sws1

My PS2s have about 11-12k street miles on them (New in 2007 - so 3 1/2 years old). Tread looks decent (I think). I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but they seem to be getting slippery. It's way too easy to get the rears to break free in curves on the street.

Sign of age? Wear? Rubber breaking down?

I do seem to recall that when I put new PS2s on my Boxster S about 10 years ago, the car immediately felt glued to the road. Maybe it's an active imagination.

malmasri

Change them and see what happens

911SLOW

Tires loose grip as they age. The number of "heat cycles" that a tire goes through will reduce its grip as the rubber hardens a bit every time it heats up and cools down. Also environmental factors like weather UV rays etc take their toll on the rubber compound.
Eventually if things get bad they can also start to crack.

This is the reason that even if a tire is un-mounted and new can only be stored for a curtain time before it is considered inappropriate to use.

If you feel them slip they probably do.
Change them, tires is not the place to start cutting expenses IMO.

John

ervtx

Tread depth is relevant only when it's wet, so you can probably rule that out.

I find it hard to believe that age or heat cycles would be a factor on 3 1/2 year old PS2's. I would call them defective before I would call them old. If you were talking about sport cups, R6's, etc., then yes that could be a factor.

It never hurts to ask the obvious questions:

- correct psi?
- TC is on?
- same results regardless of road surface, tire temps?
- 800-lb gorilla in the trunk?

adrial

The PS2 is a summer tire and lately it has been much below summer temperatures.

A cold summer tire doesn't generate much grip.

Larry Cable

check the tire manufacture date: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11

your tires could be past their "sell by" date ... and thus the compound is deteriorating!

amaist

All tires lose grip over time. They dry out.
A softer tire with dry out faster than a harder one.

PS2 will get worse over time but not as much as an r-comp tire. I would not be surprised with after 3.5 years it doesn't feel as good. I never had a PS2 for more than two years. It's not a long lasting tire. It is probably still safe to drive on it but has lower limits now.

sin911

You've got to drive that car more often man! 3 1/2 yo car and still has 12k miles? No wonder the tires are loosing grip, you're not working them hard enough

And yes, the tires start hardening with time. Heat and seasonal changes might affect it as well

dan212

Tires age and harden with time and exposure to UV. Heat cycles accelerate that - but age alone is enough. Old PS'2 especially get harder in the cold.

3 year old PS'2 are at the end of their safe life no matter how much tread you have on them. And never mind what Tire Rack or the manufacturer says - thats just marketing. They are old. You got your money's worth. Replace them. You will be surprised by how the fresh rubber feels.

sws1

In all fairness, the first year only saw 1400 miles with first owner. I've put 11k on in 2 1/2 years.

sin911

Ah alright, I thought you were the first owner 11k miles in 2 1/2 years is not bad. Add some DE events and the miles should add up pretty easy. The closest track to my house is about 40 miles, so just driving to the track and back adds 80 miles on the odo

The best reason to replace tires is wearing them out! time for some DE events before they get worse