Taking the results of a survey conducted by Venson Automotive Solutions, we can safely conclude that driver knowledge about tyre tread depths isn’t what it should be. The independent fleet management specialist shares that 69 per cent of survey participants weren’t aware of the 1.6mm minimum legal tread depth limit.
As our environment becomes increasingly technologically driven, it is no surprise to learn that as many as 15 per cent of tyres are being bought online. At the same time tyres are becoming more and more “intelligent” with built-in sensors such as TPMS. However, for a long time the business of checking tyre tread depth has been a relatively imprecise affair. A few years back standards improved with the development of digital tread depth probes, some of which even bluetoothed data to cloud-based systems. However, the latest technology takes routine tread depth checks and fleet audits to the next level.
The NTDA’s regional meeting held in Templepatrick on 17 May reported the results of the associations 2017 tyre tread depth on replacement survey showed. It showed that in one week in March, members had removed 1,200 tyres from cars and light commercial vans that were already below the legal tread depth limit of 1.6mm. This follows on from a similar survey carried out over a longer period in 2016, where more than 3000 tyres removed were already under 1.6mm.
At the end of last year, during the Paris Motor Show, Michelin reaffirmed its position on tread depth. The leading French tyre manufacturer believes a tyre should perform well throughout its whole life. And seeing as the European legal tread depth limit is 1.6mm, this means all the way down to this particular tread depth. Taken in isolation, this is a strong argument that basically no-one would contradict. So why did we immediately receive strong feedback from companies and associations? What are the counter arguments? And what are the implications of adopting such a stance?
An Ernst & Young (EY) report commissioned by Michelin has found that – within the European Union most tyres are replaced at 3mm. Indeed, citing a study published in 2014 in the journal Tire Science and Technology, the report writers found that the average and median tread depths of removed tyres are 3.1 and 3mm respectively.
Michelin further re-affirmed its opposition to increasing minimum tyre tread depths (and of those that recommend changing tyres at 3mm) on 11 May when the company held a “The truth about worn tyres” demonstration at its ultra-modern Ladoux global research and development centre near Clermont-Ferrand in France. But what is the truth about tread depth? Tyres & Accessories spent a day experiencing some of the differences between tyres currently available in the European market and spoke with the Michelin senior vice president responsible for the firm’s whole-life tyre strategy, Bernard Delmas, in order to find out more.
Bartec’s TAP200 tread and pressure reader will be unveiled at the CV Show 2017 by its new distributor, JHM Butt & Co Ltd (Butts of Bawtry). The TAP200 will be on display at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) between 25 and 27 April, on stand 4E111.
Although the legal tread depth limit is 1.6mm, only 16 per cent of the UK’s ‘blue-light’ services allow the tread on their emergency vehicles’ tyres to go below 2.5mm of tread before being changed. In fact, Kwik Fit claims that on average the emergency services change their vehicle tyres at a tread depth of 2.74mm.
Autogem is exclusively distributing Tire Profiles Inc’s TreadSpec and Groove Glove tyre tread depth and wheel alignment diagnostic equipment. Tire Profiles is designed to help auto dealers and repair shops sell more tyres, wheel alignments and other “around the wheel” repairs, by providing equipment and processes that create “a sound repeatable process”. The solution works on the philosophy that “it is not the measurement that matters but rather what one does with the measurement which has driven”.
Sigmavision will showcase its new TreadReader tyre measurement App at Automechanika Birmingham. The 3D tyre measurement technology company has added the App to its TreadReader range of tyre measurement products; it is used to control the Hand Held scanner, making a tyre inspection and diagnostic tool. Downloaded to a phone or tablet, the App connects to the scanner via Wi-Fi. Intuitive screens guide technicians through the scanning of vehicle tyres, with the option of printing a PDF report for the customer, illustrating tread depth and tyre condition.
Nokian Tyres’ investment in Sigmavision and the installation of its SnapSkan tool via tyre and car service chain Vianor is targeting “improved safety” for “millions of drivers”, the Finnish tyre manufacturer states. The free and fast technology measures the depth of tyre treads on the go and informs the driver of the results, serving motorists on their everyday routes, in locations such as car parks.
A decade since the 3mm campaign got a big push, the subject of what is the best tread depth at which to change tyres returned to centre stage at the beginning of October.
The debate was reignited at the Paris Motor Show where Michelin reaffirmed its opposition to changing tyres at 3mm.
WheelRight believes that plans to raise the minimum legal car tyre tread depth from 1.6mm to 3mm “are like moving the goalposts before the team has even run onto the pitch”. John Catling, CEO of the UK-based technology business thinks setting even higher standards of tread depth could be counter-productive as long as so few drivers continue to regularly check their tyres.
John Catling said: “According to the results of a live pilot study we conducted at Keele Services on the southbound M6 earlier this year, most women (55%) admitted to rarely checking their tyres. Their male counterparts did not score much better, with just 66% claiming to undertake monthly checks.
The NTDA reports that it remains “firmly committed to its 3mm Tread Safety campaign, an initiative designed to raise awareness among motorists of the importance of changing tyres when they reach a 3mm tread depth rather than the lower, legal limit of 1.6mm, which was launched in partnership with Roadsafe in 2005.” The NTDA statement follows comments made by well-known manufacturer Michelin at the end of September in opposition to 3mm tread depth tyre change philosophies.
A new 360° video from TyreSafe depicts the gulf in braking distances between tyres with full tread and those whose treads are just below the legal limit. The film has been devised to immerse viewers in the action so they can safely experience for themselves the lack of control provided by tyres with dangerously low tread depth. The film builds to a dramatic climax as the test car careers through a purpose-built wall – out of control and unable to stop in time.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.