Running on worn tread...?

Basically true in dry weather, so if it virtually never rains in your area during parts of the year, I wouldn't worry too much about tread depth until the rains come.

 

Not on a regular tyre. On a race cut slick you can have little or no "tread" and still have better grip on a warm dry track surface, but the same cannot be said for a regular car tyre on a regular road. The best grip will be on a nearly new tyre.

Thats my 2c having run a nice race cut slick on a previous car for a bit. When the rain came, well, that was a different story

We can't chance that here in Ireland as it could rain ANYTIME!

 

This is reasonable as long as you don't have to worry about a surprise summer storm.

 

For grip only, it would be ok, but for noise, fuel consumption, steering feel etc, low thread depth isn't too nice IMO. Again, only in perfectly dry conditions

 

I don't believe that it is better. Under simple classic physics, it would make no difference, but the real world is not that simple.

The Climate Prediction Center is showing an outlook for continued drought in OR and many other places this summer, so he may be OK. Especially east of the Cascades.

But in my portion of the Pacific NorthWet, where summer doesn't start until July 5 and will still pop up several summer rainstorms, this would be a game of Russian Roulette. On my cars, all-seasons are exiled to three-season use while they still have more than half their original tread, then banished completely when I don't like the traction in June rains. They always have significantly more than the legal minimum when I say goodbye.

 

Rubber does tend to get harder as it dries out due to age; NEW slicks with the same tread compound may give more traction than ones with tread.

 

Father knows best?
I just don't buy it.

Almost seems like advocating for the cup with the hole in it, because you can pour so much more liquid into it without it overfilling.

My speculation, and it IS pure speculation, is that your dad is just use to driving with tires in that condition. Therefore, until the rains hit...or the tire becomes totally unusable he perceives it as being just fine.

But I have a lot of faith in the superiority of having "tread" in almost all conditions.

I happen to live around Portland. Seen the Mt. Tabor Reservoir.
My guess there? That kid wasn't the first to pee in it...just most recent to get caught.

 

Asked and answered.

This is a classic case of being "right" but not being RIGHT.

My own daughter is just now getting to the age where I'm not a complete moron any more, but I haven't reached the age where she rolls her eyes and says "Yes Daddy" and shorts my advice to ground like she did 10 years ago.
Life is a wheel

I'm sure that your Dad will get his attended to before they're too dangerous.

 

Actually, yes: Climate Prediction Center. Mouse over the links in the U.S. Drought Information box to display several maps.

Only a moderate drought is marked for the Portland area. But about half the state is in severe drought. And you indicated that dad was in a more dry area, which is suggestive of that part east of the mountains.

 

many places city water comes from the river, there must be someone upstream that pees in it. I think it is stupid that they will let all that water go, don't they treat the water in Portland?

 

I replace my tires in the early fall also unless I am going on a long trip in hot summer weather that can cause a tire to fail. I have heard you get better mpg on a worn tire than on a new tire. so I guess if you are trying to win the OCD MPG contest you may want those bald tires. A bald tire is a sucker forpicking up a nail, flats are no fun so I will use tires until they need replaced then purchase new ones.

 

That reservoir is down-pipe from the treatment plant, so there was no additional treatment for this added pollution.

As several reports pointed out, the dilution is enough that this was more of a PR issue than an actual health issue. There is no cover to protect against bird bombs either. But after 9/11, I'm surprised the fence is close enough to allow this to happen. Utility officials here appear to be much more protective.

BTW, cyberprius slipped a decimal point. It was only 38,000,000 gallons.

 

A worn tire is a worn tire. Unless you look you don't know what the inside sidewall of the tire has seen.
That and DOD does not have excellent reflexes anymore and blow outs sometimes turn deadly. Especially in rugged
territory.

 

There is no question that low thread decreases traction in wet/snow/mud. Other than that, dry traction and fuel economy are up. Those are facts and not some speculation. One more thing, tire blowout is a function of low pressure, high temp/speed, tire age/weathering, broken belts, and has nothing to do with low thread.

 

Has everything to do with an old tire though. Even if the tread isn't that bad it still may be an old tire. Sidewall could be dry rotted. Life is to short to run on old tires. I've had my share of blow outs no more.

 

Often low tread = old tire. So the weathering old rubber, usually comes with low tread unless someone wears out tires in a couple of years. I think most often cars that have blow outs are due to low air pressure on hwy driving hot weather. I suggest if you are taking a long trip in the hot summer and your tires are old and worn get new ones. a flat on vacation is a bummer.

 

Here are a couple of websites that discuss "old" tires:
How Old - and Dangerous - Are Your Tires?
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=138

There appears to be some industry consensus that the safe useful life of an automobile tire is between 6-10 years, and the shorter period is applicable when the tire is used in high speed applications.

 

Well this, and the total failure of the sign the city put up.

"We Don't Store Water In Your Toilet, So Don't Pee In Our Reservoir".