How deep is your safety?

Tread depth:
Why every millimetre counts.

The situation

33%
In what condition are
the tyres don’t know their
you’re driving today?
tread depth

1/3 don’t
know their 67%
are aware of their tread depth

tread depth: (2 mm to 8 mm)

Statistics based on survey in Germany

Tyre wear

Legal limit for tread depth

Your tyre
8–4
mm
is 0–62% Good

worn
Your tyre
Inspect
monthly is 78% 3
mm
worn
Your tyre
2
mm
is 94% Replace
urgently

worn
Your tyre
Legal
limit is 100% 1.6
mm
not recommended
worn

Less isn’t always more

Braking distance on wet road with summer tyres.

New tyres

3 mm tread depth
Residual speed: 34 km/h
+ ca. 2 vehicle lengths (9.5 m longer braking distance)

1.6 mm tread depth

Residual speed: 44 km/h
Braking at 80 km/h + ca. 4 vehicle lengths (18.6 m longer braking distance)

Braking distance on wintry road with winter tyres.

New tyres

4 mm tread depth
Residual speed: 27.9 km/h
+ ca. 3 vehicle lengths (14 m longer braking distance)

1.6 mm tread depth

Residual speed: 33.8 km/h
Braking at 50 km/h + ca. 5 vehicle lengths (26 m longer braking distance)

The graphics shown here are for illustration purposes only. The braking distance of a vehicle depends on its type, its age, the brakes and the tyres used, as
well as the road surface. (Source: Continental AG)

d
1
Di

w?

yo u k n o You can check your tread depth right now

using a regular euro coin.

2
If its golden ring still disappears
between the treads, you’re good
to go.

3 If not, visit your local

tyre dealer now!

Aquaplaning

Aquaplaning due to insufficient tread depth.

8 mm 3 mm 1.6 mm

Aquaplaning
behaviour
D
ad A

h
pt
RO
de

de D
tre
c T

th
ad A
ffi E
nt

p
ie

RO
W su

tre
ET
t
en
ci
W
ffi
su
in

A sufficient tread depth is the basis for safe driving.

How much of your tyre

is in contact with the road?
Reduction of tyre contact
during aquaplaning, which is already
as small as a postcard. 50 km/h 70 km/h 90 km/h

New tyre 8 mm

50 km/h 70 km/h 90 km/h 50 km/h 70 km/h 90 km/h

Worn tyre 3 mm Worn tyre minimum 1.6 mm

Most common accident causes due to worn tyres:

Risk 1 Risk 2 Risk 3
With a tread depth less than
3–4 mm, the drainage capability
Dramatic decrease Low grip leading to unstable
of your tyres decreases
of safety on wintry roads poor driving experience, even
dramatically, causing crashes
due to less grip. sudden loss of contact.
in wet conditions and
aquaplaning.

Our contribution

Unique
Pioneer with the world’s Operating at
first tread pattern car tyre
317 locations
in 1904 worldwide rubber compounds and
tread patterns

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All sources are available on www.continental-tyres.com

Vision Zero
Accident avoiding driving – innovatively powered by Continental.