Any problem with 97T tires... at least for a little while? Fire damage?
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Any problem with 97T tires... at least for a little while? Fire damage?
As I mentioned in an earlier thread, Dad's '97 Riviera (engine) caught fire. Thought front tires would have been damaged, but they seem fine and are still holding air. I can likely get the almost-new 97T Michelin HydroEdge tires (225/60/16) for free or next-to-nothing.
Right now, I'm running almost-used-up 97V Goodyear Eagle RS-A's that don't impress me one bit. Problem is that I need to put $$ into a few other issues before new tires (likely Conti).
1. I checked threads here and while T-rated tires are touched- (and seemingly frowned-)upon, they have been used. Thoughts? Even for the short term... spring/summer driving under 90?
2. What is the chance the engine fire damaged the front tires -- even though they still hold air just fine and look good visually? I'm thinking that since heat rises and the tires are to the side and below the engine...
Right now, I'm running almost-used-up 97V Goodyear Eagle RS-A's that don't impress me one bit. Problem is that I need to put $$ into a few other issues before new tires (likely Conti).
1. I checked threads here and while T-rated tires are touched- (and seemingly frowned-)upon, they have been used. Thoughts? Even for the short term... spring/summer driving under 90?
2. What is the chance the engine fire damaged the front tires -- even though they still hold air just fine and look good visually? I'm thinking that since heat rises and the tires are to the side and below the engine...
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Heat is the tire killer.
Catastrophic tire failure from tread or ply seperation is normally the result of simple overheating. When a tire rolls, the rubber flexes and generates heat; and the faster it rolls, the hotter it gets. If the tire gets too hot, it eventually just flies apart. Overheating is caused by one or more of the following ...
1. Excessive speed
2. Low tire pressure
3. Overloading (load capacity is approximately proportional to tire pressure)
4. Poor quality control of the tire building process
5. Inferior design-construction-raw materials (i.e. low cost)
The T-rated tire is rated for 118 mph max, lower than the top speed of an A8; and almost by definition, the tire has the attributes of #5 above.
You can use a T-rated tire on an A8, but recognize that you're using up the safety margins designed into the car. If you're going to do it, absolutely do not exceed 118 mph, do not overload the car, and check tire pressures frequently.
1. Excessive speed
2. Low tire pressure
3. Overloading (load capacity is approximately proportional to tire pressure)
4. Poor quality control of the tire building process
5. Inferior design-construction-raw materials (i.e. low cost)
The T-rated tire is rated for 118 mph max, lower than the top speed of an A8; and almost by definition, the tire has the attributes of #5 above.
You can use a T-rated tire on an A8, but recognize that you're using up the safety margins designed into the car. If you're going to do it, absolutely do not exceed 118 mph, do not overload the car, and check tire pressures frequently.
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