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When to Change Your Tires? Summary Points: AAA research finds our tires may need replacing sooner than we realize.Currently, the standards for replacement are either vague or non-existent. There are a few home methods you can employ to keep tabs on your tires. Tires can be an “out of sight, out of mind” item on your vehicle, but aging tires can be hazardous, especially during rainy weather. AAA research finds that driving with worn tires on wet surfaces at highway speeds can increase stopping distances by nearly 90 feet. That’s more than the length of an eighteen-wheeler! Tread Depth & Wet Pavement In partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center, AAA conducted testing to understand performance differences at highway speeds between new, all-season tires and those worn to a depth of 4/32″ on wet pavement. The study examined both passenger cars and light trucks (a summary PDF of the study is available here). Testing was conducted at the Michelin Laurens Proving Grounds in Mountville, South Carolina. During AAA’s testing, the passenger car exhibited an average increased stopping distance of 87 feet versus 86 feet for a light truck. The study also found a 33 percent reduction in handling for a passenger car and 28 percent for a light truck. When decelerating from 60 to zero mph, the worn tires were still moving at nearly 40 mph at the point when the new tires had already stopped. “Tires are what keep a car connected to the road,” AAA said in a statement about its research. “Even the most advanced safety systems rely on a tire’s basic ability to maintain traction, and AAA’s testing shows that wear has a significant impact on how quickly a vehicle can come to a stop in wet conditions to avoid a crash.” “Traction is your last line of defense,” added Brandon Grade, Service Advisor at Findlay Toyota in Henderson, Nevada, near Las Vegas. “Even the latest traction control systems can only do so much when the mechanical grip has been removed.” https://www.automoblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Tire-Testing-r1.mp4 When To Change Your Tires? Current industry guidelines and state regulations often recommend tire replacement at 2/32″ depth (about 1.6 millimeters), although AAA’s research found such recommendations can vary from state to state, with some states having few, if any, guidelines at all. Some dealerships and service shops will use 3/32″ as a precaution, encouraging customers to avoid dropping into the “legally worn” area of 2/32″ tread depth. Replacement at 3/32″ is preferable to 2/23″, but AAA’s research found that at 4/32″, stopping performance has already decreased, especially on wet pavement. “AAA’s testing demonstrates the impact that tire tread has on safety,” said Megan McKernan, Manager of the Automobile Club of Southern California’s Automotive Research Center. “If tested side-by-side at 60 mph, vehicles with worn tires would still be traveling at an alarming 40 mph when reaching the same distance it takes for vehicles with new tires to make a complete stop.” “As far as when to change your tires, if you can replace them at 4/32″, it’s a good idea, but the absolute lowest threshold should be at 3/32″ tread depth,” Grade said. “At that point, your tires cannot effectively remove water or keep traction.” Newer vehicles today go significantly longer between oil changes, which opens up the possibility that drivers may not become alerted to worn tires until later than usual. In the past, when oil change intervals were between 3,000 and 5,000 miles, mechanics and technicians had more opportunities to advise their customers on the condition of their vehicle, including safety critical components like tires. “Even if you are not due for an oil change, it’s okay to bring your vehicle into your mechanic or local service shop and have them inspect the tires if you are unsure of the tread depth,” Grade said. “That will give you a more up-to-date picture of your tires between oil changes, especially if you have a newer vehicle with longer service intervals.” Selecting The Right Tire While AAA’s research determined tire performance fluctuates by brand, price is not necessarily an indicator of quality, which might come as a relief to some consumers. According to AAA, once worn, performance for all tires tested deteriorated significantly, even those priced higher. AAA says to research tires carefully and never buy one brand based solely on price. The Automoblog research team looked at the affordability, industry reputation, reliability, and tread-life warranties of major tire manufacturers and came up with a list of the best tire brands. As part of that list, our research team goes over different tire types, industry grading standards, proper tire maintenance, and how to choose the right tires based on your needs. Our research team also evaluated budget tire brands, coming up with this list of the best inexpensive tires.  If you are looking for a set of snow tires, this helpful guide on the best winter tires will point you in the right direction.  “Your vehicle might require a certain kind of tire,” Grade said. “Specifically, the Toyota Prius uses tires designed to have less rolling resistance, so those are things you will want to keep in mind when looking for new tires.” Regarding when to change your tires, AAA research finds that at 4/32″ tread depth, stopping distances increase, especially on wet surfaces. Tips & Advice To reduce the chances of a collision during bad weather, regardless of your tire tread depth, AAA recommends reducing your speed and avoiding sharp turns. Drivers should also keep their distance between vehicles in front of them and resist the urge to use cruise control. If you start to hydroplane, gently ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction the vehicle should go until traction is regained. Do not brake forcefully. No matter the season, there are a few DIY home remedies you can employ to stay on top of your tires. “Buy a tread depth gauge the next time you are out and keep it in your glove box,” Grade said. “Take measurements on the outside edge, center, and

The 2024 Subaru BRZ is one of the few 2+2 sports cars that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. It’s not a conventional Subaru with its standard rear-wheel drivetrain and somewhat sane styling elements. Then again, the BRZ delivers more smiles per mile with its nifty handling, lightweight architecture, and naturally aspirated Boxer engine paired with a traditional manual stick – merits it shares with its Toyota GR86 platform-mate. Subaru gave the BRZ a makeover for the 2022 model year, which included a more substantial 2.4-liter Boxer-four motor. For 2024, the BRZ gains a new range-topping tS trim model that fulfills the checklist for aftermarket tuning enthusiasts. Moreover, manual-equipped BRZ models now receive the EyeSight driver assist package. 2024 Subaru BRZ tS: Precursor to STI? New for the 2024 model year is the Subaru BRZ tS or “tuned by STI.” For the uninitiated, STI or Subaru Tecnica International is the brand’s famed motorsports division that brings to mind hardcore, fire-breathing AWD compacts that ruled the rally stages of the World Rally Championship (WRC). If the names Petter Solberg and the late Colin McRae ring a bell, having an STI badge on any Subaru is a good sign. Despite not being a full-bore STI model, the BRZ tS is a taste of the tuning arm’s rallying pedigree. It has STI-tuned Hitachi front and rear shock absorbers, four-piston gold-painted Brembo brakes, bespoke 18-inch dark gray wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, specialized tS badges, and black wing mirrors. Standard Boxer Engine & Manual Transmission Sports car purists will have plenty to love in the 2024 Subaru BRZ. Under the hood is a 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated horizontally-opposed Boxer four-cylinder with 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft. of torque, a welcome improvement from the first-gen BRZ’s gutless 2.0-liter Boxer motor. The 2.4-liter plant connects to a standard six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, turning the rear wheels like a true sports car should. Pleasantly Practical The 2024 Subaru BRZ is no bigger than the first-gen model, but it remains surprisingly practical for its petite, 2+2 interior. Taller adults might find the tight rear quarters unthinkable, but kids can join the fun. Furthermore, the BRZ offers 6.3 cubic feet of trunk room, more than enough for some groceries and shopping bags. However, Subaru claims folding the rear seats reveals room for four wheels and tires, which is handy for those occasional track days. It’s something you can’t do in a Mazda MX-5 Miata. 2024 Subaru BRZ interior layout. Photo: Subaru of America, Inc. 2024 Subaru BRZ Starting MSRP The 2024 Subaru BRZ is available in Premium, Limited, and tS trim models. Below is a breakdown of each variant and the corresponding MSRPs. The price figures include the $1,120 destination charge. If you have questions about new vehicle financing, this auto loans 101 video guide will point you in the right direction. Premium The base BRZ Premium trim starts at $31,315 and is exclusively available with a six-speed manual gearbox. It has 17-inch dark gray wheels, keyless entry with push-button start, LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, welcome lighting, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen, smartphone connectivity, a six-speaker audio system, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. In addition, the BRZ Premium has a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, vehicle stability control with track mode, active sound control, and a unique TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) that allows two sets of wheels to be ID-registered (street and racing wheels). Limited The Limited starts $33,815 (manual) and $34,765 (automatic). It’s the only BRZ with an optional automatic gearbox. Standard equipment includes 18-inch matte gray alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 summer tires, heated seats, Ultrasuede upholstery, heated wing mirrors, and a stereo upgrade with two more speakers and a two-channel amplifier, among other features. BRZ tS The top-of-the-line 2024 Subaru BRZ tS starts at $36,465. Apart from the visual and performance upgrades, the tS adds black upholstery, blue stitching, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, an STI logo on the red starter button, and more safety features on top of all the standard kits from the Limited grade. 2024 Subaru BRZ tS. Photos: Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru BRZ Safety Ratings & Features The Subaru BRZ is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ but has yet to be rated by NHTSA as of late October 2023. All BRZ grades receive Subaru EyeSight, a collection of advanced driving assistance technologies like adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, pre-collision braking, sway warning, lead vehicle start alert, blind-spot warnings, lane keeping assist, rear-cross traffic alert, and high beam assist. Subaru BRZ Warranty Every Subaru BRZ that leaves the Gunma, Japan, manufacturing facility has a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Extending the factory warranty on any Subaru is possible, including the BRZ. Alvin Reyes is an Automoblog feature columnist and an expert in sports and performance cars. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine. Photos & Source: Subaru of America, Inc. Original article: 2024 Subaru BRZ: Exciting New tS Variant, Standard Manual Gearbox, EyeSight Driver Assist Tech & Starting MSRP