tire wear question...

[Markus33]

Ok, so this is probably a dumb question but...when is it time to get new tires?

Checking my "tire wear bars" indicates about 1 mm remaining to the highest point of the tread. These are Dunlop SP 8000's.

Do you replace when the bar is completely flush with the tread?

Thanks in advance.

Markus
'80 SC Targa

[Paulporsche]

Yes. Or by age...6 yr max.

[Andras Nagy]

This question need lots more information from Markus, but Paul is right, age sometimes overtakes wear. The information we need is your driving style, diving type, location of driving and anticipated weather, etc. etc.

However, if you live in a warm climate, don't see snow or rain, then "worn" tires are okay. Don't forget that racers race on slicks, but not in the rain. Thus, you should be able to continue with tires that are not worn past the wear bars (that's why they're there), but perhaps not if they are more than 6 years old.

By the way, tires age worse than women; tires will get brittle, lose their flexibility, develop cracks in sidewalls and between grooves, just like women. But we still love our wives, and we still love good tires like the SP 8000. And tires will age faster if you subject them to heat cycles, such as on-track spiritied driving, just like women. But since they've given us many good rides, we don't trade them in just because they show a little wear.

So Markus, hope this helps answer you question. If not, ask some more!!!!

[Markus33]

Thanks Andras and Paul.

Some more info: Tires are about 5 years old; daily driver (including SF bay area rain); no track use. I don't yet see cracks in the the tread or sidewalls.

Just hoping to get another 4k or so miles out of them.

Cheers,

Markus
'80 SC Targa

[anthony]

Just be careful with worn tires in wet weather. If you don't drive it in the rain then you can probably take the tires all the way to the wear bars.