Why you should get new tires (New vs Used tires)

Why you should get new tires : When it comes to buying tires, one of the biggest decisions drivers face is whether to buy new or used. Both options have their own set of pros and cons, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. In this article, we will take a closer look at the differences between new and used tires, including their performance, lifespan, and overall value.

We will also explore the factors you should consider when making your decision, such as the age and wear on used tires and the specific make and model of the tire. By the end of this article, you should have a better understanding of the trade-offs between new and used tires and be able to make an informed decision about which option is right for you. Hence answering the most ask question of all time, why you should get new tires?

Wet braking

The chart above illustrates a direct comparison between a new tire and a tire with 1.6mm of tread depth courtesy of Michelin‘s data. As expected, all the tires performed worse than their new counterparts, with the highest difference being 13.8m. This is a significant difference, as it is equivalent to the length of 8 mini coopers. When a tire has only 1.6mm of tread depth, it loses its ability to channel water quickly and effectively, resulting in more rubber-to-water friction. This friction is much lower than the expected rubber-to-tarmac friction, which results in a longer braking distance

Another way to look at it is to see how much performance is lost between a new tire and a tire with 1.6mm of tread depth. According to the chart, the Michelin Primacy 4+ had the lowest performance loss of 38%, while the Bridgestone Turanza T005 had the highest loss at 61% lower braking distance than its new counterpart. From a safety perspective, it is important to take the recommendation to change tires at low tread depths seriously. The downside of not changing your tires is the potential risk of having an accident during rainy conditions, which could have been avoided with a new set of tires 🙁

Wet Braking :

• Michelin Primacy 4+ New : 100%
• Michelin Primacy 4+ 1.6mm : 62%
  
• Bridgestone Turanza T005 New : 100%
• Bridgestone Turanza T005 1.6mm : 39%
  
• Continental Premium Contact 6 New : 100%
• Continental Premium Contact 6 1.6mm : 47%
  
• Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 New : 100%
• Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 1.6mm : 51%

Hydroplaning

As previously mentioned in the section on wet braking, as the tread depth of a tire wears down, its ability to disperse water is greatly reduced due to insufficient voids on the tire. According to tests conducted by Mottorri, a tire with a 3mm tread depth has a reduction of close to 16% in aquaplaning performance compared to a new tire. While it’s ideal to slow down during heavy rain, you never know when you may need the aquaplaning performance of a tire.

Hydroplaning :

• Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance New : 100%
• Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 3mm: 84%
  
• Kormoran Run Pro B New : 100
• Kormoran Run Pro B 3mm : 83%

Dry braking

As like everything in life, there is always a positive side to every negative aspect. This also applies to tires with lower tread depth, as their performance can actually improve with a lower tread depth. According to a study conducted by Tire Rack, they found that dry braking performance for tires with 3.2mm and 1.6mm tread depth is actually better than for new tires. The lower tread depth tires managed a 1.5 feet (0.5m) shorter braking distance compared to their new counterparts.

One of the main reasons for this improvement in dry braking performance with reducing tread depth is due to an increase in pattern circumferential stiffness. This is achieved by having less rubber on the pattern surface, which leads to a slight increase in the coefficient of friction during braking. This also has a positive effect on dry handling, as reported in the test report by Tire Rack. This is not surprising, as many tire manufacturers actually reduce their tread depth for their OE tire specs to meet the handling requirements of OE car manufacturers.”

Dry Braking :

• Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus New : 100%
• Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus 3.2mm: 101.7%
• Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus 1.6mm: 101.7%

Rolling Resistance

Unfortunately there is a lack of direct comparison data available on the relationship between tread depth and rolling resistance. However, it is generally accepted that tires with lower tread depth have better rolling resistance, with the difference potentially reaching up to + 20%. The reasoning behind this is that lower tread depth tires have less rubber, which reduces the number of hysteresis cycles. This leads to less energy being needed to keep the tire rolling, resulting in improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

Rolling Resistance :

• New : 100%
• 1.6 mm: up till 120%

Summary

Overall, a new tire excels in wet braking and hydroplaning performance. However, a tire with a lower tread depth may have slight benefits in dry braking and handling, as well as improved rolling resistance. It is important to note that the longest braking distance occurs during wet conditions, making it crucial for safety reasons to have new tires. Stay safe !