TRX Tires 240/55VR415 | Page 2 | FerrariChat

TRX Tires 240/55VR415

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by Part Time, Feb 17, 2019.

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  1. roger21

    roger21 Formula Junior

    Aug 13, 2015
    262
    France
    Full Name:
    Stéphane
    I can understand your reluctance about date code but as for me I don’t worry much.
    Everybody agrees that compound loses efficiency with age but do they become “really” dangerous?
    States or insurances don’t give any expiry date,
    manufacturers generally state that tyres should not last more than ten years but warranty runs from the date of sale and not from manufacturing date
    Periodic vehicle safety control don’t take care about it (In France at least)
    So as I rarely drive in a sports way, never under rain neither at the maximum speed I’ll probably won’t change mine before they really give sign of age like visible dryness or cracks...
    I agree it may not be the safest way!
    (I confess that since I have seen my mechanic test drive my other car at 110 mph with 25 years old spare tyre rated 50 Max on it I may a bit overconfident!:))
     
  2. Part Time

    Part Time Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 16, 2013
    494
    Port St. Lucie, Fl
    Full Name:
    Gary Shore
  3. rovexienus

    rovexienus Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2010
    562
    Sainte Colombe, France (near Lyon)
    Full Name:
    Jean-Michel Savary
    Here is what happened to a 22 years old TRX while driving on the motorway at 130kph. I suddenly felt heavy vibrations, I thought I had a serious wheel problem (like a bearing for example). I stopped to look at the wheel, but did not see anything wrong from the outside (the lost piece of rubber was on the inside of the wheel). I drove very slowly to the next exit. The mechanic who changed the wheel said I was lucky the tire did not blow up completely at that speed.

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  4. roger21

    roger21 Formula Junior

    Aug 13, 2015
    262
    France
    Full Name:
    Stéphane
    Ooops! Scary...
    Bonsoir Jean-Michel I am glad that you made it safely!
    To clarify my point, I never meant that running on aged tyres was not dangerous!
    Your experience illustrates my thought: 22 years is really far from 10 and from what I can see on your picture your tyre/compound looks really dry and cracked.
    So, as manufacturers state, it depends on many factors and there is no rule or expiry date. Regularly watch your tyres and check the pressure, have them inspected by a professional and make your decision...
     
  5. rovexienus

    rovexienus Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2010
    562
    Sainte Colombe, France (near Lyon)
    Full Name:
    Jean-Michel Savary
    Merci Stéphane, indeed this event has completely changed my attention to tyres!
     
  6. sebackman

    sebackman Karting

    May 19, 2010
    138
    Europe
    Hi,

    I use TRX GT 240x45x415. Little more modern and feels better on the car. Pattern close enough to be ok and better grip & less noise.
     
  7. rovexienus

    rovexienus Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2010
    562
    Sainte Colombe, France (near Lyon)
    Full Name:
    Jean-Michel Savary
    Unless the suspension has been adjusted, the 240x45 415 makes the chassis nearly one inch lower compared to 240x55 415. So for example the low point of the exhaust manifold is sitting around 3 inches from the ground with 240x45, which is pretty low.
     
  8. roger21

    roger21 Formula Junior

    Aug 13, 2015
    262
    France
    Full Name:
    Stéphane
    My car was fitted with TRX GT when I bought it. In addition to making the car look odd (wheels look small and fenders empty), I had to avoid any speed bump or underground parking lot not to ear that awful mettalic sound of manifolds rubbing on asphalt... :confused:
    (Well I am not totally reassured even today with the 240x55...)
     
  9. rovexienus

    rovexienus Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2010
    562
    Sainte Colombe, France (near Lyon)
    Full Name:
    Jean-Michel Savary
    Thanks Stéphane, yes the car is already pretty low as it is with 240x55. One added change with 240x45 is that the kilometer counter and the speed counter are indicating an additional 7% too high, so for a given true speed the engine is revving higher and cooling less.
     
  10. roger21

    roger21 Formula Junior

    Aug 13, 2015
    262
    France
    Full Name:
    Stéphane
  11. Longstone Tyres

    Longstone Tyres Formula 3
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    Feb 2, 2006
    1,809
    Full Name:
    Dougal
    Blimey

    Standard 240/55 tyres https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelin-classic-tyres/trx/240-55vr415-michelin-trx.html have a diameter of 679mm

    240/45 tyres https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/michelin-classic-tyres/trx/240-45vr415-michelin-trx-gt.html have a diameter of 640mm

    to translate that 38mm difference, is 1.5 inches difference in diameter.

    Just as a note. when you buy tyres for your modern car they could easily be anything up to 3 years old when you fit them. Of course the more obsolete or obscure the tyre the more difficult it is for manufacturers to keep fresher stock.

    The rate at which a tyre deteriorates dramatically increases after they are first driven on.

    The failed 22 year old TRX is actually a demonstration of the quality of Michelin. that is really old for a tyre and the fact that just a bit of tread fell off is considerably better than the carcass failing, which could well be expected when it is no longer protected by the tread. However by the looks of it you stopped pretty quick.

    Please don't think that the likes of top brand manufacturers such as Pirelli or Michelin do not support their products. It isn't right to say "warranty runs from the date of sale". If ever you have an issue with a tyre that comes from us. please do contact us and we will resolve the problem. (although maybe a 22 year old tyre would be pushing it)
     
    Al Campbell, Schumi and ONSilver like this.
  12. Longstone Tyres

    Longstone Tyres Formula 3
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  13. Santa Fe Jeff

    Santa Fe Jeff Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 6, 2015
    70
    Santa Fe, NM
    Dang! I just bought four for my 400i from you guys about two weeks ago to replace the ones from 2003. Looks like I "missed it by that much"
     
  14. Longstone Tyres

    Longstone Tyres Formula 3
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    Feb 2, 2006
    1,809
    Full Name:
    Dougal
    Sorry. If only i had a chrystal ball.

    Hindsight is the great tormentor
     

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