What is causing '50p tyre syndrome' on my Ford C-Max?
My Ford C-Max 1.6 TDCI CVT auto has developed a droning noise from the rear axle. It’s been in my local garage twice because I suspected a bearing had gone, but all front and rear bearings are sound and quiet. The garage suggested tyre noise. As the Pirelli P6000 tyres are non rotational I swopped them over, side-to-side and front to back. Now the noise has moved to the front. My local tyre specialist has diagnosed ‘50p tyre syndrome’. Have you heard of it?
Asked on 11 March 2012 by NJ, Carlisle
Answered by
Honest John
Pleased you sensibly and logically isolated the tyres as the cause of the problem. It's a characteristic of low profile tyres. The wider the tyre 'footprint' the more the tyre wears, so the more surface area of the tyre is in contact with the road surface and the more noisy the tyres will be. This tends to start happening after the tyres are two thirds worn. Also the brake pressure compensator valve can malfunction causing the rear tyres to very momentarily lock up on braking and this creates an uneven wear pattern.
From choosing the right tyre to what to do when it goes wrong - we have the answers.
Tyre News And AdviceSimilar questions
I have a Ford C-Max 2.0TDCI fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tyres, 235/40 ZR 18 95w. The front tyres need replacing after 16,000 miles with even wear across the tread. This seems a very short tyre life....
I have recently purchased a Skoda Octavia which is fitted with low profile tyres. Can it be fitted with normal tyres? The existing tyres are 225/40 R18
At a recent service for my Volvo XC60 I asked for the wheels to be swapped back to front to even out wear - as suggested in the Volvo handbook. This was not done as I was initially told that it was not...
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Neat styling. More practical than a Focus. Fine blend of ride comfort, handling and driver enjoyment. 1.6 TDCi emits 119g/km. High quality interior.
Elsewhere on 
