What Is The Legal Tyre Tread Depth In Australia? Legally in Australia, tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm. Anything below is considered unroadworthy. With that being said, Tyrepower recommend you should consider changing tyres at around 3mm of tread, rather than waiting for the minimum allowable depth.

Is 2 mm tyre tread legal? Minimum legal tread depth So, what is the minimum tread depth required for car tyres? While a new car tyre begins life with approximately 8mm of tread, the minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm. However, most motoring organisations recommend changing your tyres before the tread gets to this level.

Is 3mm tyre tread OK? Tyre and safety experts believe the 1.6mm legal minimum is insufficient to guarantee safety – most recommend a minimum tread depth of 3mm for tyre replacement. Tests by UK technical organisation MIRA found that, once tyres are below 3mm, stopping distances increase dramatically.

How do you measure tyre tread depth in Australia? Checking the tread depth of your tyres is simple and easy – and all you need is a 20c coin. To measure your tyre’s tread depth, place an Australian 20c coin into one of the central circumferential grooves of your tyre. If the tread doesn’t reach the bill of the platypus, your tyre has less than 3mm of tread remaining.





What is the legal limit for tyre treads?

The legal limit of 1.6mm is reached when the tyre is worn to the level of the tread wear indicators in the main groove — as soon as this happens, the tyre should be replaced.

How long do 3mm tyres last?

With all the possible variables taken into account, the minimum average period 3mm of tyre tread depth will last before it reaches the legal limit of 1.6mm is between would be 10,000-20,000 miles but it could be considerably more than that.

Is 6mm tread good?

If you have a full 6mm of tread (i.e., the groove is to or beyond the bottom of the Memorial) you’re probably fine; if you have less, estimate how much (remembering that you know you have more than 4mm) and then see the table.

Should I replace my tyres at 4mm?

A tyre with a tread depth of 4mm is a cause for concern as the tyre is 62% worn. At 3mm it is recommended that the tyre should be replaced. Replacing a tyre around the 3mm mark is a great idea as it reduces the risk of an accident and the risk of receiving a penalty charge.

How long will a 1mm tread last?

“With just 1mm of tread remaining a car’s stopping distance is 250m. If tyres are not changed before they wear to 1.6mm drivers may be compromising the safety of themselves and other road users.”

Should I replace my tires at 3mm?

The manufacturer says there is no link between tread depths at 1.6mm and increasing accident rates. In addition, changing tyres at 3mm would cost the motorist money and increase carbon emissions – especially as a tyre becomes more fuel-efficient as it wears.

How long should car tyres last Australia?

2- Ten years is a maximum If the tyres haven’t been replaced 10 years after their date of manufacture, as a precaution, Michelin recommends replacing them with new tyres. Even if they appear to be in a usable condition and have not been worn down to the tread wear indicator. This applies to spare tyres as well.

Is 5mm tire tread good?

If the red is visible the tyre tread is below 1.6mm. This means the tyre is 100% worn and should be replaced urgently. If the orange is visible, the tyre tread is 3mm which is the recommended minimum. If the green is visible, the tyre tread is above is 5mm and is safe to drive.

Is 4mm tire tread OK?

Legal regulations For safe driving, tires must be replaced at 3 or 4 mm remaining tread depth.

Is it illegal to have different tyre treads?

Mixing different tread patterns across the same axle is not allowed. The identical tyre model and tread pattern must be fitted for a single axle. You can, however, use different tyres on a separate axle – just as long as they too match each other.

What make your tyres illegal?

Excessive or uneven tyre wear is a key component of what can constitute as an illegal tyre. This could refer to having large, deep cuts in the sidewall, for example, or having tyre wear in uneven places – leading to a dangerous tyre which isn’t meeting the specific safety requirements.

What tread depth should tyres be replaced?

Ideally, tyres should be replaced once they reach a tread depth of 2mm. Research studies have shown that a tread depth of 3mm offers drivers around a 25% improvement in performance compared with a tread depth of the legal minimum of 1.6mm.

Should I change tyres at 2mm?

Whether you replace at 1.6mm, 2mm or 3mm is down to personal preference and the quality of the tyre that’s fitted to the vehicle. But it’s important to note that tyres that are near or on the legal limit can be more susceptible to aquaplaning, owing to the fact there is less tread depth to allow for water dispersion.

Should I replace tires at 4 32?

If your gauge measurement reads: 6/32″ or higher: Your tire’s tread depth is sufficient. 5/32″: If snow-covered roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires. 4/32″: If you frequently drive on wet roads, consider replacing your tires.

Is 7 32 A lot of tread?

Used tires tread can be up to 90%, but the average is 6-8/32”. Tires in good condition should have a minimum of 6/32” to be useful, or 4/32” if the tire is 13-14”.

How long should tires last?

On average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.

How often should you replace your tires?

When Should You Replace Your Vehicle’s Tires? As a general rule, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that drivers change the tires on their vehicles every six years.

What does 1.6 mm tread look like?

The border around the outside edge of a 20 pence piece is approximately 1.6mm. Place a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of your tyre. If the outer border is hidden when it is inserted then your tread is above the legal limit.

How deep is the tread on a new Michelin tyre?

The tread depth of a new tyre on an SUV is practically the same as a new car tyre — typically between 7mm and 9mm depending on the tyre model — while the legal limit in the UK for tyre tread size is 1.6mm. With performance made to last, at Michelin we recommend using our tyres until the 1.6mm legal limit of tread.

How many mm is a brand new tire?

New tires have an average tread depth of 8 to 9 millimeters (10/32 to 11/32 inches). As you drive, the tread will wear down. A tire with a tread depth below 1.6 millimeters (2/32 inches) lacks grip. Braking distance and vehicle control are impaired.

Why do new car tires wear out so fast?

The tire manufacturer bears that responsibility. The OEM tires that came with your car can’t be replaced (which is a good thing) after they’ve worn out. And they will wear out much sooner than they should. This is because virtually all auto manufacturers specify very soft rubber which means they wear out too fast.

Should I change all 4 tires at once?

It’s always best to replace all 4 tires at the same time. This is because all 4 tires spin independently of one another, and different tread depths and/or styles can cause them to spin at different speeds. That could potentially damage the drive train, and possibly affect an indirect TPMS system if the vehicle has one.