What are tire tread wear indicators?

Tread wear indicators, or wear bars, are spaced evenly through the main grooves in the tire tread. If they are flush with the level of the tread, then the tire should be replaced. Several winter tire models are equipped with winter tire wear indicators.

What do tread wear numbers mean?

Treadwear. The treadwear marking demonstrates how long a tire can last. Treadwear has a range between 100-1000, where, for example, an 800 UTQG tire will last twice as long as a 400 UTQG tire.

How do you read a tread wear number?

In basic terms, and in the spirit of the concept, the higher the UTQG treadwear rating, the greater the tire life. A tire with a “600” treadwear rating is forecasted to last twice as long as a tire with a “300” rating, and should accumulate three times the mileage of a “200” rated tire.

How many mm is the tread wear indicator?

Checking your tyres’ tread depth These small horizontal bars are evenly spaced around the tyre’s circumference. Once your tyre has worn level with these bars, you have reached your minimum depth and your tyre will need replacing. Bear in mind though that these indicators tell you when you’ve reached 1.6mm.

At what tread should tires be replaced?

2/32” deep
To meet legal safety standards in the U.S., a tire’s tread needs to be at least 2/32” deep. If the tires do not meet the 2/32” standard or are approaching not meeting it, you should replace your tires. Tires should also be free of sidewall damage and irregular wear for optimal performance and safety.

What is a good treadwear score?

Most tires used on passenger vehicles have a treadwear rating that falls between 200 and 500. Tires in this bracket offer a great mix of grip and safety, matched with enough longevity to last multiple years if not driven hard every day. Tires with medium treadwear are therefore excellent for everyday driving.

What does treadwear 800 mean on a tire?

Treadwear is not based on any one industry or government standard. The higher the number the longer the tire should last compared to similar tires from the same manufacture with lower numbers. A tire with a treadwear rating of 800 should theoretically last about twice as long as a tire with a treadwear rating of 400.

How do I know when my Bridgestone tire expires?

Look at the DOT stamping on the sidewall, and you’ll see a 4-digit number, the date code. The first two numbers are the week, and the last two are the year. Following industry standards, Bridgestone recommends that tires be removed from service no more than ten (10) years after the date of manufacture.

How do I know when my tires expire?

The last four numbers represent the manufacturer’s date. The first two numbers indicate the week, while the last two indicate the year. (For example, a tire with the number 2910 was manufactured in the 29th week of 2010.)

Is a higher treadwear number better?

The treadwear grade is designed to give you a picture of the durability or life you can expect from your tire. What you need to know about the treadwear grade is this: The higher the treadwear number, the longer it’ll take the tread to wear down. Higher is better. The control tire has a treadwear grade of 100.

How much tread is on a new Bridgestone tyre?

While a new car tyre begins life with approximately 8mm of tread, the minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm.

How long will 3mm tread last?

10,000-20,000 miles
With all the possible variables taken into account, the minimum average period 3mm of tyre tread depth will last before it reaches the legal limit of 1.6mm is between would be 10,000-20,000 miles but it could be considerably more than that.

What is unsafe tire tread depth?

The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends replacing tires when they reach 2/32”, and many states legally require tires to be replaced at this depth. The idea of the penny test is to check whether you’ve hit the 2/32” threshold. Here’s how it works: Place a penny between the tread ribs on your tire.

Is a 500 treadwear rating good?

If the tire being tested gets a 500-tread wear rating, that means it’s expected to take five times as long to wear out as the control tire.

Is 800 a good treadwear rating?

A tire with a treadwear rating of 800 should theoretically last about twice as long as a tire with a treadwear rating of 400. A longer life tire will be designed with a harder rubber compound to withstand wear better.

How do you evaluate tire wear?

Penny Test for Tire Tread Wear Measurement Insert a penny into your tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of the head, your tire tread depth is less than 2/32 inch and it’s time to replace your tires.

Should tires be replaced after 5 years?

There is a general consensus that most tires should be inspected, if not replaced, at about six years and should be absolutely be swapped out after 10 years, regardless of how much tread they have left.

How many years do tires last on average?

between three and five years
On average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.

What is the best treadwear rating?

The highest treadwear rating is 860, for Hankook Kinergy PT H737 touring all season tires. Does that mean these are better tires than, say, Michelin Defender T+H which has a UTQG rating of 820? Both are quality all season tires that reduce hydroplaning, handle well and reduce road noise.

What are tire indicators bars?

Every performance, light truck, or medium commercial tire comes equipped with indicator bars (or wear bars) embedded between the tread ribs at 2/32”. They’re there to help you monitor tread depth and make decisions about tire replacement.

Are Bridgestone tires good in the rain?

For example, Bridgestone’s Blizzak tire series is built to perform in harsh winter weather conditions providing durable traction on snowy and icy roads, and the Dueler tire series is one of several that offer a secure grip on wet road conditions for areas that experience heavy rain.

How long do Bridgestone tires last?

Bridgestone recommends that its Bridgestone or Firestone brand tires be removed from service after ten years regardless of their remaining tread depth.

What does 3 digit week and year mean on tires?

A tire that has a 3-digit week-and-year code means the tire was made before the year 2000 and should be replaced due to age. Bridgestone recommends that its Bridgestone or Firestone brand tires be removed from service after ten years regardless of their remaining tread depth.