I'm not sure where the wear bars are located on the stock tires. My rears seem to be worn, but I'm not certain when to replace them.

Can someone tell me where the wear bars are, and how to use them? Thanks!

 

I dont have access to my car right now, but if you can look at the deepest groove that runs the curcumference of the tire, you will notice that every so often, you will see a bar going across all the grooves that is higher. That is the wear bar. You can do it by feel too, but looking for it will help.

Personally, I think if you are a mellow driver, the tires start to get less sticky by 10k miles; aggressive drivers burn their tires out entirely by 10k.

I'm sure someone else will give you pics and better directions. Good luck!

 

I thought it was the little upwards facing arrows spaced on the outside parameter of the tire (by the tread edge). Have I been looking at the wrong thing?

 

Wear bars are in the grooves, running perpendicular to same. When they are even with the surface of the tire it is definitely time for new tires.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ScottB
[B]I thought it was the little upwards facing arrows spaced on the outside parameter of the tire (by the tread edge).

 

In the dry do the tires get more grip as they wear out? I thought so cause of more contact area. But in the wet you might as well be using water ski!!!!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by T.O.-S2K
[B]In the dry do the tires get more grip as they wear out?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tox
[B][QUOTE]Originally posted by T.O.-S2K
[b]In the dry do the tires get more grip as they wear out?

 

Tox is right, the tiny arrows around the edge mark where the wear bars are located.. and he is very right that traction can decline before the tread is worn out. There is more to it than just contact area.

It seems that the rubber hardens in response to heat cycles, the rate varies with compound but most performance tires do exhibit a noticeable loss in traction after a number of cycles (heating and cooling of the tires). A tires heats simply by being driven (there is always a flat spot on the ground flexing the tire and creating heat.. so the faster you drive the faster it heats up) and cools relatively quickly depending upon the conditions. So if you drive with more continuous trips you will subject the tires to fewer heat cycles than many short trips.

Some owners that have pushed the tires through many cycles have seen the traction seriously deteriorate in 5K miles while still having serviceable tread. Other owners with different driving have reported good traction even with well worn tread at 15K miles.

My S02

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by shingles
[B][QUOTE]Originally posted by Tox
[b][QUOTE]Originally posted by T.O.-S2K
[B]In the dry do the tires get more grip as they wear out?