When to change tyres

[maddog-uk]

I am interested in knowing when people chasnge there tyres ie what sort of mileage people are getting from the GoodYear tyres. I am at 10800 and mine appear to have lots of mileage left in them, but with a 3000 mile drive planned for Furball5000 I am keen to get some new tyres and have them nicely bedded in. I was thinking the same for brake pads...

thanks

Simon

>> Edited by maddog-uk on Sunday 26th February 21:35

[valhalla]

Hi Simon, I've just had my fronts both changed, believe it or not i got 22.500 miles from my original set. If you need some Toyo TS1's Mail me and i will tell you of the cheapest place in Essex, How does £85 squids each sound.£5 to balance, and no charge to dispose of the old tyre. And they are TVR fitment, because i saw it on the sticky label on the tyre. would you believe one place quoted me £175 each to fit, £8 each to balance, and £4 to dispose of old rubber,do you want that phone number??? I doubt it!!
Dave

[targarama]

Well how much tread is left on the tyres? My rears lasted 12,000 miles - changed recently. Some people change them before they get 3/4 worn. Others wait until they see canvas. I change my tyres when there is around 2mm left usually - just a smidgette above the wear indicators. With a 3,000 mile trip I'ld change the tyres - they will get run in on the way to France so don't worry about that (warning - you must check the pressures yourself afterwards - tyre fitters think every car/tyre needs 30-36psi).

As for brakes, you can see the pads through the wheels. I don't recall you reporting that you've done many track days so I suspect they'll be OK. Measure the thickness of the pad friction material left and report back...

[maddog-uk]

That does indeed sound a bargain! I wonder if they do goodyears! I must say when the TVRCentre balanced my wheels (tvr had not) they did a great job, even taking the wheel off to move the rubber around to help get a better balance, which makes me very tempted to let them change them!

[maddog-uk]

OK, will visit the garage tomorrow night (its too dman cold to go tonight!) and report back all of the measurements!!

[targarama]

maddog-uk said:

That does indeed sound a bargain! I wonder if they do goodyears! I must say when the TVRCentre balanced my wheels (tvr had not) they did a great job, even taking the wheel off to move the rubber around to help get a better balance, which makes me very tempted to let them change them!

Yes, a sign of a good tyre fitter. New performance tyres usually have little red and sometimes yellow dots on them. IIRC the red dot needs to be opposite the valve as it is the 'heavy point' on the tyre. (I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along to correct me shortly.)