Making tyres better in the wet - any tips???

**rmp** · 13th June 2009, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by isuzurover

I have some 33" MTRs on the IIA. They have 50-60% tread left, but have become so hard they slide around like crazy on wet bitumen. Surprisingly, they still work well at 7psi offroad, but I notice the difference from when they were new.

I can't really complain, as I have gotten at least 50-60k km out of them so far, however I am loathe to throw them away when they have so much tread left. They really hardened up when we drove the IIA from Brisbane. The long highway km's must have evaporated the remaining plasticisers out of the rubber...

SO - has anyone tried anything like siping to make tyres grip better in the wet?

I don't think it's the tread so much as maybe the age of the tyres? If they've done 60k on a S3 that's probably quite a few years?

No tyre should be used much past 7 years because the oils that give it flexibility it needs pass out of the tyre. This process is accelerated if the tyre is exposed to sunlight and not used.

All said though, maybe don't use those tyres on the road any more? But as they're 50% worn, if they work offroad, use them offroad and pick up a cheap set of roadies on steel rims instead. I don't know whether that can work for you, just throwing ideas out, but it probably wouldn't be a good look if you had an accident on these tyres. If you don't want to buy a new set see what's available on eBay, or put a Wanted ad out.

**Gazz** · 13th June 2009, 06:55 PM

I have had a 2.4 Rocky and a Disco 97TDI I have put BFG all
Terrains on both, the reason for this is BFG terrains give good traction in the wet as well as the bush. I run them on normal pressure on the road and drop the pressure for deflection for off road depending on the situation.

**rick130** · 13th June 2009, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by rmp

I don't think it's the tread so much as maybe the age of the tyres?
<snip>

Absolutely, and I think Ben is aware of that too.

Heat, UV are the killers of rubber, we're just tossing some ideas out there that might help a little, but you'll never regain 'new' grip.

There are even tyre 'softeners' that are painted on or soaked into the tread and are marketed to motorsport people (and are illegal in most all categories, at least in circuit racing) and supposedly replace the lost oils, and some even claim to reduce the durometer of the base rubber.
They evaporate out too fast and possibly leave the tyre in worse condition than it started.

**V8Ian** · 13th June 2009, 08:17 PM

Tyres have a manufacture date on them. In Queensland any tyre over five years old is deemed unroadworthy, I imagine other states would have the same rules.

**Blknight.aus** · 13th June 2009, 08:22 PM

not quite....

5 years from the date of installation.....

providing the tyre has been correctly stowed.

which is why high quality tyres come shipped in a black saran wrap.

**one_iota** · 13th June 2009, 08:26 PM

The trusty owners handbook recommends that tyres be replaced after 6 years for this reason.

**V8Ian** · 13th June 2009, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

not quite....

5 years from the date of installation.....

providing the tyre has been correctly stowed.

which is why high quality tyres come shipped in a black saran wrap.

How does the roadworthy dude know the history of the tyre between manufacture and fitting Dave? My son got knocked back on a RWC as two of the tyres were over five years old, but still had 60-70% tread left.

**LandyAndy** · 13th June 2009, 08:33 PM

Hey Ben
Before each trip,drop her in low4 and smoke em up.That SHOULD make them nice and STICKY.
OH I forgot,2.25 NA Diesel

Andrew

**Slunnie** · 13th June 2009, 08:34 PM

The tyres are coded on the sidewall which indicates when they were manufactured.

Another factor is that the MTR was made from a Silca compound, not the normal rubber. That may also affect their expected life, softening/hardening etc etc etc.

I've never heard of anybody being rejected for a pink slip in NSW for old tyres.

**Blknight.aus** · 13th June 2009, 08:49 PM

and there lies the legal rub of the law in this case.....

(do not ask why I know this its a very very annoying topic of argument between me and the idiots who count the beans over the writing of the law and the intent.)

(ok ask in PM if you have to)

Thread: Making tyres better in the wet - any tips???

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