Focus TDCi tyre wear

Mark Scott wrote:
 > I had my 2-year-old Focus TDCi serviced today and was rather surprised to
 > be told that both front tyres were worn down to 1.6mm on the inside. The
 > car has done only 15,000 miles and I do not thrash it or power-slide
 > through corners. I have now had the original Pirelli P6000s replaced
 > with Michelins, which I understand should last rather better, though it
 > seems that the Focus (or my model) has something of a reputation for
 > getting through rubber.
 >
 > What sort of tyre life do others see?
 >

Continentals on the front of my 1.8 LX rarely last more than
12,000 miles. I once got through a pair in 9,000!
I always have the tracking checked when the tyres are
changed (though it's usually OK). I'm not in the first flush
of youth(!) but I do like to exploit the excellent handling
of the Focus when safe to do so.

Chris.

--

Remove prejudice to reply<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Focus TDCi tyre wear 

In message <pan.2004.11.08.22.22.14.62654.DeleteThis@talk21.com>, Mark Scott
<mylastnameME.DeleteThis@talk21.com> writes
 >I had my 2-year-old Focus TDCi serviced today and was rather surprised to
 >be told that both front tyres were worn down to 1.6mm on the inside. The
 >car has done only 15,000 miles and I do not thrash it or power-slide
 >through corners. I have now had the original Pirelli P6000s replaced
 >with Michelins, which I understand should last rather better, though it
 >seems that the Focus (or my model) has something of a reputation for
 >getting through rubber.
 >
 >What sort of tyre life do others see?
 >
When I had P6000's, I would get around 20,000 miles on the fronts and
I'd replace then when they were down to 2mm.

You've not had your suspension lowered?

--
Paul Giverin

British Jet Engine Website <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.britjet.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.britjet.co.uk</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Focus TDCi tyre wear 

"Mark Scott" <mylastnameME.TakeThisOut@talk21.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2004.11.08.22.22.14.62654@talk21.com...
 >I had my 2-year-old Focus TDCi serviced today and was rather surprised to
 > be told that both front tyres were worn down to 1.6mm on the inside. The
 > car has done only 15,000 miles...
 >
 > ...What sort of tyre life do others see?

My last set of GoodYear NCT5's lasted about 20K, and I had them replaced
before they hit 2mm, and that's with some fairly spirited driving, though
not the overtly wheel spinning type, just push on driving and making the
most of the engine and handling. My original Michelin Energy XV1's lasted
about 15K I think. Certainly much less than the NCT5's. Make sure you get
proper V speed rated tyres fitted as replacements. I had to get an almost
new front NCT5 replaced due to a puncture in the sidewall, and the tyre
dealer palmed me off with an H rated one hoping I wouldnt notice, which he
replaced some weeks later when he managed to get the proper one. There's a
noticable difference in handling.




G.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Focus TDCi tyre wear 

 > both front tyres were worn down to 1.6mm on the inside.
 > The car has done only 15,000 miles

Check the front alignment. The wear pattern suggests
the toe or camber requires adjustment.

FRONT
\ /
| |
REAR

Don<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Focus TDCi tyre wear 

"Mark Scott" <mylastnameME.DeleteThis@talk21.com> wrote in message
news:pan.2004.11.08.22.22.14.62654@talk21.com...
 >I had my 2-year-old Focus TDCi serviced today and was rather surprised to
 > be told that both front tyres were worn down to 1.6mm on the inside. The
 > car has done only 15,000 miles and I do not thrash it or power-slide
 > through corners. I have now had the original Pirelli P6000s replaced
 > with Michelins, which I understand should last rather better, though it
 > seems that the Focus (or my model) has something of a reputation for
 > getting through rubber.
 >
 > What sort of tyre life do others see?
 >

My 2001 1.8 Ghia just had its two year service @18,900. Both front P6000's
were down to 2mm. The rears just over 4mm. This is par for the course on the
Focus in my experience (unless you drive very slowly!). My previous Focus
went through it fronts (NCT3's) in less than 12K. Replaced them with P6000's
which lasted over 18K, so consistent at least.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Focus TDCi tyre wear 

"Mojo JoJo" <jf2273nospam.RemoveThis@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:LsSjd.5124$_J2.3038@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
 > Do you ever get your tires balanced and rotated?
 >
 > Mojo
 >
 > "Mark Scott" <mylastnameME.RemoveThis@talk21.com> wrote in message
 > news:pan.2004.11.08.22.22.14.62654@talk21.com...
  > >I had my 2-year-old Focus TDCi serviced today and was rather surprised to
  > > be told that both front tyres were worn down to 1.6mm on the inside.
The
  > > car has done only 15,000 miles and I do not thrash it or power-slide
  > > through corners. I have now had the original Pirelli P6000s replaced
  > > with Michelins, which I understand should last rather better, though it
  > > seems that the Focus (or my model) has something of a reputation for
  > > getting through rubber.
  > >
  > > What sort of tyre life do others see?

From my experience of Michelin's you wont get more mileage from them than
the P6000's, i've tried several and gone back to the P6000's which I rate as
excellant.

On my 1.8 Zetec I get 25k per set, rotating them front to back after around
12000 miles. If you didnt rotate I would imagine you'd get about 15k from
the front set, but I do drive the car at about 80% of its handling
capability at times.

I always get a perfect wear pattern front and back, so would suggest you
have your Focus checked on a decent 4 wheel laser aligner- something is not
right if they are wearing on the inside edges...

What pressures are you running? For the 1.8 petrol I find that 30psi front
and 28 rear is good, for the slightly heavier TDCi I might try 31 or 32psi
in the front and 28 rear (no rear passengers or luggage)

Tim..<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Focus TDCi tyre wear 

So it sounds like my experience is not wildly out of line. For info, the
car is a bog-standard, unmodified-in-any-way Ghia spec TDCi,
company-provided on a full service lease contract. I have not had the
tyres rebalanced, rotated or anything. According to the guy who replaced
the tyres, the leasing company in question will not pay for tracking or
alignment checks, and can sometimes be reluctant to agree to new tyres if
the mileage seems too far on the low side. So long as they cough up for
replacements when the tyres reach the legal limit, I am not going to
complain.
 >> Stay informed about: Focus TDCi tyre wear