Tires, tires, tires

7006 messages, Last post on Oct 29, 2009 at 11:24 AM

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What is this discussion about? Tires, Wheels, Steering

Edmund's Feature Article: Tire Safety: Don't Ignore the Rubber on the Road

For dedicated winter tires, also have a look at the Snow/ice winter tires discussion topic.

Outline

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#6953 of 7006 Re: How many people really discard all their tires after 10 years? [capriracer] by woodyww Jul 25, 2009 (9:37 am)
Replying to: capriracer (Jul 25, 2009 3:15 am) capriracer, yeah, I know everything you're saying is true. My car failed Mass. inspection the other day, because of the current tires on my 10 y.o. bmw, which do look pretty bad. My plan--just because I have the other "new" looking 10 y.o. tires in my garage already mounted on nice bmw rims--is to have those put on to pass inspection--at least they'll be better than the current worn-out tires, I assume. Then in Oct., have my new Dunlop snows mounted on the "old" rims that are on the car now. And look for a good deal on new summer tires in the meantime.....& cool it at highway speeds.....most of my driving is around town anyway. OTOH, my local Costco has Michelin - Pilot® Exalto® A/S 225/55R16 tires at a decent price, + a $70 coupon off. They get exc. consumer ratings on Tire Rack. I know there are other cheaper choices, but it would be easy for $500-ish..... Replies to this message: explorerx4 (Aug 21, 2009 12:58 pm) woodyww (Aug 23, 2009 12:14 pm) jeffyscott (Aug 23, 2009 12:28 pm) explorerx4 (Aug 23, 2009 4:51 pm)
#6954 of 7006 wider tires by jeffyscott Jul 28, 2009 (12:18 pm)
I have a car that has 195/65-15 tires on steel wheels. Other versions of this car came with tires as wide as 225/45-17. I assume this means that 215/70-15 tires could fit the car width-wise. I am also guesing that extra ~1 inch radius would still allow enough clearance. But is it safe to assume that the wider tires would fit on the existing wheels? I understand that these tires would create a bit of error in speedometer readings, online calculator indicates it'd be off about 7.5%. Would there be any other issues with doing this? Replies to this message: colin_l (Jul 28, 2009 12:39 pm) jeffyscott (Jul 28, 2009 3:16 pm) kyfdx (Jul 28, 2009 2:29 pm)
#6955 of 7006 Re: wider tires [jeffyscott] by colin_l Jul 28, 2009 (12:39 pm)
Replying to: jeffyscott (Jul 28, 2009 12:18 pm) You have to be mindful of rim width and offset. Even though, yes, it seems like a tire up to 225mm would fit, no, I wouldn't guarantee that a 215/70-15 would fit. You probably have a 6" wide rim which means a 215 may fit on there-- each tire size has recommended and allowable rim widths. But that's a tall tire and even though it's narrower than a 225/45-17, we don't know the rim width and offset of the 15 and 17 inch wheels... so even if you could mount the tire on the rim, it might rub the fenders or struts. Proceed carefully... unless you're sure someone has tried the same combination you're thinking of, and it worked fine for them. Replies to this message: jeffyscott (Jul 28, 2009 3:16 pm)
#6956 of 7006 Re: wider tires [jeffyscott] by kyfdx HOST Jul 28, 2009 (2:29 pm)
Replying to: jeffyscott (Jul 28, 2009 12:18 pm) An extra 1" of radius is a huge difference.. I'm not sure why you would assume that would give you enough clearance.... You don't say what car this is... From the sizes, I'm going to guess a sporty FWD hatchback... like a VW GTI? Or an Impreza? Way too tall..
#6957 of 7006 Re: wider tires [colin_l] by jeffyscott Jul 28, 2009 (3:16 pm)
Replying to: colin_l (Jul 28, 2009 12:39 pm) On tire rack it comes up with 6.5 inch wide steel rims for this car, so I would guess that is what is on there. It gives 45 mm as the offset for 15 inch and 42 mm for 16 inch. For 17 inch alloys it shows +45 mm offset, and it also indicates 19 inchers could be put on with in a 235/35 size. I'd check with the dealer before doing this. I'm just looking for potential use for newish tires on a minivan that could potentially be disposed of as a clunker and I happen to have a Jetta that will need tires soon. edit: sounds like this wouldn't work.
#6958 of 7006 Tires of different age by pepito51 Aug 16, 2009 (12:44 pm)
I have an SUV, and a few years ago (at 38,000 miles) I backed over a trailer hitch and blew a tire. So I bought 2 new tires. I'm now at 78,000 miles--the pair of original Michelin Cross Terrain tires have 78,000 miles on them; the newer pair (same kind) has 40,000 miles on them. While the 78,000 pair (8 years old) show more wear, they're not in bad shape as far as I know, and no treadwear indicator is visible. But is that getting to be too many miles to have on a pair of tires, and if so, would people normally buy 2 new tires or 4 and get them "synchronized" again? Thanks for info. Replies to this message: woodyww (Aug 23, 2009 11:23 am)
#6959 of 7006 Re: Anything good in 13" size? [olegphil] by tireandservice Aug 21, 2009 (5:15 am)
Replying to: olegphil (Apr 11, 2000 1:43 pm) This is a pretty good site that list some options - I like the Goodrides (cheap!) Online Tire Guide
#6960 of 7006 Re: How many people really discard all their tires after 10 years? [woodyww] by explorerx4 Aug 21, 2009 (12:58 pm)
Replying to: woodyww (Jul 25, 2009 9:37 am) i just swapped out my 18 year old tires on my mustang. it feels good to drive on a tire that actually flexes. Replies to this message: woodyww (Aug 23, 2009 12:14 pm) jeffyscott (Aug 23, 2009 12:28 pm) explorerx4 (Aug 23, 2009 4:51 pm)
#6961 of 7006 Re: Tires of different age [pepito51] by woodyww Aug 23, 2009 (11:23 am)
Replying to: pepito51 (Aug 16, 2009 12:44 pm) How much tread do each pr. of tires have left? Do you have a tread-depth gauge--very good to have around--there's a good one on amazon for $5.99. Regardless of the older pr., I woudn't replace the newer ones unless they're too worn, or show signs of damage.
#6962 of 7006 Re: How many people really discard all their tires after 10 years? [explorerx4] by woodyww Aug 23, 2009 (12:14 pm)
Replying to: explorerx4 (Aug 21, 2009 12:58 pm) Yeah, they do "harden" after 10 years or so, even if they still work. I wound up putting the 10 y.o. unused tires on my bmw. They were already mounted on unused bmw rims. I was under the gun, because in Mass., when your car fails inspection, it's illegal to drive it until you get it "fixed". I did call costco about buying these Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S I wanted, about $600 for 4. They gave me a hard time, claiming that 16" tires were not a factory option on yr. 2000 5-series (??!). (They were standard with the Premium package). They said they'd sell me the tires, which they'd have to order, but would refuse to install them (??!). I also checked tire rack, but after 10 minutes of arguing with the idiot at costco, I drove up the street to my local indie bmw mechanic, who put on the 10 y.o. unused tires & rims for about $40. Went back to the inspection station, where the guy was visibly upset, because he had tried to high-pressure me into buying really over-priced tires from him. So I got rid of the dreaded "R" sticker, & got a passed inspection sticker.......& in 2 months I have to get my (new) snows mounted on the old rims, so...... Replies to this message: jeffyscott (Aug 23, 2009 12:28 pm) explorerx4 (Aug 23, 2009 4:51 pm)