MTFCA Forum

There were no white tires available when I was restoring my 1914 Touring in 2020-2021 so I put black tires on it. When I saw the recent posting by Model T Ron it reminded me how much I like white tires even though they will not last as long as the black tires. I have heard all kinds of numbers, but I don't know if there is any real data on this subject.
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So here is my question...I know many of you tour with your cars. Has anyone actually measured how many miles they were able to drive their new white tires? (Not new old stock or old tires.) Have the manufacturers published any information on the wear characteristics of the new white tires?
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Second question...How hard are they to keep clean? I know the treads will always be dirty, but I was thinking the sides should not be any harder than the wide whitewalls I have on my Model A. Am I wrong?
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Any other hints and tips from someone like Model T Ron that runs white tires and actually drives their car?
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Thank you...

So many variables affect tire mileage, it's impossible to say how long your tires would last. I'm guessing that, under favorable conditions of use, a good set of black tires could run 10 to 12 thousand miles or more. White tires of similar quality might do 8 to 10 thousand miles under the same ideal conditions. The major difference in black and white tires, as I understand it, is that black tires contain a lot of carbon black, which is basically soot. The carbon black improves wear qualities and prevents decay from sunlight and general weathering. It may also be that black tires can be made of more durable rubber compounds, since the color of the rubber compound is not very important, where-as a white tire is expected to be white.

As long as you don’t run out of tread & of course paint. Ha.

I tried painting tires white and going forward I would only do a white wall. I think the universal ribbed would look good with a painted whitewall. Same design as the White version I have on my car.

I know some people drive thousands of miles a year in a T but for me 1500 to 2000 is about it. Let's be honest most people have tires age out and crack before the tread is near worn out. My car had a set of firestones from the 90's and they were cracked so bad that when I demounted them chunks cracked off...... tread was at about 75%. If you like the white tires go out and get them......I did, looks are amazing and I have no regrets.

My car seems to enjoy running, and I certainly enjoy driving it.