MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I currently have my winter tyres on my Merc Viano, and over the past few weeks I feel as though they aren't as efective as they used to be. Now this maybe completely in my head and I have simply got use to them, and driving a little harder in the snow than I should be but hmm........not sure.
They still have plenty of tread left on them but they are 3yrs old . Does the rubber lose its flexibility? Don't get me wrong, I've still yet to get stuck,and they still leave a very big smile on your face when you go past a 4x4 in the snow, but I've spun the wheels a few more times than I can rememeber.
It's probably just me!
"plenty of tread" is relative I guess. Plenty to keep it legal, or nearly new?
Winter tyres need changing around ~4-5mm if you want them to be effective in the snow.
If you can still see the sipes, chances are they will be OK still.
Pressures right?
7mm of tread left, and yes you can still see the sipes. I normally run the tyre pressures quite high for economy, but I always have. I will go have a look!
Probably won't get anymore snow now!
They still have plenty of tread left on them but they are 3yrs old . Does the rubber lose its flexibility?
Not an 'expert' but have some knowledge.
Yes, the plasticising agents in the tyre decrease over time. I'd say your tyres are past their best.
[i]I normally run the tyre pressures quite high for economy, but I always have. I will go have a look! [/i]
What, above the manufacturers nos?
If you can still see the sipes, chances are they will be OK still.
This is incorrect for the reason stated above.
Generally, 6 years is thought of as the [u]maximum[/u] life of a standard tyre regardless of wear, but the conditions the tyre is used and kept in can reduce this.
Your tyre's lower performance is probably not in your imagination.
Everyone on here is an expert didn't you know? On everything.
I am paid by my employer to be a tire expert but would deny that 🙂
'Does the rubber lose its flexibility?'
Not flexibility as such but yes absolute performance of winter tires in terms of grip does reduce over time.
How much time? Depends on the individual tire & the circumstances it has been exposed to.... I could notice the deterioration after 12 months having used a set throughout the summer (lots of long hot autobahn runs included)
Thanks all for your input. The tyres are only on their third winter, and weren't the most expensive, so maybe yes they are past their best. It's a shame as they have plenty of tread and look fine.
Sell them on Ebay then.
Will do.First snow of next winter! Suckers! No, really,I wouldn't. Or would I?