Sensible car maintenance advice?

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screenman

Squire
If only driving in uk i would have run them until oct or 2mm whichever the sooner

Why that month, does in never rain in your part of the world.
 

Levo-Lon

Guru
One of the biggest mistakes people make is swapping front part worns to the rear..and thinking the new fronts are more important.as thats what needs the grip..
Low tread on the rear and new fronts increases the chance of a rear slide...dont do it.
i try to wear out tyres evenly ..and Always buy 2 new on one axle if i have a damaged tyre unless its a new car with low miles..
3mm is as low as ill risk as a rule.

i worked in a tyre bay for a short time, some of the tyres you see Lol..and its suprising how many people think the yearly service is enough for tyre checks...
 

Oldfentiger

Veteran
Location
Pendle, Lancs
I always change the tyres on my own car when they reach 3mm.
The car I use for business is leased, and the bloody lease companies really hack me off with their tyre policies. They refuse to change them until they reach under 2mm. I am forced to use Kwikfit, which is a contradiction of terms. I can't get my tyres changed in one visit, and I can't make an appointment to have them changed.
Also I've had numerous arguments with them because they think that mixing different makes of tyre on the same axle is OK.
 

Kajjal

Guru
Location
Wheely World
I always change the tyres on my own car when they reach 3mm.
The car I use for business is leased, and the bloody lease companies really hack me off with their tyre policies. They refuse to change them until they reach under 2mm. I am forced to use Kwikfit, which is a contradiction of terms. I can't get my tyres changed in one visit, and I can't make an appointment to have them changed.
Also I've had numerous arguments with them because they think that mixing different makes of tyre on the same axle is OK.

I used to have the same problem. The easiest solution is to ask the leasing company to confirm they will take full responsibility for the tyre(s) not being replaced. In my experience they backed down every time.
 

Drago

Legendary Member
[QUOTE 4321333, member: 9609"]Especially so if you don't have ABS, I always keep the best on the rear of my van but without ABS they will still lock up - even more reason to concentrate more so as I never have to use the brakes.[/QUOTE]

Absolutely. Whatever four wheeler you drive, keep the best boots on the rear. Understeer may be bad for your Y fronts - oversteer is a killer.
 

Oldfentiger

Veteran
Location
Pendle, Lancs
I used to have the same problem. The easiest solution is to ask the leasing company to confirm they will take full responsibility for the tyre(s) not being replaced. In my experience they backed down every time.
Yes - that's the tactic I use too. I just get fed up with having the same argument every time :banghead:
 

Drago

Legendary Member
can't you just cut some new tread with a stanley knife - that'll keep you legal for a bit longer

Or draw some on with marker pen?
 

Jody

Stubborn git
I always change the tyres on my own car when they reach 3mm.
The car I use for business is leased, and the bloody lease companies really hack me off with their tyre policies. They refuse to change them until they reach under 2mm. I am forced to use Kwikfit, which is a contradiction of terms. I can't get my tyres changed in one visit, and I can't make an appointment to have them changed.
Also I've had numerous arguments with them because they think that mixing different makes of tyre on the same axle is OK.

We would take a view depending on the situation with the leasing company I used to work for. If the car was in at a garage and they are 2.5mm we would offer to change them even though the policy was 2mm. Mainly due to the inconvinience for the end user.

PS mixing different brand tyres on the same axel is fine as long as the speed, size and load ratings are the same.
 

Oldfentiger

Veteran
Location
Pendle, Lancs
PS mixing different brand tyres on the same axel is fine as long as the speed, size and load ratings are the same.

Not in my experience, I'm afraid. Tyres of the same specification but different brands can have different rolling resistance.
I drove one of my leased cars for 6 months with a constant pull to the left. Neither Kwikfit or the main dealer could diagnose the cause, even after multiple complaints and investigations. The front tyres were from the same manufacturer and of the same specification. It wasn't just a slight pull to the left, any lapse of concentration would have the car swapping lanes.
The problem vanished after both front tyres were renewed.
Close scrutiny revealed that the date of manufacture of the tyres were one year apart, and the later tyre had a subtle difference in tread pattern, too subtle for anyone to notice during cursory inspection.
Call me picky if you like, but I'm not going through that experience again.
 
I'm of the same mind-set as the 'OP', I change mine at about 3mm

My Octavia got a new set, in February, as the tread-depth was about that, but, worn enough to activate the traction control light when hitting deeper puddles (with one wheel) at normal road-speed, so insufficient depth of tread left to clear the water
That's a good enough reason for me to change them
The previous set, was at just short of 27,000miles

That said, I once got 67,000 miles out of a set of BF Goodrich on one of my Land Rovers, but when the starting tread depth must be about 15mm..............
 
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