Miles Posted March 7, 2013 #1 Posted March 7, 2013 I finally decided to replace the tires on my Subaru Forester...not because they were worn out...not at all...but because they were 10 years old. I had these Toyo Ultra 800 Plus tires installed in May 2003. They have been driven for 110,000 miles. They still had an average of 4/32nds in the center tread, but...I decided to have them replaced, and bought new ones today. Now, to be fair, I should explain that I have driven this Subaru Forester 135,000 miles in the past 10 years. I also have separate Winter tires, on their own Winter wheels, so I can swap them out in my own shop usually around mid November, and then swap them back to my Summer tires and wheels in early March. But I have recorded how many miles were actually done each year...on my so-called Summer tires. And the tires I took off today had 110,000 miles on them. They were rated at 80,000 mile tires, with a treadwear rating of 700, a treadwear rating of A, and a traction rating of A. Yet, I was able to pull 110,000 miles out of these, and they still had an average of 4/32nds in the center tread. The tire store I deal with even commented that these tires were still good for use for Spring, Summer and Fall, until I pointed out that they were 10 years old. So, how did I get 110,000 miles out of a tire rated at 80,000 miles ???? I am soooooo picky about my air pressure. I rotate my tires often, and swap out the summer and winter tires as they should be. And, the vehicle is properly aligned, both front and rear. Despite the fact that 99.314159 % of all Subaru Forester's in the Great Pacific Northwest run the same tires during the entire year...and do not swap out their summer tires for winter tires, because...the Forester is an all-wheel drive vehicle all the time. But I like driving like a maniac in the snow, so I install serious snow tires, to avoid drifting...in the snow drifts. Now my new tires should last me another 10 years. The new tires have a treadwear rating of 780.
Miles Posted March 7, 2013 Author #2 Posted March 7, 2013 Okay, since SilvrT deleted his post, I guess I have no need to respond. BTW, the answer to your question was...135k miles.
SilvrT Posted March 7, 2013 #3 Posted March 7, 2013 Okay, since SilvrT deleted his post, I guess I have no need to respond. BTW, the answer to your question was...135k miles. heh ... ya, I saw that ... AFTERWARDS LOL anyhoo... you shoulda put these tires on .... http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/03/06/polaris-introducing-flat-proof-airless-tires-next-year/
Miles Posted March 7, 2013 Author #4 Posted March 7, 2013 heh ... ya, I saw that ... AFTERWARDS LOL anyhoo... you shoulda put these tires on .... http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/03/06/polaris-introducing-flat-proof-airless-tires-next-year/ Those tires may be good for slow...off road duty, but I doubt they would hold up to high speed, high-speed cornering on asphalt for very long.
XV1100SE Posted March 7, 2013 #5 Posted March 7, 2013 Miles.... when are you not riding a bike? Must be a rare sight to see you in a car ! My Mustang GT came with Pirelli as OEM. I hated them. During summer with even a little moisture on the road made it like driving on ice. If you want good tires, I highly recommend Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus. Great at moving water. The Mustang is my "winter beater" (even though it is an '07 with around 110k km) and even driving in snow isn't a problem. Rear wheel drive and I have better traction than 4 wheel drive SUV's.
SilvrT Posted March 7, 2013 #7 Posted March 7, 2013 I have better traction than 4 wheel drive SUV's. A lot of folks who drive those vehicles have a completely misguided sense of confidence and for some reason think that because they are driving one, they are invincible. Anyone who has had a lot of experience with a 2-wheel, rear drive vehicle in snow and ice can easilly drive circles around most of those idjits in the winter. The absolute best 2 vehicles I've ever owned for snow/ice/bad winter road driving (and believe me, I've driven in some of the worst conditions and many times over) was an old Honda Civic (one of their 1st generation models) and a front wheel drive 1991 Mercury Villager van running Blizzak (siped) tires. In all my years of driving in our crappy winter driving conditions here in BC, Alberta, and Northern Ontario, I have found myself in the ditch only once ... and that was driving a 4x4 GMC Jimmy LOL Oh, I forgot, I did roll my first car due to winter roads .... but I was 17 and it was the 1st time I ever drove on snow LOL
kevin-vic-b.c. Posted March 8, 2013 #8 Posted March 8, 2013 Nothing would beat our old 73 VW van when the snow fell.... well unless you wanted heat or a defroster or any other creature comfort. I have a newer S-10 style Jimmy 4x4 with good set of winter rated tires I run 365, great in ice and snow but a bit slick on hot pavement. We visit family at the lake in the summer and there is a lot of logging road driving to get there... I feel good in the Jimmy but Subaru will likely be its replacement when time comes. I do spend more time on two wheels (some motorized some not) than four so my cars last.
XV1100SE Posted March 8, 2013 #9 Posted March 8, 2013 Funny.... a lot of younger guys I work with can't believe I'm driving a rear wheel drive car. I tell them that people drove rear wheel cars for decades before they were even born ! Its all in how you handle the throttle and brake. I actually like driving in the snow.
spike13 Posted March 8, 2013 #10 Posted March 8, 2013 i am running Dunlop graspic ds3 on my 93 saturn i drive 120 miles a day to work and back i leave the house before the plows run and have been so glad with my winter tires have been thinking about a forester for the family car seems to me they run forever
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