Hi,
Has any other forum users seen this video on the Auto Express site?
The basic gist of it for those that haven't seen it is that tyres with 3mm of tread depth will on average stop a car on a simulated wet motorway 37.5 metres 'sooner' from 70mph than the same cars in the same conditions using tyres at the legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm.
After watching the video I couldn't help but wonder what effect the tread depth markers have on wet road braking at these sorts of speeds. I'm aware that there's tread between the said markers but they must have some effect. It seems to me that they are like having mini bald patches on your tyres. It would be interesting to conduct the same tests with these removed to prove/disprove their effects. Yes they're convenient but are they a liability?
Any thoughts?
Steve.
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Xantia HDi Exclusive.
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They covered similar ground on 5th Gear on Monday. Must admit, it prompted me to get a tyre check.
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IanS
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They didn't use the same tyres on 5th gear (same type) so a bit pointless and no control sample, obviously a tyre industry junkett.
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This sort of thing is what makes me buy only decent tyres, where I can find impartial test results - it is why I have Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3's fitted to my car, and why I change them at 3mm. They are the only thing keeping your car on the road - even with brand new tyres the difference in stopping distance on a wet motorway between a set of F1's and a set of Michelen Pilot Sports was a staggering 10 metres.
Why take the risk?
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I've had Goodyear Eagle F1's previously, and they are fantastic tyres in the wet, but having read loads of tests/reviews, 3mm is the minimum tread depth for what ever tyre in the wet before stopping distances increase massively.
All wide/low profile tyres should be replaced at about 3mm
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OK, but if they make this law, will they make them deeper sipes to start with on a new tyre?
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Isn't the 3mm the legal limit in Germany?
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Isn't the 3mm the legal limit in Germany? This test demonstrates why.
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Limit in Germany is same as UK 1.6mm (or so my handbook says). My tyres are down to 2mm and are off to be changed this afternoon as the handling is being affected. There was a recent discussion saying new tyres should be put on the rear wheels (which I don't want to reignite!), but my handbook categorically states that the tyres with the deepest tread should always be put on the front!
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Always had the better tyres on the Rear Personally
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There was a recent discussion saying new tyres should be put on the rear wheels (which I don't want to reignite!)
>>, but my handbook categorically states that the tyres with the deepest tread should always be put on the front!
The handbook is for what make & model?
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Audi A3 Sportback. Swapped Michelins for Vredestein Ultracs- local fitter charged me £60 fitted - Michelins were £100.
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On all the cars I have had that handled well enough to tell the difference (Pug 106, 306, Focus, Mondeo), I noticed a marked drop off in grip in both wet and dry conditions when the tyres dropped below about 3mm, and the ABS making its presence known much more in emergency stops in wet conditions.
The 306 particularly was very sensitive to tyres, not only in terms of condition, but make/model. A little tip - to completely ruin a 306's steering and turn-in qualities, fit Dunlop SP Sports!! ;-)
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I don't know why anyone should see this as surprising. Obviously a deeper tread will shift more water. A limit has to be set somewhere. It is why 30 mph is OK and 31 mph is illegal. All limits are a mix of cost benifit analysis. Otherwise we would replace new tyres every 6k. I do agree that buying a decent brand seems a better bet than budget tyres.
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