Winter Tyres - Help!

[dawnlisa68]

Hi, sorry I'm new to this forum.... can anyone advise me how long  Pirelli winter tyres should last? I put 4 brand new on my Elise S2 last year, I did approx. 6000 of normal local driving, nothing silly and it didn't snow, they have been stored somewhere else since (I didn't see them again). Time to put them back on and I have been told the rears are illegal!! I know the rears wear down quicker but I honestly believed they would last longer than this, concerned! Any help much appreciated, thanks  

[Bibs]

That's not long for them to last, but it's not unheard of.

 

Did you drive the car with those tyres on when it was a getting a little warmer still? I'd imagine that due to the different compound, wear rates are accelerated if you use them when it's above 7C.

[dawnlisa68]

Thanks, I wonder if that was the problem, I ran them for a few weeks in milder conditions as I had some new Potenza rears on order, does seem ridiculous though, the fronts are immaculate, look like they are off a different car, gutted! can you recommend a cheaper option?

[Bibs]

You will get through 3-4 sets of rears at least for each set of fronts.

 

I use Yokohama W-Drive's, they last well but I'm not sure if they'll be any cheaper. To be fair, driving a mid-engined rear wheel drive car in the snow, money on decent tyres is a sound investment.

[dawnlisa68]

Thanks, I've heard they are good but couldn't source any last year, thanks for help, will keep an eye on temperatures this time, shame the Elise doesn't have one on board!

[LazyDonkey]

6k doesn't seem like much at all

 

First sub zero drive this morning with W drives on and i've got to say i was very very impressed.   Less so at 7 degree plus mind you. 

[dawnlisa68]

Hello again....well my nightmare continues...finally got my new rear Pirelli winters on this week  and had a chat with the supplier, he checked back on my records and it turns out I was being generous with the 6000 estimate, they actually did just under 5000! AND when he took the rear Potenzas off (brand new this spring) they were also near legal limit and can't go back on... lasted 4000! he has offered to send both sets back to Pirelli and Bridgestone as he wasn't happy either. Anyone have any dealings with either company as I think I will also contact them...thanks in advance        

[LazyDonkey]

Imho your geo us fucked. Much more likely that two sets of tyres being duff

[Advantage]

I agree - but without the colloquialism!  

That does sound like excessive wear and is most likely due to either incorrect tyre pressures or badly adjusted geometry or both. Have the car booked in somewhere reliable for a full Hunter geometry check.

[dawnlisa68]

ok, right.....I am a smart bird, and although I know a duff situation when I see one I have limited mechanical knowledge.... so :

 

1/ What is geometry?

2/Car bought 2 years ago from a 'supposedly' reputable lotus dealer

3/Car serviced and looked after by my local lotus specialist garage

4/Tyres supplied and fitted by a reputable local firm who my lotus guy has used for years  

5/Does this ?? dodgy geometry affect my handling?....risky?

6/ I know tyre pressures are good

 

sorry, just thinking aloud.... would really appreciate your feedback

p.s.... why didn't they suggest this?.....hmmmmm

[Advantage]

Geometry is essentially the wheels' attitude in relation to the tarmac. It's important to ensure that the wheels are pointing the correct way and with the correct amount of lean. Adjustments are possible across multiple axis.

It's generally recommended to have it checked annually or if you've recently clattered down a severe pothole. This check/adjustment is over and above any regular servicing the car may be due.

Unless it's wildly out of alignment then it's not specifically dangerous, however extreme cases can cause odd handling traits ranging from snap overseer through to somewhat inert steering feel.

All cases of incorrect wheel geometry will provoke excessive tyre wear due to the wheels scrubbing across the tarmac to some extent instead of rolling smoothly.

Pop back to your specialist and ask for a geometry check and adjustment and explain you're chomping through rear tyres at an alarming rate.

[dawnlisa68]

Thanks, will do....I live in the pothole capital

good advice, cheers