How long do your tires last you?

[201er]

While on this subject of tires, and without hijacking someone else's thread, I've been wondering how long tires tend to last? I've changed all my tires since getting the plane 2 years ago but it's not looking good. Looks like my right main is going to need a replacing within 6-12 months and the left will be lucky to get 2 more years.

 

That said, I've put 500 hours on the plane and about 250 landings since the first tire was changed. It's tied down outside. I fly it hard and heavy. I land in all kinds of weather and crosswinds. I use heavy braking on short runways. And I'm probably just a crappy pilot.

 

So I'm trying to get an idea of how long tires are supposed to last in years, flight hours, and number of landings from your experiences. I think it is important to state all three figures to understand which is the greater enemy, time or use?

 

What puts the greatest wear on our tires? Braking? Takeoff roll? Taxiing? Sitting? Sun? Time?

 

What other tips can you provide for improving the longevity or better yet saving money on tires in the long run? Run out cheaper tires more often? Go for the expensive tires up front but get more use out of them? Rotate tires? Apply some kind of UV protectant when parked outside?

[Marauder]

I never really kept track of tire wear, but have changed a number of them over the years. I have always been hangared, so I'm sure that helps. I also put tire conditioner on them periodically to help offset any drying out of them. I think a lot of the factors you mentioned will come into play. As a result, I think you will find wear patterns for different planes all over the place. Another factor is flying heavy versus light. I did something this past annual that I normally don't do -- change brands. I have been using Flight Customs for the last few sets. Before that I was using Michelins. My mechanic talked me into a set of McCreary's top of the line tires this time. Yeah, I know... I remember these were the favorites of flight schools and were on the Cessnas I learned in. The cost difference was sizeable enough that I thought I would take a chance on them.

[stevesm20b]

I put Goodyear Flight custom II tires on my M20B about two years ago and have about 250 landings on them and they still look new.

[triple8s]

Rotating MG tires at annual will help them last longer on our bowlegged Mooneys. They always seem to wear on the outside edges more quickly and if rotated the wear will be spread over the width of there tires.

[201er]

Rotating MG tires at annual will help them last longer on our bowlegged Mooneys. They always seem to wear on the outside edges more quickly and if rotated the wear will be spread over the width of there tires.

Rotating same tire on same axle? Or swapping left/right wheels?

[Hank]

Mike--

 

I bought my plane in June 07; I'm about to replace the nose tire for the second time. Mains were replaced at annual last November. Since purchase, I have put 450 tach hours on the plane, including Instrument training & checkride. I'll have to check my logbook for landings, but it's a lot. Nose wheel summer 08 and fall 13; mains fall 12; no idea how old they were when I bought the plane.

 

As for braking and short fields, home is 3000' with trees at each end. On rollout, I raise the flaps with my finger while holding the throttle to idle, and don't touch brakes until under 50 mph, and I almost never brake hard. Then again, the stall horn is usually squalling before touchdown, too; and I rotate for departure at 70 mph, 75 if heavy.

 

She lives in a hangar, and only occasionally visits grass strips. Never put anything on the tires.

 

Yes, the outer edges wear faster. Disassemble the wheel halves and turn the tire around, then put back together, for more life.  I have not been doing this, either.

[Shadrach]

Rotating same tire on same axle? Or swapping left/right wheels?

That would be a bad idea.  I do not think reversing rotation would be good.

[Jeff_S]

Rotating same tire on same axle? Or swapping left/right wheels?

Neither, I believe. You can't just swap wheels because the valve stem will be on the wrong side of the tire. Similar problem if you just try to flip the wheel on its axis. You have to actually remove the tires and put them on the other wheel. The question then is whether or not to also put on new tubes. Some people say you should put a new tube on every time you change a tire, but Joey Cole said just the other week that unless the tube is losing air, he would reuse the existing tubes. This is especially true if you have the leak-guard tubes.

 

Mike, what kind of tires do you have? I have the Goodyear FC III on all three wheels and although I am getting wear on the outside of the mains, other than that the tires look great after three years.

[fantom]

Dry rot will get to those FC III's before wear does unless you have other problems, or flat spot them by braking hard too often, like the OP mentioned.

[Dave Marten]

201er,

 

I think you just answered your own question:  "That said, I've put 500 hours on the plane and about 250 landings since the first tire was changed. It's tied down outside. I fly it hard and heavy. I land in all kinds of weather and crosswinds. I use heavy braking on short runways."

 

Your tire wear/life is normal given your utilization of the plane. 3 yrs and 500 hrs is not bad. You fly more than the average GA pilot, which means you'll be wearing out your consumables faster than the average 50hr a year pilot. 

 

However, refine your pilot technique: stay off the heavy braking by rolling out to the end of the runway vs slamming on the brakes to make the mid-field taxiway. I will roll to the end of any runway <3500 ft. Let her roll and use light braking.

 

FOR EVERYONE: 

 

Apply increasing AFT YOKE PRESSURE DURING landing rollout and braking by smoothly bringing the yoke aft until you reach FULL AFT and HOLD. Use the elevator to drive the tail down and maximize the load on the mains (increase friction). The '96 version of the J POH includes that statement as note 2 of the Normal Landing Distance chart. Keep the weight off the nose by holding aft yoke. If your chewing through nose tires your probably not using sufficient aft yoke during takeoff and landing.

[Dave Marten]

That would be a bad idea.  I do not think reversing rotation would be good.

NOT an issue for our GA aircraft tires. But don't take my word for it. Reversing tires recommended by Mark Rouch, Top Gun Aviation.

[Dave Marten]

Neither, I believe. You can't just swap wheels because the valve stem will be on the wrong side of the tire. Similar problem if you just try to flip the wheel on its axis. You have to actually remove the tires and put them on the other wheel. The question then is whether or not to also put on new tubes. Some people say you should put a new tube on every time you change a tire, but Joey Cole said just the other week that unless the tube is losing air, he would reuse the existing tubes. This is especially true if you have the leak-guard tubes.

 

Mike, what kind of tires do you have? I have the Goodyear FC III on all three wheels and although I am getting wear on the outside of the mains, other than that the tires look great after three years.

After you split the wheel you must also flip the tube so the valve stem is on the appropriate side. Re-use same tube, inspect, repowder, re-install - GO FLY.

 

Nearly ALL Mooneys are bowlegged creatures so our outboard mains will wear first. Hence the flipping practice as required on condition (during the annual is a good chance while your repacking the bearings.

[Immelman]

A long time. I had one main with a flat spot I changed when I bought my plane. Have flown it about 560 hours, 700 landings, and the tires are still looking pretty good. If anything the NLG tire will get replaced due to cracking before too long, still has tread.

[N201MKTurbo]

Land slow and don't use the brakes. Your tires will last forever.

How often do you need to change brake pads?

[fantom]

Land slow and don't use the brakes. Your tires will last forever.

 

 

Great advise, but after you've been in the air for 10 or 11 hours straight with only a couple of birds for company, the first things to do when you touch down are:

 

1. Stand on the brakes to get stopped.

2. Check the smoke coming from those little brake pads.

3. Wonder why the tires wear even after all that time in the air.

4. Get out and go to a real bathroom...on wobbly legs.

5. Clean the bird poop off  the glareshield and seats.

6. Dream up yet another poll for the rest of us.