Nissan Patrol tyres badly worn

Young Bill,

The Bridgestone Dueler A/T's on my 4.2l Patrol only lasted about 38,000km and were totally stuffed. Guy at work with a 3.0l got about 30,000km and that is not towing anything. Plenty of high speed stuff though.

If you are planning anything longer than a week away I would be looking at some new rubber.

Don't feel bad about the car that is typical for the original equipment tyres. You will get a dozen different opinions about what to put on it. I will keep out of that because the tyres I put on mine did not do much better than the OE stuff and the latest set haven't been there long enough to say. What tyres is probalby the toughest question you will have to ask about your 4x4 and it comes up at pretty regular intervals. Good luck

Duncs

I have a December 2003 Patrol (3.0 auto) and I replaced the original tyres at 25000 KM. I estimate that there was about 10000 left in them but I wanted to do some rough trips and to tow a camper. I replaced them with BFG A/T and had an ARB suspension upgrade (OME springs and shocks) to get the vehicle to sit right when towing. It was all money well spent. I am afraid that in this game it is necessary to upgrade if you want to operate safely at maximum weight in off road conditions.

I guess that Nissan do not put tough tyres and better suspension on the vehicles because it would push the price up too much. It is always an option for the purchaser anyway and a good tyre company will give you credit for unused rubber. I don't think that ARB will give a credit for unused suspension however!

By the way I have just had the dealer's 40,000 KM service done Standard charge is $745.00. With a couple of extra additives there was little change out of $800.00.

They cost money to operate.

Young Bill,
It seems that most people that I've spoken to on this subject have managed around 35000k's on their original D963's. When I had my 40,000K service the dealer said that I need to look at new tires, but I did manage to get 56,000 before they got down to the wear tabs. I think that my problem was that the Nissan dealer kept over inflating them. When the car was new it had 45psi in them and now I'm running 36, but I have always been rotating all 5 every 10,000K’s.
I have now upgraded to D694's in 265/75R16 and that has solved a few problems with speedo and puncture resistance, and they’re much cheaper.
The only things that I can think of that will give you premature tire wear would be pressures and alignment and balance. Surely you would feel if anything was out of balance, and if the car tracks straight, there would be no alignment issues. I could only assume that the weight could be a contributing factor because I would expect the fronts to wear faster.
Chaz

Young Bill

Don't worry...its normal. The 3.0 litres run a 70 profile tyre. Othe patrols run a 75 profile. The 70's are useless in every way. The reason you have worn the tyres out in the centre is because the steal belts and rubber across the face (the part on the road) is week and at speed gravity pulls the centre of the tyre out and you wear them quickly. Just like over inflation.

Just buy something else this time. You can get most brands even cheaper anyway and they all do a better job IMHO.

A friend has just bought a new set of COOPER ATR's and they seem great and are well priced. WHat ever you get...suggest you go to a 75 profile anyway. you won't notice any difference in normal driving but off road performance and tyre life will be greatly improved.

Seeya

G'Day,

Last tyre guy I went to for replacements for the GU pointed to the "turbo" sticker on the side of the vehicle, said many of his regular customers had halved the mileage they were getting since they switched to turbo vehicles.

Go for the 75 series in a LT tyre and the problem will reduce

Rolande

35,000 You have done very well. Keep up the good work.

g'day all,
Many, many thanks for all your answers - they all gave about the same advice and so now I will go look for more suitable tyres.
Hope I can help you all some time.
Best wishes to you all
Bill

Thanks Robert T, Yes it all helps a lot. Interesting that some of the replies have recommended 75/s and yet they have not been good for you. Do you think it might have something to do with brand of tyre?
Thanks again,
Bill