I had them at 32 psi since Day One, but with only about 8,000 miles the center is already wearing out. I understand why the tires wear so quickly (soft compond), but why would the center wear out before the side tread. Could it be that I needed to keep them at 28 psi?

How about the rest of you guys? How's the tread wearing on your rear S-O3s?

 

I have my S03s at 32 psi as well, but I have only had them for about 200 miles. When you say "beginning to wear out" do you mean that it is time for new rear tires for you? With only 8k miles? I thought that the S03s were supposed to last longer than the S02s???

 

If they are wearing down the middle of the tire it is from too much air pressure. Make sure you do the air pressure check first thing in the morning and the 32 should be correct for the car. You may want to try a little less and the wear should even out.

Jim

 

I just replaced my 245/45/16 S-03s on the rear at just under 8500 miles. Should have been done 500 miles ago.... the right rear was almost completely gone in the middle. I noticed the center wearing out more than the edges of the tread after a few thousand miles and dropped the cold pressure from 34 to 32. The center continued to wear more rapidly but I part of my 64 mile daily round trip includes about 15 miles or more at speeds of 90-100+. I figure that had to contribute to the faster than expected wear and the heat buildup would have resulted in the center continuing to wear more rapidly than the edges. No track or autocross time on this set of tires.

 

Yup, I have the exact same problem, JerryR. My tires are almost completely worn out in the center only, with just the edges having a perceptible amount of tread left. I reckon I have put only about 8,000 miles on them and now I believe that 28 lbs is the right pressure for these tires. I love my O3s, but they don't last any longer than the original O2s.

BTW, has anyone noticed any vibrating of their S2000 with the new S-O3s? I'm noticing a constant vibration these days at any speed. Do I have to get my tires rebalanced now that I've worn so much trend off?

 

If you are getting a vibration you should have the tires checked. If the vibration wasn't there from the start then something has happened to either the wheel, tire or alignment.

Jim

 

then what's the correct tire pressure for S02 (stock tire)??
THX
!!!

 

For the OE tire it would be 32 psi front and rear.

Jim

 

The S03's have a special soft compound in the center of the tire for rain traction.

Go to http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/gen...eral/uni_t.html and look at the bottom of the page.

I bet this has something to do with it.

 

The rubber in the middle of the tire is not really softer but it is a higher silica compound. The silica gives the tire better wet grip and lower rolling resistance. I will check on the tread life thing with Bridgestone with regards to the air pressures.

Jim