Time to Replace?

[GMFan]

Hello all,

I have General Altimax RTs (205/65R16 T-speed rated) installed on my car which I had installed in December 2012. The tires have 52k miles on them and my tire depth gauge reads 5.5/32" in the center of tread and 4/32" on the edges. I checked date codes and they were manufactured around October 2012.

The tires are loud and have some feathering but otherwise I haven't noticed any significant issues of any kind. I think I had the PSI a bit too high which may have contributed to this issue. Plus I likely need an alignment which would explain the shoulder wear.

My main question is in regards surface cracking following the tread pattern...most evident when it crosses the wear bars. Is this simple surface cracking I don't need to worry about since the tires are just barely 4 years old? From what I've read 6 years is usually the time to replace. These tires have never seen a garage.

What are your thoughts? I don't want to junk tires with plenty of life left in them but don't want to blow a tire here where road gators are commons sights. I figure if I keep them until they're at 4/32nds I can get another 10k+ miles out of them which would have me replacing them around this time next year.

Pictures of the tires can be viewed here

Thanks!

edit: For those who have terrible vision like me you should be able to use the Zoom feature when viewing the pictures

FYI: If you're wondering how to tell if your tires are feathered I've found the best way is to drive down a sandy road and then take a look at your tread - makes it very evident

 

[NHGUY]

Buy some new RT43s,you'll be amazed at the quiet ride and "on your toes" feeling they give in tight handling situations.

 

[Danh]

Replacing them is probably the best course, if only to get rid of the noise.

But if the centers have consistently more tread depth than the edges, the problem is typically underinflation, not over inflation. Underinflation allow the treads edges, which are supported by the sidewall in addition to air pressure to bear more of the load than the center. Overinflation would more likely cause the center to wear faster. Maybe your air pressure gauge isn't accurate?

 

[Mr Nice]

Use for another 15K miles.

 

[HTSS_TR]

You may need to increase tire pressure to 4-6 PSI above placard, then you may be able to get few thousands more miles.

 

[CapriRacer]

Those look OK to me. I wouldn't worry about them until next year.

 

[eljefino]

Those look great. I'd pay small money for those at your yard sale.

 

[GMFan]

Thanks everyone. I'll put a few extra PSI in them and keep running them. I will say the tires still do great in the rain. They're just loud but I'll turn up the radio

 

[bigjl]

52k?

Tyres must have different compounds in the US to last that well.

More than a little jealous.

 

[bigjl]

Originally Posted By: Danh
Replacing them is probably the best course, if only to get rid of the noise.

But if the centers have consistently more tread depth than the edges, the problem is typically underinflation, not over inflation. Underinflation allow the treads edges, which are supported by the sidewall in addition to air pressure to bear more of the load than the center. Overinflation would more likely cause the center to wear faster. Maybe your air pressure gauge isn't accurate?


I think you have that the wrong way round in your first sentence.

Over inflation causes extra wear in the centre of the tread, under inflation causes wear to both edges.