How long should tyres last?

[forgetfultel]

I've just had a blow out on the motorway, and found my 2 front tyres were VERY worn - not just the one that blew.  Had to replace all 4 tyres at the same time, and this is the 2nd time since I bought the car new - only done 32000 miles in total on 2 sets of tyres.  The car is a Subaru Impreza WRX (bought brand new 3 years ago) - ie permanent 4 wheel drive, but surely the tyres should last longer than 14k miles to 18k miles, even with 4 wheel drive - I do not think I drive the car hard, and all the wear is on the inside of all 4 tyres where you can't see it!

[Impret-Sir]

as a fellow Impreza owner I can sympathise. I reccomend that you get all four wheels tracked by someone who knows what they are doing. These cars are known to wear the insides of the fronts more than other cars, even when all the tracking is set as per Subarus limits. Whith the amount of roadholding that these cars can generate, I dont actually think that 18k is so unusual im afraid, mine usually last about the same. Make sure your pressures are correct, this can prolong your tyres as long as possible, try running them at 33psi front and 30rear, which is what Prodrive reccommend.

[forgetfultel]

Thanks Impret-Sir.

I suppose it's just a cost of driving the car I want to, and I'll have to put up with it.

The tyre pressure thing is annoying, as the salesman told me to keep them at 36psi i.e. the wrong figures when I picked up the car, so the tyre pressures have been too high, and I only noticed what they should be when I checked the handbook for the tolerance limits for the "spare".  As the car is due for it's first MOT now, I shall certainly check if the garage (not Subaru dealership) alter the tyres pressures.

The tracking was checked when I had the 4 new tyres fitted, so at least that should be OK ,as it was only 4 days ago!

Thanks again.

[ket]

i recommend that you get it tracked by proffessionals (laser guided tracking), as this is a sports car. also if you have the standard alloys the rubber material for them is maximum traction hold therefore the rubber would be a bit more soft, hence the quick wear.

[forgetfultel]

Thanks ket - tracking was by laser, so it should be accurate.

[Impret-Sir]

forgetfultel, as an aside, I reccommend you join ScoobyNet, (www.scoobynet.co.uk) if you havnt already done so, there is a wealth of knowledge available there from people with loads of experience running, maintaining, and tuning these great cars, it has been invaluable to me over my seven years of Impreza ownership.

[Mrs_Pegasus]

Can I ask if it depends on the hardness of the tyre?  I know that the likes of Pirelli are notoriously soft compound and last no more than 12k on my cars but Michellins are harder and I have known them to clock well over 20k.

Just a thought.

[gadgetjohn]

a post that's 3 years late...:)
3 main factors for tyre wear 1) Mechanical (tracking, worn shocks) 2) Driving Style 3) Tyre formulation. I've just replaced 4 Michelins on my Land Rover Discovery that have completed 48,230 miles each (replacement forced by a slow puncture). Michelins are harder wearing (arguably a little less grip) and the Discovery is a diesel so it has no concept of 'burning rubber'!

[baby05]

You seem to get a lot of mileage out of your discovery! I bought an A4 Cab in March 6 month old with 5K on the clock. It now has 8K on the clock and I have been told that it needs new tyres already! I have never had a car which ahs needed tyres after so few miles so it can't be the way I drive.

I was told by the garage that the tracking etc were all ok. Is there anything that could be wrong with the car to make the tyres wear so quickly? Any ideas appreciated.

[andy007007007]

I had an Impreza, but now have an BMW M3, the tyres are continental and last about 14,000 miles on the back at £400 for two, rip off ! I'm getting cheap crap ones now with a high load rating, they will make more road noise, but save money as they last longer