how do i measure tire tread?

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Nikko - 23 Jun 2004 20:29 GMT

That's pretty much my question. How do I go about measuring what's left of
my tire tread? Do I need a special tool?

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newsgroups01REMOVEME@intertainia.com - 23 Jun 2004 21:28 GMT

>That's pretty much my question. How do I go about measuring what's left of
>my tire tread? Do I need a special tool?

There is an actual tread gage. To be technical it's like a depth
micrometer.

Are you actually messuring the tread, or are you curious if you have
enough tread left(ball park)?

later,

tom

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Nikko - 23 Jun 2004 23:09 GMT

> >That's pretty much my question. How do I go about measuring what's left of
> >my tire tread? Do I need a special tool?
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> tom

I had a blow-out on my left front tire. I want to replace it with a used
tire that has roughly the same amount of tread on it that my other 3 tires
do. I heard that was advisable. Actually, what I heard was that I should
get all 4 tires replaced otherwise it would screw up some aspect of the car
(alignment possibly?), but that's just not in cards financially.

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NoSpam - 23 Jun 2004 23:55 GMT

> > >That's pretty much my question. How do I go about measuring what's left
> of
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> get all 4 tires replaced otherwise it would screw up some aspect of the car
> (alignment possibly?), but that's just not in cards financially.

Tires should be reploaced in pairs. Almost always you would put the two new
ones on the front. If you buy a used tire with the same approxamate tread it
MUST be the exact same model and size of tire. That's where you'll get in
trouble is mixing brands or sizes and types on an axle set. It will handle
bad and be unsafe.

Buy two new tires and be safe, your life is worth it. So is mine if you run
into me.

Brian

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newsgroups01REMOVEME@intertainia.com - 24 Jun 2004 00:55 GMT

<<snip>>

>Tires should be reploaced in pairs. Almost always you would put the two new
>ones on the front. If you buy a used tire with the same approxamate tread it
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>Brian

Very good advice. Treat your tires like you would you brakes.
replace them in sets for both right and left. Now if the three tires
you have left are brand new, then I would just buy a fourth, but
that's me.

What would concern me is you had a blow out, was it a flaw in the
tire, and maybe you should replace all 4.

hth,

tom

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Juhan Leemet - 24 Jun 2004 04:59 GMT

On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 19:55:57 -0400, newsgroups01REMOVEME wrote:

>>Tires should be reploaced in pairs. Almost always you would put the two new
>>ones on the front. If you buy a used tire with the same approxamate tread it
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> What would concern me is you had a blow out, was it a flaw in the
> tire, and maybe you should replace all 4.

BTW, I think some AWD systems get unhappy even if you replace pairs, but
have significant difference in tire size between front and back. I have
been careful to change all 4 on my Subaru Legacy. What about Audi? YMMV

Signature

Juhan Leemet
Logicognosis, Inc.

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newsgroups01REMOVEME@intertainia.com - 24 Jun 2004 12:32 GMT

>On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 19:55:57 -0400, newsgroups01REMOVEME wrote:
>>>Tires should be reploaced in pairs. Almost always you would put the two new
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>have significant difference in tire size between front and back. I have
>been careful to change all 4 on my Subaru Legacy. What about Audi? YMMV

I've never owned a car with awd, but that makes sense. Having some
wheel bigger than others could case a pushing, or pulling on the
frame.

Then it's probley best to say, check your owners manual for what the
manufacturer instructs.

hth,

tom

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Juhan Leemet - 25 Jun 2004 01:33 GMT

On Thu, 24 Jun 2004 07:32:28 -0400, newsgroups01REMOVEME wrote:

>>On Wed, 23 Jun 2004 19:55:57 -0400, newsgroups01REMOVEME wrote:
>>>>Tires should be reploaced in pairs...

>>BTW, I think some AWD systems get unhappy even if you replace pairs, but
>>have significant difference in tire size between front and back. I have
>>been careful to change all 4 on my Subaru Legacy. What about Audi? YMMV
>
> I've never owned a car with awd, but that makes sense. Having some
> wheel bigger than others could case a pushing, or pulling on the frame.

Actually, I think it causes the transmission and/or differential(s) to
overheat and get damaged. There is pretty sophisticated hydraulics
(fluidic computer(s)?) in there, to figure out where to apply torque.

As far as frame twisting, a buddy of mine had a chance to drive an AC
Cobra. He's a pretty big/strong guy. He said that when you stomp on the
gas, the whole car wants to go "thataway" (I forget if it was left or
right) and it took all his strength to keep it going straight. There must
be significant frame twisting going on. I think you can build for that.

> Then it's probley best to say, check your owners manual for what the
> manufacturer instructs.

Yeah, like the computer guys like to say: RTFM.

Signature

Juhan Leemet
Logicognosis, Inc.

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