Tyre Wear question
Discussion
I was looking at the Mrs car earlier (BMW 123D) and I noticed that the outside of both front tyres are bald for about an inch from the outside. The rest of the tyres are fine.
I have taken a quick look on the Baby BMW website and it appears that this is quite common on this car due to "toe in" setup. I admit to not really knowing what this means other than it is set this way to improve understeer/oversteer- or something like this! However it seems to drive ok in the limited time I drive it, and she is happy heading to station and back in it.
I have two questions:-
1) Should I be getting someone to look at this - or is it just the way it is?
2) Do tyres need replacing now?
I know the tyres are bald on the outside inch of both front tyres, but the rest of the tyre is full of tread. If there was a marker on the tyre at this point (there isn't as have checked the same point on same tyres on rear) then I would not be asking this question - I would just replace. However as there is no marker there - I am not sure of the legality.
I vaguely remember it is something to do with the "middle 80%" of the tyre has to have tread, as long as the tyre has not worn through to the thread - but I could be completely wrong - it may have been something I was told in the pub!
Any advice most welcome.
I have taken a quick look on the Baby BMW website and it appears that this is quite common on this car due to "toe in" setup. I admit to not really knowing what this means other than it is set this way to improve understeer/oversteer- or something like this! However it seems to drive ok in the limited time I drive it, and she is happy heading to station and back in it.
I have two questions:-
1) Should I be getting someone to look at this - or is it just the way it is?
2) Do tyres need replacing now?
I know the tyres are bald on the outside inch of both front tyres, but the rest of the tyre is full of tread. If there was a marker on the tyre at this point (there isn't as have checked the same point on same tyres on rear) then I would not be asking this question - I would just replace. However as there is no marker there - I am not sure of the legality.
I vaguely remember it is something to do with the "middle 80%" of the tyre has to have tread, as long as the tyre has not worn through to the thread - but I could be completely wrong - it may have been something I was told in the pub!
Any advice most welcome.
The middle three quarters. Basically the part where all the tread is (three lines usually on a standard tyre) across the middle.
Toe in and toe out is how much pointed in or out the tyres are. The tyres wont be pointing totally straight basically. It will have little to no effect on a road car.
Obviously from a legal point of view the outsides arent considered, but they become illegal if they get dangerous, for example wearing to the cords.
Toe in and toe out is how much pointed in or out the tyres are. The tyres wont be pointing totally straight basically. It will have little to no effect on a road car.
Obviously from a legal point of view the outsides arent considered, but they become illegal if they get dangerous, for example wearing to the cords.
Thanks Archeron.
I just found this as well:-
http://www.etyres.co.uk/uk-tyre-law
So from a legal perspective all is good.
Car is in for a service shortly - I will have a chat with them re what is causing this, and how to stop it happening in future. Sounds like we need a "neutral toe in" - if there is such a thing. It is only a runaround - we don't need to be racing it!
I just found this as well:-
http://www.etyres.co.uk/uk-tyre-law
So from a legal perspective all is good.
Car is in for a service shortly - I will have a chat with them re what is causing this, and how to stop it happening in future. Sounds like we need a "neutral toe in" - if there is such a thing. It is only a runaround - we don't need to be racing it!
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