Tread Depth on new 2026 Ocean with 19" wheels

[cangyroo]

Hello all New T7 Owners....
I recently bought a new 2026 Ocean, and it came with the 19" Halmstadt wheels with 245/45R 102 H - Hankook tyres.
I thought that the tread depth seemed low for a brand new vehicle: All four tyres measured at 6mm..., when a new tyre of this size would normally come with 8/9mm tread. I asked the dealership, and they said this is how the tyres come with the vehicle... I'm reaching out to anyone else who has bought a new California and noticed this, and if you have any ideas on why Hankook would manufacture a tyre with a shallower tread depth than a regular tyre... seems odd to me.

 

[Cali Phillip]

Hello all New T7 Owners....
I recently bought a new 2026 Ocean, and it came with the 19" Halmstadt wheels with 245/45R 102 H - Hankook tyres.
I thought that the tread depth seemed low for a brand new vehicle: All four tyres measured at 6mm..., when a new tyre of this size would normally come with 8/9mm tread. I asked the dealership, and they said this is how the tyres come with the vehicle... I'm reaching out to anyone else who has bought a new California and noticed this, and if you have any ideas on why Hankook would manufacture a tyre with a shallower tread depth than a regular tyre... seems odd to me.

That’s OEM tyres, there was a video on that on the tyre reviews YouTube channel. To reduce emissions, manufacturers have tyres specifically tuned to reduce rolling resistance by the tyre manufacturer, OEM. Less tread depth reduces emissions.

 

[cangyroo]

Thanks for the reply: I couldn't find anything specific on YouTube relating to VW and Hankook, but there are videos explaining that vehicle manufacturers do ask tyre makers to build to specific specifications.... from what I can tell the only difference between OEM 245/45R 102 H - Hankook's and aftermarket versions is the tread depth ... although it is possible that the construction and rubber compounds could be different.... impossible (for me) to tell to be honest!

Appreciate a better road handling, though having a shallower tread means my tyres will need replacing sooner.... and I would expect the only ones available to me would be 'after market' versions.

Hey Ho.... better start saving (£) !!

 

[sidepod]

That’s OEM tyres, there was a video on that on the tyre reviews YouTube channel. To reduce emissions, manufacturers have tyres specifically tuned to reduce rolling resistance by the tyre manufacturer, OEM. Less tread depth reduces emissions.

I never knew that? WTAF! So f**k the consumer, f**k the land fill (or whatever happens to old tyres) as long as the vehicle doesn’t pump out a micro fraction too many emissions!

We have officially lost the plot!

 

[Cali Phillip]

A well respected tyre test site, many good videos on there.

 

[sticky1]

Yes I thought exactly the same.
Seemed like part worn tyres…… it feels like the time you but a new printer and it comes with ‘starter ink’!!