How many miles should i expect from Goodyear RSA

[mjlyn]

Hi all,

I bought a 2006 M35 with 51K miles.

It has the RSA's on it. They still have about half the tread left. I assume that this must be the second set of tires on this car. Don't think they would go 54K (on it now) and still have that much tread.

Just asking because I'm looking forward to getting rid of them, but hate to fork over $1000 bucks on new tires with this much tread on them still.

Although after a very rainy few weeks where i live i have really realized how BAD the wet traction is. I have activated the ABS in a couple parking lots lately just slowing down a little. And the slip light comes on with moderate acceleration from a stop on wet pavement. No lateral slides...yet

[daveM45]

My experience was that they don't wear down evenly. They have a soft outer compound which sticks fairly well when new but quickly wears to 50% thread depth (about 8K) then you hit that hard slippery stuff. That will last longer. I gave up with about 24K on them and 3/16" left.

I'm guessing you have 15 to 20K left if you can tolerate them all the way down to the warning strip but you won't be happy. Look for a new set soon.

[M45Runner]

It is definitely the 2nd set of tires. The OEM RS-A last about 30-40K and they wear down fairly quickly for the first half of the tire tread and then slow down. But as the previous post said, it is a PITA to live through the 2nd half.

[tkeskic]

Although after a very rainy few weeks where i live i have really realized how BAD the wet traction is. I have activated the ABS in a couple parking lots lately just slowing down a little. And the slip light comes on with moderate acceleration from a stop on wet pavement. No lateral slides...yet

Those RSA tires (I had them too) have to be among the worst tires goodyear ever made, and I really like goodyear tires btw, enjoyed (other models) them for many years myself.

They are very unsafe in almost all conditions. I thought they were decent the first year I had them, but after the first 12 months, with more or less half the tread they were very hard to keep on the road, wet or at cold temperatures, and snow was a mistake to even try! (a light snow).

I forked over the cash for a new set, and I dont regret it at all, if I knew how much better and safer feeling the new set was over the RSA, I would have yanked the RSA off the car when new and sold them cheap or donated them if I had no honor.

If you are seeing slipping in that kind of weather, ask yourself if $1000 is too much compared to your life or damage to your car? if your asking yourself this question about safety/slipping/traction - it means to me you already have concerns about the tires safety...

never mind if something tragic does happen, and a good lawyer finds this post with you questioning the safety of the tire - it could mean even more issues for you down the road I would guess should you be unlucky in that event.... (and i really wish you no harm with this statement, just hoping to nudge you to a good decision)

Be safe, I know that $1000 is not spare change these days... but some where in the back of your mind - you already think this tire is not safe for you... take the next step and shop around for something - there is lots of recommendations here from people with the same car, and they have all replaced those exact same RSA tires...

tk

[M45Runner]

Well said.

When I bought mine, the first thing I did (within a week) is to replace those RS-A tires, although they still have about 6/32 of tread on it - just not worth it consider I paid a lot for the car's performance and can't use it simply due to crappy tires. It worth every penny to replace it with a new set, even it means $1000+

[mjlyn]

Thanks for the wise comments guys. You are all totally correct.....my safety and that of my family and other drivers is worth zillions more than a 1000 bucks.

Like others on here it just is surprising that Infiniti continues to put this tire on the M when they could so easily make a change.

DaveM45's comment is interesting about a softer outer compound then a harder inner. You're right the rubber i am riding on now is super hard.

So I'll be looking for new tires. I have read a ton of posts on here about tires. Sounds like the Conti Extremes are quite popular. I have had good experience with Conti before. But we all know that brand seems to not have much to do with anything. Its the individual tire.

Several have like the Goodyear F1. There seem to be several variants of the F1. Is the one that is touted on NICO the same one that Tire Rack has for about $99?

I live in Alabama.....so no snow to worry about at all.

[szh]

The Goodyear RS-A is a mediocre tire ... long-lasting, yes, but that is about it.

However, the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 is an outstanding summer tire - of course, never use it in snow! You will be extremely pleased if you get those.

I have not looked at the Tire Rack prices on the Eagle F1 GD-D3 recently, but I would be surprised if it is that low (certainly in the sizes that are needed for our cars!)

Separate comment: No tire should be used beyond 5 or 6 years after the date of manufacture (noted on the sidewall). So if you drive very low miles every year, you should change them out after that period of time regardless of the tread depth that may still be left at that time.

Z

[elmatador]

The Goodyear RSA are garbage tires. They probably shouldn't even make slippers out of them. Change the tires and you will be much more happier. I changed them when i got my 06 m35x at 25k miles and it made a huge difference.

[M4T5]

My experience was that they don't wear down evenly. They have a soft outer compound which sticks fairly well when new but quickly wears to 50% thread depth (about 8K) then you hit that hard slippery stuff. That will last longer. I gave up with about 24K on them and 3/16" left.

I'm guessing you have 15 to 20K left if you can tolerate them all the way down to the warning strip but you won't be happy. Look for a new set soon.

Dave,

You about right on the wear patern of the GDY RS-A's. I have betwenn 4/32 to 5/32 on the factory GDY RS-A's on my 07' M45. I have almost 22,700miles on the car. So your longevity experience is very accurate on these tires. I would say I will be replacing them between 27K to 30K miles.Since my wife is the primary driver of the car, they will last a while still. She's very light footed.

J

[maxnix]

You're right the rubber i am riding on now is super hard.

So I'll be looking for new tires. But we all know that brand seems to not have much to do with anything. Its the individual tire.

Several have like the Goodyear F1. There seem to be several variants of the F1. Is the one that is touted on NICO the same one that Tire Rack has for about $99?

Hard rubber rolls forever, even when you are trying to stop or corner.

Read the tire sticky in Infiniti General for some good information on tires for heavy luxury V8 sedans.

Like the RSA (the police ones are entirely different construction), not all the F1 are the same. The ones Z recommended are superior. Some are as hard a 400 UTQG. Somewhere around 220 -300 is best.

[mjlyn]

The F1 GS-2 is $99 at Tire Rack. The F1 GS DS is $231

Of the acceptable perfoming tires that owners here suggest.....I would like to get the tire with the least road noise. That is probably my biggest complaint with my M. Of course every road test you read on the M says the same thing.

But, I liked it too much to not get it because of the road noise. I live in rural Alabama and a lot of the the country two lanes are pretty patched up. That gets kinda loud at times.

[M45Runner]

Well, the F1 GS series are kind of noisy after 5000 miles - compare with the RS-A. So, if you want to go with GoodYear, you would need to take your pick - performance or luxury (quietness).

I am sure there are other brand that will give you a quiet ride with good grip. But, I am currently roll on GS series and is happy (Coming from sports coupe, so noise is not really a concern anyway).

I would give the "Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport" some serious thought.

[mjlyn]

Thanks for the info guys.

[mjlyn]

...another question....

When you had the RSA's or even your current tires .....did you notice much flat spotting after the car was parked for a day or two?

I had my tires balanced a few weeks ago and the shop told me i had some flat spots....they said they could balance them anyway but i would still have some vibration.

I went on Tire Racks site and was reading about flat spotting being worse with low profile tires. It hit me that my car had been parked for about 3 days before i drove the 5 miles to the dealer that balanced them. I'm wondering if that 3 day park flat spotted the tires and i did not drive enough before balancing to get rid of the spots.

I'm not sure if its my imagination....or the road surface....but it seems that when i drive my car after it has been parked for a day or more i get a vibration between 45 and 55. But after i have driven it a while that seems to improve. Could the super hard compound on the RSA that we have just been talking about above contribute to this?

[M4T5]

Flat spotting with todays radials is very uncommon and highly unlikely. You either have flat spots due to braking hard and skidding on the tires too long or one or two of the tires have a separation in the belting area of the tire. This is not uncommon and will cause flat spots. If a tire separation is noticed, the tire or tires should be replaced immediately to avoid a blow out or accident.

J

[mjlyn]

Flat spotting with todays radials is very uncommon and highly unlikely.

J

This is the link to the tire rack info......they make it sound like a normal occurence.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...id=42&