Will these tires make it?

[Hnichols]

Hello everyone,
I'm planning on a road trip -- Chicago to Massachusetts and back (2000 mi) -- and I'm wondering whether my rear tires -- pics below -- will make the trip.

I wanted to replace them before I went, but the only available 245/45/R16 road tire at Tire Rack (Toyo Proxes T1R) are out of stock.

(I'm assuming that a narrower tire won't fit on my (9" rims).

TIA

[Rtrorkt]

nope, ran a set with tread pretty much like that from Scottsdale to Carmel last year (stipulation; very hot across the desert). No tread when I got on my horse to return and cord when I arrived. Toyo Proxes

[sc_rufctr]

Sorry... But they're illegal now. No way I'd risk it.

[Hnichols]

Thanks for the advice -- that's why I wanted to replace 'em.

My only other tire option in that size is a BFGoodrich "extreme high performance summer" tire: not ideal because the tire is susceptible to hydroplaning, and I am likely to run into rain.

There are more options if I add an inch in diameter: 245/50/16s. Threads in the archives say this size will work (again, I have 9x16 rims on an '88 Carrera). Can anyone confirm or deny?

[Brian 162]

What about RE11's?
I was in the same boat last year and wound up getting RE11A's.
I had 16 by 9 inch rims as well.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Hnichols

Thanks for the advice -- that's why I wanted to replace 'em.

What am I missing? I see plenty of rubber.

Just asking. Are they 15 years old?

[jeffbottman]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Sorry... But they're illegal now. No way I'd risk it.

Pardon my ignorance, but how can you tell they are illegal?

[whiz05403]

Find a Tire Rack in/near Chicago, have the RE-11's waiting for you, get some last miles on your current tires and get new ones for the ride back!!

[msterling]

Bridgestone Re-11. Great high performance tire. Should be pretty good in the wet. Not good in the cold. I think most 16x9 Fuchs are wearing these nowadays as there is not much choice. I ended up buying 17" wheels to get more tire choices. Euromeisters are a nice Fuchs clone and reasonably priced.

[msterling]

Not worn to the wear bars yet anyway.

[OsoMoore]

Tire Rack HQ is in South Bend, Indiana. They also have a track in front and on weekends you can see them "testing". About 1.5 hours east of Chicago.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by msterling

Not worn to the wear bars yet anyway.

My closest Pelican brother.

Not a PM. Not a text. Not a nuttin'.

Is it a Wadsworth thing? You live closer to LeBron than I do? Is that it?

[msterling]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

My closest Pelican brother.

Not a PM. Not a text. Not a nuttin'.

Is it a Wadsworth thing? You live closer to LeBron than I do? Is that it?

C'mon over. Cold frosty beers are in the fridge. I do go to the same Swenson's as LeBron but that doesn't make me a basketball player. My son and I autocross the crap outta my pristine 911 Cab. That's why I know something about tires.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by msterling

I do go to the same Swenson's as LeBron but that doesn't make me a basketball player.

My kid worked the window at DQ in Green when the infamous pre-pro ball Escalade arrived wiff LeBron's Mom wanting some DQ goodness. He shut up and gave her the grub and took the dough. No issues.

Just don't say Swenson's Galley Boy. They got them over here, too. On the other side of the tracks. I be hungry now. Eff LeBron. Gimme the burger.

[Trackrash]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Sorry... But they're illegal now. No way I'd risk it.

Sarcasm?

The tread is not to the wear bars, in the pics I see. Should be fine, if there is no damage or rotten rubber.
The tread is a little warn toward the inner edge. Make sure that there are no cords showing ALL the way around each tire.

[Cairo94507]

3/32" is the legal limit in CA. Personally, I would not want to try squeezing 2K out of those. The inside look like they would not make it. I mean you might not have the tire blow out, but I think you would be seeing thread. Tires are such a safety item, I would just not want to chance it and be worried the whole trip that I could suffer a failure.

[Arne2]

Whether the tire pictured is legal or not varies on the regulations in whatever local jurisdiction they are located within. So a blanket statement about whether they are "legal" or not is somewhat ambiguous.

However, I worked in tires for almost 25 years and my snap judgement is that regardless of the legal status, the inside edge of that tire is not likely to last another 2000 miles on a car with negative camber (as all 911s have to some degree). I'd make alternative plans if you can't get appropriate tires prior to the trip.

And yes, if you have 9" you need 245 or wider.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by jeffbottman

Pardon my ignorance, but how can you tell they are illegal?

Look at the inside edges of the tyre.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Look at the inside edges of the tyre.

Yep, and it may pay to get a wheel alignment done too.

[AVDCAV]

I have moved to all re-11's from Years of Toyo and I love them
But to your question, Your inner which is basically what your driving on is
Trash. Risk vs $350.00. Junk those