My dad ran over a nail yesterday that they said can't be repaired because it was too close to the sidewall. Tire was old and he was going to get new ones pretty soon. Had about 50k miles on it for almost 4yrs now. Can't recall the tire model but its the Michelin with the same model as the one that came with the car when it was new (2001 accord LX). Since he bought the tires at Costco they said they would give him a discount on it equal to the amount to tread left on that tire. They went to measure the tread and there was 5/32 left, somehow that was equal to 50% of tread left on the tire. Ended up getting it changed for $60 instead of $120. Is 5/32in of tread really equals to half of drivable tread left? I mean 3/32in doesn't sound like half of the drivable tread left on a tire. I don't know if their measurements were off but the tread was begining to fade on the outside. Anyways only ended up changing that one tire instead of both rear tires because the guy measured the other tire and there was still 7/32in left and said it was still good for a while, plus there wouldn't be a discount on that one since there was nothing wrong with it.

 

depending on the tire that is still a decent amount of tread, The old rule of thum, if you can put a pennin the tread with lincolns head down and it still covers part of his head then it's still usable

 

I did that before I got the guy to change it and it barely covered the top of Lincoln's head. I just couldn't believe there was 50% of tread left on a tire that looked that worn out. I would think it was only good for another 10k miles. I mean the tire is only rated for 50k miles and my dad already had almost 50k on them already. So if it still had 50% of tread left then the tires rated for 50k miles could go for 100k? Also that tire was by far the most worn out off the four. Does that mean the other 3 could go well beyond 100k miles since they were all changed at the same time?

 

2/32nds usually is when tire manufacturers recommend to change the tire. Most tires tread start out at 10/32nds or 11/32nds.