Tyre Suggestions for 2013 ATX?

[Keefy]

Hi all,

Long time lurker of the forums and would really appreciate some advice here.

I have read the FAQ and Wheels/Tyres thread but would like some current info or opinions from users here.

So I have a 2013 ATX and have done 70,000 km total and 30,000km on Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE003 in the stock size of 215/60R16 for the last 18 months. 

Have really enjoyed them and had no issues, other than the fact that I've been told the tread is wearing thin and they will need replacing in the next 6 months. 

I don't drive aggressively so am unlikely to have done anything intentional to damage the tyres, and paid for the lifetime alignment from Bridgestone Select and followed their servicing schedule exactly. 

Is getting 30,000km from these a good run? Personally I would prefer a longer life with tyres but don't want to sacrifice quality or paying too much more than I did last time around (~$130 each I think).

The Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus currently have my attention with their Wear Life Guarantee of 50,000km and seem to be available for around $140. Does anyone have experience with these?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[campbeam]

There was a recent thread in the Aurion about Tyres so you should be able to use the Search to locate it. RE003 got a favourable mention.

I am more interested in a quality Touring style tyre with longer tyre life, good grip especially in the wet and low road noise. I have found is that my current set of Continental tyres with a Treadwear rating of 360 have much better grip in the wet than a budget Goodride brand with a Treadwear rating of 440. Lesson learnt is to stick with known quality brands.

I am thinking that for a tyre to have a wear life guarantee of 50,000km then there has to be a combination of deeper original tread depth and a higher Treadwear rating than the RE003.

Minimum legal tread depth is 2 mm but tyre shops recommend replacing at 3 mm. Best to keep a watch on both the tread depth and the usual End of Financial Year or pre-Xmas sales.

[trentmeyer23]

8 hours ago, campbeam said:

Minimum legal tread depth is 2 mm 

Splitting hairs; but, it is 1.5mm in all states and territories, bar the ACT and VIC,  which are 1.6mm. 

[campbeam]

Yes, more accurate measurement. Anyway, best to have tyres with good grip and replace them as soon as practicable for safety reasons.

Certainly not smart to ignore warning signs when the tyres are not performing to expectations in a known situation. My personal test is a particular intersection turning right from a stop at the traffic lights when the road is wet; especially if the front tyres lose grip and start sliding in mid-turn then it is replacement time. Spending $500 for a new set of 4 tyres at the right time is less economic/personal pain than a smashed up vehicle.

http://www.repcoservice.com/hints-and-tips/safe-tyre-tread

[matt36415]

Have you looked at the tread yourself?  Or had a slightly knowledgeable friend look at them? Many shops will tell people they need new tyres when its just not true. 

 

I ask because of the small distance you've driven on them and that you say that you have been told they need replacing. 

[Keefy]

Thanks for all the replies so far and sorry for the late reply!

Will definitely keep an eye on upcoming EOFY sales and look into 'touring' tyres this time around.

The tyres are doing okay at the moment, there was this one time in the last two months when front tyres spun a bit on an uphill slope in the rain. Wasn't aggressively accelerating and it was a road I knew well so maybe a bad sign?

Here is a photo of the front left tyre at the moment. I was just shown that the tread of the outside is wearing quite thin and that would be an issue. Is the very outside edge where the tread depth is measured?

[mg85]

Hi Keefy,

 

Tread depth is measured across the tyre if one side is down to the wear indicators the tyre is deemed unroadworthy even if the other side is OK.

Your tyre look a little worn on the outside which is not uncommon for a front LH due to U turns, roundabouts and such, therefore it is well worth rotating tyres every 10K using the method described in the owners manual.

I find you can get a pretty good picture on how the car is driven by looking at the wear on tyres. As mentioned in the fuel consumption thread by other experienced users roadcraft has a hell of a bearing fuel consumption and of course tyre wear.

[Keefy]

2 hours ago, mg85 said:

As mentioned in the fuel consumption thread by other experienced users roadcraft has a hell of a bearing fuel consumption and of course tyre wear.

Thanks! Will do some reading and see if I can make my driving more efficient and keep the tyres in good shape!

Edited May 7, 2017 by Keefy

[ZZT86]

On 29/04/2017 at 9:55 AM, Keefy said:

Is getting 30,000km from these a good run?

I would say typical of a super sticky soft tyre like a Potenza RE, even more so especially given that they're on a large mid-weight sedan with plenty of grunt driving the front wheels. The Potenzas are great for best grip in the wet & not so for longevity. Perhaps go for a harder compound next time, Michelins usually last well.

Personally I would rotate F<>Rear every 10Kkms.

Edited May 7, 2017 by ZZT86

[Arium]

I would recommend Michelin Energy XM2 $130 each and $50 alignment, Bob Jane in Epping :)

[ianjoseph]

Looks like some hard cornering on those Bridgestones. I'm happy with Yokohama S Drive. I've got 225/45 18 on my car. A bit noisy but handles well, especially the way I do push it into corners.