Federal FZ-201

[rusty rex]

Is anyone here using these?

I bought a set late last year, did 15 minutes on them at Blyton and 3x15 minutes at Cadwell with my 130bhp Honda CRX. Recently I tidied up the garage, moved them and noticed this on one of the tyres -





This one was on the drivers side front both at Blyton and Cadwell.
As best as I can get the tip of my caliper into that split it measures at least 5.5mm deep, but at an angle that runs to approximately 3mm below the tread surface.
I have seen on my own and others 595RSRs a similar but less dramatic split appear but that came to nothing, never worsening through the life of those tyres.

I find this split rather more concerning and will have them x-ray'd at work to see the extent of it before considering using them again or this one at least.

The supplier has seen the pictures and agrees that it isnt good, agreed re the 595 "issue" with their "splits" and says he will pass the images to Federal but certainly isnt holding his breath regarding any warranty as they have been used on track... as they were designed to be.

So, just a heads up to check yours if youre using these. I would have thought a more powerful car may make more of a mess than mine did. The other three tyres look perfectly fine by the way, just this one thats misbehaved.

[gruffalo]

Worrying as a mate uses these on his 420bhp CerbEra and I was thinking of trying them.

Mate has to my knowledge not seen this issue but I will certainly check with hi before investing.

Currently use the Kumho V70 on my car with no issue.

[mgv8dave]

I used them last year on my Tiger Avon and found them to be fantastic tyres.
I did get a split but nothing as bad as yours, maybe it is to do with the cars weight ? the Avon is about 500kg so not a lot at all.
They were used for everything from cold dry days at Cadwell to Zandvoort in August where it was 40 Celsius. Great in the dry but pants in the damp or wet.
Rotated round the car they wore out quiet evenly and two sets done over 16 track days.

[spadriver]

They have earnt the nickname of Fed Ex on account of how quickly they will find a ditch in damp/wet conditions.Good enough in the dry but think the Khumos are the better tyre.

[captainsl0w]

I did actually have as you described on an old set of RSRs (newer sets no), but as you say it didn't appear to worsen over time or impact the tyre's reliability/performance

I reckon you'd be okay, just monitor it closely (depth and width)

[grahamn]

gruffalo said:

Worrying as a mate uses these on his 420bhp CerbEra and I was thinking of trying them.

Mate has to my knowledge not seen this issue but I will certainly check with hi before investing.

Currently use the Kumho V70 on my car with no issue.

Hi Martin

I do use these on my cerbera, and I have had the normal Federal type splits on mine, but nothing like the above. Like the 595s the split never seems to get any bigger or deeper.

[rusty rex]

Thanks for the thoughts.

I forgot to mention that these are the "soft" compound should that make any odds or help to ease concern for anyone using the "mediums".

[gruffalo]

grahamn said:

gruffalo said:

Worrying as a mate uses these on his 420bhp CerbEra and I was thinking of trying them.

Mate has to my knowledge not seen this issue but I will certainly check with hi before investing.

Currently use the Kumho V70 on my car with no issue.

Hi Martin

I do use these on my cerbera, and I have had the normal Federal type splits on mine, but nothing like the above. Like the 595s the split never seems to get any bigger or deeper.

I hadn't noticed that issue on yours, are you coming to Spa on 21st and 22nd March?

[grahamn]

gruffalo said:

I hadn't noticed that issue on yours, are you coming to Spa on 21st and 22nd March?

No going to give it a miss, hope the weather is good for you.