How low can you go?

[asiancivicmaniac]

I'm trying to decide whether I should get new tires right now or wait a few thousand more miles. I don't know how many miles are on this set since I just bought the car used. I went out to look at the tires today and the front two tires still have some tread left before the wear bars, one of the rear tires still has some tread before the wear bars, and the other rear tire has uneven wear and the middle and outer shoulder have reached the wear bars. I think the rear were once in the front because the alignment is off and the car pulls slightly to the right. So get new tires or will I be good for another 5k-ish?

And all four tires' outer shoulders look like the rubber has chipped off. What causes this and does it make the tire and less structurally sound?

Here's a picture from one of the fronts. All four have this and the unevenly worn one in the rear is slightly worse.

Comments, suggestions, and opinions appreciated.

 

[The_Jeff]

Many will say they're through. They quote the tired "what price safety" argument. But then you could drive... a great-handling corvette... with perfectly new tires... and still have a margin of danger.

I'm not one of them. Though I would slow down during your daily afternoon thundershowers.

Incidentally, what's your date code? (4-digit # by DOT code near rim mounting surface)

 

[jldcol]

I think you can find the build date on the tire, then find the tread depth on a new tire of same kind. Allow 6 months to 1 year for time until install, so tire is that old and on car has worn however much you find different. This is a rough est of wear rate and may help figure time to min tread depth.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Incidentally, what's your date code? (4-digit # by DOT code near rim mounting surface)


There are a lot of codes on it. I'll have to go out and see again.

 

[Quest]

If safety is your ultimate concern then yes, I would say "replace them ASAP".

Just remember this:

To safely and effectively stops a 1600lbs+ vehicle, there's only tire's rubber thread, suspension(shocks/struts) and brake pads between your brake pedal and the road. If anyone of these are in questionable condition, you not gonna be able to stop the car effectively to avoid situations.

It's your money(your life) and it's your call.

Q.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Okay so there are:
1x 0504
2x 0404
1x I don't see the last four dot numbers.

I looked back on the Autocheck report and the car had 18,119 10/15/2002 and 48,901 12/09/2005 so I'm estimating the tires have somewhere between 40-46 k on them.

 

[Chris142]

Those holes on the side near the camera kinda look like a tread seperation starting to happen.

 

[Bob Woods]

Spend some money on a good allignment prior to buying new tires, it may seem like wasted money but its worth it.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Originally Posted By: Quest
If safety is your ultimate concern then yes, I would say "replace them ASAP".

Just remember this:

To safely and effectively stops a 1600lbs+ vehicle, there's only tire's rubber thread, suspension(shocks/struts) and brake pads between your brake pedal and the road. If anyone of these are in questionable condition, you not gonna be able to stop the car effectively to avoid situations.

It's your money(your life) and it's your call.

Q.


I agree. I've driven them through wet roads at about 55-65 mph and didn't feel any indication of hyproplaning. I like to err on the safe side though, but money is a little tight lately. It sounds like it will be better that I replace them though.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Best I can do price wise http://www.kauffmantire.com/shoppingcart...=&itemprice=117

+ tax - $50 coupon - Conti $75 MIR and it should be around $456.

Anybody have experiences with Kauffman Tire?

 

[chet2]

buy the tires, stay safe

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Originally Posted By: chet2
buy the tires, stay safe


That's the current plan.

 

[Sayjac]

acm, just a few thoughts.

I would think your biggest issue in FL is hydroplaning. And if you're not to the wear bars then you may have some treadlife left. That said, I would not like that abnormal wear on the outer band. I'm not a tech, but that could be a toe adjustment. That plus the uneven wear you describe, I'd be looking/pricing tires.

IIRC, you said you thought your car might have been in an accident an had some body work done. Many times, putting a car on an alignment rack can tell many things. Hopefully it's just out of spec, can be brought into spec and nothing more. But, do get a good four wheel alignment, at a reputable shop, after you get the tires.

Last Kaufman Tire is the parent company of Treadepot. My son shopped Kaufman (and Treadepot) but ended up at Discount Tire because they matched Kaufman, including the 50.00 coupon you spoke of. That plus Kaufman was out stock and DT had the tire in stock. I've heard nothing negative about Kaufman though, they're big in Atlanta.

I've bought several sets of tires from Discount Tire and been very satisfied. And they will match or beat any legit price. Just my .02

Good Luck
J

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

If it was in an accident I don't think it was in the front. Been under there and nothing looks like it was welded back or anything. And the headlights are in aim, which in my experience the body shops don't seem to be able to get them to aim right. Might have been repainted because of rock chips because the original paint is really thin and there isn't the amount of chips I would expect for a car its age and mileage.

I am definitely getting an alignment because trying to keep it going straight on the highway gets annoying.

Oh, the nearest Discount Tire is 45 miles away so any savings in tires would already go to gas. There are a few Kauffman's here so it will be easier. I called and they will have to order the tires though.

 

[bretfraz]

Either the front alignment is way off, or someone's been slalom racing your car.

A couple years ago I took my truck to Road Atlanta and did a few hot laps. After three laps I pulled in, my front tires looked a lot like yours in that pic. Awesome fun track, though.

Anyway, time for replacement.

 

[Dave Hess]

Tires are dirt cheap, why drive on a set of old tires ?

Now if you had an old beater and was gonna get rid of it in a few months, then keep your old tires.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Just got new tires. Falken Ziex 912 for $460 installed with lifetime rotations and road hazard. That's less than the Contis and I don't have to wait for a rebate. The pull to the right is also less noticeable. Still have to get an alignment though.

 

[Dave Hess]

Was the car in any accidents ?

I know Tire Kingdom will put your car on the alignment rack and will actually print out a paper with your car's current readings verses the factory specs. As long as they don't adjust anything, they will not charge you a penny. They did this for free on my wife's old Altima, but it turned out that it was a bum tire causing the slight pull.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: bretfraz
Either the front alignment is way off, or someone's been slalom racing your car.

A couple years ago I took my truck to Road Atlanta and did a few hot laps. After three laps I pulled in, my front tires looked a lot like yours in that pic. Awesome fun track, though.

Anyway, time for replacement.

You are pretty brave lapping a truck! I'm surprised they let you out there but I guess if you aren't trying to set a lap record it would be fun.
I was going to say the same thing but the corner of the tire isn't worn enough, unless that is the inside edge. I was chunking some old kumho all season tires at my first solo race last year, looked about the same as these.
I figured it was time for new tires even with lots of tread left, they were also bad in the rain as the chunking rubber seems to be dried out.
Ian

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette

Was the car in any accidents ?

I know Tire Kingdom will put your car on the alignment rack and will actually print out a paper with your car's current readings verses the factory specs. As long as they don't adjust anything, they will not charge you a penny. They did this for free on my wife's old Altima, but it turned out that it was a bum tire causing the slight pull.



I think the car might have been in an accident. Might not have been severe enough that it was reported because it doesn't show on Carfax or Autocheck. I don't think it was the front though. The stuff looks pretty original.

Bringing it to Tires Plus on Friday to have them check the alignment, since the guy who helped me with the tires seemed to be good enough to know the basic stuff and maybe more. Will probably get the lifetime alignment since it will pay for itself in two-three alignments.