Quick question on acceptable minimum tread depth?

Xcelrrate · 10-25-2012, 10:13 PM

I am about to be in the market to be getting me some new Michelin PSS tires all around. I don't know how much thread I currently have left on my PS2's, but I haven't reached my wear bars yet!

I am planning/ wanting to track my car this Sunday @ Chuckwalla.

I figured what a perfect time and place to finish and burn off my tires before slapping on the new PSS's

So as the title says, what is the minimum acceptable tread depth? I will be traveling from Las Vegas to Chuckwalla which is a 225 miles away.

I am anticipating to finish off my tires, but just wanted to budget enough rubber to get me back home, another 225 miles...

Weather looks good, so I should be able to drive home on Track-Made-Slicks right? LoL

sleepless · 10-25-2012, 10:21 PM

If it isn't raining, slicks are perfectly fine for the drive back

OC3 · 10-26-2012, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xcelrrate

I am about to be in the market to be getting me some new Michelin PSS tires all around. I don't know how much thread I currently have left on my PS2's, but I haven't reached my wear bars yet!

I am planning/ wanting to track my car this Sunday @ Chuckwalla.

I figured what a perfect time and place to finish and burn off my tires before slapping on the new PSS's

So as the title says, what is the minimum acceptable tread depth? I will be traveling from Las Vegas to Chuckwalla which is a 225 miles away.

I am anticipating to finish off my tires, but just wanted to budget enough rubber to get me back home, another 225 miles...

Weather looks good, so I should be able to drive home on Track-Made-Slicks right? LoL

Taking 95?

rzm3 · 10-26-2012, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepless

If it isn't raining, slicks are perfectly fine for the drive back

+1... unless your tires start to cord.

Xcelrrate · 10-26-2012, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC3

Taking 95?

Yes I am....

Why the inquiry ?

Might you be on this same stretch of road?

Oh look, we're almost twins.

LiM3y · 10-26-2012, 05:57 AM

Rule of thumb for tread depth:

Tread depth = brain mass/balls circumference

This relationship is useful for many activities associated with track days such as braking distance, entry speed, etc. ...

Porschefile · 10-26-2012, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiM3y

Rule of thumb for tread depth:

Tread depth = brain mass/balls circumference

This relationship is useful for many activities associated with track days such as braking distance, entry speed, etc. ...

true. I have started a track day barely above PS2 wear bars and wore them until they got below the bars but not corded, and then called it a day (3 sessions IIRC). At that point the inner part of the tire toward the middle had no grooves or tread really. I guess my brain mass saved me.

FWIW my AD08 are at 3/32 on the insides and 5/32 middle and I'm planning on taking them to Barber and back next weekend (250mi).

rhouck · 10-26-2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xcelrrate

I am about to be in the market to be getting me some new Michelin PSS tires all around. I don't know how much thread I currently have left on my PS2's, but I haven't reached my wear bars yet!

I am planning/ wanting to track my car this Sunday @ Chuckwalla.

I figured what a perfect time and place to finish and burn off my tires before slapping on the new PSS's

So as the title says, what is the minimum acceptable tread depth? I will be traveling from Las Vegas to Chuckwalla which is a 225 miles away.

I am anticipating to finish off my tires, but just wanted to budget enough rubber to get me back home, another 225 miles...

Weather looks good, so I should be able to drive home on Track-Made-Slicks right? LoL

Do you have the PSS's already? Throw them in the car and bring them with you JUST IN CASE. Better to have them mounted nearby than deal with a 200+ mile tow...

And I'll be out there Sunday as well in my S2000 (white, no aero). Buddy will be there in an orange 1M as well. Come say hi

CanAutM3 · 10-26-2012, 04:30 PM

What others have said, if it is not raining, you can wear them down past the wear bars without worry. Even if you show a little cord, you can still safely drive them the 255 miles home.

Xcelrrate · 10-26-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiM3y

Rule of thumb for tread depth:

Tread depth = brain mass/balls circumference

This relationship is useful for many activities associated with track days such as braking distance, entry speed, etc. ...

HAHAHA Nice...I like that one.. Last time I checked, Ball circumference is on the larger side... But I'll have some brain mass so I can have a car to drive home... lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhouck

Do you have the PSS's already? Throw them in the car and bring them with you JUST IN CASE. Better to have them mounted nearby than deal with a 200+ mile tow...

And I'll be out there Sunday as well in my S2000 (white, no aero). Buddy will be there in an orange 1M as well. Come say hi

I'll look for you guys... What group are you and your buddy running in ?

Names Kenny btw, see you out there

Xcelrrate · 10-26-2012, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

What others have said, if it is not raining, you can wear them down past the wear bars without worry. Even if you show a little cord, you can still safely drive them the 255 miles home.

thanks

rhouck · 10-26-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xcelrrate

I'll look for you guys... What group are you and your buddy running in ?

Names Kenny btw, see you out there

5 (advanced, open passing). I'm Ryan and 1M is Eric.

djantlive · 10-26-2012, 05:07 PM

check with the track organizer. most requires 4mm for the tech inspection.

unless you are running an oval, you shouldn't have a problem. if you are running an oval at high speed, you should probably not run the tires into the wear bar or below. monitor your tire pressure after each session.

Xcelrrate · 10-26-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djantlive

check with the track organizer. most requires 4mm for the tech inspection.

unless you are running an oval, you shouldn't have a problem. if you are running an oval at high speed, you should probably not run the tires into the wear bar or below. monitor your tire pressure after each session.

Copy that, thanks...

I got my tire press gauge ready, check !

bigjae1976 · 10-26-2012, 10:27 PM

I wear mine down until the insides are smooth.

10-25-2012, 10:13 PM	#1
Xcelrrate Driver Drives: E90 ///M3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 313 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW E90 M3 [5.00]	Quick question on acceptable minimum tread depth? I am about to be in the market to be getting me some new Michelin PSS tires all around. I don't know how much thread I currently have left on my PS2's, but I haven't reached my wear bars yet! I am planning/ wanting to track my car this Sunday @ Chuckwalla. I figured what a perfect time and place to finish and burn off my tires before slapping on the new PSS's So as the title says, what is the minimum acceptable tread depth? I will be traveling from Las Vegas to Chuckwalla which is a 225 miles away. I am anticipating to finish off my tires, but just wanted to budget enough rubber to get me back home, another 225 miles... Weather looks good, so I should be able to drive home on Track-Made-Slicks right? LoL __________________ '08 Jerez Black E90 ///M3 Pics of my Ride
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10-25-2012, 10:21 PM	#2
sleepless Private First Class Drives: 11 E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 116 iTrader: (0)	If it isn't raining, slicks are perfectly fine for the drive back __________________ '11 E90, Cantrell brake ducts, Apex 18x10 ARC-8, 265/35 PSS, RS19 pads, -2.2 camber, CMS Lap Timer Pro

10-26-2012, 05:57 AM	#6
LiM3y Major Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CT Posts: 1,020 iTrader: (2)	Rule of thumb for tread depth: Tread depth = brain mass/balls circumference This relationship is useful for many activities associated with track days such as braking distance, entry speed, etc. ... __________________ Last edited by LiM3y; 10-26-2012 at 06:07 AM.

10-26-2012, 10:27 PM	#15
bigjae1976 Brigadier General Drives: 04 330Ci, 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 4,047 iTrader: (8)	I wear mine down until the insides are smooth. __________________

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10-26-2012, 04:30 PM	#9
CanAutM3 Major Drives: 2008 E92 M3 SS2 DCT Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,251 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Audi S4 [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	What others have said, if it is not raining, you can wear them down past the wear bars without worry. Even if you show a little cord, you can still safely drive them the 255 miles home.

10-26-2012, 05:07 PM	#13
djantlive Private Drives: E46 Vert Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 62 iTrader: (0)	check with the track organizer. most requires 4mm for the tech inspection. unless you are running an oval, you shouldn't have a problem. if you are running an oval at high speed, you should probably not run the tires into the wear bar or below. monitor your tire pressure after each session.