Winter tires how much tread

People used to use a penny to check tread depth. One easy way is the penny test. Simply insert a penny into your tire's tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. It's important to do more than just a quick visual check of your tires ' tread depth. How many years do winter tires last? Winter tires are made with rubber that retains its elasticity at lower temperatures, but that does not mean they will wear out more quickly than other tires.

Manufacturers say winter tires should last six seasons. Transport Canada says they could be good for up to 10 seasons.

How many miles do winter tires last? Assuming consistent year-round travel patterns, most Americans would drive about 4, miles every year on winter tires if used for four months. What tread depth should winter tires be replaced? First and foremost is that winter tires feature more aggressive tread designs, softer tread compounds and are often molded with deeper beginning tread depths than summer or all-season tires.

While the combination of these design elements allows winter tires to remain more pliable in…. Tires need more tread depth in wintry…. If not, consider replacing…. Tread Depth It has been established that snow-on-snow traction is critical to winter capability. The deeper the tread depth, the more effective the tire is at packing snow and releasing it during rotation.

Even the most aggressive looking tread pattern will be rendered ineffective with no tread depth remaining. For more information check out this article on measuring tread depth with a coin. Also, consider purchasing a depth gauge to gain a more accurate reading of your tire's tread …. Metal tread depth gauges are awesome and that's what I like to use.

Tires play a big role in how your car performs in winter weather. Since , Consumer Reports has been testing products and working to create a fairer, safer, and healthier marketplace. Click here to learn more about Consumer Reports' mission as a nonprofit organization. To help support our work, please consider making a tax-deductible donation.

You can also show support by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter. Sign In. Become a Member. Remember Me. Forgot username or password? Not a member? Need further assistance? Please call Member Services at CR testing shows tires losing their winter grip at half tread depth. By Consumer Reports. Are all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive the same thing?

While all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive may help you accelerate on slick or snowy terrain, when it comes to stopping or turning, nothing is more important than your tires. There are two main kinds of four-wheel drive — part-time and full-time. With part-time four-wheel drive, most vehicles are rear-wheel drive until the driver manually puts the vehicle in four-wheel drive.

With full-time four-wheel drive, all four wheels are always engaged. With all-wheel drive, sensors automatically determine which wheels should get power to maximize traction. During normal conditions, most all-wheel drive vehicles use just the front wheels.