Do blue edges mean tires are done?

[Mr. Maboomba]

I have several used Goodyear 3R tires on hand. I’m changing wheels and wondering if these have enough life left in them to be worth mounting.

Does the blue on the edge from heat cycling mean that they are not good anymore, or can I run them until they cord? I think some of these only have 2 track days on them…

Sponsored

 

[JustSomeGuy]

The blue is an indication of heat cycles pulling oil out of the tires. It alone doesn’t mean the tires are shot but those tires look pretty damn worn. If you should use them would depend on how hard you drive the car? A first time ever on the track you’d prolly be ok, if you know enough to push I wouldn’t run them. The tread depth at the edge of the tire if your best indication that the tires are done.

 

[Mr. Maboomba]

Good feedback.. I tend to get 4-5 days out of 3Rs before they cord, so the ones with only two days should be less than halfway to cording. 3Rs don't come with much tread when new... here's a photo I found online:

 

[JustSomeGuy]

Good feedback.. I tend to get 4-5 days out of 3Rs before they cord, so the ones with only two days should be less than halfway to cording. 3Rs don't come with much tread when new... here's a photo I found online:

Correct, however if the tread is nearly gone the tire is almost certainly at the end of its safe useful life.

Generally speaking if you’re showing chords you went a day longer than you should have. It is not safe to push a car on the race track anywhere near the chords. As you get your lap times down you will start to slide the car around and feel the difference between a safe controlled slide and a shot tire that lets go and (sometimes) leads to a collision.

Track days are insanely expensive.

 

[Mr. Maboomba]

I’ve had Cup 2s heat cycle out after 6 days / 30 cycles. I’ve never had the 3Rs heat cycle out because they chord before getting there.

Sponsored