a guy at my work mentioned that he read in both a Lexus and Cadilac broshure that when going from a 16" to 17" tire, you lose anywhere between 10,000 and 20,000 miles of tread life. Now I would think that since the 17" tire is bigger, it wouldn't take longer to go around, and go around less times, therefore giving more treadlife? Why wouyld you get less miles out of them???
Justin

 

They probably said 16-17" wheel/tire combo.. the tire does not necessarily increast in diameter by 1inch. In fact, it is desirable in most applications to keep the same overall tire diameter. Not sure what they were getting at. Perhaps the tire offered with their 17inch wheel option has a crappy tread wear rating?

Jeff

 

Id love to get 20,000 miles tread life period...

Doug

 

I must not be doing enough burnouts I have 26,000 miles on two tires, and 15,000 miles on the other two. I had to replace two tires due to some nails at about 10,000 mile.

I still have half the tread left.

I think why you get less tire life is due to increased friction, and softer tread compunds with the bigger tires.