need new tires

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tonyrama - 23 Apr 2004 22:30 GMT

Got a flat on the way to work yesterday. I pulled up to an intersection and
as far as I know it was fine. Pulled away and I heard the rubbing. There was
a gas station a couple hundred yards ahead, so I drove it up and pulled off.
It had a fairly large bolt smack dab in the center of the tread, leaving a
fairly large hole. The tires were bought and installed in July '02, and only
have about 10,000 miles on them. The dealer where I bought the tires said
they won't honor the roadhazard warrenty because they said I drove on the
sidewalls, and tried to sell me a new set of tires for $300. I'm not very
happy about that, and am going to take it up with them again. But I have a
couple of questions.

The tires were rated for 40,000 miles, but they said they were dry rotted
and ought to be replaced anyway. How long should a tire last, disregarding
miles?

How much play do I have in the diameter of each tire before it becomes to
much for the diffs? Even if they would replace the tire, would I then have
to replace all of them anyway?

How much damage might I have done by driving, say, 15 miles on a 9 year old,
pristine (never seen the light of day) space saver spare? I did pump it up
to the requested 60 lbs, but it would be full diameter, right?

Tonyrama
'95 Outback

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Carl 1 Lucky Texan - 23 Apr 2004 23:14 GMT

You need to speak to a manager where you got the tires. Sounds like the
tire was irreparable BEFORE you drove on the sidewalls - making their
position indefensible. Threaten to call the BBB and any local consumer
affairs folks with TV,radio,newspaper if you have to. Crazy.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

> Got a flat on the way to work yesterday. I pulled up to an intersection and
> as far as I know it was fine. Pulled away and I heard the rubbing. There was
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Tonyrama
> '95 Outback

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Edward Hayes - 24 Apr 2004 00:54 GMT

Dry rot my butt: Modern tires will last 5 years and more before rot sets in.
If you have a road hazard guarantee then they should replace the tire. I
doubt anyone would replace a punctured tire based on mileage exchange. ed

> You need to speak to a manager where you got the tires. Sounds like the
> tire was irreparable BEFORE you drove on the sidewalls - making their
[quoted text clipped - 32 lines]
> --
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uglymoney - 24 Apr 2004 01:38 GMT

>Got a flat on the way to work yesterday. I pulled up to an intersection and
>as far as I know it was fine. Pulled away and I heard the rubbing. There was
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>happy about that, and am going to take it up with them again. But I have a
>couple of questions.

Are they firestones? Just curious. That place had a long history of
ripping people off and not honoring warranty's.

Once my old man had a big ole bubble the side of a brick on the side
of a brand new firestone. They wouldn't warranty it, wanted to sell
him a new tire.

So he stood outside the store with 1000 photocopies with a picture of
the tire, and Firestones lack of commitment to their warranty ie
fraud.

He handed out 500 of them before he finally got a tap on the shoulder
and a new firestone.

Thats been a long time back, and before the bridgestone era.

Short of filing a claim in small claims court (the best answer with
the best and cheapest chance of results) consider using the 'true
story handout method'

nate
02 Outback Wagon MT5
28.6k

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Mark Hoffman - 24 Apr 2004 02:39 GMT

> Got a flat on the way to work yesterday. I pulled up to an
> intersection and as far as I know it was fine. Pulled away and I
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> The tires were rated for 40,000 miles, but they said they were dry
> rotted and ought to be replaced anyway.

uh, you got them less than 2 years ago, and they are dry rotted???

someone is playing you for a fool, that has more money than brains.

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tonyrama - 24 Apr 2004 23:43 GMT

> > Got a flat on the way to work yesterday. I pulled up to an
> > intersection and as far as I know it was fine. Pulled away and I
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> someone is playing you for a fool, that has more money than brains.

I can assure you that is not the case. Even if I do have to end up buying a
new set of tires, it won't be from them.
Tonyrama

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F. Plant - 25 Apr 2004 02:56 GMT

A couple of points, all IMHO.

If you only drove a couple of hundred yards, that seems reasonable distance
to safely slow and remove yourself from the flow of traffic on a freeway, so
I would argue that driving on the sidewall for a short distance is a
reasonable expectation on sudden tire failure.

If the tires actually have dry rot, it sounds like they sold you old stock
in the first place, or they are defective. Either way someone else should
be putting some money on the table. Get a second opinion if you can.

Check with a dealer on the diameter variation and if needed, maybe get the
new tire shaved down. If all the tires are defective its a non issue
though.

Good Luck
F.Plant

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Alan - 26 Apr 2004 14:31 GMT

More 1/4 inch in circumference difference, for the differential issue. Also,
you should pull the AWD fuse when using the spare. This forces the car into
FWD, and avoids the differntial problem. See your owner's manual. All of
this information is in there.

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Carl 1 Lucky Texan - 26 Apr 2004 23:48 GMT

Um - you insert a fuse (spare 15a IIRC) to force FWD.

Carl
1 Lucky Texan

> More 1/4 inch in circumference difference, for the differential issue. Also,
> you should pull the AWD fuse when using the spare. This forces the car into
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
>>Tonyrama
>>'95 Outback

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tonyrama - 27 Apr 2004 00:44 GMT

> Um - you insert a fuse (spare 15a IIRC) to force FWD.
>
> Carl
> 1 Lucky Texan

Well, I've been driving my Miata, newly out of hiding for the summer,
instead of the Outback. That'll give me some time to think about whether or
not I should get a whole new set or not. I only drove it back home from work
on the spare.
Tonyrama

> > More 1/4 inch in circumference difference, for the differential issue. Also,
> > you should pull the AWD fuse when using the spare. This forces the car into
[quoted text clipped - 44 lines]
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