13,000km tire wear with proper alignment
 

Here is what the rear summers look like with a proper alignment
- rear toe to near zero (hint of toe in)
- rear camber to minimum of spec

My fronts are aligned
- front toe to spec
- front camber to minimum of spec

Pics below are of the full tread view and the inside rear shoulder. Tires are the Conti DWS, 20" staggered.

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/u...115_092240.jpg

http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/u...115_092251.jpg

Looks like you're almost to the wear bar already :dunno: Mine looked much better than that after 10k miles.

The Conti DWS can wear a bit funny on the outer tread lugs. Since they are not directional, but have an "outside" you can rotate the tires side to side to even out the outer tread lug "heal/toe" wear.

Also the tires do not appear to be close to the tread wear bars, the "S" is still clearly visible in the "DWS".

Just because the "alignment" may be good, there may be play and slop in the suspension. Front bushings last about 70k miles at most depending on the road conditions the vehicle is regularly driving on. I have seen some bushings last only 30-40k miles, some go closer to 80k miles.

For the rear, same type of thing, you can align to specs, but if the bushings are sloppy, while you drive the "alignment" is no longer aligned and the suspension has uncontrolled movement outside of the expected specs. This suspension slop can and will cause uneven and rapid tire wear.

jfoj - correct on the "DWS" markings. As the tire wears, the S goes first, then the W, followed by the D. As they disappear, you shouldn't drive in those conditions (snow, wet, dry). These tires look practically new.

I also agree on the health of the suspension components. I had freshened all the links in the rear end, so alignment to spec is doable. If you find you cannot align to within spec you know something is wrong in the bushings somewhere.

My front thrust bushings didn't last too long, but the key is to keep an eye on things and replace early. If not, you can shred some pretty expensive rubber very quick.

Yeah, running minimum toe/camber gets MUCH better tire life.

I run 320 treadwear Vred Ultrac Vortis (255/285 19s). These are soft/sticky compound summer only tires (similar to Michelin SuperSports).

With over 15k miles and a track sesson at Sebring Raceway (and a few runs to over 135mph), less then 1/2 worn. Should see 35 or 40k miles out of the rears........