AsianGunner

iTrader: (7)

hi guys,

i've just had 2 eagle F1's put on my 02 wrx, but still got bridgestones on the rears.

the tread on the rears is still very good,

when i had the eagles fitted, the guy at kwik fit said that it will seriously mess up the differencials, an will cause long term damage.

i do plan on gettin eagles on the rears later in the year,

but is it ok to have different brands on? or was kwik fit chattin sh*t.

nick

Trashman

If there was an extreme difference in the circumference due to wear (the fronts brand new, the rears almost bald) or incorrect wheel sizes then there may be a possibility of excessive wear or damage. A lot of this probably comes from a few years back when it was discovered that another manufacturer (Volvo?) had a severe problem with different wear rates on their 4WD system - to the point where you had to replace all 4 tyres together.


If he had said you'll mess up the handling (differing grip levels due to tread/manufacturer), I would have listened (a bit). Mind you being Kwik Fit, I would have hung on every word if he was telling you the best biscuit for dunking

Happy to be corrected

AsianGunner

iTrader: (7)

cheers trashman,

i think they were saying it to make me buy a pair of F1's off them eh.

MTR

Asian Gunner,
According to the mechanics at my dealer, they would not recomend having more than a couple of mm difference between the tread depth on the front and rear tyres, to keep the diameters similar.

I recently had cause to fit one of my spare wheels with Bridgestone Potenza with 4mm of tread depth on to the front of my STi MY02, whilst leaving the Pirelli P Zero on the other side front, again with 4mm tread depth on it.
When in 1st 2nd or 3rd gear (6 spd) and accelerating briskly, not wheelspinning quick, just nippy acceleration the car pulled massively to one side.
So much so I had to hold the steering wheel extremely firmly.
It was dangerous if you weren't ready for it.

The problem you may have is that the rolling radius of one make of tyre say 215/45 x17 may not be the same as the same size tyre from another manufacturer.
Add to that the differences in remaining tread from your brand new Eagles to worn (how much?) Bridegstones and you could possibly be causing undue strain on your centre diff.

Even within the same manufacturers types of tyre the outside diameter used to vary.
I have a couple of old (1970's) Dunlop and Goodyear rally tyre catalogues, and 2 tyres both 175 x13 had different diameters, from the same manufacturer!!! It didn't matter on Mk1 and 2 Escorts as they were only 2 wheel drive.

Trashman,
From memory I think it was Vauxhall that had the problems with the 4WD Calibras.
A chap I used to work with had serious pulling to one side issues, on a brand new Calibra Turbo and after swapping all 4 wheels and tyres, and the problem still existing, they gave him a brand new car.

Cheers
MTR

ZIPPY

Take no notice to what they said at Kwik Fit,i agree that you should replace like for like on either the front or rear but having different tread depths on the rear as opposed to the front wont cause you any problems at all.

The fronts will always wear quicker on a Subaru, some people on here will have you changing all 4 tyres because the fronts are dead and you and i both know the rears are still in good condition. 1 word BOLL#CKS.

The issue of diff wind is caused by having 2 tyres on say the front at different tread depths, a previous post was correct in that the problem can be serious on Volvo FWD cars.

Ignore the scare mongerers i have nearly always used different brands on the front and the rear on all my Subaru's and have never had any issues what so ever with the diff's.

Stick with the new tyres on the front and replace your rears when you have to, not because Kwik Fit are trying to fleece you for additional cash.

Zippy

AsianGunner

iTrader: (7)

MTR and Zippy thanks alot for the advice!

i was going to put the new eagles on the back so that the brigdestones would wear out abit quicker on the front, probally will do after a couple of days to let the eagle wear in a tiny bit.

nick

MTR

Asian Gunner and Zippy,
Here is an extract from a Vauxhall owners site ref 4x4 Turbo Calibras/Cavaliers.
http://www.cavweb-forums.co.uk/printthread.php?t=62

===============================================
B: Transfer Box –

The transfer box isn’t that weak really, PROVIDING you stick to some important rules, I mean Russ has had one at 122,000 miles and Dunk (Club Calibra) has his at 196,000 at the moment. They achieved this by following these simple rules

i - Keep the tread depth of the 4 tyres within 2mm of each other. Achieve this by rotating the tyres front to back every 1500 miles or so. This also gives you the chance to check arches, clean alloys properly etc etc so its not a bad deal really.

ii - Use the same make of tyres on ALL wheels.

iii - Change the 4x4 accumulator every 52,000 miles at around £160 fitted at Vauxhall or use AndyK’s Guide to Changing the Accumulator.

iv - Change the transfer box oil every year using AndyK's Guide and Mobilube1 SHC 75W/90 gear oil.

=============================================
Zippy,
I hadn't heard about the Volvo problems with tyre diameters, but I have heard warnings about the Vauxhalls.

Differing tyre diameters cause problems? Boll*cks?
Scaremongoring? Maybe in your opinion.

Asian Gunner you could always ask the 'real' experts at your main dealer.

Zippy you are no better informed than I, and I have stripped and rebuilt 2 gearboxes in my youth after destroying the laygear and first gear in both.
Although I haven't had the oppertunity/need to strip and rebuild a Subaru 4wd box, so don't consider myself an expert on those.
Have you?

I do carry out all the maintenance on my cars, and have been an engineer in the aerospace industry for 30 years so feel I have some understanding of things mechanical.

In my profession, if in doubt, check is the golden rule.
Scaremongering engineers keep you and your family alive at 32,000 feet.
Aircraft systems cannot rely on assumptions, they crash and the passengers die when something fails.

Using the same type and tread depth of tyre will definately NOT cause harm,
but using different diameter tyres (either through wear or manufacture) might.

Cheers
MTR

GeeDee

iTrader: (2)

Not sure which Bridgestones you've got but if it's the SO3s they have grippier rubber as the tyre wears in order to maintain grip throughout the life of the tyre.

I discovered in the past that this grip on damp surfaces can far exceed the grip of much newer tyres on the front resulting in dragster style steering - not good - in fact potentially downright dangerous.

Graham

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

Now that statement almost made me wet myself..... after spending time with two local dealers i wouldn't give them the term experts, maybe idiots . I'd rather trust the chavs at Kwik Fit.

My advice, change them in pairs (per axle). Can't remember anytime in 6 years that i've had perfectly matched tyres front and rear (oh apart from once). However i do agree with MTR that they all must be the same size... i.e 215/45R17 all round.

Tony.

Beastie

iTrader: (2)

Impreza doesnt have transfer box.

MarksWRX

Why not just rotate them so you wear out all four at the same time then get four new ones, or is that too easy?

Trashman

Extreme difference due to wear - possible damage: Check

Extreme difference due to size - possible damage: Check

Volvo had a problem on FWD: Half Check

Kwik Fit best to recommend biscuits for dunkin'? :

ZIPPY

MTR i fail to see what an Aeroplane has to do with tyre depths on a Subaru, if you actually believe that having different tread depths on the rears as opposed to the fronts will cause you diff problems then i'm happy for you and not your wallet but you are wrong, and as for my mechanical experiance well i learnt my skills working for Porsche,Ferrari and then Mercedes so i think i'm mechanically informed enough to give me opinion.

You now mention tyre DIAMETER which i never mentioned AT ALL, the question was TREAD DEPTH.

Everybody listen, if your rears are lower in depth to your fronts you must all rush out and buy 4 new tyres or risk blowing a diff, NOT.

MTR you do make me laugh, read my post correctly before you start having an ill informed pop.

As for the Vauxhall Calibre 4x4 i think you will find the car isnt a true 4WD car as it uses a viscous diff to detect loss on the front wheels and then diverts some of the power to the rear, it is not a Subaru permanant 4WD system.

Ohh and 1 last point i never fly.

MTR

Zippy,
I'm not having a pop.

By definition you DID state that it is OK to run tyres of different diamters on the front and rear.
How else is it possible to have tyres with 7.5mm tread depth the same diameter as tyres of the same specified size (ie 215/45 x17, which as I have suggested may vary in size by manufacturer as well) with 3mm tread depth.
The tread depths quoted are estimates, new tyres are about 7.5mm ish, worn tyres at 3mm perhaps.

A tyre start off with a specified outside diameter.
As the tread wears out and the tread depth reduces, the tyre becomes smaller.

A pair of tyres in that condition I have quoted have a difference in diameter of 9mm. (7.5mm -3mm = 4.5mm EACH SIDE =9mm diameter)
And as consequnce one will have a smaller circumferance.
Not by a massive amount , but they are different.

Do you agree?
Am I correct?
Are you incorrect?

You made a statement which you are now retracting.
Read what you wrote yourself.

You accept that different size tyre DO cause a problem across an driven axle on a car.
As I admitted I am no expert on the Subaru 4wd box (Beastie, I know they don't have a transfer box, I was posting confirmation of the Vaxhaull problem I had mentioned, as I hadn't heard about the Volvo problem), but if you accept that the differing diameters, and as a consquence different rotational speeds of two tyres across one driven axle is potentially a problem, why isn't it a potential problem for the centre differential on a Subaru?

Can you please explain how the differing speed of the gearbox main shaft driving the front diff, (with new larger diameter front tyres ) against the higher rotational speed of the propshaft driving the rear diff (with tyres 9mm diameter smaller, hence spinning faster to cover the same distance as the circumferance is less) will not have the same potential effect as the single axle scenario you state.

In the simplest terms (and I am not trying devalue the complexity of the Subaru 4WD system) the gearbox and propshaft with its intergral centre diff, behaves in a similar fashion to any back axle.
It runs along the length of the car instead of side to side and it just splits drive front to rear instead of side to side.

You are stating your opinion as FACT.

You did not encounter any problem, so 'ignore the scaremongeres'.
Your words.
Do you believe you the expert and everyone else on here is a dummy?

That is a rather arrogent attitude to take, which some people far more knowledgable than you could take offence at.
No offence taken on my part,(and I don't know if I'm more knowledgable than you) I'm used to your editorial style.
Its not one I advocate, but each to their own.

I am not that arrogant to believe I am the expert.

Selling Porches, sorry did I spell that wrong, Ho Ho, (just using my editorial style, no offence intended) does not make you an expert on transmission systems. Just as me building civilian and fighter aircraft, doesn't make me an expert.
Forgot to add I have also stripped and rebuilt a motorbike gearbox in the past, so must be up there with the best, Ho Ho.

Hence I stated that it 'may' cause problems, but if all the tyres are the same size it definately won't cause problems.


Oh and 1 last point (hope you don't mind me copying your style).
Zippy, you may not fly, but you will definately have aircraft flying over you, your family, friends? (me,ho ho) and most of the population at various times of your life.
Be thankful they are put together by scaremongeres like me, who try not to make assumptions, it lessens the chance of them dropping on you.

Cheers
MTR

AsianGunner

iTrader: (7)

wow, didn't really expect this kind of response form this post guys.

all my tyres are 215-45-17 so no probs there. i'm gana put the new ones at the back an put the bridgestones on the front so they will wear out abit quicker.

thanks again to zippy an MTR for your replies.

nick

ps

MTR, i've gotta lot of respect for people working in the aircraft industry, so keep up the good, an let us know when someones gana bring out the next concorde!! cheers

ZIPPY

Again MTR i NEVER once metioned in my initial post to AsianGunners question about tyre tread depth anything about TYRE DIAMETER.

I do know that different diameters will cause you an issue, but having 7mm on the rear and 3-4mm on the fronts wont, i have ran 3 Subaru's over the years doing over 250k miles and apart from when the cars where brand new i never once had the same tread depth's front and rear and guess what not one diff failure on any of the cars.

I also look after some other Subaru's for friends and again they run different makes and tread depths front and rear and guess what no diff problems at all.

Are your getting my style and point here ? As for selling Porches and Ferraris who mentioned anything about that, again your presuming,i'm a fully trained mechanic by trade and i do know what i'm talking about on Asian gunners post.

Now sit back breath in and begin to read:

SUBARU IMPREZA'S WONT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THE DIFFS IF THEY RUN DIFFERENT TYRE TREAD DEPTHS ON THE FRONT WHEELS AS OPPOSED TO THE REARS.

Got that MTR, as for my style i'm so glad you like it, its called to the point minus any Bullsh#t which so many on here spout,not wishing to point a finger but if the cap fits and all that.

Now somewhere sombody must need a Motorbike or a plane rebuilding if so MTR/AKA Howard Hughes is your man cause he knows lots.

Zippy

johnfelstead

calm down chaps!

The impreza has a soft enough VC centre diff assembly to not have any problems running variable depth tyres of the same size front/rear.

It's a moot point Beastie, but all AWD cars have a form of transfer box, the impreza's is inbuilt to the main casing using a step down gear system at a 1:1 ratio on JDM spec cars and a 1.1:1 ratio on UK spec cars.

I always wore my rear tyres out first Zippy.

ZIPPY

Thank you John for your comments, MTR isnt going to be happy,as for your rear tyres wearing out, well most of us didnt have DCCD and go round corners on track days sideways now did we.LOL

Zippy

johnfelstead

MTR

Zippy so how do your tyres get lower tread depths without getting smaller in diameter?

If you are struggling answering questions on the blatantly obvious why should I or anyone on here value your opinion on technical matters.

If you cannot understand the question, please ask for clarification.
You didn't seem to understand it on my last post either, or you are choosing to ignore the irony of your own statement.


All,
From page 11-34 of the owners manual for MY02 Imprezas.

Quote!
For safe vehicle operation, SUBARU recommends replacing all four tires at the same time.
end of quote

The next bit is a highlighted box with WARNING and a triangle warning sign.

Quote!
All four tires must be the same in terms of manuafcturer, brand (tread pattern), construction, degree of wear, speed symbol, load index, and size. Mixing tires of different types, sizes or degrees of wear can result in danage to vehicles power train.
End of quote.


Obviously the author of the official Subaru owners manual is full of shi*t as well Zippy.

Now sit back breath in and begin to read:

SUBARU IMPREZA'S WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER TRAIN IF THEY RUN DIFFERENT TYRE TREAD DEPTHS ON THE FRONT WHEELS AS OPPOSED TO THE REARS.
(According to the people who manufacture the cars)

Got that Zippy.
Contact Subaru Uk if you want further confirmation.

I phoned Subaru Technical department today, who confirmed this FACT.


You're closing paragraphs with the personel insults really does nothing to strengthen your argument or your credibility. In fact faced with the OFFICIAL SUBARU UK EVIDENCE, to corroborate my personal beliefs, makes your whole discussion unworthy.

Lively technical debate with hopefully a mutually agreeable conclusion, can be quite interesting.
BUT for it to work all concerned parties have to accept that at some point they may be proven wrong, or become enlightened about a subject they 'thought' they understood.
I have on occassions on here, but I never fall out with people.
I have no isssue with losing a debate. If there is such a thing as winners or losers, but I NEVER resort to personel insults.


Hi John,
How you doing?
I was wondering when I might get someone with something worthwhile to add.
I'm not starting an argument (i mean debate) with you, I always lose. Ho Ho.

As an aside a friend of mine has just bought a 'X' reg 200SX, 50K miles FSH, cream leather interior, mint condition,1 owner etc £6000. Its brilliant for the money.

Cheers
MTR

ZIPPY

BTTT

ZIPPY

Look MTR admit you misread the first post by Asian gunner and admit that running 2 sets of tyres front and rear with differing tread depths wont cause any diff issues at all on a Subaru.

Now whilst i agree that 1 tyre on 3mm is smaller than one with 7mm.
I'm still correct and a post from an extremely technical Subaru driver (Johnfelstead) has also confirmed it WONT cause any issues with the diffs by running the 2 sets of tyres front and rear.

Also if you dont like my style then dont reply, see i dont have to ring Subaru Technical to ask the question, as i was right all along and you where wrong.

As for the personell comments you started it by presuming i sold cars,HO HO.

Now i know where to come for a Santa for the kids christmas play,HO HO.

MTR

ZIPPY,
In case you missed it last time, I've put it at the start of my reply.

Irrespective of what you or anyone on here has to say about the matter, Subaru UK's point of view is extremely clear.
Are you going to request they recall all the manuals and have them corrected?

I have no desire to debate wether Subaru are correct, I'll take their word for it.

I didn't misread Asian gunners first post.
He wanted to know if he could have problems with his transmission.

I said he might.

You said Bo*llocks. (such eloquence)

The Subaru owners manual says he can have problems.

That is what I have been repeating time and again, but you kept ignoring.
Make your mind up, you can't have it both ways.

How could my comment about you selling Porches (Porsche cars circa £100K ) be classed as an insult?
If I want to insult you, I will leave you in no doubt.

In contrast you indirectly accuse me of being full of sh*t. If the capfits etc
Why the need for such a personal insult?

IF I had personal opinions of you, I would keep them to myself.
But I don't know you, so have no opinion.

I will however debate your technical opinions, as in this post at least you are tying yourself up in knots, with contradictory statements time and again.

Thanks for the offer of the Santas' job, I'll bear it in mind next Christmas.
Shouldn't it be Ho Ho Ho though, Not Ho Ho ?

I put those in to try to inflect the humourous slant in which the comment was made.
Not for sarcasm.

Cheers
MTR

ZIPPY

MTR are you stupid ? read all my posts, different tread depths wont cause you an issue on different axles, they may will if they are on the same axle.

But once again as you are having trouble understanding, 3mm on the 2 fronts and 7mm on the 2 rears will be perfectly fine with no diff issues at all.

Of course Subaru will advise you to change ALL the tyres preferably at one of their dealers but do we do it, NO WE DONT, because there is no need too.

Now going back to what Subaru Technical say, did they say you could take your car on a track and race it ? No me thinks not, did the manual tell you how to avoid writing your car off, again me thinks not but you managed it and i bet that WASNT IN THE MANUAL.Tut Tut.

Maybe you have a case against Subaru because it WASNT IN THE MANUAL on how to drive succesfully round a track or then again maybe you had diff failure due to incorrect tyre tread depths on the front and rear.

MTR

ZIPPY,
Intelligent conversation is impossible with you.

When faced with overwhelming evidence, you resort to distractionary tactics and insults.

If I hadn't met you I would have said your responses sound like those of an adolescent.

You are making a real impression on me.
Not a good one but I haven't laughed so much in ages, than reading your peurile drivel.

I await your intellectually considered response with eager anticipation.

I suppose hoping it has any credibility, is becoming less likely.

Is this like a game.
You keep talking sh*t, I get bored, stop replying and you delude youself that you have won the debate?

Cheers
MTR

johnfelstead

i am OK thanks Martin. Hope things are good with you too.

I know what the manual says, but lets get practical for a minute. The efective diameter of a tyre is affected by a lot more than tread depth. What tyre presure diferences there are between front and rear have more of an effect on radius seen by the diferentials than tread depth, as you lower the presure the efective radius of the tyre lowers changing its gearing. On the new age cars you see 6psi diference front/rear for example, you measure the rolling radius between those two presures and you will be surprised how diferent they are with the weight of the car on them. If you want to minimise the diferences run the more worn tyres on the front as they run at higher pressure.

You will do more damage to the diffs running a low presure slow punctured tyre than you would from running diferent wear tread depths IMHO. When you run a space saver you are running tyres that are 5% diference in radius, 2mm tread depth is about 0.6% diference.

Of course ideally you want to keep the tyres all the same, and the specs the manual sugests are there to cope with the potential high speeds the car might see, but being practical and knowing how many other variables there are, plus knowing how slack the centre diff is i cant see it being a problem in terms of damaging the centre diff by overheating it under normal driving conditions. Go blasting down the autobaun at 155MPH and you might see more issues.

If you want to go by the book you are right in saying 2mm is the recomended max, but in practical terms i personally wouldnt be concerned about overheating the centre diff unless i was doing some very high speed driving.

MTR

John,
Hello.
What a breath of fresh air. Yes things are OK with me. BAE are still paying me for the time being, but they are downsizing a lot.

I understand exactly what you are saying, and I am not saying I would not do it myself, (who knows I might have even run different tyres when I was skint myself).

But Asian Gunner asked 'could it' cause problems running different tyres.
Emphatically the answer I would give him has to be maybe. (can maybe be classed as an emphatic answer?)
Or I could unwittingly prompt him to take action which may cost him dearly to have put right.

Do 2 extra tyres cost less than gearbox rebuild?
No they don't.

What I would advocate for myself may not be the same advice I would give a third party.
I am not going to knowingly suggest a course of action that could put some one or their property at risk.

Well not since I last recommended some spurious petrol, which would have fu*ked up a batch of Lambda sensors. before I was enlightened.
I might recommend some spurious waxing product, but not much else.

If someone has no knowledge (this is not a pop at Asian Gunner, it applies to anyone who may ask a question) then any answer is seen as good advice.
And the respondant who makes most noise, even if it is unsubstantiated, may well be used as a reference.

In the land of the blind, the partially sighted man is king.
Even if he cannot understand the most basic laws of physics.

The tyre pressures variations you reference and the differential(excuse the pun) in rolling radius, i'm sure you would agree, would need to be assesed in light of the differing corner weights on the particular vehicle.

I am not sure what the weight bias on a Impreza is front/rear, but IF the front carries a greater static load on the higher inflated tyre, then MAYBE the rolling radius issue becomes less pronounced, or may even negate itself.

Just for interest, I was recounted a story by my dealer about an Isuzu trooper fitted with 4 new tyres, but 2 different makes.
They were marked up as the same size, but were different circumferance. They marked them up and measured them on the garage floor over 1 rev.
and it was measurable.
When the owner tried running in 4WD, on tarmac, it wouldn't disengage for about 4 miles.
When it did, it made a loud bang, as the diff was being loaded up.
They advised him to swap to tyres of the same make.
Different car, different 4wd system, just a conversation topic.

I wouldn't use a get you home spare by choice, but use a full size spare, and risk using a different brand, construction, tread pattern and level of wear than the tyres on the car.

But again that is my choice and my risk, and would only be done to get me home.
To date I have only had to do it once in 7 1/2 years of Impreza ownership, for the distance it took me to drive to the tyre garage.
I would not recomend that course of action for a stranger.

I think I prefer the ho ho's than all these but I have had a whinger complain about my use of those in the past as well.
There are some sensitive folk out there, but i suppose it takes all sorts to make up a world.
Thank f*ck we don't all have to share the same house space. Ho Ho, Ha Ha, chortle chortle, gufaw gufaw!!!

Cheers
MTR

johnfelstead

its fun putting 300BHP through a space saver on a 200SX, or rather it is until you corner too sideways and the tyre falls off its rim. *whistles*

ZIPPY

But again MTR, John has once again confirmed my initial posts in that running different tyres on opposing axles wont cause you any problems.

Talk about hard of understanding, you may have guessed by now i wont back down and you can spout the manual all you like but 'you are wrong' John has even said running incorrect pressures can be a lot more damaging than tread depths but still you persist with you war and peace replies.

This is getting boring now, i can understand you dont want to back down but lets be honest the evidence you produce to back your claim is false,nobody has suffered a diff issue with the problem Asian gunner initially mentioned,ever, so me saying ''ignore the scaremongerers'' wasnt B#llocks at all.
If what you claim is such an issue we would have hundreds of posts similair to the problems with piston slap, but again no evidence, in any situation you must back your claims up with evidence and you dont have any whereas i have my opinion and based on available evidence, i'm right.

See its not difficult,i know it must be killing you to read this but hey ho, or is that HO HO HO.

Zippy

MTR

Neither will I.

Not for me.

By evidence you mean the quotation from the official Subaru owners handbook?
So when are you going to write to them, pointing out their error?

Nobody has EVER had a failure?
How would you know?
Do Subaru Uk write to YOU to inform you of ALL the warranty work carried out on gearboxes.

I haven't stated it 'is such an issue'. I replied that it may cause problems.

We (Is Scoobynet the centre of the universe then, does every single owner write on here? I know plenty of people that don't own Subarus who write on here) would have hundreds of complaints.
We would have complaints? Who, Subaru Uk or Scoobynet.
If I want to complain about my car I would complain to the Subaru dealer not Scoobynet.
Not if owners are following the advice of the manufacture and swapping all 4 tyres.

I have.
My 'claim' is that it may cause problems.
My evidence to corroborate my view is the official Subaru owners handbook which confirms my statement.

Truly amazing. Your arrogence knows no bounds does it.
Available evidence? What, posts on Scoobynet? You don't expect anyone to take that comment seriously do you.

I suggest you study FMEA.
It was invented in the aerospace industry to evaluate the likely effect of component failure, and using RCA techniques, design and maintenace standards are developed to lessen the likelihood of catastrophic falures.
The automotive industry use it as well now, and all critical parts have to be categorised by the component manufactures.

That is how the car manufacturers formulate their advice to owners about how and when they should service/maintain their vehicles.
And print the info in owners manuals, and garage service procedures for their vehicles.

They do not guess. And they will not read Scoobynet to form company policy.

In the aerospace industry we use it to determine the service schedules and life cycles of all critical components.

Not at all. Why should it?
And yes I will go for the Ho Ho Ho.


Cheers
MTR