when do you replace your tyres?

[canalmike]

MOT due in a month so popped into 2 tyre shops to check legality.

Both measured 3.33 on the fronts and said I should replace them for the MOT. Surely this is just salesmanship???!

OK, it's best not to run right down to the legal limit, both to guarantee passing the MOT and for obvious safety reasons, but at what point do you make the change?

[Exonian]

Between 2 and 3mm is about right except maybe in the height of a dry summer.
The legal minimum tread depth certainly won’t be allowing the tyres to perform at anything like their optimum in anything except bone dry warm weather.

Currently needing a pair of fronts myself as I’m at 3mm and debating whether to stick with PS4S or put PS5’s on the front and keep the healthy PS4S on the rear.
I fancy trying the PS5’s but my car OCD and dislike of mix’n’match tyres is swinging me more to PS4S all round.

[willni]

I change at 3mm, grip tends to drop off a bit more as they go below. Given we're still in winter conditions it's a good idea to change sooner rather than later, if it were coming into summer I'd run them for another 3-4 months.

See what deals are about if there's 10-15% off go for it, if not hold off on pulling the trigger.

[Bluto]

I've always changed around the 3 mm mark.  Think it was a Fifth Gear segment many, many moons ago that showed the impact on stopping distances in the wet on tyres at 1.8 mm that was a tad scary.

[SRGTD]

Between 2mm and 3mm for me.

[P6GTD]

Agree. And having just done it, the car feels great. For the type of car we all love, good tyres with a decent tread are key.
Otherwise just buy a Nissan Juke and enjoy budget motoring. The problem being 90% of drivers regard a car like a washing machine….a household appliance.
No thanks!

[symonh2000]

About half of the time I find myself replacing tyres due to pothole or puncture damage before they have worn out.

I usually replace at about 2-3mm, some tyres continue to grip well as the tread wears but others don't. Plus on my commute there are a couple of sections of road which tend to hold standing water, and going through without much tyre tread can be a bit scary.

[Exonian]

90% of drivers regard a car like a washing machine….a household appliance.

Admittedly I’m a bit odd but I regard my washing machine as enthusiastically as I do my car! 

[willni]

90% of drivers regard a car like a washing machine….a household appliance.

Admittedly I’m a bit odd but I regard my washing machine as enthusiastically as I do my car! 

Is it only when you've taken a corner a bit too hard the interest peaks? 

[Yusee]

@Exonian, just done what you’re considering- brand new PS5s front, leaving part worn PS4s rear.

Just do it, they’re the same brand, almost the same model. Won’t do you any harm!