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+MXM 4&partnum=245WR8MXM4HX&vehicleSearch=true&fromComp are1=yes&place=40&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&sp eed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_r ating=(Y)&minSpeedRating=H

Here's a link to all tires sizes for this vehicle: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...9&startIndex=0

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

 

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

 

Well that made zero sense!

 

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.

 

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