Our tire expert Tom lists good things to consider about your tires – and also shares a smart tip on how you can always find out your tread depth yourself – wherever you are.
Pattern depth – the levels you need to keep an eye on
This applies to winter tires
- A new winter tire: about 9 mm
- Start thinking about replacing: about 4-5 mm
- Legal minimum tread depth: 3 mm
This applies to summer tires
- A new summer tire: about 8 mm
- Start thinking about replacing: about 3 mm
- Legal minimum tread depth: 1.6 mm
What are the risks of driving with worn tires?
When you drive with poor tread depth, your braking distance becomes significantly longer. You also increase your risk of aquaplaning and skidding. Since there are legal limits – you also risk fines.
How often should tires be replaced?
A tire wears approximately 1-2 mm per season. Depending on mileage and surface. A simple answer is that you can expect to change it every 4-5 years.
If we just look at the rubber, a tire can definitely last 5-10 years, but you often have time to wear down the tire's tread depth before that.
How many miles can I drive on one set of tires?
- Approximately 4,000-5,000 km. Simply put – before the tread depth wears down. It varies with the quality of the tire, the undercarriage and driving style. But it is a good rule of thumb.
The trick – how to check the tread depth with your own driver's license
In the past, you could often quickly check the tread depth with a five-krona coin. Nowadays, cash is rarer – so what do we do?
A simple trick is to use your own driver's license! Hopefully, it's something you always have with you – at least if you're by your car.
How do you do it?
- Bring your driver's license.
- Put it down in the pattern on the tire
- How many of the three lines of text on the driver's license are visible?
What if the deck hides all three rows? So you have a lot left. The tire is good!
If you see all three lines? So it's high time to change tires!
Examples of good tires. The pattern depth largely covers the text line at the bottom of your driver's license.
Example of a bad tire. The entire line of text at the bottom of your driver's license is visible. Your tire is at risk of not being approved and needs to be replaced.
Simple template – Should you change your tires?
Use this template to see if it's time to change your tires. If you start to see the line of text at the bottom? Line three? Then it may be time to change your tires.
As always, we recommend playing it safe before you go wrong. It is always better to replace a tire on time than to jeopardize your safety and the safety of others on the road.
Do you need help with tire questions and tread depth? You are welcome to stop by Niemi Bil and we will help you.
Good luck!
