Tire wear question

[CA_Boxster]

I have a 2000 Bosxter with 4 Pirelli P-Zeros. The fronts are 2 years old and the rears are 1 year (2yrs front and 1yr rear seems like it's going to be the standard life of my tires). My question is this: All 4 tires have a wear pattern that I haven't seen before. One of the tread channels in the middle on each tire, about 1"-2" of width, is worn almost flat on all 4 of the tires. The other 80% of the total tread on each tire is fine. I inflate them to 36 PSI which is a little higher than recommended, but shouldn't be enough to prematurely wear the tires. Is this a normal wear pattern for aBoxster?

[pjslowik]

What size(s) are on the car?

[szentej]

I have a 2000 Bosxter with 4 Pirelli P-Zeros. The fronts are 2 years old and the rears are 1 year (2yrs front and 1yr rear seems like it's going to be the standard life of my tires). My question is this: All 4 tires have a wear pattern that I haven't seen before. One of the tread channels in the middle on each tire, about 1"-2" of width, is worn almost flat on all 4 of the tires. The other 80% of the total tread on each tire is fine. I inflate them to 36 PSI which is a little higher than recommended, but shouldn't be enough to prematurely wear the tires. Is this a normal wear pattern for aBoxster?

Overinflating tires will cause the center section to wear quicker than usual. Tire inflation should be as recommended for that tire. Underinflation will cause the outsides of the tires to wear prematurely.

John

[CA_Boxster]

That was my first thought, but the worn section is so narrow and I'm only a little high on the pressure I thought there might be more to it.

I have 205/50-17 on the front and 255/40-17 on the rear.

Edited February 3, 2007 by CA_Boxster

[Toby]

That was my first thought, but the worn section is so narrow and I'm only a little high on the pressure I thought there might be more to it.

I have 205/50-17 on the front and 255/40-17 on the rear.

Do you inflate the front tires 36lbs also? If so it's quite a bit high. The factory recommends 29lbs.

There are quite a few causes for wear in the rear. The boxster come out of the factory with ~2 degree of camber which tends to wear the inside (unless(!) the car is tracked/AX often :) ) The toe setting need careful alignment to get right also. Do you have pictures of your tires?