Splitting Michelins
Discussion
My F430 was MOT'd yesterday. I messed up my dates and realised I'd booked the service plus MOT for a week after it was due to expire, so took it to a local garage for the test.
They failed both rear tyres, which normally means I'd just buy a couple of new tyres and move on, but I have some questions. They are Michelin PS4s that are only a year old, and have only done ~1500 miles. The tester stated that they were both failing on the outside edge all the way around, and pointed me to the apparent splits in these photos.
Anybody know if this is something PS4s are prone to do, and is it a problem as the tester says? I don't want to replace the tires with another pair only for the same thing to happen next year. I could replace with a different brand, but firstly that means throwing away four barely used tyres including two perfect fronts, and secondly the PS4s are really good and I don't want to end up with a worse tyre. There is a reason I have PS4s on there in the first place; they are very good tyres.
I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar?
They failed both rear tyres, which normally means I'd just buy a couple of new tyres and move on, but I have some questions. They are Michelin PS4s that are only a year old, and have only done ~1500 miles. The tester stated that they were both failing on the outside edge all the way around, and pointed me to the apparent splits in these photos.
Anybody know if this is something PS4s are prone to do, and is it a problem as the tester says? I don't want to replace the tires with another pair only for the same thing to happen next year. I could replace with a different brand, but firstly that means throwing away four barely used tyres including two perfect fronts, and secondly the PS4s are really good and I don't want to end up with a worse tyre. There is a reason I have PS4s on there in the first place; they are very good tyres.
I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar?
Depending on sidewall date I’d guess at a manufacturing fault if they’re relatively new. We had exactly the same on my late dads Lexus running Michelins but they started cracking past five years old.
If you speak to a good tyre shop they may be able to put a complaint to Michelin.
Dunlop run flats on Audis are also well known for doing that - I binned a full set of fairly new but rock hard and cracked 21s and downsized to 20s (Falkens) because of it.
Extra load on a Ferrari - is that the correct rating?
If you speak to a good tyre shop they may be able to put a complaint to Michelin.
Dunlop run flats on Audis are also well known for doing that - I binned a full set of fairly new but rock hard and cracked 21s and downsized to 20s (Falkens) because of it.
Extra load on a Ferrari - is that the correct rating?
Should have checked the age first thing.
Double checked my dates, they were fitted longer ago than I remember, plus it looks like they were old, but still legal, stock when fitted. Manufacture date is around 6 years ago. Probably a combination of being on the old side and being sat around a lot due to covid.
No reason now to think a new set will give me the same problem. I'll just replace them.
Double checked my dates, they were fitted longer ago than I remember, plus it looks like they were old, but still legal, stock when fitted. Manufacture date is around 6 years ago. Probably a combination of being on the old side and being sat around a lot due to covid.
No reason now to think a new set will give me the same problem. I'll just replace them.
As a matter of principle, when buying new tyres for my Ferraris (or other cars) I will only accept tyres whose date stamp shows they are recently manufactured. Otherwise, particularly on a car that does a low annual mileage, the tyres will become time expired well before they need changing due to wear.
willy wombat said:
As a matter of principle, when buying new tyres for my Ferraris (or other cars) I will only accept tyres whose date stamp shows they are recently manufactured. Otherwise, particularly on a car that does a low annual mileage, the tyres will become time expired well before they need changing due to wear.
Good point, well made. I have never checked.Just adding to this thread for future reference. Its not only Michelins. These are a pair of 7 year old Pirelli's that had stood for a few years without turning a wheel, then taken out for a few runs. The outside of the tyres looked perfect, it was the insides that cracked. You can see how little used the tyres were with the tread around 7-7.5mm.
Clearly tyres have to be used regularly to keep the rubber supple.
Clearly tyres have to be used regularly to keep the rubber supple.
I've recently had a car fail an MOT on cracked Michelins, they were 2017 date stamped but still disappointing for a premium tyre and had loads of tread left.
The crack was significant, on the inside edge all the way around.
Having been a bit of a Michelin fanboy it's definitely put me off.
The crack was significant, on the inside edge all the way around.
Having been a bit of a Michelin fanboy it's definitely put me off.
FezSpider said:
Just adding to this thread for future reference. Its not only Michelins. These are a pair of 7 year old Pirelli's that had stood for a few years without turning a wheel, then taken out for a few runs. The outside of the tyres looked perfect, it was the insides that cracked. You can see how little used the tyres were with the tread around 7-7.5mm.
Clearly tyres have to be used regularly to keep the rubber supple.
Wow that could of been lethalClearly tyres have to be used regularly to keep the rubber supple.
willy wombat said:
As a matter of principle, when buying new tyres for my Ferraris (or other cars) I will only accept tyres whose date stamp shows they are recently manufactured. Otherwise, particularly on a car that does a low annual mileage, the tyres will become time expired well before they need changing due to wear.
Excellent point, and something I will make sure I check in future.I have no comeback and it is perfectly legal to sell 5 year old tyres as "new". On a car that does around 1500 miles a year I could easily end up with barely worn tyres that are 7 years old and starting to crack.
I must admit that I’ve been quite shocked by some of the pictures on this thread. FYI Ferrari recommend tyres should not be older than 6 years regardless of wear. I’d be reluctant to do a track day on tyres older than that but if the car is just used for “poodling” I have been known to use them for up to 8 years if the condition looks ok.
willy wombat said:
I’d be reluctant to do a track day on tyres older than that but if the car is just used for “poodling” I have been known to use them for up to 8 years if the condition looks ok.
If you’re using your Ferrari for ‘dogging’ then you’ve probably got more on your mind than cracks in your rubber. Edited by ANOpax on Thursday 6th January 21:20
willy wombat said:
As a matter of principle, when buying new tyres for my Ferraris (or other cars) I will only accept tyres whose date stamp shows they are recently manufactured. Otherwise, particularly on a car that does a low annual mileage, the tyres will become time expired well before they need changing due to wear.
I tried this, however the bloke said they have no say in what they have delivered,could have refused once they came but it was the last delivery on the Friday, and of course I needed the car at the weekend
I settled for 2 year old if I remember correctly
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