The 18" wheels look to have low-profile tires on them. I know the SS is relatively new, but I was wondering how the tires are wearing and how many miles you think the set will get you. Also, when replacing, does anyone know the approximate cost to put new rubber on this car?

on edit - I realize the answer to these questions will vary a lot depending on how you drive, whether it be aggressively spinning the tires or cruising around like a grandma. I will be doing mostly highway cruising to work, so I should be able to get on the high side of the range.

The OEM Michelin's have a treadwear rating of 300, so I would estimate you would easily get 40,000 miles if properly cared for. According to a search on tirerack.com, there are 45 tires available in the proper size, so you have a wide variety to choose from. When it's time for tires here, it will be either

1. Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (three pounds each lighter than the stock tires) :twothumbs
2. Yokohama Advan Sport (three pounds each lighter than the stock tires) :twothumbs

Here's a link to the OEM tires: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+HX+MXM4&partnum=245WR8MXM4HX&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=40&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=(Y)&minSpeedRating=H (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+HX+MXM4&partnum=245WR8MXM4HX&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=40&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=%28Y%29&minSpeedRating=H)

Here's a link to all tires sizes for this vehicle: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?sortValue=1&filterType=all&resultsNumberSelected=Y&displayResults=45&compare=true&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoModel=HHR+SS&autoYear=2008&autoModClar=&vehicleSearch=true&compareList=&RunFlat=All&goWhere=%252Ftires%252FCompare1.jsp&minLoad=S&loadRank=2&minSpeedRating=H&sortCode=53700&width=225%2F&ratio=45&diameter=18&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=%28Y%29&startIndex=0

Here's a comparison of the OEM and the three tires I would consider:

http://www.andersonperformance.net/08hhrsstirecomparo.jpg

Depends on when they were made. Tire life is expected to be 6 years for date of birth. On the side of your tire there is a marking such as 4302. That means your tire was built in the 43rd week of 2002, also 348 which is 34th week of 1998. Just my :2cents:

Well that made zero sense!

Depends on when they were made. Tire life is expected to be 6 years for date of birth. On the side of your tire there is a marking such as 4302. That means your tire was built in the 43rd week of 2002, also 348 which is 34th week of 1998. Just my :2cents:

There are many other factors that affect tire life more than date of manufacture; Driving style, environmental conditions, and tire tread wear rating to name a few of the big one's. I would have to think about this one, but I'm not sure date of manufacture would even be a factor for a daily driver.

Not trying to highjack this thread,BUT.
It makes sense if people's treads are falling off after 6 years. Many people have died because of this. Great Britain has made a large to do about this. Manufacturers are not letting the public know that tires will deteriorate after 6 six years and the tread WILL come apart, even if they have "NOT" been used at all. The North American public has been blinded by the tire manufacturers for ages about this issue.

To some points, I agree with CokeyBill....regarding a potential safety issue,

I recent article in our local fish rap indicated, after investigation, some shops are selling tires that have been manufactured in 1999-2003.....few but some. Those dealers saw nothing wrong with this. The tire manufacturers, who were contacted, stated essentially the same thing as Cokey.

I learned a few "things" about tires, in my former career. Tire Rep's ALWAYS used tires for tests, generated from the same batch. According to them, tires made on different days, weeks, could affect ride, because of different humidities, temperatures, even the manufactuing processes. This is not to say ANY of the tires were faulty or bad, just that you MAY get better performance, longevity, from tires of the same "batch" or matched.

Oh, wanted to mention one other thing.....

You have no guarantee that a specific tire used on one type of car will provide the same results on another type of car.....Cobalt vs HHR, Mustang vs Corvette, etc. for example.

I've never had a tire last more than 3 years due to wear, so 6 years is certainly not an issue for me.

Based on the tires posted, it looks like about a cool grand for a new set of shoes for the HHR SS.

I'd be surprised if these tires went more than 25K or 30K.

I'd be surprised if these tires went more than 25K or 30K.

With my HRC tune, I'm thinking more like 20k... at least for the front ones :eek:

The 18" wheels look to have low-profile tires on them. I know the SS is relatively new, but I was wondering how the tires are wearing and how many miles you think the set will get you. Also, when replacing, does anyone know the approximate cost to put new rubber on this car?

on edit - I realize the answer to these questions will vary a lot depending on how you drive, whether it be aggressively spinning the tires or cruising around like a grandma. I will be doing mostly highway cruising to work, so I should be able to get on the high side of the range.
I don't know! I always trade my car in on a new one when I need new tires! LOL! Seriously. (Maybe it's a chick thing)!

Depends on who's driving if i'm driving might not be long at all....every stop sign and light is a 1/4 mile LOL

With my HRC tune, I'm thinking more like 20k... at least for the front ones :eek:

don't you rotate?

don't you rotate?

Yes, very quickly ;)

The distance you can drive on your tires has a direct relationship to the quality of the potholes you do not see.:thumb: :bow:

Thnx for this post! It is cause for merriment! WTF does date of mfr. have to do with any damned thing! No ....... please do NOT try to explain that to me.........

Yes, very quickly ;)

touche! :lol:

I'll settle for 40k on tires, the problem is that'll set me up for new tires about every year anna half. I do 115 miles on a to/from with work myself so i never had tires last all that long compared to the average driver.I try to hopefully time new tires (with my prev trucks) with a upcoming winter driving season. Now with the SS as my daily driver i'm really thinking about biting the bullet and go with winter rims/tires and switch out for the changing seasons (and will prob give the illusion that my tires are lasting longer since i'll hopefully have 2 sets LOL)

Thnx for this post! It is cause for merriment! WTF does date of mfr. have to do with any damned thing! No ....... please do NOT try to explain that to me.........

Go to grocery store. Buy jar of mayonnaise. Put in cupboard for 5 years. Eat. Report back to us (if you can) on how that went for you.

Go to grocery store. Buy jar of mayonnaise. Put in cupboard for 5 years. Eat. Report back to us (if you can) on how that went for you.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

As a boat owner. A trailer tires get maybe 50 miles a year or less. Those tires need to be replaced every 5-6 years.

This is DUMB!!!! Mfr. date means NOTHING for this post! No one here is going to drive an SS in such a way that tires will last over six years! That was not what the original question was about! ..and as far as me eating old mayo? Say "Hi!" to your mother for me and you can eat the mayo and more!!! Mods should have cleaned that before I read it.........

Danko.....

I think the intent, at least in my case, is to ensure that people are aware of a potential problem WHEN PURCHASING REPLACEMENT TIRES. Some dealers, even some of the big ones, may be a little unscrupulous (possibly even unintentionally) when selling a replacement tire (s).

Would you accept one, or a pair, of tires in a complete set....that was 4-5 years old.

The OP did say "when replacing" also.

I think the intent, at least in my case, is to ensure that people are aware of a potential problem WHEN PURCHASING REPLACEMENT TIRES. Some dealers, even some of the big ones, may be a little unscrupulous (possibly even unintentionally) when selling a replacement tire (s).




I fully understand the basis of the question originally asked here on life of tires,,
But Snoopy is dead on about "shelf life" of replacement tires being sold as what the public assumes are "fresh".
There was a recent show about this very same thing (20/20 or the likes)where tires with up to something like 5 year old "born on " dates were sold to unsuspecting buyers.
I quess there is a rule about how old a tire can be b4 it cannot be sold and has to be returned to the maker. Some large chains (bad memory here, so i won't post names) were selling tires way past the timeframe when they could.(along with all the hidden camera TV stuff of the excuses salesmen/dealers etc, gave as to why these old tires were sold.) the number/code on a tire will tell you stuff like when it was made,and even when the TV crew "customers" questioned the date on the tire, a lot of the tire dept people gave a whole range of lies/excuses and did a lot of backpedaling when they got busted by the tv reporter.

Sorry to highjack the thread here, but IMO this aspect IS a important part of buying tires, tho it is prob a very small percentage where this occurred (But how many innocent/unknowing family members or just plain Joe Public people are driving on the roads we are also..not knowing of the dangers of these tires) I quess this all came to light when someone wrecked (or likely got hurt or even killed) when it was found that the tire that blew out was a "new" tire bought a short time b4, and someone spotted the born on date,,

Carry on, mebbe one day i'll be posting my new winter tires 'n wheels for my black snowplow.
:thumb:

I can't say I ever thought about the "age" of a replacement tire.

..and as far as me eating old mayo? Say "Hi!" to your mother for me and you can eat the mayo and more!!! Mods should have cleaned that before I read it.........

Are you 7?

http://www.drinkandshare.com/noninana/images/Kleenex.jpg

The 18" wheels look to have low-profile tires on them. I know the SS is relatively new, but I was wondering how the tires are wearing and how many miles you think the set will get you. Also, when replacing, does anyone know the approximate cost to put new rubber on this car?

on edit - I realize the answer to these questions will vary a lot depending on how you drive, whether it be aggressively spinning the tires or cruising around like a grandma. I will be doing mostly highway cruising to work, so I should be able to get on the high side of the range.
If a few folks could PM me their mileage and tread depth (measure each tire 3 locations across, then average all 12 readings) we could get a decent sample. My sample of 2 has an obvious kink in it, and other than tires tend to wear at a higher rate when the tread is deeper, I am not sure why. My projection to 25,000 miles is pure conjecture, and just a random estimate.

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/9/0/4/treadwear.jpg

I found some General UHP tires for under $100 each. I have a set on my charger, they are great so far and the tread life on them is 40,000 also.

Here is an update, and looks pretty good for projected 25,000 miles. I am definitely getting these same tires for our BMW 3 series which eats tires at a ridiculous rate even though driven easily! The few Boyscouts out there might even do much better, as I definitely drive hard, and spin the tires at least once a day.

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/9/0/4/treadwear_23754.jpg

I'm pretty sure I've got a half jar of mayo at least 5 years old in the fridge. Maybe some pickles too. Hmm

I'm sure I can get at least 30K out of these tires with proper rotation. I'm usually pretty good on tires, given most of the miles are interstate driving.

30K only gets me 1.5 years. I was hoping to get two years out of the tires. We'll see.

Mine are wearing well , but these are all hiway miles and I keep an eye on thetire pressure and have rotated them twice. I am hoping to get 40,000 out of mine and it is looking good so far. They are wearing evenly also. Alot depends on how you drive and how you take care of them. Like they say pay me now or pay me later.:thumb:

I'm getting an interesting wear pattern on mine...


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/16/21573076_30e7785f4a.jpg

I'm taking mine to get them Nitrogen filled...on Fri.

Inflation, rotation, and driving habits all play into this.

While we all know accleraton takes it toll many forget about corning and even worse is braking wear. Tires wear more under hard braking than just about anything.

Most OE perfromance tires are set to wear at 40,000 miles under perfect conditions but in general 25,000-30,000 is all we will see. THose who drive hard all the time will see less.

As for age of a tire a lot depends on how and where they are stored and quality they were to start with.

Mine are wearing well , but these are all hiway miles and I keep an eye on thetire pressure and have rotated them twice.

What do you do with the tire pressure monitors when the tires are rotated?

I'm taking mine to get them Nitrogen filled...on Fri.

The air we breath is about 78% nitrogen. Expelling the other 22% of oxygen and misc minor gasses may not be the panacea the salesman is wanting you to believe it is.

Cecil Adams is the next best thing to an encyclopedia (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2694/is-it-better-to-fill-your-tires-with-nitrogen-instead-of-air)

the Michelin HX MXM4s which came on the SS models (18s) have no treadlife warranty. Previous experience (with similar performance-sized tires) says they "might" last around 30,000, if the car is kept aligned, the tires are regularly rotated, and are properly inflated. You will rarely find a "perforamce" tire with any kind of treadwear warranty.
the 17" Firestones have a 40,000 mile warranty and the 16s are supposed to last 50,000, I'll believe that when I see it.
for the poster who asked why tires wear faster when new, its because as the tire is driven on, it generates heat. Then the rubber heats up and cools off, it gets harder as time goes by. The (now) harder rubber doesn't wear as fast (and the vehicle will also handle differently).

I had an '06' LT and the stock tires '17' only lasted roughly 30K, I have an '08' SS and can't wait to have to put new rubbers on it. When I replaced the rubbers on the '06' I put Yokohoma's on it with a 1" thicker side wall; suprisingly enough they changed the ride to the better.

The air we breath is about 78% nitrogen. Expelling the other 22% of oxygen and misc minor gasses may not be the panacea the salesman is wanting you to believe it is.

Cecil Adams is the next best thing to an encyclopedia (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2694/is-it-better-to-fill-your-tires-with-nitrogen-instead-of-air)

This nitrogen blah, blah, will never end..lol

This nitrogen blah, blah, will never end..lol

Agreed.

What do you do with the tire pressure monitors when the tires are rotated?


I have rotated mine twice already also, and have over 19K on them. I'll measure the tread depth tonite and post results, but I believe they have at least half the tread depth left. I do a lot of highway driving obviously, but I do my share of tire spinnin' also! :p:

When you rotate the tires you teach the TPM system the new tire location on the car with a sequence that is spelled out in the owners manual. By pressing the both the lock & unlock butons on the keyfob at once it starts the process, and ea. blinker will come on for a couple minutes to let you know which corner of the car to let some air out of that particular tire. It is pretty cool!:eek:

<snip> When you rotate the tires you teach the TPM system the new tire location on the car with a sequence that is spelled out in the owners manual. By pressing the both the lock & unlock butons on the keyfob at once it starts the process, and ea. blinker will come on for a couple minutes to let you know which corner of the car to let some air out of that particular tire. It is pretty cool!:eek:

I didn't read this in the owners manual, thanks for the info. It's on page 5-65 and reads the following:

TPMS Sensor Matching Process
Each TPMS sensor has a unique identification code.
Any time you replace one or more of the TPMS sensors
or rotate the vehicle’s tires, the identification codes
need to be matched to the new tire/wheel location.
The sensors are matched, to the tire/wheel locations,
in the following order: driver side front tire, passenger
side front tire, passenger side rear tire, and driver
side rear tire using a TPMS diagnostic tool. See your
dealer/retailer for service.
The TPMS sensors can also be matched to each
tire/wheel position by increasing or decreasing the tire’s
air pressure. When increasing the tire’s pressure, do
not exceed the maximum inflation pressure indicated on
the tire’s sidewall. To decrease the tire’s air-pressure
use the pointed end of the valve cap, a pencil-style
air pressure gage, or a key.
You have two minutes to match each tire and wheel
position. If it takes longer than two minutes to match any
tire and wheel position, the matching process stops
and you need to start over.

The TPMS matching process is outlined below:

1. Set the parking brake.

2. Turn the ignition switch to ON/RUN with the
engine off.

3. Press and hold the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
transmitter’s LOCK and UNLOCK buttons, at the
same time, for about five seconds to start the TPMS
learn mode. The horn sounds twice indicating the
TPMS receiver is ready and in learn mode.

4. Start with the driver side front tire. The driver side
front turn signal also comes on to indicate that
corner’s sensor is ready to be learned.

5. Remove the valve cap from the tire’s valve stem.
Activate the TPMS sensor by increasing or
decreasing the tire’s air pressure for about
eight seconds. The horn chirp, can take up to
30 seconds to sound. It chirps one time and then
all the turn signals flash one time to confirm the
sensor identification code has been matched to the
tire/wheel position.

6. The passenger side front turn signal comes on to
indicate that corner sensor is ready to be learned.
Proceed to the passenger side front tire and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.

7. The passenger side rear turn signal comes on to
indicate that corner sensor is ready to be learned.
Proceed to the passenger side rear tire and
repeat the procedure in Step 5.

8. The driver side rear turn signal comes on to
indicate that corner sensor is ready to be learned.
Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat
the procedure in Step 5.

9. After hearing the single horn chirp for the driver
side rear tire, two additional horn chirps sound to
indicate the tire learning process is done. Turn the
ignition switch to LOCK/OFF.

If no tires are learned after entering the TPMS
learn mode, or if communication with the receiver
stops, or if the time limit has expired, turn the
ignition switch to LOCK/OFF and start over
beginning with Step 2.

10. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure
level as indicated on the Tire and Loading
Information label.

11. Put the valve caps back on the valve stems.

That's a pretty cool procedure. One would assume that the dealer and/or garage is not going to follow that procedure when they rotate the tires.

That's a pretty cool procedure. One would assume that the dealer and/or garage is not going to follow that procedure when they rotate the tires.

Dealers have a tool to use. Takes about 2-3 minutes to reprogram the positions.

Customers come in weekly after the big tire discounters do their tire rotation asking why their light/message is on. I do it for free the first time, but eventually we will start charging for this.

But if we rotate or replace the tires we reset them as part of the service at no additional charge.

And as far as GM is concerned on all tires that they use, no matter what brand, they are 36,000 mile tires.

One other thing to consider is OE tires are not always the best tires.

Auto MFG like to get the best tire at the cheapest price so many times the tires are a comprimise of performance vs cost.

In some cases tiire companies may give GM a break to appear on some vehicles like the Vette and offer cover the development cost to be featured.

Goodyear for years like to be a OE MFG not because they made money but it put the Eagles out in the public eye. The bad part is the OE Eagles were not the best perfornace tires Goodyear offered. The GT and GA were cheap perfromance tires that were just not up to par with other after market offerings.

Goodyear hit some finacial problems and has gotten out of many of the OE deals as they are not profitable in many cases. Also the CEO was not happy with the poorer tires they were making. Over the last two years they have been slowly killing off many of the poor quality tires and making new lines of much better quality to replace them. Their profits have gone up and things are now turning around.

The the Pilots on out HHR is a better than average OE tire. We are lucky they used a better tire. Now the Firestone on the LT lines are just what they are round, black and cheap. GM pays little for these and we do not get the best tires that could be offered.

Other factors fall into place as in drive by sound standards and ride factors on top of milage and handling requirments. Some of these comprimise tire perfromance the non OE tires do not have to meet.

This is just a little of what goes into tires for the MFGs. Living here in Akron and having family and friends who work at several of the different tire companies over the years you see and learn a lot from them.

Either way the best we can hope for is 25-30K miles with the way most of us drive. Highway miles will add some life. Sharp off ramp curves and burn outs will decrease them accordingly.

A good example of tire ware is the Comp TA radial that came on my GTP Comp G. They were good for 25K miles with the wife driving 80% of the time. We have since put on a set of Goodyear Assurance Triple treads that have perfromed well in all weather and now have going on 40K miles with another 15K of tread left. The OE vs the non OE Assurance is apparent in this case and I have seen it in other brands and cars over the years.

Keep em aired up, rotate them and remember hard driving will lessen their life. When it is time to replace them the after market will offer better tires and not all but many times you get what you pay for.

FYI if you want cheap Goodyear tires buy Dunlop.They are owned and MFG by Goodyear and in most cases are as good but at a cheaper price. Other MFG's own private labels too and offer good deals if you know what to look for.

getting it filled for free...........so cant complain

getting it filled for free...........so cant complain

That's a price I can afford!

This nitrogen blah, blah, will never end..lol

More "science" from Ohio?

And as far as GM is concerned on all tires that they use, no matter what brand, they are 36,000 mile tires.

Interesting. I drive pretty hard, often spin up the tires in 2nd, drive twisty roads on commute, rotate every 5,000. I have 27,000, not down to the wear bars (getting new tires for trip though) I am sure I could go to 32,000 if I had to. So your number seems right on for more "restrained driving". (Just realized in a post back when I was at 8,000 miles I projected would replace tires at 25,000, pretty dang close if I do say so)

on vaca up here in Maine, will be over 29000 miles by the time we get home tomorrow night. Although I do not like these tires that much, they have provided good wear for me, for the mileage they are not even 1/2 way worned down, I should get over 50,000 miles out of them no problem. And I hardly ever rotate tires, in fact, these have never been rotated. Not saying that is the right thing to do, but it works for me. I am a big fan of correct tire pressure though, and check them every week or two. But the next set I purchased will be more performanced oriented...........

on vaca up here in Maine, will be over 29000 miles by the time we get home tomorrow night. Although I do not like these tires that much, they have provided good wear for me, for the mileage they are not even 1/2 way worned down, I should get over 50,000 miles out of them no problem. And I hardly ever rotate tires, in fact, these have never been rotated. Not saying that is the right thing to do, but it works for me. I am a big fan of correct tire pressure though, and check them every week or two. But the next set I purchased will be more performanced oriented...........

Unfortunately I have not had my tires rotated yet either. I will be getting them rotated soon when I have my next oil change and brake fix at the dealer - first time back!

i have 25k on mine and have rotated them every oil change. every 9k or so miles and i have atleast half life left on them. hope to get 50k out of them... then on to some better sneakers.

i have 25k on mine and have rotated them every oil change. every 9k or so miles and i have atleast half life left on them. hope to get 50k out of them... then on to some better sneakers.

That's good news, although I have not had any tire last me 50K miles. Pretty cloes - 45K miles on a previous Grand Prix.

I got 50k miles out of a set of tires. The car I replaced the ss w/. I had a little over 50k . I should have had new tires last winter heck probably the winter before that. If I still had the car it would be getting new tires for sure, and def. don't reccomment that but my excus was that I was still in college and poor. :lol: