Treadwear #'s on tires

[gregshin]

Is it the higher the # it will last longer? or opposite?

 

[Electric Amish]

Yes. Higher is better.

amish

 

[KokomoGST]

though keep in mind that treadwear ratings aren't a hard&fast rule... some tires wear better than others with the same treadwear, it's just manufacturer claimed number. Just like hp...

 

[gregshin]

man i hate it when manufactures do that shiet...im looking at getting some bridgestone potenza re730's...or maybe some nitto 555s

 

[radioouman]

I don't know if it matters to you, but I just put a set of Bridgestone Dueller A/Ts on my truck, and I really like them. When I bought it, my Dodge Dakota had Futura Enforcers (Pep Boys). The Bridgestones are incredibly quiet, and have excellent wet and dry traction. I don't do much/any offroad driving, so I was looking for a decent highway tire.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: KokomoGST
though keep in mind that treadwear ratings aren't a hard&fast rule... some tires wear better than others with the same treadwear, it's just manufacturer claimed number. Just like hp...

Uh, no it's not a "manufacturer claimed number". It's a number arrived at based on a testing procedure that is standardised (I believe that it's standardised by the US Government, just like EPA numbers). Just like the traction, temperature and weight ratings. Some tires do wear slightly better than others with the same treadwear rating, but that is due to each treadwear rating covering a range.

ZV

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: gregshin
man i hate it when manufactures do that shiet...im looking at getting some bridgestone potenza re730's...or maybe some nitto 555s

The Potenza RE730-IIs are pretty darn good. Nittos IS SUCK! (Everyone I know hates them... worthless)

 

[dman]

In general, higher treadwear = harder compound = lower performance (traction). Just a rule of thumb. Lots of other factors too. But, don't just buy a tire because it has a high treadwear rating... you may be very upset with traction or noise issues. Etc.

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: KokomoGST
though keep in mind that treadwear ratings aren't a hard&fast rule... some tires wear better than others with the same treadwear, it's just manufacturer claimed number. Just like hp...

Uh, no it's not a "manufacturer claimed number". It's a number arrived at based on a testing procedure that is standardised (I believe that it's standardised by the US Government, just like EPA numbers). Just like the traction, temperature and weight ratings. Some tires do wear slightly better than others with the same treadwear rating, but that is due to each treadwear rating covering a range.

Unfortunately that range doesn't mean jacksquat under conditions outside of the standard test conditions of the DOT, which are pretty weak. I killed a set of Michelins pretty badly when I tried to autoX with them. Once they got hot and my instructor took it out a few times... blistercity. You drive hard, launch aggressively, run on harsh roads (concrete) in hothot weather... some tires will hold out substantially better than others making the treadwear rating fairly meaningless. My Kuhmo 712s have held up MUCH better than my friends Yok ES100s under similar situations despite identical treadwear ratings.

He wore down that set with about 3/4 of an autoX season... I pounded mine for a full season with 3-4 more events than him. Mine are still good to go, his are ready for replacement.

 

[gregshin]

I'm currently running a set of Yokohama AVS intermediates...they were awesome for the summer and track...but in the rain i was scared as HELL. I think they had to be the worst rain tire ever!!! man i hate picking tires

 

[woodie1]

An important fact to remember: The test are conducted by each manufacturer according to Government guidelines.

Here is an explanation from a tire seller:

"The Department of Transportation requires each manufacturer to grade its tires under the Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) labeling system and establish ratings for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. These tests are conducted independently by each manufacturer following government guidelines to assign values that represent a comparison between the tested tire and a control tire. While traction and temperature resistance ratings are specific performance levels, the treadwear ratings are assigned by the manufacturers following field testing and are most accurate when comparing tires of the same brand.
'