I serviced my car today & I took the wheels off to inspect the brakes & I checked the tread of the tyres. After close inspection of the rear tyres I noticed that on the inside of both back tyres there were slices in the inside edges going down onto the side wall:eek:. If happened to one tyre I would have thought that I could have run over something, but both:confused:

What could be possible causes? Ok the rear tyres are budget tyres (nankang) that came originally with the alloys & I was going to fit my new alloys at the end of the month fitted with Hankook v12 evo tyres, but still I would like to know what could have caused this.

These pics are on the inside of the rear O/S tyre, the one on the rear N/S tyre was worse.:(

The answer is cheap tyres from China. Having read the report in Autocar on cheap tyres,which was quite an eye opener, but not to be unexpected,these tyres are downright dangerous.In fact some tests were not completed for safety reasons.They had problems with cracking and tread tearing off,but cannot remember which make this was on.Anyway if you can find this report anywhere its worth reading ,before driving a car with these ditch finders fitted.

How old are the tyres?

I'm sure I've read something saying you shouldn't go over 50mph on tyres over 4 years old......? Think it was a Skoda document, I'll look it up. Anyway!

The crack shape kinda indicates the tyre structure is cack! I wouldn't do any high speeds on those mate. If the sidewall lets go at 100mph your be in a spot of bother!

FYI tyres do dry out over time, and lose their plyability and grip. If you ever store tyres, you need to put them in black bin bags or a big black bin, and keep them away from heat/sunlight.

The answer is cheap tyres from China. Having read the report in Autocar on cheap tyres,which was quite an eye opener, but not to be unexpected,these tyres are downright dangerous.In fact some tests were not completed for safety reasons.They had problems with cracking and tread tearing off,but cannot remember which make this was on.Anyway if you can find this report anywhere its worth reading ,before driving a car with these ditch finders fitted.

:iagree:

Not sure about those cracks, but on a different note, you will like the Hankook Evo V12's they are awesome.

I wouldn't think that tread will be staying attached to the rest of the tyre for much longer if you have cracks like that in it.

Time to do the tyre change.

Actually, I have a feeling that, if you're caught driving on those tyres, you might be looking at 6 points and a fine.

I had an Audi A4 on TT replica alloys like yours, they came with some deathtrap tyres on, and 4 months after buying it I had to replace 3 tyres due to it failing the MOT - splits in the sidewalls. I replaced all 4 with Continentals and never had the same problem again.

The tyres are about two years old. I changed the fronts to Hankook v12 evo's 6 months ago.

The Hankook's have been a really great tyre so far. Brilliant in the wet.

I only left the Nangkang's on the rear, to get me through the winter weather untill the better weather arrived to fit my new alloys.

I've planned to transfer the Hankooks from the front wheels to my new alloys & hopefully two more new Hankook tyres will arrive through the post tomorrow from Camskill.

The scary thing looking back, I had a brisk drive out around the peak district with some members from the Civic TypeR owners club the previous weekend:eek: That probably what caused it the tyre to go:D

Your quite right KenOneill about the plod. I have only risked using the car on short journeys since I have spotted it & I have now done the sensible thing & parked it up untill I get my new alloys fitted.