BuyPirelli Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I was getting some very weird noises, vibrations and general weirdness from my car and was pretty certain it was the rear tyres. Replaced them today with PS3's and jobs a goodun'. Keep in mind the following; *These tyres were fitted at the same time and have done 45,000 *Passenger side shows 2mm evenly, drivers side shows just under 4mm evenly - so both are legal First, lets observe a relatively new, 3000 mile old Asymmetric - note the tread pattern across the entire tyre; Now, lets look at my old tyre with 2mm tread; Notice how there is a distinct lack of centre and right three quarters tread. Keep in mind this tyre is still legla, but I'd wager it'll have lost a great deal of its performance. Zooming in, we can see its cracked in some places and is even completely smooth! Finally, lets compare to the tyre on the opposite side of the exactly that has done exactly the same mileage in the same conditions. Notice how it has double the tread dept, but still pretty bald! So, what do we think? Previous tyres I have replaced have never looked so different compared to a new example. Admittedly the performance was still there but there must have been a reduction in wet weather grip and the feedback characteristics would obviously have been different. The real issue I had was that at certain speeds, they'd rumble so bad the car would start to shake and the accoustic frequencies made my interior rattle! and of course, my alloys got the obligatory tyre massacring by incompetent clowns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 The Conti sport 2 and three are known for this, did the noise sound like a worn wheel bearing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuyPirelli Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Yes, like a completely and utterly shagged wheel bearing. The PS3's have solved this, the car is much quieter and smoother, however there is still some weird noise, I think its a characteristic of the Asymmetrics on the front of the car (though its not of any real concern). Anyhow, is the fact that tyres become more noiser when they wear out common? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Yes..... It's the rear toe position that initiates the pattern of wear and once the tyre is marked the patten will remain for the life of the tyre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuyPirelli Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Would you say those tyres have worn badly? The wear is even across the tread, but I suspect a small degree of stepping on the inside edges. What do you make of the cracking, cosmetic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 It's typical for the make of tyre, the wide outer block of tread have syips that are cut around 1/3 less in depth than the rest of the tread, so once the tyre is about 60% worn the outer band looks bald..... They are crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuyPirelli Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Is there any particular reason or benefit they do this, other than to sell more tyres? I can appreciate dry grip may increase, assuming the quality of the tread does not deteriorate, and although the channels are still massive, I suspect wet weather handling or feedback may suffer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Sipes ( eventually i will find the spelling ) act to control the tyres grip saturation limits, as the coefficient's increase the sipes close. Obviously most grip limit control would be on the outside of the tyre so i feel it's for this reason the cuts are not so deep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Tony, how do you compare "Tread" with "Sipes", as in the picture above the sipes have disappeared as the tyre wears down, but is that classed as tread wearing too. Would a dim witted constable try and issue you with a fine / points for having a tyre below the legal limit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 A case did go to court regarding this and was thrown out simply because the sipes do not go down to the legal limit, so the bald band of tyre is deemed as "morphing" tyre wear. Regarding plod and the law on tyres, they know nothing ........ During roadside awareness campaigns we are asked to assist the Police on the legality status of the drivers tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 At first when I saw the photos I was thinking overinflated tyres, but obviously not as Tony has said there's a problem with these. I would hate to be on those in the wet though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 Hmmm I have to take a look at mine, I don't remember them looking like that though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuyPirelli Posted February 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 At first when I saw the photos I was thinking overinflated tyres, but obviously not as Tony has said there's a problem with these. I would hate to be on those in the wet though!! If they were overinflated then there would be no centre tread. In this case, the deep channels have a consistent depth from left to right proving they have been inflated correct for their entire life What other tyres DONT lose tread pattern when they wear? Toyo T1-R's spring to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 Just avoid asymmetric tyres Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussie aligner Posted March 1, 2011 Report Share Posted March 1, 2011 Just avoid asymmetric tyres http://www.bridgestone.com.au/tyres/treads/GR90.aspx one of the best tyres bridgestone has ever made!, not sure if you can get them in britain though. we are averaging around 70000kms on these (215/60r16) no road noise comfortable as and they are asymmetrical Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Looks a bit basic...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Checked my tyres and mine don't look like that, so is it a problem with the tyre or can that just happen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted March 2, 2011 Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 A bit of uneven wear history and that type of tyre don't mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuyPirelli Posted March 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2011 Checked my tyres and mine don't look like that, so is it a problem with the tyre or can that just happen? How much tread is on them? As said this isn't my first set so I know how they wear,, they've all been trhe same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 Checked my tyres and mine don't look like that, so is it a problem with the tyre or can that just happen? How much tread is on them? As said this isn't my first set so I know how they wear,, they've all been trhe same I actually need to replace them but haven't got round to it yet, they're down to about 2.5mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuyPirelli Posted March 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 So they are down to 2.5mm but dont look like mine? Can you grab a photo? Ta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted March 4, 2011 Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 Sorry I was talking rubbish earlier, I was just focussing on the band running down the tyre which is still there on mine, but looking more closely all the cross treads have gone. Now I'm assuming they're shallower to optimise water dispersion, but what that also means is that the tyre really needs replacing when these treads are gone? Comparing my fronts and rears, it might explain why the front feels absolutely planted and the rear feels like I'm on ice half the time............ Right rear Left rear Right front Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuyPirelli Posted March 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 Nice one. Yeah same with mine albeit it with more tread. Tbh I didn't notice any loss in handling, but very difficult to test obviously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted March 4, 2011 Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 Nice one. Yeah same with mine albeit it with more tread. Tbh I didn't notice any loss in handling, but very difficult to test obviously. This has actually made me think I need to get the tyres changed with more urgency than I've currently expressed - how are you getting on with the PS3s? How do they compare to the F1As when they were new? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuyPirelli Posted March 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 Well its impossible to say, because F1's were new 3 years ago! However I have 4 month old F1's on the front, and in comparison they just seem noiser and less comfortable! The PS3's are whisper quiet and the ride is brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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