Stopping Distance – Tread Depth

October 12th, 2007 | by admin |

Research by MIRA Ltd has shown that when tyre tread depth falls below 3mm, braking performance deteriorates considerably.

Tyres with a 3mm tread have a 25% better performance than those at the legal minimum of 1.6mm. In terms of stopping distance this represented an extra 8 metres, or 25 feet, in wet conditions. In one test, when a tyre with a tread depth of 8mm was compared to one with only 1.6mm, the stopping distance increased by 13 metres, slightly more than 42 feet. The research has led to the majority of motoring experts recommending that motorists change their tyres when tread has worn down to no less than 3mm.