Just to add one more set of numbers to the poll, I used to get a pretty consistent 12-15k out of the rears, and twice that on the front.

 

I'm at 11,500 now and they still look fine.

I hope to make it to at least 20,000 before replacement.

 

The first two questions you have to ask yourself are:

1) Do I reqularly check my tire pressures and keep them properly inflated (ie, 32# being Honda's recommendation)?

2) Do I have a proper alignment (a few owners have found their just from the factory car did not)?

Based on numerous owner's reports, most people get on average about 15,000 miles out of the rears, give or take 5,000 either way. I suspect most owner's drive their car's fairly agressively - so that's one factor. As mentioned it's a basically a summer street race tire, so it's not a compound designed for long term use. How quickly one replaces after seeing the wear bar showing would be yet another factor. Some owner's are more risk takers than others.

As for the fronts, they typically go twice as long as the rears. 1 front replacement for every 2 rear replacements.

There's always a few exceptions and some people have gotten twice the average wear even for the rears but that's not typical. Generally they do a lot of straight road driving.

As for my own experience, my rears were replaced at 12,000 miles.

 

Mine is closing in on 10k, I'm planning on new rears in the spring, the rears are probably still "legal", and I could maybe get another 1-2k on them but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

Mine have 6300 miles on them and are wearing down quickly. I have never done a burnout, however I do corner and accelerate aggressively which is why my tires are wearing fast. I will definately replace them next season before they get down to slicks, why take a chance! I would imagine the majority of people with higher mileage on their rear S-02's do a majority of highway driving.

 

In addition to different driving styles, I agree I'd rather be safe than sorry. I get 11-12K on the rears and double that on the front. I have never done a clutch drop but like to drive it like it is supposed to be driven. First sign of that loose feeling on wet roads and I'm usually talkin to Tire Rack. Way too many folks run them down too far because, yes, they are expensive. I'm guessing these are the same folks that complain about "the car" being the cause for losing it around turns, or on wet roads. IMO it's the owner/driver either not replacing worn tires or driving too fast for the conditions (of their tires and the roads). I continue to purchase the SO-2s because I love the handling and have learned to respect what they can and can not do.

Joser
Silver/Red

 

I don't understand why people constantly complain why the S02's wear so quickly... its a SPORTS CAR equipped with high performance tires. Its supposed to wear quickly.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mav
I don't understand why people constantly complain why the S02's wear so quickly... its a SPORTS CAR equipped with high performance tires.

 

Check your alignment. IIRC, the S comes with some toe in the rear (in or out, I can't remember). From other conversations on the subject, it appears that toe will significantly affect your tire wear. If you want better tire life, have your alignment adjusted to spec (#1), then set the rear toe more towards 0 if you desire (#2). Be prepared for an adverse affect on handling though. The only explanations I can think of for the vast difference in lifespan people are getting from their SO-2's are poor quality control on the tires themselves, or different alignment settings on the car from the factory. Judging from how wacky my alignment was from the factory, I think that's the culprit. For the record, I went through 2 sets of rear SO-2's...each set got about 12k miles.

 

Hmmm, i just replaced my rear S02s at 3.5k and thought that was pretty good - when in comparison bike tyres last for 2km and are twice the price!