Wheels/Tyres: New tyres time...?

[Pidgeonpost]

This week a friend glanced casually at the OSF tyre on our V70 and said it was borderline illegal. I knew the tyres were cheapies put on by the dealer out of legal necessity and weren't in the Springtime of their life, but this caused me to check them with a Vernier gauge when I got home. Each tyre has 4 grooves round the circumference, with wear markers, but a check with the Vernier showed the following in mm:


Groove 1..........2.......3........4* * = outermost

OSF- 3.6........3.4.....2.9......1.4

NSF- 3.2.......3.7.....3.2......2.2

It would seem to me that there's a bit of life left in them yet unless that reading of 1.4mm condemns the whole tyre. We only do around 7k a year and I drive it like a granny, so I guess the additional wear on the outer edge is down to wheel alignment rather than seat of the pants cornering. I run the tyres at 38psi.

[GrahamBrown1]

I’d be looking to replace them before the autumn. Your running them at a good pressure as 38 psi tends to keep the P3 tyre wear to a minimum but I still find they can wear like this both front and rear even after alignment. Perhaps it’s more to do with the tyres.

I’ve had Michelins primacy’s on the S80 as well as falkens. The dealer had the falkens on offer. They were cheap and haven’t really lasted. The Michelins have been ok but have worn on the outer edge as you describe. The car needs 4 new tyres and I’m thinking of putting Pirelli on it this time. It will get realigned again but the falkens didn’t wear on the edge, they wore in the centre more than anything else. Both tyres running the 38 psi. Our XC70 has always had Pirelli on and wears them really well.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Pidgeonpost

This week a friend glanced casually at the OSF tyre on our V70 and said it was borderline illegal. I knew the tyres were cheapies put on by the dealer out of legal necessity and weren't in the Springtime of their life, but this caused me to check them with a Vernier gauge when I got home. Each tyre has 4 grooves round the circumference, with wear markers, but a check with the Vernier showed the following in mm:


Groove 1..........2.......3........4* * = outermost

OSF- 3.6........3.4.....2.9......1.4

NSF- 3.2.......3.7.....3.2......2.2

It would seem to me that there's a bit of life left in them yet unless that reading of 1.4mm condemns the whole tyre. We only do around 7k a year and I drive it like a granny, so I guess the additional wear on the outer edge is down to wheel alignment rather than seat of the pants cornering. I run the tyres at 38psi.

The OSF tyre isn't borderline illegal. So long as 3/4 of the tyre has 1.6mm minimum of tread on it (which it does), its still a legal tyre. If the whole tyre was 1.4mm, it wouldn't be legal.

In saying that, you probably do want to change that tyre as a minimum at some point in the near future, but for now, I wouldn't worry about it. Get the alignment checked too.

Originally Posted by GrahamBrown1

I’d be looking to replace them before the autumn. Your running them at a good pressure as 38 psi tends to keep the P3 tyre wear to a minimum but I still find they can wear like this both front and rear even after alignment. Perhaps it’s more to do with the tyres.

I’ve had Michelins primacy’s on the S80 as well as falkens. The dealer had the falkens on offer. They were cheap and haven’t really lasted. The Michelins have been ok but have worn on the outer edge as you describe. The car needs 4 new tyres and I’m thinking of putting Pirelli on it this time. It will get realigned again but the falkens didn’t wear on the edge, they wore in the centre more than anything else. Both tyres running the 38 psi. Our XC70 has always had Pirelli on and wears them really well.

I've not had success with the Michelin's either on the Volvo. I've had them on other cars and they've been great, but on the Volvo, they seem to wear on the edges. That's running them at the correct pressures too and with the car aligned.

A Volvo Specialist told me that he frequently notices Michelin tyres worn on the edges on Volvo's, yet the alignment is within spec. So much so, he told me not to buy Michelin.

I guess weight has a lot to do with it and maybe the suspension setup too. P3 platform cars are heavy. That, and the boat-like handling, means a lot of weight is transferred to the tyres around bends and roundabouts for example. Over time, that leads to wear on the edges.

[Pidgeonpost]

Thanks for your replies chaps. The tyres are Chinese and wouldn't have been my choice. When I viewed the car I said I thought it needed a pair of tyres and the garage I bought the car from said they'd put it through an MOT and if they came up as advisories they would replace them. The MOT test condemned them, and the other pair which they said showed damage on the inside sidewalls. The seller, without contacting me, put 4 new Windforce tyres - cheapest they could get I guess. I've no issue with the weather-related performance of the tyres, and, if you ignore the outer edge, I suppose they're about half worn after about 10k miles. Nevertheless I'll be looking to replace them before the winter.

[GMcL]

The 1.4 on its own might not be enough to condemn the tyre, guessing when the cord pokes through is not a game I'd want to play.

That front tracking doesn't look right with the outside being scrubbed on both sides I'd get a laser alignment done.

Tyres are a personal choice, my car came with Continental tyres which I wasn't happy with, they wore very quickly. I'd read a few people on here had tried Falken so I tried the Evo12, very stiff tyre. Now back to Goodyear Eagle F1 for summer I also use the winter tyre from Goodyear. Comfortable ride, good grip, good tyre wear. Other people will recommend other makes.

[Pidgeonpost]

I've tried most of the big brands over the years, including Goodyear Eagle. Quite happy with them and will check the prices. Nowadays the absolute ultimate in grip is less important; I like a bit of 'give' in the tyre to lessen the effect of our hideously pot-holed roads.

[GMcL]

Correction: earlier post I wrote Falken Evo12 then remembered these were Hankook, never tried Falken tyres, people on here do recommend them though.

[Kev0607]

+1 for Falken

My Dad has them on his V70... very good tyres. Quiet, absorb imperfections well.

[Bonefishblues]

Low miles, gentle driving? In that use case I'd be very tempted to try some Barums - the European-made Continental sub-brand, always very well reviewed and a cracking price.

Disclaimer - I have never run them, but in OP's circumstances, that's what jumps out at me from the listings.