What tread depth to replace tyres at?

[Max Q]

Thanks for that T_T, comprehensive as usual.

I don't think I could pull off a 'Sharon Stone' myself but I'll run your suggestion by the missus!

[Ed30DSG]

I'm currently in a similar situation with 3mm on the front (with 30k miles on them from the last owner) & 6mm on the rears and swapped them over myself last weekend. Why? Because I want them to wear down as a set to give myself the option to replace all 4 with another manufacturers tyre (not sure what to go for yet) when the time comes.

I wouldn't be put off sticking the lower tread tyres on the rear as long as you realise when you may come unstuck i.e. lifting off / braking mid-corner in the wet. Under normal driving it doesn't make any difference - you could even argue that you will get better traction/handling with low tread on the front in the dry as the tread blocks will move around less (although they will overheat quicker on the track).

Hope that helps

[barlimow]

just like new cars, new tyres also need 'running in' - but (unless you have Goodyear Eagle F1 Asuymmetricals) new tyres usually need about 250 miles to correctly run in. 

Why not with the F1's? Just interested in why they're different.

[ifti]

Measured by tread today - both the rears have 6mm. The front passenger side has around 5mm, while the driver side has just over 3mm. Guess Im OK for a little while - may get the fronts changed when my first service is due in a few months.