Tire - when to replace?

[Ben123]

Hi, the last time I changed out my 4 tires was after almost 40 000km. Now, I noticed the outer and most likely the inner tire thread are wearing out faster than the middle section once again. Is it time to change tire again (another 37 000km)? Understand one reason for the inbalance wear is that my tires may be under deflated such that the outer tire threads which are in contact most of the time are wearing out quicker. But also noticed the rear tires are wearing out slower than the front tires.

 

I have also switched these tires (rear and front). I am also attempting to pump up these tires more so that I get more overdeflation( to wear out middle section) than undeflection. My car manual says 32 psig is the norm but I have pumped up to 36 psig. Can I go any higher to achieve better tire wear? Or is this time to replace my tires altogether. Can I only replace the front tires only since the wear due to braking and cornering is more? I also wish to change my current tire 175 70R13 to wider tire thread. I do not have sport rims. Can it still upgrade to 185 width? What is the impact to the rim diameter and profile?

[Phochem]

U can try 185/65/R13, fits nicely.

[Ccx2]

Tires are about the most important and often neglected part of a car. From your posting, it is easy for one to assume that:

 

1. You have been driving with your tires under-inflated... resulting in the two outer edges being worn out faster than the centre portion of the tread.

 

2. You may have neglected to rotate the tires every 5000 km or minimum every 10000 km... resulting in fronts being worn out more than the rears.

 

3. It is not clear from your posting if your car alignment is correct, but this can also be a reason for early tire wear.

 

Do not over-inflate your tires... you do not have the correct traction when you do that. Staying with 32-33 PSI or 220-230 kPa would be fine.

 

If you already have 37000 km on your tires, it should be time to change them. A common misconception... Tire manufacturers claim that their tires are good for 40000 to 60000 km, but a lot of times, the tires lose the majority of their grip and traction by the time they hit 30000 km. A tell-tale sign that it is time to change tires is that you tend to slip and slide on wet roads, especially when you hit small puddles of standing water.

 

My personal rule of thumb is to change the tires when you feel uncomfortable driving at speeds close to speed limit whenever it rains, or when you feel the car twitch more than 3 occasions within the same drive in the rain at whatever speed, whichever event occurs first. You will find that normally tire change will occur by 25-30000 kms if you stick by this 'rule'.

 

As for what type of tires to buy... normally you have the quiet and comfortable tires and those with more aggressive thread patterns for higher performance. I would recommend going for performance rather than for quietness... ultimately, we all have only one life... so I will forego quietness for additional safety that can be had from the performance tires. There are some good performance class tires in the market which are still affordable. You can try Kumho 712 or KH-11. Not bad for the price and excellent grip for all weather and road conditions. Also available are some Falken tires like ST-115, which some bros here will vouch for. Not sure if they make tires in the sizes that you need though, but no harm asking.

 

Important thing here is to find tires that fit your driving style, but remember safety as the foremost criteria. Remember... Do not be stingy on tires, brakes, and suspension. They are the only things on a car that can prevent you and your loved ones in your car from becoming part of the road rails, or part of the cars around you, or part of a lamp post, or part of that big tree giving road users shade.

 

Cheers

Edited January 6, 2005 by Ccx2