Goofy question regarding tire wear

Hey all, I have a really random question concerning tire wear. My tires are well worn, but I didn't think they were quite done yet. However, I am starting to see a rather faint line in both the front and the back tire. Seeing as I know nowhere near as much as I should, I automatically assumed it is the cords showing through. However, will they begin as a vague line for a while before showing? The line is off center on both tires (somewhere about 2-3 inches from the center of the tire).

Something sounds very strange about that, unless you're running your tire damn near flat all the time......... :blink: Post up a picture if ya can, we like pictures.

Are they dual compound tires? Maybe the faint line is where the different rubber compounds meet???

Hmmm I hadn't considered that! I'll take some pictures tomorrow and put them up.

How many miles on them/what kind of tyres/What's the tread depth???????
I seen off center lines on some tyres, usually new-ish, thinking maybe the tyre mold.

I had something similar on my PR2's before they wore out. I do a lot of straight freeway riding commuting. I kept going on them (as no cords were showing) until I got partially into the wear indicators. Worried about it a bit, but I was too cheap to take them off before they were done.

Yeah, thats indicative of a DC tire, my Dunlop Sportmax did the same thing.


PS: by the time your tires get there, they're hammered.

Hmmm interesting. Well I'll get some pics up tomorrow for you mechanically inclined gents :) and NakedViffer, what do you mean by hammered?

I mean they've seen better days, and its time to spoon em off and get some new rubber.

My front PR2 had weird lines in it from day one.  you already decided that the hoop is knackered, so there we are.

If the cord was showing, it would be a wide band and youd be sub wear bar,  like mentioned the lines positioned off center, are just molding lines or of different compounds.

Cords(Don't try this at home)

[image: Posted Image]



All michelins have this line from mold or some such thing...

[image: Posted Image]

dutch! That's the line on the Michelins :)

Alright, so now that I know those are normal, what's the best way to tell the wear on the tires?

Ike,

Just look at the shallowest depth of the tire.  Almost always near the center unless you're doing track days...and I know you're not.

When in doubt, throw it out.  I can send you a Conti that will fit.  Wore down the middle pretty good, but if you stay off the straight aways you'll be good for years, lol.

Ha Mike, I think these puppies are better off than I thought. I'm taking your advice though and asking the goofy questions :)

Buy a treadwear gauge. cheap.

This is the exact one I have;

[image: Posted Image]

[image: View Post]Ike, on 31 January 2012 - 11:49 AM, said:

dutch! That's the line on the Michelins :)

Alright, so now that I know those are normal, what's the best way to tell the wear on the tires?
Check the wear bar indicators. That's what the manufacturer put them there for.

[image: Posted Image]

[image: View Post]CharlesW, on 31 January 2012 - 03:33 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Ike, on 31 January 2012 - 11:49 AM, said:

dutch! That's the line on the Michelins :)

Alright, so now that I know those are normal, what's the best way to tell the wear on the tires?
Check the wear bar indicators. That's what the manufacturer put them there for.

[image: Posted Image]
:+1: