for £67 or Goodyear assy 5 xl for £72 fully fitted on 225/45/17. Not willing to pay £20 extra a tyre for the Michelin ps4 as the other 2 are worthy competitors even if it is the best. Those tyres should still be better than what I have.
Once you get the goodyears you will understand how bad the bridgestones are
 

Kirky

Copper Cupra Advocate
Apr 10, 2019
1,042
497
I go to the rain drop marker which I believe is 3mm. My family are worth more than a set of tyres.
 
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GeoffGeoff

Active Member
Feb 1, 2020
191
40
Usually run mine close to wear bar but take it a bit steadier than normal for the last few 1,000 miles if it’s wet.
 

Robtt

Active Member
Jan 14, 2020
19
6
North Yorkshire
Never ever go to the wear indicator. The loss of grip means I change at 3mm or even earlier if I don’t think the tyres are handling standing water on the motorway very well.
 
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BillyCool

Active Member
Jan 16, 2020
645
244
Leicestershire, UK
As above comments - mine are around 3mm and noticeably not as grippy in the current weather.

If you have a performance car, legal limit = death wish.

I was hoping that mine would `last the summer`, but may re-think that. As others have said, it's really not worth it and I can't enjoy the car!

FYI - my current front set are Uniroyal Rainsport 3's and I've been impressed by them. I don't drive the car that hard (Leon 184 ST FR) but they've always felt secure and very good in the wet. I think I've have at least 15,000 miles out of them, so quite happy.
 
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martin j.

Active Member
Feb 11, 2007
1,996
889
Fife
Replaced the fronts on the Leon at about 2.5mm at the end of the summer, my Honda though is different, the rears get replaced some time after 4mm dependant on a deal or availability of replacements, 42k miles and set 7 are almost done, Michelin’s PS4 are next to go on.
 
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mdaw1985

Active Member
Aug 3, 2008
227
27
St.Leonards, East Sussex
Done. Well ordered for Thursday. Managed to get some Goodyear Assy 5's for £70.50 per tyre fully fitted on 225/45/17 with F1 autocentre. Not that I really need it I got the XL variant. Although the PS4 is probably the best I wasn't willing to spend £20 per tyre more when these are generally rated very close in most tests. I was tempted by the Maxxis Vs5 as it had very good ratings up until the latest braking test was done (by autobild I think). Its on tyre reviews anyway.
 

GeoffGeoff

Active Member
Feb 1, 2020
191
40
Any comparisons between the Uniroyal Rainsport 3’s (now replaces by the 5’s) on the Leon compared to the Goodyear Asym 5?

Had both on previous cars (Asym 3 and Rainsport 3) and found them both to be fab with a slight lean towards the Uni’s so just wondering how you guys gettin on with either of these as not finding the S001’s fab if I’m honest and will be ready for a set later in the year so starting my research early.
 
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Dannnnn

Active Member
Dec 9, 2018
440
200
Hampshire
3mm normally.

Can even sell them on for a bit of money back (if someone needs a tyre for MOT etc and doesn't have money for new )
 

Damo H

Remind me, what's an indicator?
Staff member
Moderator
Oct 3, 2012
4,710
2,804
Car Length In Front
Generally I start looking for tyre deals 3-4mm then swap when something comes up.

impressed with the Michi PS4S. Done 16k on them and they’re still at 5mm on the fronts and only had 7mm to start with.
 

BillyCool

Active Member
Jan 16, 2020
645
244
Leicestershire, UK
What's the 'Rain Drop' marker, never heard of that.

It's something that Conti introduced, to either keep us safe or sell more tyres!

TYRE-MAKER Continental has introduced a new safety warning on its brand new premium tyre, the ContiSportContact 5 P.

The tyre is fitted high performance cars, such as the Audi TT RS, Maserati Quattroporte, and Mercedes AMG range.

The new ContiSportContact features a new hybrid tread design for grip and handling – which is what you would expect. But when the tyre wears down to 3mm a rain drop symbol appears to provide a safety indicator for wet conditions.

https://ibb.co/vJ6PK3W



 
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Walone

Active Member
Feb 10, 2016
1,538
421
Near Heathrow
It's something that Conti introduced, to either keep us safe or sell more tyres!

TYRE-MAKER Continental has introduced a new safety warning on its brand new premium tyre, the ContiSportContact 5 P.

The tyre is fitted high performance cars, such as the Audi TT RS, Maserati Quattroporte, and Mercedes AMG range.

The new ContiSportContact features a new hybrid tread design for grip and handling – which is what you would expect. But when the tyre wears down to 3mm a rain drop symbol appears to provide a safety indicator for wet conditions.

https://ibb.co/vJ6PK3W
Excellent info, thanks. seems like a good idea to me.
 

Steve J

Active Member
May 26, 2019
134
27
I always go to 1.6mil. Never had any problems doing so but that's my experience personally.
 

R45HU

Active Member
Jan 10, 2020
108
36
West Yorkshire
Generally I start looking for tyre deals 3-4mm then swap when something comes up.

impressed with the Michi PS4S. Done 16k on them and they’re still at 5mm on the fronts and only had 7mm to start with.
That is very encouraging to hear because I just put a brand new set of them on mine last month so hopefully last equally as long as they have done you so far
 
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