GSD3 Tyres - Tread Wear indicator depth

[Pabs]

Hey all


quick question, as i have searched here and t'interweb and not found the answer....

I have GSD3 tyres with which one of them is almost at the tread wear indicator level.

But what IS that level? 3mm? 2mm? legal limit (1.6mm) ???

Cheers

 

[Craig Senior]

I've got all four very close to the limit as well.

I've got a track day next week which will definately see them off, so I am curious as to what the wear markers are set at aswell.

Need to know how legal my drive home will be

 

[TimBarratt]

The legal limit 1.6mm. If your unsure buy a tyre measurement guage from halfords for a couple of quid.

 

[DPJ]

Goodyear's UK website says

Check your tyre tread regularly to find out whether a tyre needs replacing. All passenger, light truck, and medium commercial tyres have tread wear indicator bars moulded into the tread. These bars are located at the bottoms of the tread grooves in several locations around the tyre. When the tyre is worn to the point where any of them become visibly flush with the adjacent tread ribs, it is time to replace the tyre

 

[Pabs]

Thanks Tim - i know what the legal limit is... but i don't know what the TWI is set to.

It would be useful if Goodyear mentioned it somewhere (at least i can't find it) because otherwise it's hardly an "indicator" other than to say - "they're getting low"

 

[ChrisUK]

The weather is getting warmer so, so slicks will keep you on the road better lol

 

[Pabs]

Goodyear's UK website says

thanks DPJ.....

I did see that - but surely they're not saying that the TWI is at a BALD tyre.... it must be above the BALD (slicks) level..... so i suppose from that statement it'd mean that the TWI is at 1.6mm...

Or are they just recommending that the tyre should be changed when at that level.... I know some people recommend to change at 3mm..... but that's almost double the legal limit...

 

[ChrisUK]

Don't they change at around 4-5mm in Germany ??

 

[DPJ]

thanks DPJ.....

I did see that - but surely they're not saying that the TWI is at a BALD tyre.... it must be above the BALD (slicks) level..... so i suppose from that statement it'd mean that the TWI is at 1.6mm...

Or are they just recommending that the tyre should be changed when at that level.... I know some people recommend to change at 3mm..... but that's almost double the legal limit...

I've not seen GSD3s, Paul. My Toyos had just got to level with the TWIs. The TWIs at that stage certainly looked less than 3mm. My guess would be 2mm - but hey there's f*** all difference between that and 1.6mm. I wouldn't like to argue it in court after an accident.

 

[ChrisUK]

3 points per tyre now.......

 

[Pabs]

well, my situation is that my front left is down to TWI, which to me looks like 2mm as well.

My front right looks like it has 3mm left. However, i want to replace both at the same time. So, essentially, i either need to do a lot of sharp/fast left hand turns to wear the RHS down, or wait a little bit longer for it to get closer to the limit.

Throw into the works the imminent house move (and hence house costs) AND a holiday, and being a fair distance away from my next payday, I'm trying to prolong the use of my tyres by a few weeks. (if possible)

 

[Pabs]

3 points and upt to £2500 fine per tyre.... (so i read)

but if I'm above legal limit, why should i change the tyre straight away? A few weeks isn't going to make THAT much difference, and the limit (if currently at 2mm TWI) would give me enough, I would THINK....

That's why i'm asking the question.....

 

[Nathanio]

Why not just drive a bit more carefully for the next couple of weeks to minimise wear on the tyres? Personally I replace at 3mm.

Be a bit more careful and should last a bit longer

 

[Pabs]

Why not just drive a bit more carefully for the next couple of weeks to minimise wear on the tyres? Personally I replace at 3mm.

Be a bit more careful and should last a bit longer

I am doing that already mate - it's ALL motorway driving so tyres last quite a long time for me anyway.

BUT - i Do NOT want to keep driving if my tyre(s) are illegal!!!!!!! If the TWI is at 1.6mm, then i WILL order new tyres today, and get them swapped at the weekend. But that'll leave me with very limited dosh for a couple of weeks, and I need to come up with almost £22,000 for house deposit/holiday etc.!!!

 

[Nathanio]

If their that low then replace them. I wouldn't chance it for safety reasons or the fact of the fine/points (Tyres seem cheap in comparison!).

Do you have a full size spare you could whack on the low side if you are that desperate for cash?

 

[edc]

why should i change the tyre straight away?

Because tyre performance degrades when the tread level is particularly low.

It's a bit like saying that you're due an oil service every 20,000 miles so why bother at 10k.

 

[Pabs]

Spare tyre is a space saver So no good there.....

Edc - thanks for the info. I do 100% whole-heartedly agree with you and the general rules with tyres - I nearly ALWAYS change my tyres at around 3mm.

However, as mentioned, it's the House/Holiday stuff that's going on which is why i'm trying to delay things til next payday.... that was all.

but it seems that there is NO answer to what level the TWI is - so I kind of think it's pointless - because I can see when the tyre is low/bald WITHOUT one..... and I can guesstimate when i need to change them. the TWI has not helped me with an exact measurement, which i thought they would.

 

[ChrisUK]

My original fronts lasted the best part of 25k miles

 

[DPJ]

What weekly mileage are you doing, Paul?

 

[Nathanio]

Drop an email or ring goodyear?