Change tyres before or after?

51315

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So - going on European trip (about 2,500 miles, mainly motorway) and had new tyres on front 6,500 miles ago (Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance) which are fine.
Tyres on back (Pirelli P7) have been there about 5 Yrs and are at 3.5mm tread and have v. slight cracking. Should I change those for Goodyear now or wait till they wear a bit more? I'm inclined to change them - but is that not needed...??? Any help to make up my mind appreciated!
 
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star

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Had this dilemma once, if your thinking about it now, then you’ll be thinking about it on your road trip, always checking condition etc. Why spoil a trip worrying over a few quid.
 

Chrishazle

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+1 with Star - you know they're close to needing replacement, and you're off on a big trip, better to get them now. if 17's I'd recommend Goodyear Eagle Asymmetrics, if not available in your size I'm happy with Efficientgrips in 16" on my 968, which I fitted 2 years ago for our 2600 mile European trip.
 

John Laidlaw

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Yeah change them! It’s false economy otherwise
 

Avnt

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Change em. I had same before our trip in the summer. My rears were down to 3mm and had done 17k so swapped em for piece of mind with the long trip


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Rotorhead500

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As above.

Plus, if there's signs of cracking, that would tip it for me anyway.
 

Larkone

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The fact you are even asking the question is reason to be sure and replace them.
 

JBell

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Change them and match them to the fronts
 

rifiki

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I have Goodyear EfficientGrip all round on my CLK (V6) very pleased with them.
 

Frontstep

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No keep them on and get the last mill out of them, it will be a great holiday and who knows they might last.

Despite my flippant answer it might pay to get a pair whilst away if convenient although warranty claims will entail more holidays.
 

Naraic

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Change them before or you will probably have to change them on your trip. Also...5 years is about the age limit of a tyre in the UK.
 

L John

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All the advice here is pretty much to change them, I'd likely change them too but at 5 year old and 3.5mm tread (is this the lowest reading) they will good for the trip.
To have peace of mind you should take it to a tyre fitter and get them to check the tyres.
What's the date code on the tyres?

If in any doubt it makes sense to change now but why not get them professionally checked before spending, people on here haven't seen the tyres.
 
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Frosty149

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I too had worn P7’s on the rear and to be frank the grip was very poor, the deterioration creeps up on you and you don’t fully appreciate it. I changed to GYear AS 3’s, the difference is surprising in comparison.
Don’t hold off or take any avoidable risks with your tyres, you know better than that I’m sure!
 
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51315

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Thanks to you all. Always amazed at the wonderful replies on this forum - to-the-point and often so many. Took the car to my excellent tyre-place in Whitstable and they pointed out that, in any event, most EU countries need 3mm depth min. New rears to match front are ordered (shame they're more costly) and will be fitted next week. So all sorted and thanks again.
 
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51315

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Nor did I. And looking at different sites I see EU does indeed seem to be same as UK at 1.6mm. Though some countries seem to make a point of 3mm for winter - as well as a suggestion to make 3mm. the point at which to ditch the tyre. I'll mention it to the workshop when I have them changed.
 

L John

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Nor did I. And looking at different sites I see EU does indeed seem to be same as UK at 1.6mm. Though some countries seem to make a point of 3mm for winter - as well as a suggestion to make 3mm. the point at which to ditch the tyre. I'll mention it to the workshop when I have them changed.

Winter tyres need to be changed with more tread remaining than summer tyres for good grip in snow, is the 3mm you mentioned a recommended change for all types of tyres in winter or is it the law there, if it's the law, which counties are we talking about?
 

Mic

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I may be out on a limb here but for me the fact that the tyres are five years old is not in itself an issue.
The legal limit throughout Europe is 1.6mm and there is little or no chance of you using up 1.9mm of tread depth in only 2500 miles. Most tyres start with 8.0mm meaning there is 6.4mm of usable legal tread so you have used 70% of the legal tread leaving 30% available for use. Unless you are getting less than 8350 miles out of a set of your P7s there is not a wear concern.
The only pertinent issue is the referred to cracking and no one here can advise you on whether or not the tyres should be changed because of the cracking without seeing the cracking.
A judgement for yourself and your workshop or even your tyre depot although they me be over cautious.
I do not think your description of "slight cracking" would bother me.......I am not sure that I could bring myself to chuck away £30 for every £100 spend on the price of new tyres.

Having said all that, as others have said, peace of mind is priceless and as a part of a 2500 miles driving holiday the cost of replacing a pair of tyres 70% worn is relatively insignificant.

Have a great trip.

Mic
 

LostKiwi

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Tyre performance in the wet degrades rapidly with reduced tread depth. You're heading to Europe doing higher speeds than the UK and in weather turning wetter (mid summer tread depth wouldn't matter so much).
Those factors alone would convince me to change them.
 

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