Just curious on any autocrosser's thoughts on using tires as they near the end of their life. Judged by tread depth, my tires are nearing the end of their life, about 4/32nds. Basically, will they continue to perform or even improve as they almost turn into slicks (in the dry)?
I'm sure a brand new shiny set of Yokohamas or Falkens or whatever would be great, but I also don't want to spend a thousand bucks until I have to. Not going for a national championship either!

 

Do you track the hardness of the tire? Some tires wear out before they heat cycle out (Yoks, Rivals - these you run to cords with more or less the same grip as early in life). Some tires clearly cycle out before they wear out (Falken RT660). If you're not worried about the last tenths of a second and just want a reasonably capable tire, just keep running on them till they cord.

 

I do not track the hardness, had to Google how to do that!
Thanks.

 

Tire hardness is more important than tread depth for autocross. I generally run mine down to the cords before getting a new set of tires. Some people with R-compounds shave their tires to 4/32 when they first get them.

 

That makes sense, thanks.