Tread depth of passenger car winter tires: minimum permissible remaining tire height

The remaining tire tread depth is the height of the studs at which the tire can still be used. If the rubber is worn below the specified limit, further use of the product is not safe. Standards are determined for each category of car and type of tire individually according to traffic regulations. If the requirement is not met, it is considered a violation, punishable by a fine, and a traffic police officer, when checking wear and tear, issues a warning or a protocol for administrative punishment.

Content:

Functional differences between winter and summer tires
What is the minimum tread height for winter tires for passenger cars?
Fines for non-compliance with the minimum tread depth requirements for winter tires
Methods for measuring the tread height of winter tires
What factors influence the rate of tire wear?
Conclusion

Driving a car in winter conditions requires drivers to be especially alert and alert. At the same time, it is also important to properly prepare the machine for operation in the cold season, when the roads are constantly covered with ice, snow, or a mess of mud and reagents. One of the key factors affecting the safety of driving a car is the remaining tread depth of winter tires. It is this parameter that we will talk about in this article, so that even a novice car enthusiast can understand the intricacies of choosing and using seasonal tires.

What affects the tread wear rate?

Finally, in order to adjust the scope of the article to its competitors, I will describe the factors affecting the durability of rubber.

Increased tire pressure. If you do not comply with the requirements of the car manufacturer and maintain excessive pressure in the ramp, then rapid wear of the central part occurs. It was she who had the most grip on the road, and quickly wore it out.

The wheel camber angle is incorrect. If there is increased wear on the outer parts of the tire, one or the other, this means that the wheel alignment needs to be adjusted.

If the tread wears off evenly but quickly , you have an aggressive driving style.

Functional differences between winter and summer tires

Tires can be summer, winter and all-season. The first ones are designed for driving on dry and wet asphalt, off-road in warm weather conditions, when the air temperature does not drop below +5 degrees. When it gets colder, the rubber on such tires hardens, which reduces road grip and creates the risk of an accident. Winter tires operate in more difficult conditions, and therefore the requirements for them are higher. These tires must provide traction on slippery roads (packed snow, ice), quickly remove mud from the mud, and also provide the vehicle with high cross-country ability. To achieve this, winter tires are equipped with the following elements:

deep tread with large blocks;
increased number of lamellas (side slits);
drainage grooves;
a special compound that maintains elasticity in the cold and follows the unevenness of the road.

Additionally, winter tires can be equipped with metal toe studs, which enhance the car’s grip on ice and compacted snow. Such tires are noisier in operation, increase the weight of the car wheel, but are necessary in regions with severe frosts and large amounts of precipitation. When moving around the city, there is no need for spikes, since the roads are regularly cleaned and treated with reagents.

All-season tires are an intermediate link between summer and winter tires. They are suitable for driving in cold and warm seasons, but cannot handle ice or wet asphalt as well as seasonal options.

How do you know if you have winter tires?

If an external inspection of the tread pattern of new winter tires does not allow you to clearly say whether the tires can cope with ice and compacted snow on the road, pay attention to the markings. Tires intended for the cold season have a pictogram with a snowflake against the backdrop of Trekhgorye, as well as the inscription “M&S” or “M+S”.

It is worth noting that according to the provisions of the technical regulations of the Customs Union TR CU 018/2011, winter tires with studs and appropriate markings can only be used from September to May, unless other restrictions are provided by the regional government. From June to August, cars must be equipped with rubber without any metal inserts.

How to assess the degree of wear?

In addition to the visual test, there is a more accurate modern way to determine the level of wear.

Method No. 1.

For this, an electronic meter is used. There is one at the service station.

rice. Measuring device

It gives results accurate to a few microns, or calipers. If you don't have any of the above devices with you, you can use a coin or other object to measure.

Depth is measured along the main grooves.

Please note that the size of the geometry must be the same around the entire circumference. If the edge-to-center difference is significant, it may indicate improper air pressure, suspension failure, or an overly aggressive driving style.

Method No. 2.

It is quite intuitive and does not require special equipment. All he needs is an ordinary coin.

rice. Coin check.

It is enough to insert the coin vertically into the individual recesses. When the gold rim is completely hidden in them, the valid block value is preserved. It is advisable that inspection be carried out at several points, including both longitudinal and transverse grooves.

Thanks to this, it is checked whether the entire surface provides a safe value and whether the tire wears evenly during operation.

Method No. 3.

Measurement with miniature calipers. The principle of operation is simple. The measuring line is located at the bottom of the individual grooves.

rice. Measured using a caliper.

The top of the sensor is fixed to the top of the blocks. In this case, just like when measuring with a coin, you must remember to test in all grooves and at different points on the surface. Only then will the research be sufficiently reliable.

What is the minimum tread height for winter tires for passenger cars?

Naturally, during operation, the tread depth is seriously reduced, as checkers and blocks gradually wear off on the road surface. At the same time, grip deteriorates. Numerous tests show that the new tires, with a tread depth of 8 mm, provide 74-47% grip on the road surface, depending on driving speed. For worn tires this figure drops significantly. So, when installing tires with a tread depth of 4 mm at a speed of 75 km/h, only 58% of the blocks in the contact patch will retain traction. For tires with wear up to 1.6 mm, this parameter is even lower - only 16%. If we talk about driving at a speed of 125 km/h, where new tires with a depth of 8 mm provide 47% of grip, then tires with 4 mm and 1.6 mm show only 11 and 6%, respectively. This difference in numbers explains the high level of attention paid to maintaining tread height. Safety while driving a car largely depends on this criterion. If the tread depth is normal, winter tires will cope well with their functional purpose:

will ensure rapid removal of snow slush and water;
maintain traction on slippery road surfaces;
will provide high maneuverability in deep snow conditions.

According to traffic regulations, for vehicles of categories M1, N1, O1, O2, which include passenger cars, the minimum permissible residual tread depth is 1.6 mm. Summer and all-season tires are subject to this rule. Those tires marked “M&S” or “M+S” must have a tread depth of at least 4 mm.

New tire tread height

If you are just planning to buy tires for the winter, you have probably already thought about the question of how many mm the height of the checkers and blocks should be. There are no specific traffic regulations requirements for this parameter. Although the law does not regulate the tread depth of new winter tires, manufacturers still try to adhere to certain standards. The exact height depends on the type of tires. They can be intended for use on highways, regional roads, and also in off-road conditions. The latter have a tread depth of up to 17 mm. Winter tires for city driving are usually equipped with blocks 10-15 mm high. Considering that the tread in rubber wears out differently, you should not buy new tires secondhand. And although such tires will help save money on preparing your car for winter use, most of their technical parameters are approximate. Thus, sellers of used tires indicate the wear of the tread pattern as a percentage of the original number of mm. This figure will say little if you don’t know how deep the new tires were. In addition, wear may be uneven, and it is almost impossible to detect this with the naked eye.

All-season tires - reality or myth?

It is mistakenly believed that today many car tire manufacturers offer so-called all-season tires. Allegedly, such tire options can be used both in winter and summer, without worrying about the quality of operation or fines from traffic police representatives on the road. In fact, this is another myth, inflated by ill-conceived tire advertising in our country. M+S (Mud and Snow) tires, which are considered all-season, have the following disadvantages:

on a wet surface such tires behave simply disgustingly, the braking distance increases significantly;
low temperatures cause changes in the chemical characteristics of the tread, increasing the wear of such tires;
in summer the tires turn out to be too soft, and in winter they become quite hard and uncomfortable for travel;
on snow, the M+S performs about the same as summer tires, so all-season performance is deceptive;
at the traffic police post you will still be fined for not having winter tires on the wheels, which are designed specifically for winter;
fuel consumption will increase significantly both in winter and summer, the tire will cause additional costs.

It should be noted that the term M+S comes from the world of off-road vehicles, where the designation Mud and Snow means the ability to travel on muddy surfaces and in snow. This does not mean that the manufacturer offers an all-season solution for passenger cars. But the glory of M+S's all-season capabilities is firmly ingrained in the thinking of our drivers, who strive to save on vehicle maintenance and operation. Therefore, we do not recommend using any all-season tire options. We invite you to watch a report on the quality of various tread patterns on winter tires:

Fines for non-compliance with the minimum tread depth requirements for winter tires

The traffic police inspector has the right to check the compliance of the tires used with the established standards. To do this, employees conduct a visual inspection of the tires and also measure the depth of the tread pattern. According to the current Code of Administrative Offences, a driver may be subject to a fine of 500 rubles for using tires that contradict the requirements set out in paragraph 5 of Appendix No. 1 to the traffic rules. According to established standards, the residual height of winter tires must be at least 4 mm, and the rubber itself must not have external damage (cuts, punctures, areas with exposed cord). At the same time, it is prohibited to install different tires on vehicle wheels, as well as those models that do not correspond to the vehicle in terms of speed, load, and size. These requirements are relevant for both friction and studded tires.

Conclusion

The remaining tire tread depth directly affects road safety. “Bald” tires will not only lead to loss of vehicle controllability and deterioration of the tire’s traction properties, but also to a fine. Traffic regulations are strict in this matter, and any traffic cop can only enjoy making money from a driver.

Be careful and control this parameter yourself. I also told you how to measure it yourself, you know what values are allowed. Now let's move on to fines: in Russia - 500 rubles or a warning (Article of the Administrative Code 12.5 part 1), in Ukraine - 340 hryvnia, in case of repeated violation - deprivation of rights.

In addition to penalties, there is a risk that the insurance company will refuse to pay in the event of an accident. If during the examination it was recorded that the car was driven on “bald” tires, then the chance of getting insurance is reduced to zero.

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Methods for measuring the tread height of winter tires

Modern manufacturers make it much easier to monitor tire tread wear. For this purpose, a special indicator is provided on the tire, which can be presented in the form of a colored layer, a pictogram or an indication of the number of mm. As this designation wears off, the driver can understand whether the tires need to be replaced with new ones.

If the tires do not have a wear indicator, you can use improvised means (a coin) or special devices:

electronic depth gauge;
ruler;
caliper with depth gauge.

These devices are simply lowered between the blocks and show the current winter tire tread height. If you don't have them on hand, you can use a coin. It sinks edge deep. The place where the protector ends is clamped with your finger. All that remains is to measure the resulting height with a ruler. This method is not very accurate and is used as a last resort.

In order for tread depth monitoring to be accurate and informative, measurements must be taken across the entire width and at different points of the radius. The final value is taken to be the minimum height identified during the test. If you notice uneven wear on the tread pattern, it is worth checking the wheel angle for camber and toe.

Other restrictions

Tire expiration date

According to domestic standards, the service life of tires is 5 years from the date of their manufacture; these standards are regulated by GOST 4754–97 and 5513–97. Most car enthusiasts know how old their tires are. The first ones came with the car, and then they usually don’t forget about the replacement - the purchase is quite serious.

The tire usually has a manufacturing date on it. It is labeled differently by different manufacturers. How this or that ]marks a tire[/anchor] can be found on the manufacturer’s website.

In Russia, there is no liability for the use of old tires, but if, during the investigation of the circumstances of the accident, it becomes clear that the tire’s “old age” was to blame for the destruction of the tire, then the decision may not be made in favor of the owner of the car with such tires. And it doesn’t matter whether you are driving or the car is mostly stationary and only occasionally leaves. The fact is that tires are exposed to oxygen and sunlight, which gradually destroy the rubber and tire frame. Of course, you shouldn’t take old, but very little worn tires to the scrap yard. Just remember that neither summer nor winter age tires will have the same performance as before.

Tire defects

Of course, few people will replace a tire after a regular puncture with a nail, but if the damage is more serious, then the tire has only one path - scrap. Tire replacement is usually caused by significant damage to the sidewall, large holes in the tread, bending of the tire carcass, or damage to the integrity of the bead rings. Uneven tread wear with individual bald spots and the inability to balance the tire on a working rim will also force you to replace it.

Some drivers mistakenly mistake the colored stripes on top of the tire tread for wear indicators. It's actually a kind of barcode, an internal designation that shows the warehouse worker what size or model the tire is. In warehouses, tires are stored in a vertical position, so the sidewalls are not visible to employees. And the stripes uniquely identify the tire, which makes the job easier.

Constantly monitor the condition of studded tires

If the studs are still held in the tire, but at the same time swing from side to side, then the grip of the tire is significantly reduced.
If the studs are still held in the tire, but at the same time swing from side to side, then the grip of the tire is significantly reduced. A bendable spike will not cut into ice and has weak grip on slush and snow. Particularly dangerous are cases where a large number of studs have become loose and the number of studs in the tires varies.

According to the winter tire law, the maximum permissible variation in the number of studs between tires is 25%. This is useful for assessing the safety of your tires, but the results will always be a little inaccurate and unreliable, especially since drivers tend to overestimate the condition of their tires. That's why Nokian Tires has developed a tread wear indicator (DSI) for its new tyres, which accurately displays the remaining tread depth and the distance at which the tires will continue to provide adequate safety.

How to understand tire designations?

The tire size is the most important information printed on the tire. The size is indicated by numbers and letters, e.g. 195/65 R15 91H, where:

195 – tire width, mm
65 – tire height, % of width
R15 – wheel arch diameter (landing diameter)
91 – load index
H – speed index
The speed index determines the maximum speed capabilities of the tire. The most important speed indices:
Q – 160 km/h
S – 180 km/h
T – 190 km/h
H – 210 km/h
V – 240 km/h
W – 270 km/h

All tires have markings that can be used to determine whether the tire meets EU, US, or both standards. The letter E, inscribed in a circle with two numbers, indicates that the tire has been tested in accordance with the safety requirements in force in the European Union. The American standard is designated DOT (Department of Transportation).

If tires are certified to both standards, they have both E4 and DOT designations. M+S: mud (Mud) + snow (Snow) – winter and all-purpose tires. AW (Any weather) are universal tires, as are AS (All Seasons). Some businesses use pictograms instead of letters: sun, rain, snowflake. An arrow on the side of the wheel indicates the direction of rotation of the tire.

The year of manufacture on the tire is indicated by four numbers: week and year of manufacture. For example, 1509: the first two digits are the fifteenth week (15), 09 is the year of manufacture (2009).

How to measure tread remaining?

To find out how worn your tires are, you need to measure the tread depth.

This is done quite simply:

Using a coin, which must be placed in the tread, mark or remember the tread level, and then measure the distance on the coin with a tape measure.

A traffic police officer will be able to measure this value with a special device. However, bald tires can be detected with the naked eye.

What does a car owner risk when buying used tires?

There is no warranty for tires purchased second hand;
the seller can deceive - for example, offer tires from different manufacturers in one set. Some particularly enterprising sellers even cut tread into worn rubber, as if the tires were not yet worn out;
you will have to spend a lot of time selecting tires from private sellers - much of what is put up for sale is only suitable for recycling;
Products may have hidden or visible defects. Visible ones are punctures, tears, cuts. A tire with a lot of damage may collapse while driving. Hidden defects include damage to the cord, which most often occurs after punctures or a strong impact. A car with such a malfunction may sway on the road and be unstable;
the product was stored in improper conditions, for example, in direct sunlight - this reduces the service life of the tires and they will become unusable faster, even if the remaining tread depth is ideal;
It is not always possible to carry out tire fitting in the presence of the seller; you will have to check the kit yourself after payment.

Without a specialist, you risk buying tires that you won't be able to use. Don't skimp on safety. Purchasing a new set of tires will require a larger investment, but will pay off with a long period of trouble-free operation.