When do you like to change your tyres?

[oryx3dr]

I’m at 3mm all the way around but given that 1.6mm of that isn’t really usable then I’m wondering if I should start to look at changing now or wait a bit longer?

[SRGTD]

Interesting article on the Tyre Reviews website about changing tyres at a tread depth of 3mm;

https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/Should-we-change-tyres-at-3mm.htm

I’ve read elsewhere that Michelin have been quoted as saying changing tyres at 3mm is unnecessary, costly and harmful to the environment and that there’s no link between increasing accident rates when a tyre’s tread depth gets down to 1.6mm compared to 3mm.

I buy into the environmental aspect but not the accident frequency view, as braking distances and aquaplaning risks will be higher on tyres with tread depth down to the legal minimum compared to tyres with 3mm of tread. From a personal perspective, I normally buy new tyres when the tread depth gets down to around 2.5mm - 3mm and wouldn’t run a set of tyres down to the legal minimum of 1.6mm.

[ub7rm]

Interesting question, in recent years I can’t remember replacing a set of tyres because they have completely worn out, rather they have become deformed or have started to crack.  Bridgestones notable for deformation and Pirelli for very premature cracking. 

Whilst getting a puncture repaired I was speaking to the fitter about tyre brands in general and he said that while Michelin were expensive, the performance stays the same right down to the legal limit – and ‘that’s where your money goes’.  That does match my experience of Cross Climates at least.  By inference he was suggesting that wasn’t the case for other brands. 

But to answer the question, I would be replacing them when I can feel a notable change in their performance, whether that be at the limit or 2-3 mm. 

[oryx3dr]

Interesting responses. I also bought into the environmental aspect but I’ve definitely felt a difference lately in mine with the front and the back end of the car feeling like they’re not connected at all. In damp conditions the understeer is notably worse and likewise for pulling out of junctions although I can’t say I’ve noticed any difference in braking performance.

My feeling is that I probably should look at changing them but I also don’t want to be wasting money and rubber if I can avoid it. I might try to get a more accurate depth reading as mine is a very basic gauge.

[dubber36]

Whilst the tyre compound will still perform below 3mm, they will have less tread depth to disperse water.

I'd change mine at 3mm at this time of year, but eek them out a bit longer if in the same position in the summer.

[JMS]

Whilst the tyre compound will still perform below 3mm, they will have less tread depth to disperse water.

I'd change mine at 3mm at this time of year, but eek them out a bit longer if in the same position in the summer.

Exactly this.

It’s a bit easier to manage if you have a second set of winter wheels with winter tyres. I’m desperate to get my summers on, as they are fitted with new PS4S, rather than the PS4 that came with the car.

[oryx3dr]

Whilst the tyre compound will still perform below 3mm, they will have less tread depth to disperse water.

I'd change mine at 3mm at this time of year, but eek them out a bit longer if in the same position in the summer.

Exactly this.

It’s a bit easier to manage if you have a second set of winter wheels with winter tyres. I’m desperate to get my summers on, as they are fitted with new PS4S, rather than the PS4 that came with the car.

Is the PS4S really that much better than the PS4 for road use?

[JMS]

I loved them on my 911, way better than the Pzero’s that came with the car.

I’ve not put them on the Golf yet, but why wouldn’t I get the best? (Plus I managed to pick them up for the same price as boggo PS4 from Costco). Refreshing to pay £75 a corner rather than £250 a corner for 295’s!

In my opinion (& I’m sure I’m not alone) they are the best for fast road/occasional track use.

It depends on how you define ‘best’ - my priority is feedback & traction in conditions over 8degC (wet or dry). Others priority may be price or looks, or performance on track.
I accept that they are not gonna last 20k miles (certainly on the front), or be the most fuel efficient, but my Golf is for fun.

Physical difference is that PS4S are made of 2 compounds (sidewall is different to contact patch) whereas PS4 is the same rubber throughout.

[mcmaddy]

Both PS4 and PS4s are comfort biased tyres due to the soft sidewalls. Have a look at tyrereviews as he did a big test on all the leading tyres. Not much difference in the top results but everyone keeps raving on about Michelins being the best you can buy and nothing else gets close. Ive had PS4 and certainly won't be buying any more due to how soft the sidewalls are and the horrible squidgy feel feedback they give.

[willni]

Ditto what's previously said I let tyres run out longer in summer versus winter, but still need to be careful in summer as sparse rain intervals can have greasy roads.

Got nice 1.5-3.5 degree weather there for my Goodyear Ultragrip +'s performed superbly even when giving it a bit of throttle through corners, but nothing I'd regard as extreme for the rubber.

With regard to the PS4S vs PS4, the PS4 is a summer tyre that can be used year round, the PS4S is very much a summer tyre, and does become fairly useless come the winter months in my experience hence I run winters.

The battle between Goodyear Asy 5 and Michelin PS4S, has been raging for a while with very much a draw between the two, it will be interesting how the Michelin PS5 performs.