PDA

View Full Version : Tread life needed to certify a leased vehicle?


Chigu
Sep 10th, 2009, 11:21 AM
My current car lease will be up in May 2010, and my current tires have about 80k on them and need to be replaced. I don't really want to put 4 NEW tires on the car, just for another 10-15,000 km's.

So if I were to get used tires now, how much treadlife would I need to ensure that it passes the certification at the end of the lease in May??

I would wait for to put on the used tires, but I don't think it will be safe to drive in winter on my current ones.

Any help/suggestions from others who have had the same issue would be helpful. I called around and can get a set of 4 tires with about 60% tread life. Is that good enough for 15k?

MS MSP
Sep 10th, 2009, 11:26 AM
IIRC, you need at least 4/32 of an inch tread depth to return a leased car.

EDIT:

That's what it was for my last Mazda and that's what it appears to be for GM:

http://www.gmacfs.com/us/en/objects/pdf/smartlease_return_kit.pdf

Pete_Coach
Sep 10th, 2009, 11:48 AM
IIRC, you need at least 4/32 of an inch tread depth to return a leased car.

You will need whatever the leasing company measurement is. It comes in the form of a gauge. While I cannot dispute 4/32 I will also not acknowledge it. My BMW return required more.
OP, go to your dealer and ask them for a lease return package. That way you will have the proper gauges for dents, scratches and tire wear.