Do longer tread life tires ride harsher over time?

[mclasser]

I installed a set of Nexen Aria AH7 tires about 5 yrs / 34k miles ago. These are H-rated, 80k mile warranty tires.

As of late, I can feel that they've gotten stiffer and don't take bumps as well. Cornering and wet grip has also gotten sketchy. The remaining tread is 5-6/32", with regular rotations performed.

Based on the wear pattern, these tires won't make it to 80k and with the increasing ride harshness, I wouldn't want them on the car for that long; not to mention, they'll also age out well before then.

This is my first experience with longer tread life tires. Does the compound they're made of get harder by around mid-life?

 

[Rand]

That is true of all tires.

but nexen aria isnt a top tier tire so it may be more than average.

A good DT will pro-rate them at 4/32 depth.

 

[Cujet]

I don't know that there is a direct correlation between tire lifespan, age and harshness. Certainly, a tire with full tread is a bit squishier to a sensitive driver. And maybe quieter, due to no unusual wear patterns having developed yet.

However, the idea that the sidewalls become markedly stiffer and therefore harsher with time is not something I see on the Michelin tires I typically use. Maybe on lower quality tires, this is a "thing". One thing that could settle the issue is hot day vs. cold day and/or driving hard enough to heat up the tires, and thereby soften the rubber a little. Seeing if that makes a big difference in ride quality.

 

[Rand]

I don't know that there is a direct correlation between tire lifespan, age and harshness. Certainly, a tire with full tread is a bit squishier to a sensitive driver. And maybe quieter, due to no unusual wear patterns having developed yet.

my tractor tires are so hard from age they slip like plastic tires.

I can fully believe a 5 year set of nexens could ride noticeably worse just from age.. although they are also over half worn out on usable tread at this point too.

 

[Gyro Gearloose]

I don't give any consideration to 80K mileage warranties precisely for the reasons you describe. OEM tires seem to last the longest but the replacements I've bought, even when the have been the exact same model as the OEM, have only been good for 35 - 50K of "useful" life

 

[atikovi]

After 5 years the rubber in your suspension bushings have dried out and gotten stiffer as well. Don't blame it all on the tires.

 

[andyd]

The 1st couple of yrs with my next to last '88 528e, I had a set of Coopers. They were from my BIL's 528e so I'm sure they were cheap and long miles. Mike threw nickels around like they were man hole covers. 5 yrs old, hard as rocks. When I had them break loose and slide on dew, I bought a new set

 

[dumkid]

I think some tires also change compound as they wear (the first bit of tread is a different flavor). And siping can disappear before the rest of the tread on cheap tires.

 

[Kira]

Ain't this a focused thread.
I've generally driven 'not small' vehicles. Such vehicles deaden some aging symptoms.
(ha-ha) I'm too preoccupied listening for clunks and clanks to notice a change in tire buzz.
I haven't experienced the harsher ride / stiffness.

However, in the wet, if a front tire breaks free during mild acceleration, I start tire shopping.

 

[FZ1]

I installed a set of Nexen Aria AH7 tires about 5 yrs / 34k miles ago. These are H-rated, 80k mile warranty tires.

As of late, I can feel that they've gotten stiffer and don't take bumps as well. Cornering and wet grip has also gotten sketchy. The remaining tread is 5-6/32", with regular rotations performed.

Based on the wear pattern, these tires won't make it to 80k and with the increasing ride harshness, I wouldn't want them on the car for that long; not to mention, they'll also age out well before then.

This is my first experience with longer tread life tires. Does the compound they're made of get harder by around mid-life?

The harder they are; The longer they last.

 

[Geeorge]

Slap some armor all on them

 

[TheLawnRanger]

The longer life tires I've had have ridden fine as long as I had them. I tend to get rid of them a little earlier than necessary. I'll usually run them at least 75% of the stated milage and still have a comfortable ride.

 

[edyvw]

Long tread life=questionable performance!

 

[The Critic]

Long tread life=questionable performance!

Especially for a brand like an Nexen.

 

[edyvw]

Especially for a brand like an Nexen.

Only tire that I think could squeeze 70k with performance still being good is LTX Defender, maybe Continental TerrainContact some Bridgestone and Pirelli. Others? No!

 

[Hermann]

My new LX-25 Conti's tires are 12/32". the first few weeks at times the tires squirmed a lot. It is less noticeable after 2 months. Hope it improves even more by spring. The ride quality is quite nice. They are warranted for 70K. Well see in a few years.

 

[meep]

@mclasser - yes - in my experience they sound rowdier and lose wet traction as they age. even old Michelin tires can make more noise than new ones. Wet traction may decrease both from aging rubber and also the reduction in tread sipes as the blocks wear down. I used to buy high mileage tires but don’t any longer because they become so sketchy in the wet that I seldom keep them to the wear bands. when I was driving 500 miles per week it made sense because the mileage accumulated so quickly, but now at 14,000 per year, I am fine with anything that gets more than 45k miles out of them.

 

[bullwinkle]

I had an old (‘85) Escort years ago that had OEM GY Corsa GT tires that lasted the ENTIRE LIFE OF THE CAR-over 90,000 miles! By the end, they were like round rocks, they would even slide around dry corners! They literally REFUSED to wear out!

 

[Sonny88]

35-40K is the most i will run any tire.
Just my preference

 

[mdocod]

I'm not sure how they come up with the mileage warranty claims but I suspect it's at some fraction of max load, at an ideal inflation pressure for the load, and under very mild driving conditions. If you're the type to push your tires through a fast corner, brisk acceleration, or occasional hard braking on entry to a corner once and awhile, then you're not going to get 80K miles from any tires. I figure on ~50-70% of the warranty claim before they are done, which usually takes 5 or so years for me which is when the rubber needs to be replaced anyway regardless of mileage.