When using a tread guage, at what number should you replace your tires - 4/32nds?

 

Ahh man. Are you serious???
Come on man, everybody knows that at 2/32 you gotta replace.

 

It's really up to you. But most inspection stations will not pass you if you are lower than 4/32nds.

But realize less tread = scarier in the rain.

 

why waste your time with a tread gauge when you can just look at the wear indicator bars in between the tread?

 

Cause that's not going to tell you anything. If you get to the wear bars it's too late. Where are all these newbies coming from?

 

at the dealer, we usually replace tires at 2/32

 

Interesting...I live in NYC, and as some of you know when winter comes we get alot of snow. I was just thinking that if I waited until I get down to 2/32 that I would be sliding around like a figure skater. One site says that if driving in the snow, tires should be changed at 6/32. Can anyone corroborate that?

 

when I worked for toyota that was also the deapth at which we replaced tires.

 

Yes you want as deep as you can get tread for winter (well where you get snow). A deeper tread will not as easliy pack snow in between the treads and will be ejected out on each revolution.

When you are down on tread (say 2/32nds) the snow packs into the tread causing you to slip and slide.

 

Ok, maybe my reply wasn't all thought out. I maybe a "newbie" in your little club here but, I have plenty of experience from diving my two civics a combined total of 570,000 miles personally. Let's see, how many tires is that?

Anyways, I'd bet that the bars are higher than 2/32nds. Use them as a indicator ("indicator bars") but mostly, go with what feels safe to you. If you are near the bars, be extra carefull in water and stuff. Since you live in New York (I've never been but always see the snow reports)... if you're even concerned about it, Replace the tires. It's not worth the risk to get a few bucks more wear out of them. If you are trying to squeeze a few bucks, put the better ones on the front to clear the path for the rears in the water.

If you're Mr. civic racer and don't know when to let off the gas pedal in water... you beter keep new tires on your car at all times.