Tires

[Madhouse]

Been to the local garage, to be fair I am a bit of a panic button, I have only had the van a couple of weeks so don't know what the wear pattern is other than I have a continental perfect condition on the passenger side rear a budget in fair condition on the passenger front and on the drivers side front and rear budgets with the outside edge worn tread, and spare tyre a Michelin under the van with the tread worn on the edge
The guy at the garage I have been using for years said, they could have been moved about from front to back, he said just wait until they need changing properly probably December then move the passenger side to the back buy two new tyres for the front and do a laser alignment, I didn't know he had one, anyway he said it cost him three grand, if anyone wants to know a good mechanic Newcastle upon Tyne, I will put you in to him.
Anyway berlingo van running empty most of the time tire pressure, is it 35psi?

[Madhouse]

Loving this forum thing, it's quite good.

[finny]

ive run 4 brands on my van over the years.
Sagars 195/65/15 wore evenly, about 2-3mm more wear than fronts
Continental winters 195/65/15 wear badly on the inside, fronts worn 2mm from new
Nexen 225/40/18 wore really quickly on the inside and feathered, fronts lasted twice the rears
Autogrip 225/40/18 wearing level and the rears are only 1mm more warn than front.
The n/s/r inner edge shows signs of wear first on the non winters

[Madhouse]

So basically buy the cheapest noisiest,slippy slow rolling tyres you can get your hands on and blow them up like balloons and enjoy the ride.

[Madhouse]

Kwik fit are crap mate, my nephew was a apprentice at that company and although the scheme he was on was very well set up and he learned a lot, Aaron was constantly getting into trouble for not up selling and for not telling customers that they needed things fitted or changed that blatantly didn't need fitted or changed and that's a fact, our Arron struggled with his conscience over this and he was eventually let go after his time for not meeting sales targets, not for his workmanship I might add as for example to prove my point Aaron was awarded Kwik fit north east apprentice of the year???
Come to think of it I was speaking to a guy who deals in part worn tyres a few years ago and he said the tyres he has in stock now came indirectly from kwik fit centres he knew that for a fact, he said it's a case of old people and women going in and being told alsorts to make money.

[finny]

I can't see how Finny's different brands of tyre could result in the wear being in different places.  Is it not more likely that the alignment had changed while all these different tyres were fitted?  It does drift out over time, and needs doing every few years at least.


Finny......
I had my tracking checked and it was fine although the n/s/r showed 1 degree extra camber, the tracking was not adjusted as it was all within recommended tolerences.
the van in my ownership has always had four matching brands
the nexen two sets of rears and one set of fronts, awful tyres which split on the inside wall, all four replaced for autogrips which have a fairly good reviews for a budget tyre, I rarely go above 65 mph and I must say the tyres have been fantastic.
the winter contis went from 7mm to nearly illegal in 8000 miles yet the fronts are barely worn, they are fitted to the original steelies it came with, the others are fitted to 18" alloys

[Madhouse]

Crackers having to buy tyres every year, I must of been spoilt, All the cars I had before this the tyres wore evenly.

[Madhouse]

Yeah I will get sorted from all the great advice I have had from you all, I am going to run the tires I have in now down and get a full set, do a few miles in them and get the tracking done and see where I am then.
I was a bit alarmed at first at reading what other people were saying in google searches as regards to it being a design fault but I have calmed down and see if I can work it out or live with it like a lot of people have in this site.
Been trying to solve a driver side door rattle today.

[Opensauce]

I've never found tyre wear a particular problem on my XTR which has the larger 215/55R16 tyres. Mine has steel wheels so I have always swapped them around to use all 5. First set were the original Michelin Primacy. I got 33k miles out of all 5 before they were down to 3mm tread. Next set were Avon ZV5 which lasted an equal distance but they were cheaper tyres & I thought grip was not that good. Current set are Goodyear Efficient Grip. Definitely wearing quicker but roadholding is transformed.

If you have 5 steel wheels then it seems a definite advantage to swap them around every 3 months or so. Spare should be removed regularly anyway or carrier will damage sidewall & carrier bolt will seize up(as indicated in another thread)if thread is not lubricated & used regularly.

[magoo]

It's an interesting thread, so thanks to all who posted.

My front tyres Avons, both have worn on the outside edge so looks like I've got to get my alignment checked, been meaning to get balance checked as I'm getting a bit of wobble at a certain speed window, so will get both done at the same time.

My rear are the same make as front and bought at the same time but hardly worn, can I switch the front tyres to the back, and the back ones to the front and would it be best to do this before I take it in.?