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I'm looking at my 15" Michelin Arctic Alpins that I bought last year, and it's only been through ~2 winters so far (this winter isn't over yet!), and I think it'll only last another half a winter

When do you replace winter rubber? When the sips are all gone? My sips are probably 0.5mm left on the centre tread....

 
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THere is an indicator on the tire. It should be a little nobbie thing or a little ridge, when that starts to get worn, then you should replace.

 
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heheh screw the nobbie things

when you can't turn corners, or accelerate, then it's time. You'll get your money's worth out of your tires FORSHURE!

*The "screw the nobbie things" comment was not at all meant to insult any person(s) comments in this thread, it was just a joke*

 
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Yeah true, but still, don't go fast and go around a curve at higher speeds than you are supposed to, or you'll loose grip and hit a tree :P

 
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I've used my winter tires for 2 winters now too and I'm noticing that I can't take corners as fast anymore since I slip. I also notice that accelerating on snow (from a stop) takes second gear otherwise all I do is spin my tires.

I use Arctic Alpins too.

I'm gonna change them after NEXT Winter. I'm gonna squeeze 3 winters out of these tires. If I feel too cheap.. I'll even squeeze 4 winters out of them!

 
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I have Goodyear UltraGrips and this is my second season with them, I'm not too fond of them even though I still have lots of tread left, might get a really expensive set next winter. We'll see how things go

 
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knobbie things... you mean those "whiskers" on the sidewall? So, if all my whiskers are gone, that's it?

I remember seeing pics of really messed up tires where guys are running with major camber, and you can see the inside of the tire treads.... i.e. tires are blown

 
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nobbie things = "wear bars" located between the treads. When a tire gets flush with the wear bars, it means there is no "safe" tread left. Which in turn means it's time to either stop driving like stink, or get new rubber

all tires have them.

 
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i have stock firestone... they don't grip **** but no grip = fun

 
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Alright, who wants to snap a shot of these nobbie things?!

 
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yeah im rockin the stock wheels too hahahahaha

 
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ok if you look at your tread, there should be rubber running along the width of your tire in between the treads or water channels. you should be able to run your finger through the channels and feel where the wear bars are. (a good example would be on the stock firestones, you can feel them really well) if you can't find them I'll try taking a pic for you.