Tire tread wear
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 308
From: Mont Belvieu Tx
Tire tread wear
Question for yall. I have been running Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP (runflat) tires for a couple of years now and it is time for new tires in the rear. Of course, the front tires still look like new but the rear are pretty worn. But, the wear pattern is a little strange. In that, the edges of the rear tires still have a LOT of tread depth to them but the dead-center is worn to the point to where I can see white lines (fibers) showing through badly. The center wear area is probably about 5 inches wide and is evenly worn on those regions on both rear tires. What is that a sign of? Or is that just to be expected? I really need to try to maximize the life of my tires. I thought perhaps they were over-inflated, but I am pretty good at keeping them in the 30 to 32 psi range all the time. Suggestions?
Thanks,
Coyote
Thanks,
Coyote
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 87,048
Likes: 25
From: "when lightning strikes twice, the funerals insane, the funerals insane"
St Jude Donor '14-'15
Looking forword to some answers here as my 00 has 15k miles on it, never raced or tires smoked, and have the exact same problem. Only difference is they are origional Goodyears.
And the DIC says inflation is perfect.
And the DIC says inflation is perfect.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 308
From: Mont Belvieu Tx
Yep. Running 30 psi all around. Maybe because the side walls are stiffer they "give less" and put more of the pressure towards the center?? (just making a guess)
I'm trying to convince my wife it is time for me to replace those tires. I showed her the three visible white filament lines running down the centers of both tires... which to ME means they are in dangerous shape. BUT... she seems to think I just need to drive slower or something and THESE tires will last for a while longer. <sigh>
OH.. and as for my gauges and such... I have purchased SEVERAL tires gauges over the past couple years and they always suck and break instantly it seems. My DIC is always showing about 2 PSI less than my "best gauge" (not saying much) reads. I suppose all my gauges have been off by 2psi and my DIC is right-on, which would mean I've been over-inflating all this time. Maybe I should pay more attention to my DIC.
I'm trying to convince my wife it is time for me to replace those tires. I showed her the three visible white filament lines running down the centers of both tires... which to ME means they are in dangerous shape. BUT... she seems to think I just need to drive slower or something and THESE tires will last for a while longer. <sigh>
OH.. and as for my gauges and such... I have purchased SEVERAL tires gauges over the past couple years and they always suck and break instantly it seems. My DIC is always showing about 2 PSI less than my "best gauge" (not saying much) reads. I suppose all my gauges have been off by 2psi and my DIC is right-on, which would mean I've been over-inflating all this time. Maybe I should pay more attention to my DIC.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: Beavercreek OH
I have the same phenomena occur on my goodyear EMTs. With 11K miles on the odometer they've been wearing more in the center vs. the edges. Also, I've recently noticed the same discrepancy with the DIC tire pressure gauge vs. handheld gauges (DIC reports ~2lbs less). That probably means that I've been running a tad over 30lbs in the tires. The slight overpressure combined with the stiffer sidewalls could explain why the additional wear in the centers.
Burnout
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 12
From: South Surrey (White Rock) British Columbia
Originally Posted by Coyote
Question for yall. I have been running Michelin Pilot Sport A/S ZP (runflat) tires for a couple of years now and it is time for new tires in the rear. Of course, the front tires still look like new but the rear are pretty worn. But, the wear pattern is a little strange. In that, the edges of the rear tires still have a LOT of tread depth to them but the dead-center is worn to the point to where I can see white lines (fibers) showing through badly. The center wear area is probably about 5 inches wide and is evenly worn on those regions on both rear tires. What is that a sign of? Or is that just to be expected? I really need to try to maximize the life of my tires. I thought perhaps they were over-inflated, but I am pretty good at keeping them in the 30 to 32 psi range all the time. Suggestions?
Thanks,
Coyote
Thanks,
Coyote
mrgil
Burnout
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 12
From: South Surrey (White Rock) British Columbia
Originally Posted by repo
Looking forword to some answers here as my 00 has 15k miles on it, never raced or tires smoked, and have the exact same problem. Only difference is they are origional Goodyears.
And the DIC says inflation is perfect.
And the DIC says inflation is perfect.
Ya right, and Iv'e got a bridge for sale.
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: Richfield MN
My guess is that the rears were overinflated, even though you kept them in 30-32 range. I'd run the new tires at 27 or 28 lbs and keep a close eye on them. As soon as you see any fluctuation of tire wear, adjust as needed.
