Virage Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Hi guys, Sorry if this has been asked before - I've done a quick search both on here and further afield and have realised that cracked tyres are very bad news. But I need some advice as to whether I'll need to replace these tyres. I had some traction issues during the recent wet weather (which turned out to be the road surface) that prompted me to check the tread left on my tyres. Both front and rear were between 5.5 and 6mm, which I was pleased with. But then I noticed cracking on the front tyres. This is the first time I've come across this, so wanted to ask for some guidance. In a nutshell, is this cracking bad enough to warrant new tyres? I am not sure if any level of cracking is acceptable, or whether there are limits (as with tread depth, for instance) that need to be adhered to. Only had the car a few days, and really should have spotted this when I bought it! The tyres are Avon ZZ3, FWIW. Thanks in advance for any advice...and curse that opportunistic spider! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsexr Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 old age mate, replace em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shenley Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Tyre gels don't help, check the sidewall for date of manufacture. They start to degrade after five years. The date is shown as week and year in four numbers ie: "5014" = 50th week of 2014 etc. Just don't open the boot and look at the date on the spare wheel.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virage Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Ah that's useful. I will check to see when they were made tomorrow morning. It sounds like I'm in need of a new pair regardless of the date, though! It seems the ZZ3 is getting harder to come by. I definitely don't want to have different tyres front and rear, so am not sure what to do next. I'd hoped to save for some MPSS while getting some use out of these ones, but maybe I'll need to look for something slightly more affordable so that I can buy a full set. Thanks for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 I'd definitely be replacing those, no question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virage Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 Well that seals it! I've read a lot of your posts, Dan, and will follow your advice. Off to do some research, then! First thing I'll do is see when the rears were produced (they have around 6mm of tread so shouldn't wear out anytime soon) to see if buying ZZ3s for the front is an option. Seems like the ZZ3 is quite well regarded and that will give me time to save for a set of MPSS once the rears need replacing. That's assuming I can find somewhere to buy the ZZ3 from. If that's a no go I'll look into all the reviews on here to find a decent set to replace all four with. Thanks again for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 No worries fella. Assuming there's no cracking on the rear, I'd definitely be hunting for a pair of front ZZ3s. Try eBay as well for some part worms, you may find a decent pair on there with enough tread left on to take a punt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virage Posted September 4, 2015 Author Share Posted September 4, 2015 I've found a few places that stock the ZZ3, sadly none in the size I need. eBay is a good call, though, will give that a shot too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetSet Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Tyre gels don't help, check the sidewall for date of manufacture. They start to degrade after five years. The date is shown as week and year in four numbers ie: "5014" = 50th week of 2014 etc. Just don't open the boot and look at the date on the spare wheel.......... Yes, both my original rears and the remaining original front tyre were found to be cracked in October 2010 and the car was registered in January 2006, just under 5 years old. Considering that my Zed sat in a showroom for 13 months before I bought it in February 2007 then it looks like rubber perishes with age. Sadly there was only 9k on the clock then and while the rears only had 2 or 3k left on them the front one would have been good for another 10k at least. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHEZZA Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 (edited) Here's some Avon's on tyre leader that were manufactured in 2012. To keep you going till MPSS time maybe. Should be good for a couple of years. http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/avon/zz3/225-45-r18-95y-369159 I've always found tyre leader good. Here's the MPSS http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/michelin/pilot-super-sport/225-45-zr18-95y-190353 http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/michelin/pilot-super-sport/245-45-zr18-100y-190360 Edited September 5, 2015 by SHEZZA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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