Tyre Life - miles not years

We have just returned from a 2500 mile trip to Italy, bring the mileage on our Worcester to 36,500.  The tyres (Continental 4-seasons) still have 4-5 mm of tread left on them, which seems to me to be excellent.

What sort of mileage do others get from their tyres and what can be reasonably expected?

Only had my Windsor for a week, so can't comment but my Ace Milano would wear out front tyres in 20,000 miles and rear in 60,000. I used Continental camping tyres. Previously, i'd gone for Mitchelins but front tyres only lasted 13,000.

On the Windsor I changed the tyres on age rather than mileage. The original Hankooks and replacements had loads of tread left

It really does depend on your driving style

As Roger says,its down to driving styles ,tyre pressures and a good branded tyre.
Boaby

Impressed, very impressed!

My cheapo "white van" tyres currently need replaced after only 20 000 - although it wasnt helped by serious over inflation for about 6000 of those miles (bald in the middle but still live at the edges)

We've just changed out original Michelin tyres at 26000; we still had excellent depth on the treads but cracking had appeared on the walls. Our local tyre specialist said that they were OK at the moment but in MOT terms he would have issued an 'advisory'. 4 new tyres were fitted immediately.

hblewett wrote:We have just returned from a 2500 mile trip to Italy, bring the mileage on our Worcester to 36,500.  The tyres (Continental 4-seasons) still have 4-5 mm of tread left on them, which seems to me to be excellent.

What sort of mileage do others get from their tyres and what can be reasonably expected?

Similar aged Sprinter, same tyres, 31,000 miles and similar dilemma. All of the tyres were actually manufactured in 2011. The recommendation is to change at between 5 and 7 years of age depending on condition; I think I'll get another year out of these, another 6,000 miles probably changing this time next year at 6 years of age and circa 37,000 miles. I hope they still make this model of tyre then as its an excellent tyre.

Ours are 5 years old too, Peter and we do about 10k a year (there was just 3k on it when we bought it 18 months old).  It never stands for long, and I understand the action of use is good for the tyres as opposed to standing.  The sidewalls look absolutely perfect (I've had tyres on my classic car which I've changed after 3 years because I didn't like the look of them, even though they had just passed an MOT!).

I reckon they should do for another 10k and I'll have had my money's worth

A quote from Continental Tyres website
"We recommend:
All tyres (including spare tyres) that were manufactured more than ten years ago should be replaced with new tyres, even if they appear to be usable from their external appearance and if the tread depth may have not reached the minimum wear out depth."

So where does the widespread recommendation of changing every 5-7 years come from? It is often quoted in publications but I have not seen what it is based on. 

Obviously tyres need to be checked regularly for wear and sidewall cracking and replaced if necessary

I would be interested if anyone can enlighten me.

Mike.  

Hi Its widespread by tyre firms etc.
Many many Motorhomers change tyres early.
I say if it was so dangerous it would be on the MOT .

Regards

Micky

I wonder if the answer is in hblewett's post re action in use being good for tyres? Regular use does keep the tyre supple and cords lubricated internally V's not doing many miles which would also reduce the calendar life somewhat.

Our Rienza, 55plate, had the original tyres with plenty of tread at 24,000 miles when we bought it. We had one run to Amsterdam and found loads of cracks in the treads when we got back. Being stood for 9 months cant have helped it. Now running on Vanco Campers at 50-60 front and back. Slightly hard ride but seem to grip ok.

mikethebike wrote:
I say if it was so dangerous it would be on the MOT .

There is no way that you can determine by visual inspection how much life there is left in the carcass of a tyre and there are so many variables that effect that life that is impossible to assess the life based on knowledge of how the tyre has been used.

The concern is over a catastrophic failure of the carcass causing an explosive deflation. From many industry and safety organisation sources, the advice is the same; up to 5 years a very low risk, over 7 years an unacceptable high risk and over 10 years very likely. Bear in mind this is considering that motorhomes are usually loaded to near the maximum and often travel many miles at motorway speeds.

I have heard of many instances but know personally three couples who have experienced this type of catastrophic failure of aged tyres.

The first occurred on the inside lane of a motorway and they were able to pull to a halt on the hard shoulder suffering only considerable delay and discomfort.

The second couple had it happen in the middle lane of the M1 causing a 360° spin, the surrounding traffic managed to avoid them but it was VERY scary. My friend subsequently did extensive investigation into the prevention of such tyre failures, tyron bands, sealants, etc. His conclusion was that the only safe method was to change tyres at 5 years old and he fixed a red card on his dash with the relevant date!

The third again had a catastrophic failure in the middle of a motorway, the van flipped onto its side and was totally written off in the subsequent slide. The couple were only slightly injured but very shocked.......

Everyone has a mind and will make their own decisions, I personally question just about everything but I would rather buy tyres a year or two before I really need to then end up on my side on a motorway possibly 1,000's of miles from home.

See page 19 of November C&CC Mag and video at following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40iy-ed4pk4

Yes Peter accidents happen. However like the cases of gassing in motorhomes you need facts.
tyres can fail for a number of reasons. I expect damage and or low pressure would overwhelmingly be the main cause. Have we any objective total figures for the causes of tyre failures ?
As i said before tyres are checked at MOT time for damage and tread depth and wear. This is a legal requirement. It seems strange to me that if it is confirmed that tyres are unsafe after 5 years  than  this would be added to the MOT test.
Age is not the most important consideration,all age of tyre has to be inspected frequently for damage and pressure.We know that this is not done. I have seen many vehicles travelling with a low pressure tyre. Its difficult to draw attention to this safely. I have done so many times and been thanked.
   regards

Micky

I did not generate the recommendations, I'm not qualified to do so, I am just passing on information from relevant industry, safety and leisure organisations.

I believe it would be irresponsible for me as a representative of this forum management to suggest to a forum reader that such widely given advice should be ignored.

A few examples of the many sources of the same advice are given below.

http://www.ntda.co.uk/useful-links/tyre-ageing/

https://www.kwik-fit.com/tyres/information/tyre-age

http://www.rospa.com/road-safety/advice/vehicles/tyre-safety-technology/information/

I totally agree with what Peter is saying!

Mikethebike I am afraid is wrong to say about the MOT. The only way to test a tyre's internal make up would be to xray it.

MOT testers look for tread wear, cuts and bumps etc. on the tyre wall, they cannot check what is happening to the internal make up of the walls.


New tyres are a small price to pay for your safety and others on the road around you.

Thanks Peter that was the type of information I was looking for.  

What I take from these are
Definitely replace all tyres at 10 years of age.
Reduce this time if the tyre exposed to excessive sun (e.g. Travelling Southern Europe), coastal areas, long periods of being parked up, or continued running at incorrect pressure.
Check for wear regularly, particularly after 5 years of age.
Replace when the tread depth is 3mm or below.
Older tyres will not perform as well as new with things such as braking distance.

At least I can now make a better informed decision about replacements when the time comes. I think like many I take tyres for granted and certainly don't check them as much as I should.

I have recently fitted tyre monitors, hopefully they will give some indication of impending failure.

Mike