New research from AAA reveals that driving on relatively worn tires at highway speeds in wet conditions can increase average stopping distances by 43 percent, or an additional 87 feet.
With nearly 800,000 crashes occurring on wet roads each year, AAA is urging drivers to check tread depth, replace tires proactively and increase following distances significantly during rainy conditions.
“Tires are what keep a car connected to the road,” said John Nielsen, AAA’s managing director of automotive engineering and repair. “Even the most advanced safety systems rely on a tire’s basic ability to maintain traction, and AAA’s testing shows that wear has a significant impact on how quickly a vehicle can come to a stop in wet conditions to avoid a crash.”
In partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, AAA conducted testing to better understand performance differences at highway speeds between new all-season tires and those worn to a tread depth of 4/32-inch on wet pavement. AAA research found that compared to new tires, tires worn to a tread depth of just 4/32-inch exhibit an average increased stopping distance of 87 feet for a passenger car and 86 feet for a light truck. It also showed a 33 percent reduction in handling ability for a passenger car and 28 percent for the light truck on average.
“AAA’s testing demonstrates the impact that tire tread has on safety,” said Megan McKernan, manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center. “If tested side-by-side at 60 mph, vehicles with worn tires would still be traveling at an alarming 40 mph when reaching the same distance it takes for vehicles with new tires to make a complete stop.”
While AAA’s research found that tire performance does vary by brand, price is not necessarily an indicator of quality. In fact, worn tire performance deteriorated significantly for all tires tested, including those at a higher price point.
AAA isn’t the only organization to perform tests on worn tires. Michelin North America launched a worn tire testing initiative this year, saying that worn tires should be tested to determine their long-lasting performance. Measuring this, the company said, can help save customers money because its allows them to choose a tire option that’s cost-effective and long-lasting.
AAA advises shoppers to research options carefully before selecting a replacement tire for their vehicle and to never choose one based on price alone.
Current industry guidelines and state laws and regulations frequently recommend that drivers wait until tread depth reaches 2/32-inch to replace tires. AAA says this recommendation jeopardizes a driver’s safety and minimizes manufacturer warranty costs. AAA says tires should be replaced once the tread depth reaches 4/32-inch when stopping distances have already begun to deteriorate significantly.
