2tone

iTrader: (3)

so i'm pissed at myself -- had a goal of saving up for new wheels by the time i needed new tires ... NOT even close!!!

anyway, i have two questions. i just got my car inspected for '08, and passed, but tire wear was close. the rear tires were a "3" (some of you probably know better than me, but i think he said it's 3/30 of an inch of tread remaining, or something like that). a "2" does not pass inspection. the fronts are at "5". so...

1. is that difference btwn front and rear wear "normal"? i don't track, so just street driving. i don't do burn-outs or donuts. i drive kinda hard in turns, but otherwise it's mostly highway driving. yes, i know it's a rear-wheel drive, don't need any flaming on that, just wondering if that difference was somewhat normal.

2. at this point, should i swap tires front-to-back and back-to-front? i'm about to drive 500 miles or so this weekend, so i'd like to do this now if it's advisable, but i also don't want to do it if it's a bad idea. point being, should i have less tread in the back (power delivery) or less tread in the front (steering). i'm looking to accomplish 2 things: one, safety, and two, making the tires last as long as possible to keep saving up!!

ps i don't remember when my last tire rotation was, i'd have to look it up at home tonight.

pps i have 245/40's all around; kdw2's -- i'll have to check at what mileage i got them, but if memory serves me correctly, they should already have at least 20,000, if not 25,000 miles on them, with a little more left to drive. pretty good for the price and handling i think.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

It's normal in a rear wheel drive car, especially a sportscar, to wear your rear tires more than front - case in point for periodic rotations (I do mine every 6k miles).

Go ahead and rotate them prior to your trip.

btw: tread wear is generally measured in 32nds of an inch (in the US), so the mech said 3/32 rear remaining [above the wear indicators].

ps: check your tread wear (and tire pressure) more frequently - the inspection should not have been the time for a surprise.

2tone

iTrader: (3)

that's right, 3/32, not 3/30.

i check my tire pressure "often", but i guess not often enough, at least not for a sports car, i'll have to work on that. i've had all the appropriate check-ups, etc., for my car, so tire rotation was one of those things i thought was handled whenver it was supposed to be handled, also not on my radar like it should be! i'll get them rotated today or tomorrow.

thanks huey.

the mileage though for the wear on these tires has impressed me.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

20-25k is very good for those tires. You're smart to be looking to replace in the not too distant future however.

Don't assume anything of dealer service - just as in health care these days, you must be an active participant in your 8's care.

EdwardsB

I would rotate them because you do not want a lot of grip in the front and little in the back as this will result in an over steer car. unless you are going for a over steer car. and all it takes is one time of driving under inflated to ruin a set of even brand new tires (not saying thats what you did).

2tone

iTrader: (3)

very true edwards. i've always checked them visually each time i drive, and actually psi-tested them every few fill-ups (by few i mean every 5th or 10th! i know i should do that more often). but given their mileage, i think they've lasted great, probably better than most (b/c i drive mostly highway too).

good point on the grip - that's what i was thinking too.

side note (can i hijack my own thread??) -- my brakes are pretty rusted on the outside, and i want that nice silver shine back! can any otc brake cleaner do the job? is it just a spray and dry method? i though i'd rotate them myself for a little exercise, and could clean them while i have the wheels off...

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

You can actually use a low-aggressive, pH-balanced, tire cleaner on the brake caliper housing, but keep it off the rotor.

Or for heavier grime, with rotor overspray ok: http://www.gunk.com/prod_photo.asp (Gunk brake cleaner)

If not very dirty, just use soapy water and a soft stiffness brush.