[rjstyles69]

Originally Posted by AvonA7

Hi Vina,

Just posting this out of curiosity - do you mean touching the tire (rubber part ?). I may sound stupid here ... but I touched my tire after more than 01 hour drive on highway 70 - 120 km/hr and I could still touch it, not so hot to have burning sensation.Considering the air temperate at Mudhumalai ghats with speeds at 30-40km/hr ( I guess the distance covered in ghats will be in the range of 30-40kms), sounds interesting, any other external factors might come into play here.

You sure can touch your tires even after 500 clicks at a stretch, depends on how hot the discs get. The usual tendency of novice drivers while driving downhill is that, they completely forget the concept of engine braking. Usually their foot is glued to the B pedal while driving downhill. This in-turn heats up the discs and that heat is transferred to the tire.

Dont be surprised, but I have seen Sumo's with smoking wheels at the end of the downhill ride in the Ooty- Masinagudi ghat section. The biggest problem is that these guys don't realize that after a point of time the brakes cease to work.

[vina]

Originally Posted by rjstyles69

You sure can touch your tires even after 500 clicks at a stretch, depends on how hot the discs get. The usual tendency of novice drivers while driving downhill is that, they completely forget the concept of engine braking. Usually their foot is glued to the B pedal while driving downhill. This in-turn heats up the discs and that heat is transferred to the tire.

Dont be surprised, but I have seen Sumo's with smoking wheels at the end of the downhill ride in the Ooty- Masinagudi ghat section. The biggest problem is that these guys don't realize that after a point of time the brakes cease to work.

Not only do they not engine brake, they actually drive foolishly rash.

Our driver was overtaking everybody left right and center - one of my friend was travelling with his wife, she told him to slow down, he gave her a stare and slowed down for exactly 10 seconds - I had to threaten to beat him up (and that helped only a bit).

With the engine off the car can do reasonably high speed (30-40) on this sections - if a fool tries to accelerate and then brake the tyres are taking all the energy into them - converted to heat.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by vina

Going by the Gas Law ...

Well, I go by my handy pressure gauge that is quite accurate. With normal air the pressure reading used to go up by 10 psi after driving for an hour or so. Just recently I switched to N2 and noticed that the cold/hot differential is not more than 4-5 psi

[for_cars1]

Wanted to share my experience, my MRF zvtv tyres has worn out at 32K km! in under 2 years. I was certainly expecting upto 40K km.

The tyres rolled 90% of the 32K km on highways usually at 100 to 110 kmph on 4/6 lane roads and 70 to 80kmph on undivided roads. Certainly, higher speeds have worn them out faster. The front two tyres have worn more than the rear ones.

The tyre pressures have been deligently maintained along with wheel balancing/alignment every 8K km.

[mpksuhas]

Originally Posted by for_cars1

Certainly, higher speeds have worn them out faster. The front two tyres have worn more than the rear ones.

Is yours a FWD vehicle? In that case from what you mentioned it may be due to faster acceleration/ wheel spin rather than speed as such.

[shibujp]

At higher speeds tire temperatures would be higher especially when consistently running for a good stretch of time. Agressively driving at higher speeds would hasten tire wear even more.

Another factor is when you slow down from higher speeds you will have to brake more.

These two factors (not limited to) mean that your tire wear would be higher, the faster you go.

Drive on,
Shibu.

[shankar.balan]

Aggressive Speeds will generally mean higher temperatures, aggressive gear changes and braking as well.
Most certainly there will be greater tyre wear and tear. More so especially in India's unpredictable traffic and inconsistent road surfaces.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by for_cars1

The tyres rolled 90% of the 32K km on highways usually at 100 to 110 kmph on 4/6 lane roads and 70 to 80kmph on undivided roads. Certainly, higher speeds have worn them out faster.

I had these same tyres on my Swift ZDi from factory and they travelled 60.2K kms before I changed them myself. My usage pattern is 45:55 (City:Highway) with drive of 110 kms a day on Good roads, bad roads and no roads.

I maintain air pressures of F=33psi and R=31psi. With Alignment, Balancing and Rotation every 5K kms.

Also you say 90% of 32K were on highway so it should actually hit 50K+ mark. Do you have pictures of the tyres?

Originally Posted by for_cars1

The front two tyres have worn more than the rear ones.

Get the suspension checked once as the tyres are wearing off even though Alignment and Balancing is done every 8K kms.

Speed is one of the factor for tyre life. IMO the factors according to me are:

1. Usage pattern and condition of road;
2. Driving style;
3. Air pressure maintained along with frequency for Alignment, Balancing & Rotation.
4. Proper planning to accelerate & brake depending on situation to avoid jerkiness.
5.

[jinojohnt]

Speed doesn't affect tyre wear as much as Acceleration and Decceleration (Assuming all other conditions to be the same).
1. When you accelerate hard, the front tires wear off quickly (for front wheel drive cars).
This is because the front wheels are trying for a wheel-spin, but the friction with the road is preventing this.
2. When you brake hard, all tyres wear off quickly (with front wheels getting affected a bit more than rear wheels).
This is because the wheels are trying to glide over the road, but the friction with the road is preventing this.

Theoretically, your tyres can wear out faster in the city if you accelerate and brake hard (and wear out slower on a highway if you accelerate and brake gently, even if speeds are higher and tyre temperatures are high). So if your front tyres are wearing out faster, it could be that you are braking too hard (assuming suspension components are not faulty).

[for_cars1]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

Is yours a FWD vehicle? ... it may be due to faster acceleration/ wheel spin rather than speed as such.

Yes this is a FWD vehicle (City Diesel). I would say I might have accelerated briskly on highways, but never aggressively to cause wheel spin. I almost never exceed the 2800 RPM or 3K RPM mark and usually hover around the 1.8 to 2.2K RPM mark during cruising.

Originally Posted by shibujp

At higher speeds tire temperatures would be higher especially when consistently running for a good stretch of time. Agressively driving at higher speeds would hasten tire wear even more.

Another factor is when you slow down from higher speeds you will have to brake more. ..

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Aggressive Speeds will generally mean higher temperatures, aggressive gear changes and braking as well.
Most certainly there will be greater tyre wear and tear. More so especially in India's unpredictable traffic and inconsistent road surfaces.

I've driven at higher speeds consistently for long distances throughout the day (hot sunny days) most of the time. This might have heated the tyres coupled with additional rolling resistance at higher speeds to hasten the tyre wear.

Originally Posted by a4anurag

......
Also you say 90% of 32K were on highway so it should actually hit 50K+ mark. Do you have pictures of the tyres?

Get the suspension checked once as the tyres are wearing off even though Alignment and Balancing is done every 8K kms.

Speed is one of the factor for tyre life. IMO the factors according to me are:

...
4. Proper planning to accelerate & brake depending on situation to avoid jerkiness.
5.

Originally Posted by jinojohnt

Speed doesn't affect tyre wear as much as Acceleration and Decceleration (Assuming all other conditions to be the same).


So if your front tyres are wearing out faster, it could be that you are braking too hard (assuming suspension components are not faulty).

My acceleration and braking patterns have been gradual and not sudden, have been anticipating and using engine braking effectively to slow down in advance wherever possible with proper planning rather than abrupt moves, the disks and pads have not been changed so far and they look pretty good (less wear and tear).

I'm not sure when they mention "wheel balancing and alignment done" during the regular servicing, whether they really do it. After the last service, I felt the front wheels wobbling slightly at speeds over 100 kmph, they were fine before the service.
I will get these done from outside going forward to be 100% that it is being done properly.

I've attached the pics, the depth of the tread doesn't look that confidence inspiring at highway speeds. Also the tyre guy mentioned that the front tyres have gone weak at the sides and atleast the front two tyres need replacement. I'm inclined to switch to Michelin XM2 tyres (Stock size 175/65/R15 and i've found them to be very adequate in terms of grip, comfort and efficiency for speeds upto 120 kmph max)

If you notice the last pic (front_right tyre 1), you'll see a wet patch with bubbles. This is the place that had a puncture (no nail but it appeared like perforations) The puncture guy patched it obviously without hitting the puncture spot so the leak remained. It was patched the second time and the today i noticed (bubbles as seen in the picture) the puncture is still there and I don't think it can be fixed by patching from outside anymore. Any suggestions / ideas. Would a mushroom patch from inside fix this problem ?

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by for_cars1

I've attached the pics, the depth of the tread doesn't look that confidence inspiring at highway speeds.

Sir, I don't think you should be taking this car on highways anymore with these tyres!

Thread depth is near to changing stages and the patches of repair aren't done well either. These weak patches give way sitting highway drives as temperature and pressure inside increases so the easiest link will give way. Not safe IMO.

I'll suggest you to change to Michelin XM2 as soon as possible. I am using the same tyre now in my Swift. I too graduated from MRF ZVTV (185/65 R15). I upgraded to 195/60 R15 when I got the XM2. I am not sure if your Honda can take 195/60 R15. If it's not an overkill, do get these. Excellent in all terms and I am very happy with these.

[OSH]

Originally Posted by for_cars1

I'm inclined to switch to Michelin XM2 tyres (Stock size 175/65/R15 and i've found them to be very adequate in terms of grip, comfort and efficiency for speeds upto 120 kmph max)

My '12 Honda City came with Michelin tyres fitted from factory and they are going strong at approx. 50000 kms, the usage pattern being 60:40 of city:highway driving.

Grip levels - I have driven the car on the ghats under heavy rainfall and never did I feel the car loosing its path of line. Even under panic braking because of a cow in the middle of the road, the car stoped in a straight line without any fuss.

Comfort levels - They are fairly good within the city limits and on the highways. There is minimal road noise/vibrations. They are capable of absorbing bumps really nicely and can maintain speeds upto 120 kms/hr without doubt.

Michelin's are very good but you do need to look after them, as they have got a softer sidewall compared to others. 'You take them easy' and 'they will take you everywhere easily'. My replacement will be due in december(4 years complete) and I will be going in for Michelin's again.

[for_cars1]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Sir, I don't think you should be taking this car on highways anymore with these tyres!

I'll suggest you to change to Michelin XM2 as soon as possible. I am not sure if your Honda can take 195/60 R15. If it's not an overkill, do get these. Excellent in all terms and I am very happy with these.

Absolutely agree with you Thats the reason I labelled them as worn-out although I felt they still have some few thousand KMs life left, its better not to take any chances as the tyres are the only part of the car that are in contact with the road and that makes it critical for them to be in top shape.

I've normally deligently changed my tyres every 5 years (from Mfg month) even if the tyres were in good condition. The rubber tends to harden and go brittle after 5 years so its always advisable to change.

Also I've always stuck to OEM specifications for my previous cars. So I was actually pretty much fixed on getting the 175/65/R15 XM2s. However this time, I felt that the stock size is pretty small and decided to bite the bullet and go for 195/60/R15 Michelin XM2. I've already made the switch

Originally Posted by OSH

.... Michelin tyres fitted from factory and they are going strong at approx. 50000 kms,

Great to hear that your tyres are still going strong.

From my experience, its pretty clear that doing consistently high speeds on hot sunny days for long periods and distances definitely accelerates the tyre wear and reduces the tread considerably faster.

[OSH]

Originally Posted by for_cars1

From my experience, its pretty clear that doing consistently high speeds on hot sunny days for long periods and distances definitely accelerates the tyre wear and reduces the tread considerably faster.

According to me, the faster wear of tyres should not be a big concern. We should rather focus on maintaining the correct air pressure on such high speed drives or else we may face the problem of uneven tyre wear.

I do not mind a slight early change of tyres but they should have been evenly worn-out till the time I used them. What do you feel ?

[shibujp]

Originally Posted by for_cars1

I'm not sure when they mention "wheel balancing and alignment done" during the regular servicing, whether they really do it. After the last service, I felt the front wheels wobbling slightly at speeds over 100 kmph, they were fine before the service.

I'm inclined to switch to Michelin XM2 tyres (Stock size 175/65/R15 and i've found them to be very adequate in terms of grip, comfort and efficiency for speeds upto 120 kmph max)

One sure test of balancing deficiencies is that when you brake hard from 80-100kmph you get a shudder on the steering. However from my experience this can also happen if you have worn tyres.

Michelin XM2+ are an excellent choice in terms of durability and ride. I found them to be very tough as well though initially i was also apprehensive about the soft sidewall bit. I sold the car when i had done 30k on them and I did not have a single puncture or tire pressure loss. They looked like they had atleast another 30k life in them.

Drive on,
Shibu.