Tire pressure vs. durability

oab97 · 08-14-2005, 11:16 PM

I've done several searches and found lots of discussion on tire pressures as it relates to performance, feel, and safety. However, I found very little in regards to durability and gas milage. I have been shocked by how quickly my car is chewing through tires. I'm running stock wheels and stock size tires on an 03 WRX. I've been running them just 1 or 2 psi higher than the recommended 32/29. While I certianly value performance, I am aghast at how quickly this car, my first AWD, goes through tires and with gas prices continung to rise I wouldn't mind some better milage either. Anybody got any recommendations? At this point I wouldn't mind sacrificing a little ride quality or corning performance if I could get my tires to last more than 20-25K miles.

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jetfan2207 · 08-14-2005, 11:25 PM

I put 33PSI in all 4 and have over 30K on my Re92's, but they are almost ready to be replaced before the winter since they are no longer snow worthy (as if they ever were). I get between 24-28 MPG with my OBS. Maybe look for a harder tire, and read consumer reviews on tirerack.

good luck,
Steve

LorenzoS · 08-14-2005, 11:26 PM

What tires have you been running?

oab97 · 08-15-2005, 12:37 AM

Well obviously I started with the OEM tires (RE92's I guess?) and I got 25K out of those. I'm now running a directional set of Dunlop SP Sport FM901's. They have an indicated max press. of 51psi. I've been much happier with the performance of these tires over the stockers, but I've got 10K on them and they are about half way through the tread depth already. I drive spiritedly on occation but not every time I get behind the wheel, and the tires only see wheelspin on rare occations when I get overzelous in the wet. Although you are limited in your ability to rotate directional tires, all 4 seem to be wearing evenly (fast).

Uncle Scotty · 08-15-2005, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oab97

Well obviously I started with the OEM tires (RE92's I guess?) and I got 25K out of those. I'm now running a directional set of Dunlop SP Sport FM901's. They have an indicated max press. of 51psi. I've been much happier with the performance of these tires over the stockers, but I've got 10K on them and they are about half way through the tread depth already. I drive spiritedly on occation but not every time I get behind the wheel, and the tires only see wheelspin on rare occations when I get overzelous in the wet. Although you are limited in your ability to rotate directional tires, all 4 seem to be wearing evenly (fast).

....when ya get some REAL UHP tires on yoiur car you will realize just how bad those dunlops are.

....and tires run too soft are subject to road hazards like pinch flatting and sidewall brusing and don't resist punctures well.

oab97 · 08-15-2005, 10:25 AM

Having now researched tire reviews, I admit I should have done more reading before I bought the Dunlops. However, premature treadwear does not seem to be one of the major complaints against the FM901's, it's mostly performance issues.

I guess I'm just trying to find out if 25K mile tire replacement is just life with this car unless I put Flinstone style rocks on the corners, or could a tire pressure change help me to get more life outta these things.

Rich10 · 08-15-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oab97

Having now researched tire reviews, I admit I should have done more reading before I bought the Dunlops. However, premature treadwear does not seem to be one of the major complaints against the FM901's, it's mostly performance issues.

I guess I'm just trying to find out if 25K mile tire replacement is just life with this car unless I put Flinstone style rocks on the corners, or could a tire pressure change help me to get more life outta these things.

If your tires are wearing at the edges, you need more tire pressure. This is especially true if your tires are wearing on the outsides from cornering.

If you put too much pressure in the tires, the centers will wear more than the outsides.

If your tires are wearing evenly, changes in tire pressure probably aren't going to help.

The only other thing that I would suggest is that you check your alignment. But really, 25k miles for a set of tires on a WRX seems about right.

Psydotek · 08-15-2005, 11:08 AM

+1 for checking alignment. Once a year is a good interval depending on how bad your roads are and what kind of driving you do.

BlackedOut REX · 08-18-2005, 07:07 PM

What kind of tires did 02 wrx sedan's come with? Because i have Continental Contitouring Contact CH95 tires and i cant take a turn fast at al without the tires coming loose and squeeling. Anyone know anything about the tires that are on my car?

Psydotek · 08-18-2005, 07:22 PM

They came with Bridgestone RE92s which most people consider junk.

They too would squeal on hard turns. Fortunately they'd squeal quite a bit before breaking loose which hopefully would give you enough time to correct your error (unless you intended to get sideways in the firstplace).

08-14-2005, 11:16 PM	#1
oab97 Scooby Newbie Member#: 33608 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, TX Vehicle: 2003 WRX Wagon	Tire pressure vs. durability I've done several searches and found lots of discussion on tire pressures as it relates to performance, feel, and safety. However, I found very little in regards to durability and gas milage. I have been shocked by how quickly my car is chewing through tires. I'm running stock wheels and stock size tires on an 03 WRX. I've been running them just 1 or 2 psi higher than the recommended 32/29. While I certianly value performance, I am aghast at how quickly this car, my first AWD, goes through tires and with gas prices continung to rise I wouldn't mind some better milage either. Anybody got any recommendations? At this point I wouldn't mind sacrificing a little ride quality or corning performance if I could get my tires to last more than 20-25K miles. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

08-15-2005, 12:37 AM	#4
oab97 Scooby Newbie Member#: 33608 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, TX Vehicle: 2003 WRX Wagon	Current Tires Well obviously I started with the OEM tires (RE92's I guess?) and I got 25K out of those. I'm now running a directional set of Dunlop SP Sport FM901's. They have an indicated max press. of 51psi. I've been much happier with the performance of these tires over the stockers, but I've got 10K on them and they are about half way through the tread depth already. I drive spiritedly on occation but not every time I get behind the wheel, and the tires only see wheelspin on rare occations when I get overzelous in the wet. Although you are limited in your ability to rotate directional tires, all 4 seem to be wearing evenly (fast).

08-15-2005, 10:25 AM	#6
oab97 Scooby Newbie Member#: 33608 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Houston, TX Vehicle: 2003 WRX Wagon	Having now researched tire reviews, I admit I should have done more reading before I bought the Dunlops. However, premature treadwear does not seem to be one of the major complaints against the FM901's, it's mostly performance issues. I guess I'm just trying to find out if 25K mile tire replacement is just life with this car unless I put Flinstone style rocks on the corners, or could a tire pressure change help me to get more life outta these things. Last edited by oab97; 08-15-2005 at 10:25 AM. Reason: typo

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08-14-2005, 11:25 PM	#2
jetfan2207 Scooby Specialist Member#: 61950 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Northern NJ Vehicle: 2008 Outback big blue wagon	I put 33PSI in all 4 and have over 30K on my Re92's, but they are almost ready to be replaced before the winter since they are no longer snow worthy (as if they ever were). I get between 24-28 MPG with my OBS. Maybe look for a harder tire, and read consumer reviews on tirerack. good luck, Steve

08-14-2005, 11:26 PM	#3
LorenzoS Scooby Newbie Member#: 50995 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cliffside Park, NJ Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon	What tires have you been running?

08-15-2005, 11:08 AM	#8
Psydotek Scooby Guru Member#: 44168 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: In your pant[ie]s. Vehicle: 2003 Yellow WRX with too many lights...	+1 for checking alignment. Once a year is a good interval depending on how bad your roads are and what kind of driving you do.

08-18-2005, 07:07 PM	#9
BlackedOut REX Scooby Newbie Member#: 86253 Join Date: May 2005 Vehicle: 03 WRX	What kind of tires did 02 wrx sedan's come with? Because i have Continental Contitouring Contact CH95 tires and i cant take a turn fast at al without the tires coming loose and squeeling. Anyone know anything about the tires that are on my car?

08-18-2005, 07:22 PM	#10
Psydotek Scooby Guru Member#: 44168 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: In your pant[ie]s. Vehicle: 2003 Yellow WRX with too many lights...	They came with Bridgestone RE92s which most people consider junk. They too would squeal on hard turns. Fortunately they'd squeal quite a bit before breaking loose which hopefully would give you enough time to correct your error (unless you intended to get sideways in the firstplace).