How many more kilometers can you drive when the tire reaches the safety line?

[MacNaomi]

Tires should not be driven further once they reach the safety line. In such cases, it is recommended to replace the tires immediately. Tires are a crucial component of a vehicle, being the only part that comes into direct contact with the ground. They play a vital role in the vehicle's driving stability and safety. As rubber products, tires undergo aging over time with prolonged use, necessitating regular replacement. Under normal circumstances, tires installed on a vehicle can last for four years, so it is advisable for car owners to replace them every four years. For unused tires, the shelf life is typically three years. If a tire has been in storage for more than three years since manufacture, it should not be purchased. After installing new tires, it is essential to perform a dynamic balance test on each wheel.

[SanZachary]

Last time when my tire tread wore down to the safety indicator, I specifically asked the mechanic. That 1.6mm groove is the absolute limit. I personally experienced tire skidding and fishtailing while turning on a rainy overpass – it literally gave me cold sweats. Exposed safety indicators mean the drainage grooves are almost gone, making hydroplaning especially likely in wet conditions. The tire shop owner measured with calipers and told me anything below 3mm means you should prepare to change tires. If you dare to drive with exposed safety indicators, the risk of blowouts increases dramatically, especially during highway driving or when carrying heavy loads. Never believe those 'you can still drive a few hundred kilometers' claims – I've seen bald tires blow out and deform the wheel rims firsthand, with repair costs enough for two sets of new tires.

[Baker]

Tire gauge data shows that braking distance begins to increase significantly when tread depth falls below 2mm. At the safety line corresponding to 1.6mm thickness, dry-road braking distance extends by over 10 meters compared to new tires. When the fine steel belts and cord plies in tire structure wear out, heat dissipation capacity decreases by at least 30%. On hot pavement, tire temperature may exceed 120°C. Our road tests reveal that continuous driving over 50km in this condition causes visible cracking marks on tire shoulders, with puncture probability rising sharply. The safest practice is immediate replacement when reaching the safety line, especially for frequent long-distance driving.

[LeWyatt]

Last time when I came back from an outing with my daughter, I noticed the tires had worn down to the safety indicators. I immediately called for roadside assistance. The experienced mechanic said these tires were like sneakers with worn-out soles—guaranteed to slip on wet tiles during rain. He demonstrated by pinching the rubber with his fingernail, showing me the thickness was even thinner than the edge of a coin. What was even more alarming was that with the steel belt layer exposed, even a small nail puncture could cause an immediate blowout. Thinking of my child in the back seat, I replaced the tires right away. I advise parents to pay extra attention—worn-out tires can’t be saved by ABS during emergency braking, and even the best-secured child seat won’t help.