New tires at 24,000????

Sounds soon, especially the fronts with no visible wear???

[ChiHummer3]

Sounds a little strange. Even in the old days when I would drive like a maniac, spinning the tires on a regular basis, I would get at least 30K out of my tires. Sounds like they're trying to make some money on ya.

I agree with RYD - do the penny test.

[fourfourto]

Hmmm did you rotate the tires before 24,000?.
I rotated mine at 8,000 and at 24,000 im now at 31,000 and they look and ride great ,they are getting rotated again at 40,000.
Im hoping for at least 50 to 60k before replacement.

Doesn't sound right

[marin8703]

yesterday i switched to 35s and from the look of the old ones they looked like they can go at least 20K more miles, they have 12k on them. Why would they need to be replace if they have no visible wear, whats the problem?

[Hmmm2]

RYD, what is the penny test? I don't know what the deal is ... earlier this week I went in for new wipers and an oil change. They did a 21 point test and when I was leaving I was given a sheet of the results. There was a comment by the tech to check the alignment. The Service Writer said alignment is usually done at 30K, so don't worry. As I was driving home I noticed the steering wheel turned slightly to the left instead of straight, on a straight road. I hadn't noticed it earlier. I called the Service Writer back and she said they could check it today, and put the new wipers on (sionce they were out of stock when I was in the other day). The tech checked the alignment and said the fronts had to be aligned and tires rotated/balanced. And, by the way, I did have them rotated at 8K .. and now again at 24K. The tires were never below 35psi .. I have an automatic. I asked the service writer why I'd need new 2 fronts at 24k? She said it's a 4 wheel drive and they wear differently. She said it's not unusual to have them changed at 24k. Of course, I came to the forum and I've learned otherwise. Straight street driving, up and down some hills (roads) .. but no off-roading in this H3. Please let me know about the penny test. It's not a joke, is it?

[HummBebe]

Originally Posted by Hmmm3

RYD, what is the penny test? I don't know what the deal is ... earlier this week I went in for new wipers and an oil change. They did a 21 point test and when I was leaving I was given a sheet of the results. There was a comment by the tech to check the alignment. The Service Writer said alignment is usually done at 30K, so don't worry. As I was driving home I noticed the steering wheel turned slightly to the left instead of straight, on a straight road. I hadn't noticed it earlier. I called the Service Writer back and she said they could check it today, and put the new wipers on (sionce they were out of stock when I was in the other day). The tech checked the alignment and said the fronts had to be aligned and tires rotated/balanced. And, by the way, I did have them rotated at 8K .. and now again at 24K. The tires were never below 35psi .. I have an automatic. I asked the service writer why I'd need new 2 fronts at 24k? She said it's a 4 wheel drive and they wear differently. She said it's not unusual to have them changed at 24k. Of course, I came to the forum and I've learned otherwise. Straight street driving, up and down some hills (roads) .. but no off-roading in this H3. Please let me know about the penny test. It's not a joke, is it?

Take a penny a stick Lincolns head in the groove of your tread. If you can't see the top of his head, your tires are fine, if you can see the top of his head theyr'e worn.

Now keep in mind that is a "dated" way to check your tires for wear.

Now a days most tire manufacturers have "wear bars" in the tires, so when your tires are worn you see a bar running across the tread.

If they aren't worn, embarass the guy who is trying to sell you new tires at 20K.

[Crash ?]

Well... I've gotten less out of a set of tires... 1986 S-10 4 speed... I wanted new tires bad though.. I managed to trash the OEM Uniroyals in only 5000 miles.. And I rotated them regularly..

I'd take it by a reputable tire shop and ask for a second opinion..

[f5fstop]

Originally Posted by HummBebe

Take a penny a stick Lincolns head in the groove of your tread. If you can't see the top of his head, your tires are fine, if you can see the top of his head theyr'e worn.

Now keep in mind that is a "dated" way to check your tires for wear.

Now a days most tire manufacturers have "wear bars" in the tires, so when your tires are worn you see a bar running across the tread.

If they aren't worn, embarass the guy who is trying to sell you new tires at 20K.

That's the penny test, but it is no longer a valid test. The penny test is basically the required wear bars; 2/32" of tread remaining. However, if you are running a tire with only 2/32" of tread remaining, understand you will hydroplane while stopping. Not enough groove to allow water to flow through. Most advocate 4/32" as the minimum. (If you are driving on dry pavement only, then 2/32" is probably ok.)

I have almost 25K on my two back tires, I rotated at 8K, then around 16K, then I had the two front tires replaced due to some scum bag who owned a knife, and they will be rotated sometime this month. The back tires which actually have 25K on them are at around 11-12/32" (being truck tires they come with over 15/32" of tread depth versus car tires which come with around 11/32". The tires in front that were replaced at approx. 18K at 13/32" of tread left.
I'm impressed with the wear on these tires.
My advice is have someone other than the person who recommended replacement look at the tires. Possibly the front alignment was off and they wore on the inner or outer, or the air pressure was too high and they wore on the inside.

You could also go to a local auto store and purchase a tire tread gauge, they are only a few bucks. Then take some measurements on the inside/outside/inner treads at four locations around the tire.