Time to buy new tires?

[Orange&White]

I have a 2006 Honda Accord (4cyl if it makes any difference). It has been on the road for 26 months and has 40K miles on it. It was originally outfitted with BF Goodrich.

I typically drive pretty fast. Fatser than normal at least.

I have noticed lately that they do not grip as much. Especially on wet surfaces. My question is, how much of it is just normal wear and tear, and do I need to replace them yet.

After digging around, I think the original estimated tread life was 70K miles. I also heard one person say to do the penny test and one person say do the nickel test. (BTW, there is a much smaller space between the head and the edge of a nickel). I used both anyway and all four tires, in all of the gaps, passed the test. The better tires are already rotated to the front.

Do I need new tires yet?

 

[OrangeChipper]

my wife has an 04 accord and needed new tires @ 50k.

I just got my 05 CRV inspected and they said I will be needing new tires soon.... I passed inspection but just barely. I am at 45k

I'll probably get new ones myself this weekend. Don't want to take any chances with all the doggone slick conditions out there.

 

[SBGLonghorn]

what kind of tires do you have on your accord?

 

[kangsta]

Maybe just get them rotated?

 

[Ave. H Horn]

In reply to:

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[Steel Shank]

Don't buy anthing until you're sure. Continue driving extra fast and really put those existing tires to the test. You should find out pretty soon what you should do.

 

[Orange&White]

OK...I get it guys...thanks for the funnies

* The car still has the original BF Goodrich
* The better tires are already rotated to the front
* I drive fast, but not in the rain

The point of mentioning driving fast was to give background of my use to help people better determine if I need new tires.

Based on the responses so far, I figure I am going to wait another 5000 miles or until it doesn't pass the penny test. Whichever comes first.

 

[CaboWabo]

Try taking a half pound out of the right side tires and a very slight downard adjustment of the track bar, maybe 1 turn.

 

[Steel Shank]

I'm thinking Maverick here. Or was it Colt? What was it he said?

 

[accuratehorn]

Good tires really can make a noticeable difference on a car.
Your tires don't have to be replaced if they will still pass state inspection. But if you notice a performance difference, and they are getting fairly thin, go get some good Michelins on there and you will have a quieter, better handling car, and probably better in the rain as well. Don't buy cheap tires.

 

[pasotex]

as the son and grandson of a tire dealer (the first Michelin dealer in El Paso), accuratehorn posts the truth

if you are going to keep your car for a while, good tires are more than worth it

Michelin makes very good tires for Accords and I would get them now

 

[CleverNickname]

Not sure about an accord, but very often new cars come with "soft" performance tires. They turn and stop great, but they don't last long either.

 

[JinSA]

I have an accord and I noticed a difference between these types of tires:
T Rated Tires: Last around 70,000 miles but feel rough and the handling is sacrifaced meaning its hard
H Rated Tires: Last around 50,000 miles
They handle great because they are soft. The downside is they wear quickly and need to be rotated every 5,000 miles.
Check your grade and it should give an indication of the life expectancy of the tires.