Hey guys, I'm looking for feedback on remaining tread life on these rear tires (Continental Extremecontact DWS). I recently found and removed a screw after having a persistent slow leak on one side. Since plugging the hole there has been some vibration so I think a re-balance is in order.

Should I just have the tires replaced now, or is there enough tread life left to balance and run them for a while longer?

 

That tire is at the wear bars and ready to be replaced. Too little tread to handle water safely.

 

Yup, time for new tires.

 

Also, buy a thread gauge. Amazon has them. Very cheap. Tells you how any thousands left on tread...

 

...tousands of an inch that is.

 

Sorry for the off-topic, but does Houston get snow?

If not, why are you on the DWS (as opposed to the DW, or its replacement Extreme Contact Sport)? You'll get more grip (and enjoyment) out of those two tires over the DWS in your neck of the woods (just don't drive them in the snow).

 

Houston gets snow once every other blue moon. In 23 years I think it snowed lightly 3 times and it was gone by the afternoon.

 

I thought the DWS indicators on this tire were there to note tread wear and suitability for Dry, Wet, or Snow. They all seem to be there in the photo. I think my wife has these tires on her 3.6R Subaru Legacy so I can check her's. Great tires on the Subaru. Not so sure on a S2000 but I digress.

Tire tread gauge is a $5 item at any auto parts store. I've two as I couldn't find the first one. (I have duplicates of lots of stuff! ) The scales on both are in millimeters and 1/32" increments (not thousandths).



-- Chuck

 

Thanks for all the feedback, everyone! I picked up a depth gauge this morning as recommended and measured across the face of the tire and found depths ranging from 1.5 to 2.6, so they are pretty much done.

HarryD, snow is a rarity here. I got the DWS instead of the DW because it's all they had at DiscountTire at the time.

Chuck S, I looked into the indicators you mentioned and it looks like they start out as block letters and wear down to a single line when nearing the end of life.

Video showing DWS wear markings:

 

There is a big difference in grip between the Conti DW and DWS (the DW = Dry Wet, and the DWS = Dry Wet Snow). You don't need the snow part it looks like.

However, the DW was discontinued and replaced with these:
TESTED: Continental Tire ExtremeContact Sport

If they are toast, I highly recommend you upgrade -- the pricing is very reasonable for the Contis.