Myth: Replace Tires Only When They Hit the Legal Limit
The legal tread depth in most places is 2/32 of an inch, and many people wait until they hit that mark to buy new rubber. However, your tires’ performance in rain and snow drops off a cliff long before you hit that limit. Organizations like AAA have found that tires with 4/32 of an inch of tread take significantly longer to stop in wet conditions compared to new ones.
At 2/32, the grooves aren’t deep enough to channel water away, leading to a high risk of hydroplaning. While it’s tempting to squeeze every last mile out of a set of tires, your safety in bad weather is compromised much earlier than the law suggests. Experts recommend looking for new tires once you hit the 4/32 mark.
