When your tires’ tread depth approaches its minimum safe driving level, it’s important to buy a new set of tires. But how do you know when that moment has arrived? While it’s important to err on the side of safety, you also don’t want to leave a year of tread on the tires and waste your money.
As a general rule, it’s important to replace your tires when they reach a tread depth of 4/32 of an inch. Tires with tread wear below that mark have deteriorating wet grip and are more prone to hydroplaning, as the tread groves are vital to helping cars stay stable in slippery conditions. Once your tires reach 2/32 of an inch, their contact area with the road is only 6 percent of what they were when you bought them.
How do you know your tread depth? You should regularly visit a tire shop to get your tires inspected. But Nokian Tyres makes it easy to check yourself – our Driving Safety Indicator on each tire’s tread tells you approximately how much depth you have left.
It’s also time for new tires if you aren’t driving the right set for your climate. Nothing is safer on snow and ice than a set of dedicated winter tires, and all season tires that thrive in spring and summer aren’t actually designed for temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius).
All weather tires offer a useful year round driving solution for drivers who experience unpredictable winter weather that isn’t consistently severe enough to justify dedicated winter tires.
If it’s time for you to pick new tires, check out Nokian Tyres’ tire selector tool to explore the right options for you.
