Mechanics - Question about Tires

[KingTermite]

I noticed this afternoon that my front driver side tire is absolutely ripping at the seam right near edge of tire (in 2 or 3 places).

These tires are about 2 years old or so....but they were the highest end tires they had for that size (at Firestone). I'll bet they haven't had their life (in miles) yet.


Should I be able to get free replacement tires? Or would they just still do the pro-rated deal like they do depending on the miles they've had (which is probably a lot).


If there's no chance of getting free replacement, then what are the best tires to get? In terms of brand name....I know that every size has different "best" ones, but in general what brand do you recommend as best? Michelen?

[FB]

more info KT, what kind of tire are you looking for? general all season, performance all season, Snow ( florida)

i recommend checking out www.tirerack.com

and tires are generally pro-rated.

[KingTermite]

Originally Posted by FB -|-+

more info KT, what kind of tire are you looking for? general all season, performance all season, Snow ( florida)

I don't know what kind of tire..... a Florida tire.

[FB]

i really suggest tirerack for research of a good tire, look at the user opinions and how they rate tires, then read the actual reviews that is how i came to pick out my new tires, BFGoodrich Traction T/A's in 225/60r16

[KingTermite]

Originally Posted by FB -|-+

i really suggest tirerack for research of a good tire, look at the user opinions and how they rate tires, then read the actual reviews that is how i came to pick out my new tires, BFGoodrich Traction T/A's in 225/60r16

Checking it now, thanks.

[FB]

Originally Posted by KingTermite

Checking it now, thanks.

there are many good brands out there, let us know what you find out

[KingTermite]

From a quick check...this looks like the best tire according to that website.

Continental
ContiExtremeContact
Blackwall

Size:215/55VR16

[blackdog]

as for the first question the tires would be prorated for the miles u put on them compared to the miles they are wear rated for so no not free but less then full price..
and as for the best it depends on price, and mileage warranty u want.. michelen is always a good tire but there top of the line so there expensive.. goodyr has some great tires so does bfg.. it all depends on what u are really looking for
what size tires are u looking for? are they truck tires or car? and do u want performance tires or a good all season or just a highway tread??also have the aligment doing with the tire purchase it sounds like the toe or the camber is off if its wearing the edge like that unless your just running them under inflated

[Jim_abx]

Originally Posted by KingTermite

I noticed this afternoon that my front driver side tire is absolutely ripping at the seam right near edge of tire (in 2 or 3 places).

These tires are about 2 years old or so....but they were the highest end tires they had for that size (at Firestone). I'll bet they haven't had their life (in miles) yet.


Should I be able to get free replacement tires? Or would they just still do the pro-rated deal like they do depending on the miles they've had (which is probably a lot).


If there's no chance of getting free replacement, then what are the best tires to get? In terms of brand name....I know that every size has different "best" ones, but in general what brand do you recommend as best? Michelen?

Most likely unless there was a known defect with the type of tire on your car (like the free replacements they were doing on Broncos for a while) you're not going to get any sort of compensation. A lot of these tire companies that have the mileage warranties require you to bring in the vehicle at mileage intervals for a "free rotation", and of course at that time they hope to sell you brakes, or struts or something your car may or may not need. When all they sell is tires, brakes and struts...well refer to the lawyer speak at the end of the commercial for the $89 lifetime brakes as an example. "The cost of pad replacement only is covered and your car may need additional repairs at substantial extra expense."

So I'd pick out a nice set of tires and have an alignmemt performed as the right front tire may have hit a curb or something knocking it out of spec.

[FB]

i was looking at those, but they are noisier than my Traction T/A's
and those Conti's flatspot pretty easy, so when you start driving they will be really bumpy, then as the tire warms up it will get better.

[grsamf]

TireRack rates very high on my list. I needed a hard to find size and replacement wheels. I e-mailed them with a couple of questions and had a response from a sales rep in a couple of hours. After that e-mails went back and forth at a rapid pace. I had a question about a specific combination and the rep actually suggested something different at about 60% the cost. I finally hooked up on the phone, ordered the tires and wheels. Great service, competitive prices (even with shipping costs).

[FB]

competitive prices (even with shipping costs).

unless you can get tires locally at wholesale like i can otherwise i would have ordered from tirerack because after shipping they were about 40.00 less for all 4 tires compared to local.

[The_Bloodguard]

Originally Posted by KingTermite

I noticed this afternoon that my front driver side tire is absolutely ripping at the seam right near edge of tire (in 2 or 3 places).

These tires are about 2 years old or so....but they were the highest end tires they had for that size (at Firestone). I'll bet they haven't had their life (in miles) yet.


Should I be able to get free replacement tires? Or would they just still do the pro-rated deal like they do depending on the miles they've had (which is probably a lot).


If there's no chance of getting free replacement, then what are the best tires to get? In terms of brand name....I know that every size has different "best" ones, but in general what brand do you recommend as best? Michelen?

Need more info (type of car, year, mileage on tires) or better yet, a picture I would doubt you would get prorated since something like this seems more of a alignment or shock problem and you would need to prove that you had the tires rotated and inspected every 7500 to 12000 miles. I would still give it a try since some places don't care that much.

1) If the edge is worn out and showing the steel belt in a non-continuous
pattern (cupping), it's likely a strut or shock problem. Do the bounce test!

2) If it was in a continuous pattern but only on one side of the tire, then it could be a alignment problem along with possible worn parts.

3) If both sides (inside and outside edges) are worn alot more than the
center, underinflation along possibly with #1 above or #2

Tires are usually rated with a treadware number followed by two letters
something like 320 A C where 320 basically stands for how long the tire will last but depends on other variables..I think 300 is usually around 40 to 50 K miles.
The A would stand for the traction rating on wet pavement and the last letter is a temperature rating (A is highest). Isaw that you mentioned a VR rated tire which would be a great tire with soft rubber for better traction but the mileage warranty is usually under 30000 miles since it is softer. V rated tires are rated to go over 130 mph, H tires I think are 115 and S tires something like 100.

edit: I choose Michelin on my truck and I would suggest Costco if you have it in Florida. Costco gives free rotation for life of tire, free flat repair I believe, they use nitrogen instead of air to fill the tires ( actually a good thing !),
and usually have a great replacement warranty. They don't do alignments or checks which you may need though

[Jim_abx]

Originally Posted by The_Bloodguard

Need more info (type of car, year, mileage on tires) or better yet, a picture I would doubt you would get prorated since something like this seems more of a alignment or shock problem and you would need to prove that you had the tires rotated and inspected every 7500 to 12000 miles. I would still give it a try since some places don't care that much.

1) If the edge is worn out and showing the steel belt in a non-continuous
pattern (cupping), it's likely a strut or shock problem. Do the bounce test!

2) If it was in a continuous pattern but only on one side of the tire, then it could be a alignment problem along with possible worn parts.

3) If both sides (inside and outside edges) are worn alot more than the
center, underinflation along possibly with #1 above or #2

Tires are usually rated with a treadware number followed by two letters
something like 320 A C where 320 basically stands for how long the tire will last but depends on other variables..I think 300 is usually around 40 to 50 K miles.
The A would stand for the traction rating on wet pavement and the last letter is a temperature rating (A is highest). Isaw that you mentioned a VR rated tire which would be a great tire with soft rubber for better traction but the mileage warranty is usually under 30000 miles since it is softer. V rated tires are rated to go over 130 mph, H tires I think are 115 and S tires something like 100.

edit: I choose Michelin on my truck and I would suggest Costco if you have it in Florida. Costco gives free rotation for life of tire, free flat repair I believe, they use nitrogen instead of air to fill the tires ( actually a good thing !),
and usually have a great replacement warranty. They don't do alignments or checks which you may need though

A bit OT for the thread but what are the odds of 2 guys from Ventura and Goleta, Ca (about 40 miles apart) responding to the same thread here on ABX.

[SupDawg]

Originally Posted by KingTermite

From a quick check...this looks like the best tire according to that website.

Continental
ContiExtremeContact
Blackwall

Size:215/55VR16

Check out Falken Ziex 512s. Consumer Digest best buy last year IIRC, excellent wet performance tires.. Very decently price although availibility isn't that great.

Here's some user reviews. I would rate these as 5/5 as compared to my last pair of Goodyear Aquatred 3s that cost twice as much. I have had them for 8K miles and they are very nice IMO.