smackman

My Bridgestone Turanza EL400-2 Tires still have good thread life on them at 23k but the middle "grip" of all 4 tires is almost slick. The rest of the tire shows good grip.

The thread wear is fine; It is just the middle of the tire "grip pattern" is just about slick. Is this cause for alarm or what.

I run the air pressure at 35 psi front; 38 psi back as recommended.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

clothes have thread, tires have tread...

those pressures sound high for that car, you sure thats what the door sticker says? Normally given that wear pattern, I would immediately think overinflated...

zig@tr

Agreed, almost always overinflated if center only is worn. Maybe you could post some pictures this might help us to see the problem.

smackman

The door say 35 front; 38 back.

smackman

Notice the tread depth is the same across the tire but the middle tread is wore out

zig@tr

That's pretty normal wear. I think you're just mistaking how drastically different the tire looks when its worn compared to new. Most often in that center rib the sipes or grooves do not go very far down in depth. This keeps the center rib more rigid for better steering response. There's plenty of tires on the market that have more of a solid looking center rib when they are worn down. I think the moral of the story is you are very close to being legally worn out and in need of new tires. Look at the link I have attached below, there is a picture you can move your cursor over to see the same tire at new and 2/32nds of tread depth. You'll notice at the end of the tires life much of the grooves and sipes disappear and give the tire a more of solid look.

When Should I Replace My Tires?

Rexus300

iTrader: (1)

Sorry but those tires are junk. The worst tires I have driven on. Tirerack reviews put them at the bottom of all surveys. Switch them out and you will be happier.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

Most people don't take care of their OE tires... Almost every tire that comes OE on a vehicle gets a bad rap... Once someones footed a grand or more for their tires, then they start to take care of them... In the grand scheme of things though, the EL400 is about Bridgestones least desirable tire...

At 23k, he's not doing too bad actually, there is still good life left in those tires it appears... It also doesn't appear he is unhappy with them, just noticing that there is a difference in the way the tread looks when it starts to get a little thinner, which, as Zig pointed out, happens on many if not most tires...

smackman

I have taken care of these tires as well as I possibly can. I check the air pressure every Saturday. Also, My wife drives this car; She is in her lower 50's and does not dog these tires.

I believe I will get around 30,000 out of these tires. For us, It has been a good tire with descent tread wear considering the stagger tires on the car.

Now, When I replace them, I am looking at the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position(Ultra High Performance All-Season) tires. They get really good reviews and the price seems good.

I want a good quality Tire for a "Cougar" who puts 400 road miles a week on this car. Tread life is a consideration but I am willing to mix Tread life with a smooth ride.

Any suggestions?

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

Can't go wrong with the 970AS's...

smackman

What about the Potenza RE760 Sport tires? They are rted really good on tire rack.
They are summer tires but we live in Louisiana and very seldom drive in snow.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

Only downside with those is that they, like many mid level performance tires, aren't quite the quietest (though they are relatively quiet, especially when new) and they give up comfort for performance...

zig@tr

In the stock sizes 225/40R18 front and 255/40R18 rear, the best summer tire in my opinion would be the Michelin Pilot Super Sport and if you were looking for an all-season I'd agree with mitsuguy the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position would be my first choice.