do i need new tires?

[Aharami]

Need to replace the rear two tires on my wife's tC. Here is a pic of the front tire tread. Should I just get 4 new tires? They have about 37K miles on them

 

[zerocool84]

Looks like you're fine. I hate the quarter test.

 

[Savarak]

its getting near there, probably got a few thousand K left on them before really needing changing

 

[boomerang]

If you have to replace the rears, I'd replace all 4. But, my wallet may be fatter than yours.

 

[CRXican]

I'd get 4

 

[SparkyJJO]

You're OK for now most likely, but check again before winter hits. Probably want to replace them then.

 

[Aharami]

yea im thinking all 4. gotta see if there are any buy 3 get 1 free deal going on somewhere

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: boomerang
If you have to replace the rears, I'd replace all 4. But, my wallet may be fatter than yours.

possibly. I only carry two credit cards, my license, my health insurance cards, and a twenty at all times

 

[Vetterin]

The penny looks fine but if the tires are wearing out evenly just check to see if the wear bars are showing.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

What's the legal tread minimum in the states, or does it vary?

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb
What's the legal tread minimum in the states, or does it vary?

From the tire rack website;

The Law

According to most states' laws, tires are legally worn out when they have worn down to 2/32" of remaining tread depth. To help warn drivers that their tires have reached that point, tires sold in North America are required to have indicators molded into their tread design called "wear bars" which run across their tread pattern from their outside shoulder to inside shoulder. Wear bars are designed to visually connect the elements of the tire's tread pattern and warn drivers when their tires no longer meet minimum tread depth requirements.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb
What's the legal tread minimum in the states, or does it vary?

From the tire rack website;

The Law

According to most states' laws, tires are legally worn out when they have worn down to 2/32" of remaining tread depth. To help warn drivers that their tires have reached that point, tires sold in North America are required to have indicators molded into their tread design called "wear bars" which run across their tread pattern from their outside shoulder to inside shoulder. Wear bars are designed to visually connect the elements of the tire's tread pattern and warn drivers when their tires no longer meet minimum tread depth requirements.

I thought that, turns out it is the same as here (~1.6mm)

 

[boomhower]

You aren't giving up much life on them changing them now. When it comes to my tires I eerr on the side of caution and would rather replace them early than have something happen because my tires were worn out.

 

[randomlinh]

how's the rest of the tire look? no cracking/dry rotting?

also, maybe it's the angles, but does it look like it's underinflated (more wear on the outside than inside)?

 

[ElFenix]

i'd also inspect the sidewall for any issues as well. my mom's truck had plenty of tread depth but because the steering was so out of whack and the tires hadn't been rotated enough there were some fissures in the sidewall of a couple of tires. the day after i pointed that out, one of the tires gave out.

 

[thomsbrain]

If they are wearing evenly and you are past winter weather in your location AND you drive conservatively AAAAAND you know how to change a tire yourself, I'd drive them for a while longer myself.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Aharami
yea im thinking all 4. gotta see if there are any buy 3 get 1 free deal going on somewhere

Starting today, Costco will have $70 off a set of 4 Michelin or BFGoodrich tires. Technically you need a coupon, but some will still sell them at that price.

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: Aharami
Need to replace the rear two tires on my wife's tC. Here is a pic of the front tire tread. Should I just get 4 new tires? They have about 37K miles on them

If all four look like that then I would buy a set within the next 30 days.

 

[thecritic]

Waiting until 2/32 to replace your tires is like waiting until you are on fumes before filling up. Replacing your tires at 4/32" is like filling up when your low fuel light comes on. Therefore, I would replace the two rear tires immediately. Since you are only replacing two tires, be sure to match the brand/model tires that you have installed on the front.

 

[SickBeast]

Cheapness is your weakness.

Saving a few $$$ on tires is not worth losing your life over.

 

[thecritic]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
Cheapness is your weakness.

Saving a few $$$ on tires is not worth losing your life over.

Yup, and a new set of tires is probably less than your insurance deductible.

 

[Jeff7181]

Don't be cheap, just replace them all. They're close enough to done that it wouldn't be worth the time to take the car to the tire shop a second time in 3 or 4 months to have the other two done.

*EDIT* Actually, you could try to get a little bonus if you go into a tire shop saying you just want to replace two... have them tell you that you should replace all 4 cause the other two are almost as bad. Maybe you can get something free out of it... free hazard warranty on the second pair or on all 4 or something like that...