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stevie d



Member Since: 09 Nov 2009
Location: Bishops Stortford
Posts: 342

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 90 Td5 SW Alpine White
Tyre Tread Depth and Other Questions
Was having a look at my tyres the other day (Enduro Runway AT 235/85) as the tread was starting to look a little low, particularly for laning and the winter approaching. On measuring the tyres it was about 8mm in centres and 10/12mm on the edges, my new spare has 14mm depth.

What would you consider to be the minimum 'healthy' depth to have for general use including laning and occasional off road.

If I was to change the tyres what's the preferred AT at the moment?

(I realise my tyre pressures are probably a little high been running at 29lb from memory)

Steve Thumbs Up Defender 90 TD5 Station Wagon
Discovery 3 HSE
BMW 330i Coupe
Post #94764 17th Oct 2011 7:45pm
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double cab happy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2009
Location: merseyside
Posts: 573

England 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Java Black
are you not tempted to rotate your tyres and get a couple K more out of the set?

and just a quick question, what milage have you done on them up to know?
Post #94765 17th Oct 2011 7:59pm
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stevie d



Member Since: 09 Nov 2009
Location: Bishops Stortford
Posts: 342

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 90 Td5 SW Alpine White
Maybe,

I need to lower the pressures a bit, stop the middle wearing to much, they have been rotated.

I inherited the tyres, probably done about 30k.

Steve Thumbs Up Defender 90 TD5 Station Wagon
Discovery 3 HSE
BMW 330i Coupe
Post #94767 17th Oct 2011 8:10pm
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leeds



Member Since: 28 Dec 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 8578

United Kingdom 
Legal minimum tyre depth is something like 1.6 or 1.8mm over 75% of its width.

I have not run Land Rover tyres down to anywhere near that depth. At 5mm I start thinking of replacing them. At 3mm they are scrap as far as I am concerned. Yes they are perfectly road legal when I scrap tyres.

Sidewall damage rather then tread wear can be a reason for scrapping tyres

If I am going on a reasonable long trip I ensure that tyre depth is 2/3 or more of new which means minimum of 10mm. My idea is that newer the tyre/greater tread depth the chances of punctures are reduced.

Your tyres will be fine for several more thousands of miles especially if you can even the wear out.

HTH

Brendan
Post #94793 17th Oct 2011 10:31pm
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WelshGas



Member Since: 01 Oct 2010
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Posts: 935

Wales 2010 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
According to my handbook, on the 90 tyre pressures are F 30 R 38 psi LANDYWATCH

Neighbourhood Watch for Land Rover Owners

http://www.landywatch.co.uk/smf2/index.php
Post #94801 18th Oct 2011 5:44am
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
leeds wrote:
Legal minimum tyre depth is something like 1.6 or 1.8mm over 75% of its width. HTH Brendan


I travel to France quite a lot and over there you are not allowed a difference in tread depths of more than 5mm on the same axle either. Check they do too! If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #94827 18th Oct 2011 9:32am
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MartinK



Member Since: 02 Mar 2011
Location: Silverdale (Lancashire/Cumbria Border)
Posts: 2664

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Orkney Grey
My last BFG AT's went to 5mm after 70,000 miles. I took them off and sold them on Gumtree for £40.

At 5mm, I considered they were a bit low for winter & green lanes, but someone else was glad of them for £40. I would probably have run them a bit longer but my rims were showing signs of corrosion (they wre leaking slightly via the corroded rims, losing a couple of psi per month), and I had them re-furbished, and put new tyres (Grabber AT2's) on at the same time... Defender "Puma" 2.4 110 County Utility (possibly the last of the 2.4's)
Post #94829 18th Oct 2011 9:47am
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RED-DOT



Member Since: 29 Jun 2009
Location: stirling
Posts: 2363

Scotland 
TOP TIP (from my tyre fitter)... turning a tyre on the rim to prolong life after noticing an uneven wear pattern like tracking etc doesn't work as the tyre will follow the uneven area and it will continue to wear out as fast as if you never turned it but it is a money spinner for the tyre fitting garages. 2008 RS4 gone, 123d M Sport, and a Puma 90 XS..
Post #94839 18th Oct 2011 11:01am
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