Tyre tread question

Lord Tyrion

Lord Tyrion

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Bit of a weird one. My wife picked up her new, second hand, car last week. They handed it over with a vehicle check document, I've only just seen it.

The tyre tread depths are as follows:

Inner Middle Outer
NSF 4.0 4.3 4.3
OSF 4.2 4.0 4.0
NSR 4.5 4.8 4.2
OSR 5.4 5.0 4.8

The stand out is the OSR which is wearing excessively on the outer, so presumably needs balancing (is that the correct term?).

One that threw me was the NSR where the middle was the least worn. How does that happen? That sounds illogical to me.

(before anyone asks, or can't be bother to google it :rolleyes:, Near Side Front or Rear, Off Side Front or Rear)
 
Obvious candidates are getting tracking and camber checked.

Inner wearing quicker could be simple overinflation causing bulging.

You won’t find many cars with equal wear tbh, the roads we drive on, if there’s loads of speed bumps (the smaller ones) or if the previous driver was cornering at speed all play a part.

Nothing on that looks really off to me.
 
I would also add the people tend to go faster on right hand bends therefore loading the inside of the drivers side rear tyre.
To me, those tyres look like perfect candidates to replace all 4 with all-season tyres and at the same time get the tracking and alignment checked.
 
Given these readings, it also seems possible to me that the OSR is new(er).

However, unevenly worn tires can also be a sign that the car is “out of alignment,” meaning either the camber and toe aren’t set correctly or—in the worst case—the frame is warped (perhaps due to an accident?).

That’s why I’d have the car inspected just to be on the safe side. It doesn’t cost the earth, but you’ll be on the safe side and sleep much better!

And while 4 mm of tread depth is still perfectly fine, new tires never hurt! ;)
 
GreiginFife said:
Anyone binning tyres with 4mm of tread and no sidewall damage need their heads looked at. Absolute waste and environmentally damaging.
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Well, I respect your differing opinion. But please grant me the same! Without insults.

Just a thought: At 4 mm, the tires might still have enough tread depth, but they’re not exactly new anymore. And do you know how the previous owner treated them? Driving over curbs? You can’t tell from the tires that they’ve been damaged like that! And the cost of four new tires is significantly less than the cost after an accident caused by a flat tire—not to mention potential personal injury claims!

Just my two cents! 🤷‍♀️
 
Oops! said:
Well, I respect your differing opinion. But please grant me the same! Without insults.

Just a thought: At 4 mm, the tires might still have enough tread depth, but they’re not exactly new anymore. And do you know how the previous owner treated them? Driving over curbs? You can’t tell from the tires that they’ve been damaged like that! And the cost of four new tires is significantly less than the cost after an accident caused by a flat tire—not to mention potential personal injury claims!

Just my two cents! 🤷‍♀️
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Unless they are run flats then inspect for kerb bulging (or sidewall damage) you WILL see damage from impact severe enough to affect them but tyres with 4mm tread are perfectly viable for a few thousand miles.

By your logic he should replace the suspension legs, strut arms and ball joints as well as you don’t know how they’ve been treated either.
 
GreiginFife said:
Unless they are run flats then inspect for kerb bulging (or sidewall damage) you WILL see damage from impact severe enough to affect them but tyres with 4mm tread are perfectly viable for a few thousand miles.

By your logic he should replace the suspension legs, strut arms and ball joints as well as you don’t know how they’ve been treated either.
Click to expand...

As I mentioned before : I respect your differing opinion. But I expect that you grant me the same.
 
GreiginFife said:
Unless they are run flats then inspect for kerb bulging (or sidewall damage) you WILL see damage from impact severe enough to affect them but tyres with 4mm tread are perfectly viable for a few thousand miles.

By your logic he should replace the suspension legs, strut arms and ball joints as well as you don’t know how they’ve been treated either.
Click to expand...
Is there any need to be such a smart arse?
He’s just sharing his thoughts 👍🏻
 
GreiginFife said:
Anyone binning tyres with 4mm of tread and no sidewall damage need their heads looked at. Absolute waste and environmentally damaging.
Click to expand...


That is only 1mm away from the recommended time to change tyres, for me it certainly the time in which I start to notice the deterioration in grip and stopping distance.
 
Lord Tyrion said:
Bit of a weird one. My wife picked up her new, second hand, car last week. They handed it over with a vehicle check document, I've only just seen it.

The tyre tread depths are as follows:

Inner Middle Outer
NSF 4.0 4.3 4.3
OSF 4.2 4.0 4.0
NSR 4.5 4.8 4.2
OSR 5.4 5.0 4.8

The stand out is the OSR which is wearing excessively on the outer, so presumably needs balancing (is that the correct term?).

One that threw me was the NSR where the middle was the least worn. How does that happen? That sounds illogical to me.

(before anyone asks, or can't be bother to google it :rolleyes:, Near Side Front or Rear, Off Side Front or Rear)
Click to expand...

To me it really depends on the type of driving by the previous owner.

My regular drive involves a lot of very tight right hand turns so I always get odd wear.

As already said where you have different wear (inner middle and outer) can be a sign of incorrect tyre pressure or a need to check tracking.

Balancing is to stop a wheel from vibrating.
 
jim8flog said:
That is only 1mm away from the recommended time to change tyres, for me it certainly the time in which I start to notice the deterioration in grip and stopping distance.
Click to expand...
1mm tread goes a long way. Unless you are driving too fast, cornering too fast or braking too late, of course.

Incidentally, it’s mainly only tyre manufacturers that advocate 3mm. Wonder why that is…?
 
GreiginFife said:
1mm tread goes a long way. Unless you are driving too fast, cornering too fast or braking too late, of course.

Incidentally, it’s mainly only tyre manufacturers that advocate 3mm. Wonder why that is…?
Click to expand...

Personally I do drive somewhat faster than most and as already said my preference is too change tyres when I feel the performance going off.

Driving too fast and cornering too fast is a bit subjective really.
 
jim8flog said:
Personally I do drive somewhat faster than most and as already said my preference is too change tyres when I feel the performance going off.

Driving too fast and cornering too fast is a bit subjective really.
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At what tread height do you think you can feel a performance difference?

These aren’t racing tyres, or even semi slicks we are taking here. It’s all
Purpose road tyres. Like saying someone can feel the difference between golf balls
 
SteveW86 said:
At what tread height do you think you can feel a performance difference?

These aren’t racing tyres, or even semi slicks we are taking here. It’s all
Purpose road tyres. Like saying someone can feel the difference between golf balls
Click to expand...

My tyres were replaced last month, definitely noticed the 'slide' with them - fronts were just under 3mm and rears just under 4mm.

I could have kept the rears but I just prefer to change all at the same time to have same make and type on the car and the discounts on a set of 4 take away a little of the pain.
 
jim8flog said:
My tyres were replaced last month, definitely noticed the 'slide' with them - fronts were just under 3mm and rears just under 4mm.

I could have kept the rears but I just prefer to change all at the same time to have same make and type on the car and the discounts on a set of 4 take away a little of the pain.
Click to expand...
You must drive like a proper loon! :ROFLMAO:
 
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