Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires What a difference 0.05" tread makes!

I've been bad and hadn't rotated my tires in the first 18,000 miles. I just used a dial micrometer to measure the depth in each of the four 'groves' in each of my OEM Firehawk 205/60R15s. I think that I've lucked out--all tires have worn evenly, LF@0.210", RF@0.200", LR@0.250", RR@0.250".

I cleaned (I have been more dilligent with cleaning the rims) and rotated them, installed locks, and torqued them all down to 85 ft lbs (they were at 95ft# without any rotor issues). My alignment seems fine (tracks weakly to right in right lane @ 70MPH, weakly to the left in left lane--apparently a crowned highway).

At any rate, my car corners again! I hadn't really noticed the degradation in cornering with tire wear, but it is obvious now that I have near original cornering again. I can't wait until I get some Michelins on this thing (probably Artic Alpins on steels for the winter, then replace Firehawks with X-Ones on alloys in the spring).

Does anyone know the tread depth on new Firehawks? Or how far down they can wear before becoming *completely* worthless? Also, does anyone have any experience with the Michelins that I've set my heart on (and OT paycheck probably)?

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1999 Contour SE Sport MTX75 Toreador Red/Greystone
Born on 01/21/99, Adopted new 08/30/99, 17k & counting.
Current MODS:
Mobil 1 5W-30, Pioneer TS-A6855 Speakers x4, Bosch wipers, air box resonator removed.
'Soon' MODS:
Donnelly Mirror, 50W amber fogs, cargo net, cup holder.
'Stuck in Appropriations Commitee' MODS:
MP3 CD-Player Head Unit, 195/70R14 Artic-Alpin.
Pending Warranty Claims:
Driver's power seat slip, MTX75 issues, IP warping (01/20/99 manf.)

I didn't measure how far down the wear bars were. I've always assumed that they were set at the minimum safe tread depth, but that your handling would start taking a dive before you hit them. I'm not planning on waiting until I hit the wear bars--these are Firestones!
Speaking of which, I saw a guy in a Ranger with 235/70R15 Firestone Wilderness AT tires--one looked fair, the other three were worn very unevenly and were about 50-80% bald. Scarry. He claimed that he couldn't find replacement tires with the recall and all--like his tires just got that way in the last month!

the X ones have little or no performance to speak of they are a passenger all-season soccer mom tire.

11/32" tread depth on new Firehawk SH30's

Thanks, Luke

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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist
ASE Certified Master Tech
for more info or to place orders please call 800-428-8355 ext. 362

The numbers looked good on the X-One, but I'll be the first to admit that I don't know much about tires. I'm a diagnostic communications guy.

What tires would you recommend for 3-season use in Michigan on the stock SE Sport 8-spoke alloys? If you could, please recommend 2 tires: 1) cost is not a factor, and 2) $200-300 /set.
Also, how do the Artic Alpins compare to my other winter tire options?

When I had my '97 SE, I replaced the Firestones (ugh!) with Dunlop D60 A2s. Good dry grip, great wet weather grip. I'd recommend them for all SE owners.

I've had D60-A2's Pirelli P-6000's and P-6000-SV on Sofia in 205/60-15 size. The Dunlops were the most economical to buy and a good tire, the P-6000's the best wet/dry grip while the P-6000-SV's are a quiet reasonable long wearing tire. In order of wear its P-6000-SV's, think, D60-A2, 35K and the gumball P-6000's at 30K mi. The Dunlops and P-6000's exibited about the same road noise while the SV's are the quietest.

Check out the Bridgestone Potenza RE730

Thanks, Luke

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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist
ASE Certified Master Tech
for more info or to place orders please call 800-428-8355 ext. 362

Wow! Those RE730's do look nice (and only $360 /set too! Not too bad, really). I assume that you'd recommend the 205/55ZR15 since they don't come in 205/60R15 (stock). Would a 3.3% smaller tire justify a speedo gear replacement? Too bad this tranny still has the VSS output instead of a MOSS--I know how to adjust the later zero cost/low hassle.

I'm kinda jumping in here, but I ran a set of BFG Comp/TA VR4's on my '98 Mystique LS (same as a Contour SE V6). Those tires had incredible stick for the money, and were beyond comparison to the stock Eagle GT+4's that it was running (which I hear are on par with the Firerocks). They even held up good in the snow, which was a pleasent surprise.

me being a cheap ******* (not all that different then elizabeth)i have tires that are severly bald on my old car a nissan 280zx. being rear wheel drive that car is a hoot to drive but an absolute handful in the rain...slipin and a sliding here i come a ridin, here comes that 280z (sing to the swiffer sweeper song....its late here gotta keep myself occupied somehow) anyway not to bad in the dry, plus the almost look like drag radials horrid in the wet, cant wait to get new tires but again im cheap and i only buy quality...ie bfgoodrich (hence the contour on the quality aspect....ha) oh well just thought of that so i thought id let you guys know that you can drive beyond the bars just do it at a slow pace