droideka

I'm on my fourth set of tires in one year and my rears have already hit the wear bars in only ~5K miles! The center of the tire wears out long before the edges. I don't do standing start burnouts and I've had three sets wear like this BEFORE the suspension. WTF is going on? This is getting ****ing expensive.

Topics II

iTrader: (8)

what are your tire pressures?

droideka

35 cold.

D'oh

If the centers are wearing out before the edges (and I mean significantly before) then you may want to lower your pressures a bit. Maybe 3 psi or so. This would help distribute the weight better.

Have you checked the alignment of the rear tires? Maybe the toe-in?

My rears have lasted 21000 miles (just replaced them) and they wore pretty evenly, with a slight bias towards the inside edge.

I drive about 50% windy road and 50% highway, and I drive the twisies pretty hard. I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

Good luck!

-D'oh!

johnlotusboy

iTrader: (1)

What is your wheel and tire widths and could you get a load range index number off the side wall of the tire. If not just post brand, size and rim with and I'll look up some information for you.

droideka

Check my sig for the info.

lowrider

iTrader: (3)

The wheel width on the Rays is 8" front and 8.5" rear. They should work fine. When I replace, I'm planning on running the same sizes on my 8" G35C wheels.

Lou

sparky3Z

This is a ridiculous question, but just in case—are you sure your tire gauge is accurate?

droideka

Not ridiculous. It's one pound off negative. I also check with a hand-held gauge every few days. Yes, I'm a psycho.

johnlotusboy

iTrader: (1)

Sorry I had the sig lines turned off to maybe help this slow A$$ sight load to my cable modem faster.
Your oem tire was a load range 96 which supports 1510lbs @35psi
You new tire is a load range 99 and 32psi it supports 1543lbs and you are at the minimum rim widthfor the tire so i would suggest 30-32psi as a starting point for inflation .
I would try 33psi in your fronts also, or maybe 32psi.

droideka

I thought you were going to say that. Guess what? I put these tires on in late June and started them at 30 psi cold because I thought I had a problem with the tires getting too hot and riding on the center ribs which caused the wear.

They're at the wear bars 5K later. How's that for sh:tty lifespan?

johnlotusboy

iTrader: (1)

Really soft tires in a hot climate wear much fast than the area where I live, but center wear out or other uneven wear in usually correctable with some form of adjustment.

MY350Z.COM

iTrader: (2)

I can vouch for that.

raceboy

Lower your tire pressure Droid. 31-32psi cold. Keep in mind that those are tire pressures that Nissan puts in place so you will have adequate pressure no matter what climate you live in, so if you live in Alaska and it never gets about 40 degrees, the car will still have 35psi in the tires minimum. In Texas, even if you start out with 30lbs in the tires, you will be at 33-35lbs in just a short bit of highway driving. Just to soften the ride, Nissan recommends 32lbs in the heavier roadsters, so I am sure it's safe (besides, how many roadsters are they gonna sell in Alaska?) I run 32lbs cold front and 31lbs cold rear now.

droideka

See three posts up. I already did that with this set. The rears went from 30 to 35 during my hour long commute. That's why I'm so alarmed. I'm already looking for a daily driver now.

ares

iTrader: (2)

you dont autocross, or otherwise race with em? I know you said no burn outs, but even a peel here and there, and an autocross will tear em up.

a day on the track can easily cut the tires life in half. specially in the heat on a soft compound.

jelledge

I don't think the tire pressure is your problem. I have the same S0'3 on my car for about 7k miles now and they look brand new (and that includes one auto cross). The wear on them is very even and minimal. I am running 35psi cold. I live in Boise, Idaho where it is 95-100F all summer. When driving around the tires get up to about 38-39psi.

Have you taken your car to an independent shop to check all alignment settings and verify suspension is working properly?

The S0'3 have a treadwear of 240 and should not wear out this fast with normal driving. Wearing the center of the tires is generally an indication of too much pressure, but sounds very odd to be wearing so fast.

Suggestions:
1. Take car to Bridgestone tire dealer and say WTF is going on with these tires.
2. Try a couple other tire pressure gauges to be sure of your tire pressures.
3. Verify all wheel alignment settings are in spec.
4. Verify rear shocks are working properly.

The only other thing I can think of is you have the track wheel and I have the 18" touring wheels. The track wheels are a little wider, but I can't imagine this would be the problem.

Good luck.