starla79 Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 The city of atlanta can't keep their streets in decent repair and we've got a damaged tire for it. We replaced all four tires in January last year with ContiExtremeContacts, and replaced one of them just a few months later due to a similar incident. The stealership is telling us that we have to replace all four because of the tread wear, but the tires have maybe 12k miles on them, tops (more like 10k, likely), and it's not like they wear crazy fast like the stock RE-92's. And I'm not interested in spending $500 on new tires when the lease is up in 8 months, even if the city might get around to reimbursing us for them eventually. Whole thing has me really irritated, especially since we told them we needed an estimate and they're trying to charge us for just looking at the tire and rim, when Subaru of Gwinnett did it last time for free (we're at Classic this time because they're closer, and since we have to get two estimates to file a claim with the city). So, my question, amid all this raving, is how likely has there been enough wear that it'll cause issues with the car if just one tire is replaced? We don't track it or anything like that, and we live in Atlanta, so that's the sort of weather we get. And, if there's been enough wear that it'll be a problem to just replace one tire, can anyone recommend a decent, cheaper tire that'll get the car through the next 8 months? It only has to perform as well as the stock tires, which is setting the bar pretty low.
ehsnils Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 The tire wear also depends on the driving conditions, but it's a good idea to have identically rated tires on the car, and considering the wear you have had on the other tires you can go for a new tire there. There will be a minute difference in speed, and the center diff shall not really be considering this as a problem. Compare it to the difference between having an empty backseat with a two heavy guys sitting in the back. That will cause a rolling distance difference too. A 3mm wear will be a difference in diameter of less than 1%
Opie Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 According to Subaru all tires must have an outside circumference that is within 1/4 inch or less of all the other tires or the center differential may be damaged. 12k miles could easily put you over that amount. Only way to be sure is to measure the circumference of the 3 remaining tires and then compare it to the new one. If the difference is greater than 1/4 inch then you need to relace the other three.
Osei Posted February 25, 2008 Posted February 25, 2008 If the new tire is more than 1/4 " see if you can find a place that will shave the tire. Will be a lot cheaper than replacing all 4. You'll have to do research for who in your area can do this. O.
ehsnils Posted February 26, 2008 Posted February 26, 2008 A 12k miles could easily put you over that amount. Only way to be sure is to measure the circumference of the 3 remaining tires and then compare it to the new one. If the difference is greater than 1/4 inch then you need to relace the other three. Notice that it has to be measured with the tire inflated. As someone else said - shaving a new tire may be the easiest and cheapest way to do it.
Golf4283 Posted February 26, 2008 Posted February 26, 2008 haha its kind of funny people in Georgia complaining about roads. Up here in Chicago we have potholes the size of bath tubs. I have to slalom my way down the road just to keep from banging into one. but that does suck though that you blew a tire. Good thing you don't live up here though, happens all the time to people. Salt plus ice plus plows = crappy roads.
starla79 Posted February 26, 2008 Author Posted February 26, 2008 haha its kind of funny people in Georgia complaining about roads. Up here in Chicago we have potholes the size of bath tubs. I have to slalom my way down the road just to keep from banging into one. but that does suck though that you blew a tire. Good thing you don't live up here though, happens all the time to people. Salt plus ice plus plows = crappy roads. We moved here from NE, and I think the roads are worse here year round... at least in NE they fill the potholes, here they just slap metal plates over them if they do anything at all. The hole my husband hit was 4" deep, cut straight down as part of some sewer repair work, and it was left uncovered and was invisible b/c of the rain we had gotten. I really figured the roads would be better maintained here (given that they don't have the freeze/thaw cycles, which is what causes potholes... not so much the ice and salt) but it's really not the case... the roads are allowed to deteriorate to an amazing degree before they're fixed, and the road construction crews do as much damage as they fix. It looks like we're getting a new set. Anyone want 1 to 3 partially used contiextremecontacts? I'm almost tempted to replace them with the RE-92s just to make the city suck up the ridiculous cost. But then I'd have to drive on them...
V4LG7 Posted February 26, 2008 Posted February 26, 2008 I'm pretty sure that when you return a leased car the tires have to have 80% tread or more left. I may be wrong though... That's why I bought a used set of re92s for $80, so I can throw them on before I return my car. not sure if that pertains to anything.
GTTuner Posted February 26, 2008 Posted February 26, 2008 My Nissan I leased had to have 1/4" of tread or they charged you for tires. If you did not put the OE tires on, they still charged you. I'll never lease again.
gianspi Posted February 26, 2008 Posted February 26, 2008 Call Luke @ Tirerack. You can buy 1 ContiExtreme tire and they will shave it down to the right circumference. Next, buy a used LGT wheel and matching tire and do a 5 wheel rotation. enough zip ties and duct tape will fix anything.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.