Tire Manufacturers Reducing Tire Life

[Green-light]

rubber doesn't turn into oil
oils found on tire tracks on highways would be more from brake fluid, bearing grease, axle lubricants and such than tire rubber turned to oil
tire roll variations between softer and harder compounds are not substantial enough to be measured let alone enough to create a hazard in a tire
avoiding using winter tires in summer is entirely based on longevity
handling, braking and acceleration all improve with softer rubber compounds

if I could afford to run winter tires every season, I would in a heartbeat

[dirtybiker]

I am in the process of trying to figure out what to put on my 1/2 ton 4x4. I am looking at General Grabbers A/T or Yokohama Geolander A/T.

Both good choices for year rounders
I run Good Year Duratrac. Year-round, a good tire, a bit noisy.

Many I know swear by the BFG All-Terrains

[lesliepaul]

I am in the process of trying to figure out what to put on my 1/2 ton 4x4. I am looking at General Grabbers A/T or Yokohama Geolander A/T.

Both good choices for year rounders
I run Good Year Duratrac. Year-round, a good tire, a bit noisy.

Many I know swear by the BFG All-Terrains

Looks like the Yokohama Geolander A/T will be the tire choice this time around. Hopefully 40,000 KM will be surpassed by a great deal more.

[Catsumi]

Driving like a "normal" person (not like you're in the Indy 500) should allow for a long life of high quality winter tires, year round.

I do it, others do it, and no problems. (See previous posts).

No switching tires every few months. Good driving record = lower insurance premiums.

More cash in wallet.

Just check tire pressure, wheel alignment regularly.

All good to go.

[TylerM4]

If you're going to own the vehicle for long enough, why not just get 2 sets of tires? Keep the winter tires with lots of tread so you have good traction when you need it

A cheap jack and 30min of your time is all it takes to swap them. Tires should be rotated anyway, plus it gives you a chance to inspect the brakes while you're at it.

I'm surprised that you're willing to pay to check wheel alignment regularly, but not to swap tires.

[Catsumi]

Tyler, i did the 8 tire bit for years when i was still working and driving a lot. Now, I am an elderly woman who would rather not lug tires around and the related hassles for the small amount I drive. And further, on a limited income I don't fancy paying for the changeover twice a year which is overkill imo. However i will pay for maintenance as is due.

Another 2,000 kms to go before tires must be rotated. At that time alignment and brake pads are checked as well. My brake pads are at 5 and 6 mm wear as of last september when i purchased tires.. The car is 13 years old and looks like new, and is perfectly maintained. When I check out permanently this car will be a great find for a young person starting out, or, another old foggey who wants a well taken care of little gem.

If you look at previous posts it seems that we are being oversold on the idea of sets of tires for seasonal use which is based on old technology and wisdom, especially with the new compounds that weren't available before. You might want to check them out and should you drive as little as I do, switch to one tire set year round.

Believe me, all is well here

[RustyCrayon]

Tyler, i did the 8 tire bit for years when i was still working and driving a lot. Now, I am an elderly woman who would rather not lug tires around and the related hassles for the small amount I drive. And further, on a limited income I don't fancy paying for the changeover twice a year which is overkill imo. However i will pay for maintenance as is due.

Another 2,000 kms to go before tires must be rotated. At that time alignment and brake pads are checked as well. My brake pads are at 5 and 6 mm wear as of last september when i purchased tires.. The car is 13 years old and looks like new, and is perfectly maintained. When I check out permanently this car will be a great find for a young person starting out, or, another old foggey who wants a well taken care of little gem.

If you look at previous posts it seems that we are being oversold on the idea of sets of tires for seasonal use which is based on old technology and wisdom, especially with the new compounds that weren't available before. You might want to check them out and should you drive as little as I do, switch to one tire set year round.

Believe me, all is well here

My dad does this as well. Keeps the same all season tires on year round.
He's fine and his car is in great shape too!

[Bsuds]

I have all season M/S tires with the snowflake.

I am not spending over $1000. not including rims for snow tires when we drive less than 14k per year. Then another $200 per year to change them over. (I am getting too old to do myself)

[Catsumi]

My dad does this as well. Keeps the same all season tires on year round.
He's fine and his car is in great shape too!

[/quote]



Great, glad this works for him. My tires are dedicated high quality winters (Federal Himalaya). Love driving on them.

[JLives]

I have all season M/S tires with the snowflake.

I am not spending over $1000. not including rims for snow tires when we drive less than 14k per year. Then another $200 per year to change them over. (I am getting too old to do myself)

Me too. Been running on BF Goodrich KO2 for years. Never had an issue and I'm up in the mountains often. I'm the one towing other people out of the ditch.

[TylerM4]

Tyler, i did the 8 tire bit for years when i was still working and driving a lot. Now, I am an elderly woman who would rather not lug tires around and the related hassles for the small amount I drive. And further, on a limited income I don't fancy paying for the changeover twice a year which is overkill imo. However i will pay for maintenance as is due.

Another 2,000 kms to go before tires must be rotated. At that time alignment and brake pads are checked as well. My brake pads are at 5 and 6 mm wear as of last september when i purchased tires.. The car is 13 years old and looks like new, and is perfectly maintained. When I check out permanently this car will be a great find for a young person starting out, or, another old foggey who wants a well taken care of little gem.

If you look at previous posts it seems that we are being oversold on the idea of sets of tires for seasonal use which is based on old technology and wisdom, especially with the new compounds that weren't available before. You might want to check them out and should you drive as little as I do, switch to one tire set year round.

Believe me, all is well here

Alright, as long as it works for you. I made the assumption that you put the average 20,000kms/year on the vehicle.

I would recommend skipping the alignment however. Unless you've hit something (curb or nasty pothole) or uneven treadwear is observed - there is no reason for an expensive alignment.

[Catsumi]

You are correct Tyler about wheel alignment, but I always ask the terrific guys at OK Tire (vernon) their opinion as I trust them to do the right thing by me and have never been disappointed. Unfortunately, (for my wallet) costly past experiences with other outfits have been a sad learning experience. Being a female skunk has never hindered them from picking my pockets! It's true, if you wear a skirt, you are prey. In my next incarnation I will elect to be a male, unless the tide has turned. You guys never ever get ripped off, do you?



This thread has become as entertaining as the Mad Pooper!

Even learned a little more about tires which wasn't on my mind at all.

[RustyCrayon]

You are correct Tyler about wheel alignment, but I always ask the terrific guys at OK Tire (vernon) their opinion as I trust them to do the right thing by me and have never been disappointed. Unfortunately, (for my wallet) costly past experiences with other outfits have been a sad learning experience. Being a female skunk has never hindered them from picking my pockets! It's true, if you wear a skirt, you are prey. In my next incarnation I will elect to be a male, unless the tide has turned. You guys never ever get ripped off, do you?



This thread has become as entertaining as the Mad Pooper!

Even learned a little more about tires which wasn't on my mind at all.

?
I'm going to have to do a search for the "Mad Pooper"....

[Bsuds]

?
I'm going to have to do a search for the "Mad Pooper"....

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=74608

[Catsumi]

Be patient, dear followers of the Mad Pooper investigations. I am outlining the next segment in this mystery but must imbibe a little more vino so that the creative juices flow downhill in this saga.

Tires can wait.