Tire Condition Question - Never seen this before
 

See attached. Sidewalls look normal (not cracked/dry-rotted), and there is PLENTY of tread left. I drove the car like this for 12 miles, going about 60 at the high.


Should I even consider driving the car back 90 miles on these? What kind of separation is this. Forgive my poor drawing skills.

The cracks, which are only in the two outer-most grooves, are 'medium thin', meaning they are no hairlin but I cannot stick a penny between them (though close I believe). Just the fronts, the rears are different tires and are fine.

Thoughts?

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5...cutawaywj6.jpg

sounds like age cracks - how old are the tires?

tires have a sales shelf life of 3 years because they age wear - they cannot be sold after that because they are not "safe"

if tires are more than 5 years old, they should definitely be changed, regardless of wear

If it was me I would drive it to a new tire place and get me 2 new tires as soon s I could. I wouldn't drive any faster than about 40 mph and even then I would not want to go more than 20 miles. I would be afraid of the tread "peeling" off.

a pic would be better. this cutaway means/shows nothing.

I know I wish I had a pic. Will have one this weekend if I go up and bring the car home, but want to put fresh tires on it first I think.

Any tire recommendations? Not looking for winter capability, looking mostly at summer performance tires... though some of the Faulken Zeix or what have you are economical all-seasons that seem to be okay, though I know how important tires are...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVS+ES100&ve hicleSearch=true&partnum=16VR5ES100&fromCompare1=y es&place=6&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rat ing=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=(Y)&minSpeedRati ng=V

Looking at these.

phoenix_iii
Please advise if you will be buying the Bilstein shock/struts or Koni...this will help us. It will also help if you like a OEM type ride with softer tire sidewalls or a firmer ride with stiffer tire sidewalls. You may also be looking at wider tires and then getting Fuchs rims. That said, I have had Yokohama on both cars for years and no had complaints. Balance excellent and nice ride. I use Boge/Sachs shocks. If you want to spend more money the tire is Michelin Pilot Exalto. Here is where I will get flamed: Drop to a H speed rating unless you race alot or take your car on the German Autobahn daily or go to many PCA car shows. Do you really plan to drive at 140mph frequently?
Now I will stand against the wall an get stoned.

John_AZ

1988 924S OEM
1987 924S OEM

John AZ. Koni M030 in the front (have yet to install), Koni yellows in the back, and the car came with Fuchs, 215 60 15. =)

Car for now is a restoration project, I have an 87 MR2 that I am making more 'racey' while trying to avoid the ricey. =)

I think the Yoko's ES100 will be a good 'first' tire. =) $404 delivered from Tire-Rack for 4.

+++++++
John_AZ

Try the yokohama trz...just got a set and i love them...have yet to see how they do on snow or ice tho.

From your drawing I'd guess the outer belt is delaminating from the tire carcass. I had a Michelin do that a few years ago on a Range Rover. I drove at about 10 MPH or about 40 miles AFTER the tread came off entirely (it was my spare, put on after a nail puncture), to get to a tire shop. he tire basicly disintegrated as I pulled into their lot.

lol - no stoning john, but let me poke a potential hole in your thought:

nowadays, as more and more lower end tires are being phased out, the traction ratings of H rated tires are not up to the standards of higher ratings - regardless of whether or not somebody is going to do 140, they are sure going to be doing 60 in a corner, probably in the wet too

i am a big proponent of choosing the best tire for the individual application - depending on the case, that may be a lower speed rating, but it will never be a lower traction rating

Yoko's AVS ES100 on all four corners on order. I will take the wheels off the car and put them in my Step-fathers Silverado and get them mounted and balanced and reinstall them myself. =)

Thanks all for the input.

I've had the ES100's, and I was sorely disappointed in them. I've also had Parada Spec 2's, Kumho SPT and Ecsta 712's, Dunlop SP5000's, and now have a set of 10 year old Yokohama avs dB1's. Wow...those are dangerous! They're so dry. They don't grip at all anymore. My 1912 Outback outgrips my car. Is that sad or what? Whatever they came with the car.

Anyways, the best tire I have ever used is the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R's. They aren't that expensive, and basically blow everything else out of the water in most categories. They're not loud, they don't ride badly, and they grip like WHOA! They really are that good. I dunno about treadwear, but summer tires don't last. Deal with it.

Another good choice is the Pilot Exalto 2 from Michelin. But those are expensive and not any better than the RE-01R's.

Good luck with your ancient tires. I'm getting new ones in the spring when the car comes out from hibernation.

Interesting read here from tirerack. I especially like the part where they say the RE-01 gave them the best cornering they're ever recorded.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/TireTestServlet?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Pot enza+RE-01R&vehicleSearch=true&index=25&partnum=055VR6RE01 R&partnum=25VR6RE01R&tirePageLocQty=%26frontTire%3 D055VR6RE01R%26rearTire%3D25VR6RE01R

Tire Rack has great reports. Short cut version: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/chartDisplay.jsp?ttid=71. I also like Car and Driver tire reports. Depends on car setup, driving conditions and driver "state of mind".
John_AZ

I've found Car and Driver is often a little less impartial.