Tread depth and tread wear indicators
Fig. 113 Tread pattern: Wear indicator.
¤ Please first read and note the introductory information and
heed the WARNINGS
Tread depth
Most driving situations require as much tread depth as possible and
similar tread depth for the tires on the front and rear wheels. This is
especially true when driving in winter weather, at low temperatures
and under wet conditions ⇒ꢀ
.
In most countries the legally permissible minimum tread depth is
1/16 in. (1.6 mm), as measured in tread grooves next to the wear in-
dicators. Please be sure to obey country-specific legal requirements.
Winter tires are no longer suitable for winter operation once the tread
pattern is worn down to a depth of 3/16 in. (4.8 mm).
The tread depth of new tires can differ between tire models and man-
ufacturers because of the different design features and tread pat-
terns.
Tread wear indicator (TWI) in the tire
The 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) high wear indicators are molded into the bottom
of the tread grooves of the original tires running across the treads
⇒ꢀfig. 113. Several wear indicators are evenly spaced around the tire.
Markings on the sides of the tires (for example “TWI” or symbols)
show the position of the wear indicators.
Wear indicators show when the tires are worn down. The tires must
be replaced no later than when the tread pattern is worn down to the
wear indicators.
English 