Does anyone know if the Min tread depth in France is the same as the UK. I remember my dad saying years ago that their limit was higher than ours. Can anyone give an update.

Have checked on theaa.com and done a quick google search but cant find the answer.

The key to doing a google search is to do the search in French, my rusty french reveals the limit to be the same as the UK at 1.6mm. The google translation is.

The tread must present on all its surface of the apparent sculptures.

By measuring the depth of the principal grooves, the measured depth must be at least of 1,6 Misters.

One finds indicators of 1,6 mm height wear placed in several places inside the principal grooves.

In the same way, there should not be a difference of more than 5 mm between the 2 tires of the same axle.

Cheers,

I dont have a tread depth tool, am I right in assuming that the little ridge inside the grooves is the indicator?

Yes, the little ridge is at 1.6mm.

Cheers

From what i read there that is 1.6mm across the whole tread as opposed to over two thirds of tread which I think it used to be here. Not 100% sure what it is here, but then again i look to change mine when they hit 3mm

3mm is the lowest I'll feel safe with - perhaps if by sheer luck it is mid-summer I will push it for a little longer than that in fairness.

It does depend a lot on the tyre though, the SCIIs I had were scary when they got to 3mm, the GY GSD3s were still ine at that point.

Yep, I tend to change mine between 2-3mm, depending on how they're feeling when they get down there, and the time of year. Any Contis for example, tend to be rubbish below 3mm as that's the min depth in Germany. So they don't seem to use the same compound or whatever below that. After all, what's the point if the tyre's going to have to be replaced?

And I'd pick up one of these gauges, very handy : eBay.co.uk: NEW Polco Tyre Tread Depth Guage (item 280069310157 end time 21-Jan-07 10:01:59 GMT)

Steve

It too used to have the Conti sports and I agree they lost traction well before the 1.6mm mark. These Yoko's that I have on now were measured at 4mm on front and back when serviced last August, I have covered 4,000miles since and handling hasnt been affected yet.

Any Ideas how much tread comes on a new tyre?

7mm i think on new

It too used to have the Conti sports and I agree they lost traction well before the 1.6mm mark....

Any Ideas how much tread comes on a new tyre?

Yep, I was so surprised when I had some on my Focus, I rang up a friend of my Dad's who used to be a dealer for their farm and truck tyres. And that's where I got the info about the issue below 3mm.

New tyres tend to vary between 7-8mm, on the ones I've had.

Steve