[rajeev k]

The below mentioned thread provides important insight on the subject, Take a look.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/tyre-a...-checking.html

[coolboy007]

This is the condition of my 32k run Bridgestone Potenza's. Tyres were manufactured in March, 2012 as per the date on them. Tread on outer edge is 3.5 mm from what i could check.
The ride quality has taken a beating as these are performance tyres and have turned hard now. Attaching a few pics of the tyres, how much more would they last?

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by coolboy007

The ride quality has taken a beating as these are performance tyres and have turned hard now. Attaching a few pics of the tyres, how much more would they last?

With your style of driving it should last somewhere between 5-7K kms.

If you are a bit considerate and not the pedal-to-metal type driving on these tyres then expect it to go maximin till 10K kms.

But what I suggest is pull it to maximum 5K kms and then get it changed.

[curios]

I was blissfully unaware about my car tyres, till I went for an alignment before a rare outstation trip (now cancelled). Was promptly told by the dealer to replace soon.

Mine is a Chevy Spark with a total run of 19.2K kms since May 2009!

Tyre guy says they're ok for city driving at sub-50kmph speeds but strictly no-no for highways (I was planning to do my inaugural spin on the Yamuna Expressway, where tyre bursts are common).

Posting a few pics. How do these look? When should I consider replacing them?
Please advise.

Sorry couldn't tag the pics but they're in this order
1. Front tyres (right)
2. Front tyre (left)
3. Rear tyre (left)
4. Rear tyre (right)

[ptaneja]

@Curious, in your case, its the "age" of tires rather than "kms" driven around ...

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by curios

Mine is a Chevy Spark with a total run of 19.2K kms since May 2009!

Posting a few pics. How do these look? When should I consider replacing them?

Get them replaced ASAP.

You are riding on hard rubber, they have lost their functionality as it is over-aged even though the distances that these tyres have travelled are less. Upon close inspection, I can see fine cracks that aren't good for high speed driving.

Post changing the tyres go out on the trip. NOT advisable to venture out on these current tyres.

[curios]

Originally Posted by ptaneja

@Curious, in your case, its the "age" of tires rather than "kms" driven around ...

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Get them replaced ASAP.

You are riding on hard rubber, they have lost their functionality as it is over-aged even though the distances that these tyres have travelled are less. Upon close inspection, I can see fine cracks that aren't good for high speed driving.

Post changing the tyres go out on the trip. NOT advisable to venture out on these current tyres.

Thanks. How much longer may I run these in city, and would rotation help?

[ptaneja]

Rotation would not...
With your low mileage, I guess you can drag it on for couple of months - no drag racing, highways, or over 60km/hr

[curios]

Had a few more queries on replacing my car tyres. Thanks.

1. Everyone talks about replacing 4 tyres. Shouldn't one buy the entire set of five tyres afresh ?

2. How does one check the manufacturing date? Mine are Apollo Accelere and the tyre shop person showed me an embossed code which according to him said they're of 2008 make (purchased my Spark in May 2009).

3. Are there additional costs involved beyond the tyre price, while fitting the new ones?

[ptaneja]

Originally Posted by curios

Had a few more queries on replacing my car tyres. Thanks.

1. Everyone talks about replacing 4 tyres. Shouldn't one buy the entire set of five tyres afresh ?

2. How does one check the manufacturing date? Mine are Apollo Accelere and the tyre shop person showed me an embossed code which according to him said they're of 2008 make (purchased my Spark in May 2009).

3. Are there additional costs involved beyond the tyre price, while fitting the new ones?

1. Fifth tyre would only be used occasionally - while the primary one's are punctured - for a distance to petrol pump for repairing primary tyre. With this minimum drive spending on 5th is not needed.

2. Manufacturing date would be numbers on tyres - something like 0415 - which would mean 04th week of 2015.

3. None - infact wheel balancing and alignment + nitrogen fillup on all 4 should be complimentary.

[dark.knight]

Originally Posted by curios

Had a few more queries on replacing my car tyres.

1. Depends, some people choose not to rotate the spare tyre, they use it only during punctures and put it back in the boot after the puncture is fixed, in such a case it can continue to remain as a spare provided its in good condition age-wise. Most people who choose to replace the tyres choose to use the best-conditioned tyre from the old set as the spare. This must be used only as a spare and put back immediately after puncture repair of the new tyre. Generally any tyre that is 8+ years old or 80k km run can be unpredictable and should be changed asap.

2. This depends on the brand, each brand has a slightly different way of showing manufacturing date. Any trustworthy shop will truthfully decode it for you, otherwise you may have to refer to this forum under respective brand threads.

3. This also depends, while fitting tyres one has to do weights+wheel balancing, alignment, valve change (if shifting from tubed tyre) etc. All of these are chargeable under normal basis, however each dealer may do one or all of the above free of charge if you buy a brand new set of 4 (or would've already worked those charges into the tyre rate). You need to clarify beforehand.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by curios

1. Everyone talks about replacing 4 tyres. Shouldn't one buy the entire set of five tyres afresh ?

You gave the budget then go ahead and buy 5 new ones.

Generally the notion is, 5th wheel being a spare, it is not used regularly hence treated as a fresh tyre. Logically I'd buy 5 to keep the manufacturer and thread pattern uniform but sometimes it doesn't make sense as punctured these days have become low.

Originally Posted by curios

2. How does one check the manufacturing date?

There is a DOT code on the tire sidewall something like "1315" that means 13th week of 2015 year.

Look at the image below to give you an idea :

Originally Posted by curios

3. Are there additional costs involved beyond the tyre price, while fitting the new ones?

1) Wheel alignment;
2) Wheel Balancing;
3) Nitrogen filling as sold by many tyre shops. They do try hard to sell you that.

[Tanmay K]

The Nano has covered 34k kms in 1 year and 9 months and the front tyres (135/70 R12) are completely worn out. The rears (155/65 R12) however, have very deep treads even now and the wear is pretty even.

I don't intend to change the rears at the moment as they still have a decent amount of life left in them (pic attached) . I hope changing just the fronts isn't a problem?

Also, all 5 tyres were manufactured in Oct 2012 so they are already 3 years old. The spare tyre (135/70 R12) has never been driven at all. Should I just buy one new 135/70 and use it with the spare 135/70 so that I can utilize it before this tyre ages away?

[deepv]

Originally Posted by Tanmay K

...
I don't intend to change the rears at the moment as they still have a decent amount of life left in them (pic attached) . ...

The tread depth looks decent, so it might be ok to continue with them (may be for another 5-7K, do keep monitoring them periodically).
Possibly change them when you would have your next round of WA/WB/WR.

Also, all 5 tyres were manufactured in Oct 2012 so they are already 3 years old. The spare tyre (135/70 R12) has never been driven at all. Should I just buy one new 135/70 and use it with the spare 135/70 so that I can utilize it before this tyre ages away?

It would be more prudent to buy two to replace degraded ones, this would make them uniform.
And keep the spare as is, it should work for you atleast for 2 years and possibly more.

[trtraj]

Experts,

Is it okay if i can drive this for another 3 ~ 4 k ?

Ford ecosport : 205/60R 16
Kms: 62200 so far
age : 2years by 12th Feb

Not sure whether the driving conditions matters most to the life of tyres, Mostly driven in Chennai - Bangalore highway , which translates less than 5 % used in bad roads and the treads are intact, not feeling any stiff condition so far (braking well)

To Chennai - Driven mostly after 2:30 AM
To Bangalore - Driven mostly after 11:00 AM

probably after 3000 kms i might go for same Good Year (OE spec).