Meet My Pal - Volkswagen Polo 1.2 Petrol Highline

[Rightnow]

How do I come to know that I need to change tyres soon?

My car has done 33k and these days I am noticing less grip/bite on road, lighter steering, slight bumpiness over road undulations.

Are these symptoms of tyres wearing out or may be wheel alignment/balancing? The latter I got done 3k kms back while servicing, so I guess I suspect tyres to be the reason.

 

[sanke1]

As a rule of thumb, tyres need to be changed after 30,000 kms. Obvious signs are balding and nonexistent treads.

While you are at it, why not consider up-scaling rims to 16" or 17" and get suitable tyres?

 

[Rightnow]

As a rule of thumb, tyres need to be changed after 30,000 kms. Obvious signs are balding and nonexistent treads.
While you are at it, why not consider up-scaling rims to 16" or 17" and get suitable tyres?

I don't see any prominent damage/wearing out on tyres as of now. I don't wanna change them just for the sake of it. I believe they have much more life left.

I am highly underpaid to even think about changing alloys+tyres

 

[GM88]

How do I come to know that I need to change tyres soon?

My car has done 33k and these days I am noticing less grip/bite on road, lighter steering, slight bumpiness over road undulations.

Are these symptoms of tyres wearing out or may be wheel alignment/balancing? The latter I got done 3k kms back while servicing, so I guess I suspect tyres to be the reason.

I think you should get the wheel alignment and balancing checked again from a good tyre shop and drive another 1-2k kilometers after that. If the problem still persists, go for a new set of tyres then. 30,000kms running is a tad less for these Apollo Accelere. Have heard they run upto 45000kms if maintained properly.

As a rule of thumb, tyres need to be changed after 30,000 kms. Obvious signs are balding and nonexistent treads.

While you are at it, why not consider up-scaling rims to 16" or 17" and get suitable tyres?

30,000 kms IMO is a little early to change tyres unless there are noticeable wear and tear of the tyres. Going by my experience, we have changed tyres after about 40,000kms on our previous cars. And yes, great suggestion Sanke. Would love to see Rightnow upsizing wheels on his red beauty. Though suspension warranty will go for a toss. Have seen so many Polo's here with 17 inch alloy wheels and they look absolutely gorgeous. Have made my mind too of upsizing my Polo's wheels from my very 1st salary. Should be around September if things go well.

I am highly underpaid to even think about changing alloys+tyres

Haha. Good one Rightnow. Though I am yet to meet a guy who says I am overpaid. I am sure me & Sanke have planted a seed in your head to atleast think about it. Though not for now. I am sure your existing tyres should run another 7-8k kms to the least.

 

[jayadev]

I don't see any prominent damage/wearing out on tyres as of now. I don't wanna change them just for the sake of it. I believe they have much more life left.

I am highly underpaid to even think about changing alloys+tyres

I always hear this word "Underpaid" from German car owners .
One of my vento'ed friend said, he is underpaid to own Passat so he opted for lesser.

 

[sanke1]

LMAO. I guess you can wait 10k kms more. Some brands of tires age faster and Indian roads are not something which extend tyre life.

 

[Rightnow]

I think you should get the wheel alignment and balancing checked again from a good tyre shop and drive another 1-2k kilometers after that.

Thinking about that.

And yes, great suggestion Sanke. Would love to see Rightnow upsizing wheels on his red beauty. Though suspension warranty will go for a toss.

Once a SA told me that suspension warranty is only up to 6 months, so I think upsizing now would be independent of warranty.

Though I am yet to meet a guy who says I am overpaid. I am sure me & Sanke have planted a seed in your head to atleast think about it. Though not for now. I am sure your existing tyres should run another 7-8k kms to the least.

You feel underpaid when there's a lot of temptation and your pocket holds you back.
New alloys have also been on my mind since I saw those gun metal alloys from polo R cup. As of now, I find the OEM alloys pretty good. Any aftermarket alloys won't be significant upgrade from OEM unless they are gun metal ones.

I always hear this word "Underpaid" from German car owners .One of my vento'ed friend said, he is underpaid to own Passat so he opted for lesser.

Yeah, its like we deserve the passat experience but our employer doesn't understand our potential.

LMAO. I guess you can wait 10k kms more. Some brands of tires age faster and Indian roads are not something which extend tyre life.

Yup. 10k more it is I think.

 

[sanke1]

What's the status on new tires?

 

[Rightnow]

What's the status on new tires?

ODO is at 34k, and I am keenly observing the tyres' condition. I think they have to wait for a change because I don't find any wearing out signs on them.

 

[Rightnow]

Some recent pics. Done 35000 kms. EVERYTHING STOCK!!

 

[sanke1]

Nice pics mate. Can you post pics of tire tread?

 

[Rightnow]

Nice pics mate. Can you post pics of tire tread?

Yeah Sure.

 

[jihu123]

Congrats buddy. One thing I love about the polo is it never feels dated!

 

[GM88]

Finally we get to see some new pics of your red beauty Rightnow. Car is looking absolutely brilliant. As good as new. And 35k in under 2years is a lot of running for a petrol car. Kudos to you for still sticking to the driver oriented fuel even in these times of sky high fuel prices. How are the tyres fairing out now? Did you get the alignment checked?

 

[eXperience]

That car looks as good as new. She's so pure and calm.