Should Small Gravel In Tire Tread Be Removed?

[Number_35]

These are my year-old winter tires (Nokian Hakkepaliittas), stacked in the garage to be installed in 4 to 6 weeks once the temperature drops.

The treads and sipes have picked up a lot of small pieces of crushed limestone.

Should I dig out the gravel? It's not a hard job, just tedious.

I guess I'm really asking if the gravel will hurt the tires.

 

[Number_35]

Oops - here's the photo.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Eh, too much work, problem is it will probably end up bouncing around the road when you get going fast enough.

 

[dishdude]

They'll fall out on their own. Additional benefit, it's like having studs!

 

[AZjeff]

Being retired have to admit when I'm out in the garage and forgot what I went out for I'll grab the little folding stool and pry them out.

 

[twX]

I've done it. It probably is better for the tires. I wouldn't go out of my way to do it, but if you have nothing better to do and you enjoy the process, go for it.

 

[Quattro Pete]

They'll fall out... you just have to drive fast enough.

 

[4WD]

My KO2’s always have some - I pop a few out whilst getting gas - but that might be 20% or so …

 

[50yr Street Mech]

If you're bored, or maybe the wife is naggin you about something, then dig them out. Other than that, they'll fly out and crack someone's windshield when you get her up to speed. Can't see them harming the tire in anyway.

 

[Lubener]

Just a waste of time to remove. New stones will get stuck in the treads. Centrifical force will force the stones out eventually.

 

[CharBaby]

Yeah, you’d be removing them daily!

 

[joekingcorvette]

I agree with the others and find no need to remove them.

 

[rstcso]

Raised in a small town in Oklahoma, I worked at a service station throughout high school. We had a lady who'd swing by every few weeks to have us get the rocks out of her tires. We'd put the car on the lift, remove the rocks, and off she'd go for a few more weeks.

This type of service was typical if not too busy. No charge.

 

[Escape08]

If it make noise, yes, but don't go offroading after that

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I usually take them out when installing. My front ones stay pretty clear, the rears get a bunch. I'd rather start with the sipes open, flexing as best as possible for the snow. If I see bigger ones through the season, they will get pried out along the way.

 

[himemsys]

I've done it before, only to find new ones replaced the ones I removed when I Iook at them again. It's a losing battle. Just. Walk. Away.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

When rotating my tires, I will inspect the tread and remove any stones.
I always thought if a stone is wedged in the tread, it could 'drill' its way deeper.
Any other time, I don't do anything.

Like others have said, "they just come back".

 

[Number_35]

In the spring there was a pile of quarter-down crushed limestone in the driveway, and I likely rolled the tires over the edge of the pile when swapping over to the 3-season tires in April.

I stored the tires in the shed in the backyard over the summer, and moved them into the garage a few days ago in preparation for the fall/early-winter changeover. I noticed the gravel chunks in the tires then.

I'm tempted to remove the gravel from one tire and not the other, and compare the tires after they've been used for a few days.

 

[Number_35]

If it make noise, yes, but don't go offroading after that

The temptation is always there with an old FWD minivan.

 

[NibbanaBanana]

Are you joking?