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 38 Rep 372 Posts Drives: E90 ///M3 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW E90 M3 [10.00]	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 10 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Redmond, WA iTrader: (0)	If it isn't raining, slicks are perfectly fine for the drive back
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10-26-2012, 05:57 AM	#6
LiM3y Major 70 Rep 1,339 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CT iTrader: (5)	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..
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10-26-2012, 04:30 PM	#9
CanAutM3 General 21114 Rep 20,741 Posts Drives: 2021 911 turbo Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 Audi RS6 [10.00] 2021 Porsche 911 turbo [10.00]	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.
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10-26-2012, 05:07 PM	#13
djantlive Private 2 Rep 65 Posts Drives: E46 Vert Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SF Bay Area 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.
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10-26-2012, 10:27 PM	#15
bigjae1976 Major General 1570 Rep 8,075 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	I wear mine down until the insides are smooth. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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