Life Expectancy for the Original Tires?
- Thread starter Calculon
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robsander
New member
I personally had no trouble in the Ohio winter last winter. Plenty of snow and ice and I never got stuck once. Fwiw, I weigh about 245-250. The question is whether the tires are bad in the snow or if there's simply not enough weight on the front from the little 1.4. Perhaps the hankook optimas would perform admirable in snow with say, a v6 sitting on top of em?
10.27 1/8 mile
10.27 1/8 mile
ahtoxa
New member
Then you have even more weight on the front and the tail would really prone to stepping out.
robsander
New member
That added weight is what would give it increased traction. As long as our front wheels are gripping, the back ones are going to follow the course unless you're driving like andretti in the snow. I had a fwd car's tail come out on me once in the snow, and it was because I was just going too quick. (5 under speed limit but still not enough for the conditions) oops... I think in average safe winter driving, the more weight up front the better. That's just my opinion
10.27 1/8 mile
10.27 1/8 mile
I ran close to 31k on my stock Hankooks, but got a bad punture, and bought two tires (Falken 612s from discount). I was going to wait a little bit to get 2 more (to have all the same). They are on the rear (the new ones) and the car feels completely unsettled. Today I nearly bought the farm on fwy transition ramp when the stability control when into full effect @ 65 mph and I had a hard time fighting the car's wants (it wanted me to go right into the guard rail). I am rethinking getting 2 more of these tires, and going a different route (but all 4 the same). Be forewarned on mixing tires on this car.
ahtoxa
New member
Yes, but the balance of traction is going to be further offset, because now the rear is even lighter than the front (proportionally). It may make snow handling even worse - that's my point. However, I'm not sure what the our engine weighs vs a v6.
robsander
New member
I am about 70k and I am going to see if I can make until my next oil change at least. The car will have about 77k which should be just before the end of the year. I know I have to monitor the tires and will change them sooner if they become unsafe, we do not get much snow before January around here. If we do I usually drive my wife's Edge that is all wheel drive.
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McD6113
Member
I have 32,300 miles on mine right now and they look like they're right around 5/32nds. I'm thinking about replacing them in the next couple of months with some Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3s for a little more grip, especially if they see snow when I travel back to PA this winter. This is definitely the most miles I've ever gotten out of a set of tires. On my other cars I was averaging around 20k miles per set but I definitely drove those cars differently... 
HollywoodTurbo
New member
Should be getting new tires next week around 57k, waiting to install my lowering springs and do the tires and alignment at the same time. I have 4/32 all four corners. Rotate every 7500 miles. I think I could have gotten more miles out of them but the 2 weeks in colorado winter made a visible difference in the tread depth.
ahtoxa
New member
Way back when, we used to shave half of the tread off for auto cross. Tires perform better with lower tread depth. Also they wear better as they get lower in depth. Of course not for wet or winter
You're right, but there's a catch to that. The catch is that new tires with low tread depth perform better. So, shaving tread off makes a lot of sense when used for performance.
As tires wear, natural heat cycles of heating up and cooling, plus exposure to elements degrades rubber. Age is also a factor. With all those factors combined, tires that are naturally worn to 4/32nd will perform noticeable worse than the same tire new, which was shaved down to 4/32nd.
KartRacer
Member
And that's makes good sense to me also. Good point!
The Champ
New member
I only got a little over 1700 miles on the OE Hankooks.
The OE Hankooks have very poor ratings - especially for winter driving - sold them to someone on craigslist for $200.00.
Much happier with my 225/60/16 Goodyear Eagle Sports and will be taking those off soon to put on my extra set of rims with 205/55/16 Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice winter tires.
The OE Hankooks have very poor ratings - especially for winter driving - sold them to someone on craigslist for $200.00.
Much happier with my 225/60/16 Goodyear Eagle Sports and will be taking those off soon to put on my extra set of rims with 205/55/16 Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice winter tires.
72k? holy smokes, are they bald??
Not yet, but they are getting there. I am gong to check them a little closer this weekend. I have not had any problems with them in any kind of weather. Not great in rain or light snow. I made it home after getting snow at work that was not expected. As long as the wear indicator are not even with the tread I will run a little longer.
Yosemite Sam
I Hates Rabbits!
I changed mine at 72k and they still had 5/32" tread depth!!
:banana:
:banana:
Papasonic
Active member
Your wheel alignment must be spot-on, and you must drive conservatively to achieve that degree of tread life. Impressive!