Diagram 1

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Fig 1: Identifying Tire Wear/Service Life (Front Wheel Drive And V Tires)

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

Tread depth over service life for vehicles with front wheel drive and V tires.

P - Tread depth

S - Distance driven

1 - Front axle

2 - Rear axle

Fig 2: Identifying Tire Wear/Service Life (All Wheel Drive And V Tires)

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

Tread depth over service life for vehicles with all wheel drive and V tires.

P - Tread depth

S - Distance driven

1 - Front axle

2 - Rear axle

As can be seen in diagrams 1 and 2, for a given distance, more tread wears off tires with a complete tread than off tires which are quite worn. After the first 5000 km, no conclusion can be made about the total service life because the wear curve is not linear.

On front-wheel drive vehicles, the front wheels must transmit the major portion of the lateral and braking forces as well as the steering and traction forces. Due to these demands, the front tires on front wheel vehicles wear more quickly than rear tires. Even usage of all tires is achieved by regularly exchanging front and rear tires. Refer to ROTATING .