Tyre thread advice...
Discussion
Got the following advisory about uneven tyre wear after my Q7 was in for service last week :
NSF 7 7 6 OSF 4 4 3
NSR 5 5 4 OSR 5 5 3.5
NSF tyre is new as I've just replaced it last month after a puncture. I was told it was no point of doing a laser alignment as I would be changing my tyres soon anyway so I told them to skip that (Which I sort of regretted now but that's a story for another day).
A tough question here... my indoors would be visiting soon and we might be doing higher mileage than usual. We usually do around 500 miles a month but with indoors around that might rise to double that. They will be here for 1.5 month so let's say we will do around 2000 miles in that time.
Should I replace the 3 (OSF, NSTR, OSR) tyres now or is it ok to use it for another 2000 ish miles and then get it replaced + have alignment done?
NSF 7 7 6 OSF 4 4 3
NSR 5 5 4 OSR 5 5 3.5
NSF tyre is new as I've just replaced it last month after a puncture. I was told it was no point of doing a laser alignment as I would be changing my tyres soon anyway so I told them to skip that (Which I sort of regretted now but that's a story for another day).
A tough question here... my indoors would be visiting soon and we might be doing higher mileage than usual. We usually do around 500 miles a month but with indoors around that might rise to double that. They will be here for 1.5 month so let's say we will do around 2000 miles in that time.
Should I replace the 3 (OSF, NSTR, OSR) tyres now or is it ok to use it for another 2000 ish miles and then get it replaced + have alignment done?
Edited by crazy about cars on Friday 18th May 14:19
I am very cautious about tyres.
They are the only things that have contact with the road.
If it was me I’d swap all 4 and get the alignment done.
You won’t crash and die instantly if you don’t, and as long as they are over the legal limit you won’t get into trouble.
But, would you go a on 70mph rollercoaster at a fair if you knew the wheels were almost at the legal limit and not aligned properly.
They are the only things that have contact with the road.
If it was me I’d swap all 4 and get the alignment done.
You won’t crash and die instantly if you don’t, and as long as they are over the legal limit you won’t get into trouble.
But, would you go a on 70mph rollercoaster at a fair if you knew the wheels were almost at the legal limit and not aligned properly.
Snowboy said:
I am very cautious about tyres.
They are the only things that have contact with the road.
If it was me I’d swap all 4 and get the alignment done.
You won’t crash and die instantly if you don’t, and as long as they are over the legal limit you won’t get into trouble.
But, would you go a on 70mph rollercoaster at a fair if you knew the wheels were almost at the legal limit and not aligned properly.
The NSF one is new though and I don't reckon it needs changing @ 7 7 6 mm all around? :O New = 8mm?They are the only things that have contact with the road.
If it was me I’d swap all 4 and get the alignment done.
You won’t crash and die instantly if you don’t, and as long as they are over the legal limit you won’t get into trouble.
But, would you go a on 70mph rollercoaster at a fair if you knew the wheels were almost at the legal limit and not aligned properly.
crazy about cars said:
The NSF one is new though and I don't reckon it needs changing @ 7 7 6 mm all around? :O New = 8mm?
I missed that somehow.Keep that one.
Or, if you have a full size spare then consider putting that onto the spare.
It depends on how long the spare tyre has been sitting there.
If you’re happy with the tyres then stick with them.
If you’re not then change them.
So aside from the NSF, all the other tyres are the same age?
All looks okay really. The front has worn quicker than the others, but I'd expect that on such a heavy car that is used around town etc.
On the rears, is the lower value (i.e. 5 5 3.5) the outer or inner figure? If it's the outer, again I wouldn't worry - such a heavy car will lean on its sidewalls more.
The legal tread depth is 1.6mm minimum, but I tend to change tyres when they get down to 2.5-3.0mm. Below this their ability to disperse standing water is comprimised, and as I do a lot of motorway/dual carriageway work at 70mph, having good tyres on helps.
So, it's up to you, your tyres aren't illegal, but your older front tyre is reaching the point where I'd consider changing it. Buy yourself a £5 tread depth checker from Halfords next time you're passing, and just make a point of spending 2 minutes checking them once a fortnight, then you only change them when you really need to!
All looks okay really. The front has worn quicker than the others, but I'd expect that on such a heavy car that is used around town etc.
On the rears, is the lower value (i.e. 5 5 3.5) the outer or inner figure? If it's the outer, again I wouldn't worry - such a heavy car will lean on its sidewalls more.
The legal tread depth is 1.6mm minimum, but I tend to change tyres when they get down to 2.5-3.0mm. Below this their ability to disperse standing water is comprimised, and as I do a lot of motorway/dual carriageway work at 70mph, having good tyres on helps.
So, it's up to you, your tyres aren't illegal, but your older front tyre is reaching the point where I'd consider changing it. Buy yourself a £5 tread depth checker from Halfords next time you're passing, and just make a point of spending 2 minutes checking them once a fortnight, then you only change them when you really need to!
Snowboy said:
I missed that somehow.
Keep that one.
Or, if you have a full size spare then consider putting that onto the spare.
It depends on how long the spare tyre has been sitting there.
If you’re happy with the tyres then stick with them.
If you’re not then change them.
Don't have a full size spare only one of them inflatable types. I am happy with the tyre but just a bit conflicted at the moment as to what to do... a mate advised me to just get tracking done and I should have around 5000 miles left from the tyres.Keep that one.
Or, if you have a full size spare then consider putting that onto the spare.
It depends on how long the spare tyre has been sitting there.
If you’re happy with the tyres then stick with them.
If you’re not then change them.
Dr Interceptor said:
So aside from the NSF, all the other tyres are the same age?
All looks okay really. The front has worn quicker than the others, but I'd expect that on such a heavy car that is used around town etc.
On the rears, is the lower value (i.e. 5 5 3.5) the outer or inner figure? If it's the outer, again I wouldn't worry - such a heavy car will lean on its sidewalls more.
The legal tread depth is 1.6mm minimum, but I tend to change tyres when they get down to 2.5-3.0mm. Below this their ability to disperse standing water is comprimised, and as I do a lot of motorway/dual carriageway work at 70mph, having good tyres on helps.
So, it's up to you, your tyres aren't illegal, but your older front tyre is reaching the point where I'd consider changing it. Buy yourself a £5 tread depth checker from Halfords next time you're passing, and just make a point of spending 2 minutes checking them once a fortnight, then you only change them when you really need to!
I think the 3.5mm refers to the inner figures. I have a tyre depth checker lying around somewhere just have to find it ><All looks okay really. The front has worn quicker than the others, but I'd expect that on such a heavy car that is used around town etc.
On the rears, is the lower value (i.e. 5 5 3.5) the outer or inner figure? If it's the outer, again I wouldn't worry - such a heavy car will lean on its sidewalls more.
The legal tread depth is 1.6mm minimum, but I tend to change tyres when they get down to 2.5-3.0mm. Below this their ability to disperse standing water is comprimised, and as I do a lot of motorway/dual carriageway work at 70mph, having good tyres on helps.
So, it's up to you, your tyres aren't illegal, but your older front tyre is reaching the point where I'd consider changing it. Buy yourself a £5 tread depth checker from Halfords next time you're passing, and just make a point of spending 2 minutes checking them once a fortnight, then you only change them when you really need to!
The car almost never do motorways except once every weekend. However with indoors coming we might do slightly more motorway trips with 7 people in the car.
With >4mm of tread you should get half price selling the old tyres, I'd put the really good rear one on the front and replace the 2 most worn, selling them on.
I used to wear tyres down to the markers (esp in summer) but noting the 4mm rule, I changed my view to "why put up with less?".
I used to wear tyres down to the markers (esp in summer) but noting the 4mm rule, I changed my view to "why put up with less?".
chucklebutty said:
With >4mm of tread you should get half price selling the old tyres, I'd put the really good rear one on the front and replace the 2 most worn, selling them on.
I used to wear tyres down to the markers (esp in summer) but noting the 4mm rule, I changed my view to "why put up with less?".
Not really lol... I tried asking on another car (has 5 5 5 mm all around) but no one would take it unless its free lol.I used to wear tyres down to the markers (esp in summer) but noting the 4mm rule, I changed my view to "why put up with less?".
You may want to consider swapping the pair of the new one, so you have 2 new tyres on the same axle.
Then flog the partworn one, or keep it in case you get another puncture.
On my old S2000 I did this because it actually made a HUGE difference driving with different tread tyres on the same axle.
I don’t know how it would be on a Q7.
But, consider that the differences between those two weeks now is over half a CM over the tyre diameter.
The Q7 loves to chew up tyres, especially the fronts on the outer edges. A 1mm extra wear on that edge is normal. Look at the camber of the wheels when they're turned - that explains the wear pattern.
To avoid getting through a set of fronts on an overly frequent basis, you must ensure the wheels are aligned and that the pressures are spot on. The pressure difference between loaded and unloaded on a Q7 is significant, so ensure they're correctly defined for your load.
A full set of decent tyres (e.g. Goodyear) on a Q7 will set you back £1000 and they do get through them, so you will want to get your money's worth. Legal min is 1.6mm, yes below 3mm they'll struggle to shift quite so much water.
However, we're about to go into summer, the Q7 has a HUGE contact area and 4WD so I think you should be safe to run those tyres down a bit further (assuming they're a decent brand). Given all the above, I'd consider changing the rears when the wear was down to 2.5mm or so on the centre reading on the lowest tyre. Your fronts have got a way to go yet.
Edited to say that I re-read your depths and noticed that your OSF is the lowest. I'd consider getting a new one to match the other front, and keep this OSF as a standby in case of puncture, or ebay it.
To avoid getting through a set of fronts on an overly frequent basis, you must ensure the wheels are aligned and that the pressures are spot on. The pressure difference between loaded and unloaded on a Q7 is significant, so ensure they're correctly defined for your load.
A full set of decent tyres (e.g. Goodyear) on a Q7 will set you back £1000 and they do get through them, so you will want to get your money's worth. Legal min is 1.6mm, yes below 3mm they'll struggle to shift quite so much water.
However, we're about to go into summer, the Q7 has a HUGE contact area and 4WD so I think you should be safe to run those tyres down a bit further (assuming they're a decent brand). Given all the above, I'd consider changing the rears when the wear was down to 2.5mm or so on the centre reading on the lowest tyre. Your fronts have got a way to go yet.
Edited to say that I re-read your depths and noticed that your OSF is the lowest. I'd consider getting a new one to match the other front, and keep this OSF as a standby in case of puncture, or ebay it.
Edited by PhilboSE on Friday 18th May 15:07
PhilboSE said:
The Q7 loves to chew up tyres, especially the fronts on the outer edges. A 1mm extra wear on that edge is normal. Look at the camber of the wheels when they're turned - that explains the wear pattern.
To avoid getting through a set of fronts on an overly frequent basis, you must ensure the wheels are aligned and that the pressures are spot on. The pressure difference between loaded and unloaded on a Q7 is significant, so ensure they're correctly defined for your load.
A full set of decent tyres (e.g. Goodyear) on a Q7 will set you back £1000 and they do get through them, so you will want to get your money's worth. Legal min is 1.6mm, yes below 3mm they'll struggle to shift quite so much water.
However, we're about to go into summer, the Q7 has a HUGE contact area and 4WD so I think you should be safe to run those tyres down a bit further (assuming they're a decent brand). Given all the above, I'd consider changing the rears when the wear was down to 2.5mm or so on the centre reading on the lowest tyre. Your fronts have got a way to go yet.
Edited to say that I re-read your depths and noticed that your OSF is the lowest. I'd consider getting a new one to match the other front, and keep this OSF as a standby in case of puncture, or ebay it.
Excellent advice chaps thanks! I will consider getting soon to replace the OSF and get tracking done too. A single tyre + tracking + labour should be around £280ish so very much better than 3 tyres which is >£700 To avoid getting through a set of fronts on an overly frequent basis, you must ensure the wheels are aligned and that the pressures are spot on. The pressure difference between loaded and unloaded on a Q7 is significant, so ensure they're correctly defined for your load.
A full set of decent tyres (e.g. Goodyear) on a Q7 will set you back £1000 and they do get through them, so you will want to get your money's worth. Legal min is 1.6mm, yes below 3mm they'll struggle to shift quite so much water.
However, we're about to go into summer, the Q7 has a HUGE contact area and 4WD so I think you should be safe to run those tyres down a bit further (assuming they're a decent brand). Given all the above, I'd consider changing the rears when the wear was down to 2.5mm or so on the centre reading on the lowest tyre. Your fronts have got a way to go yet.
Edited to say that I re-read your depths and noticed that your OSF is the lowest. I'd consider getting a new one to match the other front, and keep this OSF as a standby in case of puncture, or ebay it.
Edited by PhilboSE on Friday 18th May 15:07
edit: All tyres are either the OE Conti or Goodyear so they should be fairly decent
Edited by crazy about cars on Friday 18th May 19:20
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