What would MM do? Tires question

lbonga1 · June 2015

To give some background, I got my car from a dealership. It had been used as a service loaner, and only had about 3.5k miles when I bought it. I had been told that all maintenance had been performed, which I assumed included tire rotation. So I thought I wouldn't have to rotate them for a while. The car now has about 14.5k miles, and I noticed the front tires were looking bald, so I took it in to be rotated. I should have taken it in sooner, but I know next to nothing about cars and hadn't read the warranty information until now, which states they need to be rotated every 3-4k miles. Anyway, I was told they need to be replaced. The tire company won't do anything because they weren't rotated properly, and the car company/dealership I got the car from won't do anything because tires aren't covered under the car's warranty. So it looks like I'm stuck buying new tires. My options are to replace just the front tires with the same tires that are on the rear wheels (Pirelli run flats), which will cost around $600, or replace all 4 tires with traditional tires, which will still be around $600 and I'd have to sign a waiver because my car didn't come with a spare. What would you do?

AprilZ81 · June 2015

Why do you have to sign a waiver on the traditional tires, just because you don't have a spare? Do you have space for a spare? I know my Chevy Cruz doesn't have a spare, just an inflation kit. It is common in newer cars to save the weight of the spare to increase the gas mileage (stupid government regulations...)

I rarely have my tires rotated, as in maybe twice in 10 years. I don't have any issues with tire wear, but I do keep an them periodically to make sure they are wearing even.

I would get a second opinion, you may be able to put the rear tires on the front and move the worn out tires to the back to buy a little time. The front tires do tend to wear out faster and need to have more tread for proper traction and stopping.

If they are beyond saving at all I would lean towards getting four new tires since you get more for the same money. I would only go that route if you live in a decent sized city and would be in a decent range for tow truck to get to you in most cases. The longer they have to go to pick you up the more expensive it is.

If you do a lot of driving on rural roads or drive in unsafe areas then I would go with the run flats. Those will allow you to get to a safer spot to deal with the tire.

vlagrl29 · June 2015

My dad always told me to have my tires rotated every 6k miles. I'm actually taking mine in on Friday because I've waited to long this last time. If you aren't hurting for money I would get all 4 new tires that way they all wear out at the same time. Usually wherever you get tires from like Tires Plus they include lifetime rotation for free which is awesome.

lbonga1 · June 2015

@AprilZ81, I've had to drive the car for the past week after I had them looked at, and now I can see the threading coming through the rubber. So they're not safe for me to be driving not them, even if they were moved to the rear. And I drive a Mini, so no room for a spare. I'm leaning towards 4 new tires...I'm just waiting to hear back from Mini's customer service to see if they'll do anything for me.

AprilZ81 · June 2015

lbonga1 said:

@AprilZ81, I've had to drive the car for the past week after I had them looked at, and now I can see the threading coming through the rubber. So they're not safe for me to be driving not them, even if they were moved to the rear. And I drive a Mini, so no room for a spare. I'm leaning towards 4 new tires...I'm just waiting to hear back from Mini's customer service to see if they'll do anything for me.

Yup, if you can see the thread's they aren't safe. Also, have someone check your alignment. Your tires should be wearing so dramatically different from front to back.

Xstatic3333 · June 2015

Hmmm, I'm not really understanding how not having a spare plays in (not really up on cars, so feel free to explain!) but I'd go for the four. I don't usually pay over $600 for four tires (and that's with a car that apparently needs a weird tire size) so paying that for two would hurt.

As for not having a spare, do you have room for a donut at least? I think I'd feel more comfortable having one. In general when I get flat it's not something an inflation kit would help.

For towing, if you're a AAA member I believe you should be covered, so I'd just make sure that's up to date.

jtmh2012 · June 2015

The waiver is because there are people out there who will get the non-run flat tires put on a car designed for run flats which don't include a spare because you don't need it and then compalin and/or sue when they have an issue and don't have a spare or damage the wheels trying to drive on the flat tire.

bcarb · June 2015

I would get the 4 new tires. I just got some a year or two again and it has made a world of a difference, especially in the winter. You are going to have to eventually replace them all anyways.

brij2006 · June 2015

I would do all new tires, then make sure you get the rotated properly.

Also, have them do an alignment when you get the new tires installed. It's usually an extra $100, but worth it to save the life of your tires.

Would you be re-installing non-run flat tires, and that's why you need to sign the waiver?

If you don't have a spare and don't have room for it, I would be afraid to not install run-flat tires on the vehicle. Needing to be towed to a repair shop, any time you have a flat just seems nuts to me. But I live in the country where a repair shop is easily 30 miles away.

blondie42107 · June 2015

I would say get four new tires, get an alignment, and then have them rotated regularly. All of this helps them last longer.

The tire place we use offers free lifetime rotation and they have fixed two minor leaks on H's tires over the past two years for free.

Xstatic3333 · June 2015

jtmh2012 said:
The waiver is because there are people out there who will get the non-run flat tires put on a car designed for run flats which don't include a spare because you don't need it and then compalin and/or sue when they have an issue and don't have a spare or damage the wheels trying to drive on the flat tire.

I had to google what run flats are. Seems pretty cool. Could you really drive on them after a blowout?

brij2006 · June 2015

Xstatic3333 said:

The waiver is because there are people out there who will get the non-run flat tires put on a car designed for run flats which don't include a spare because you don't need it and then compalin and/or sue when they have an issue and don't have a spare or damage the wheels trying to drive on the flat tire.
I had to google what run flats are. Seems pretty cool. Could you really drive on them after a blowout?

Yup. They're designed to encase the rim to protect it, so you can slowly drive on it to the nearest repair shop.
I personally wouldn't put anything but run flats on a vehicle that doesn't have a spare tire.

Xstatic3333 · June 2015

brij2006 said:

Xstatic3333 said:

jtmh2012 said:
The waiver is because there are people out there who will get the non-run flat tires put on a car designed for run flats which don't include a spare because you don't need it and then compalin and/or sue when they have an issue and don't have a spare or damage the wheels trying to drive on the flat tire.
I had to google what run flats are. Seems pretty cool. Could you really drive on them after a blowout?

Yup. They're designed to encase the rim to protect it, so you can slowly drive on it to the nearest repair shop.
I personally wouldn't put anything but run flats on a vehicle that doesn't have a spare tire.

Yes that might change my advice as well, unless it's possible to retrofit and purchase a spare.

short+sassy · June 2015

Huh! I'd heard of "run flat" tires before, but thought they were just a marketing gimmick for better quality tires.

I drive a MINI also and I don't think my car has a spare either. The trunks are miniscule, though most people are surprised I even have one at all, lol. I wonder if mine are run flats also? I need to look more into this.

Also @lbonga1, you probably already know this, but MINIs use all synthetic oil...no regular oil, no mixed. It's a twice as expensive oil change, but you only need to do it about once or twice a year (depending on the amount of your driving).

lbonga1 · June 2015

@short+sassy, mine is still under warranty, so all maintenance except tires and brakes are covered

It has almost 15k miles on it now, and the oil change indicator hasn't even come on yet though!

Erikan73 · June 2015

Since you don't have room for a spare I would stick with the no flat tires which means you can only get two tires for the moment. Then save up to replace the other two in the very near future. I agree with PP who said to make sure you get the wheels balanced and a front end (and rear end possibly) alignment. All those things will help to get you even wear. And make sure to rotate the tires based on the manufacturers recommendations.

FirstMate06 · June 2015

I definitely vote for replacing the run-flats as well. They're more expensive but I don't think it's worth the potential costly damage to the rims in case you get a flat (or the inconvenience/danger of being stranded).

If your car is still under warranty then I would also be very wary about signing any waivers. It would stink to null/void any of your warranty benfits.

AprilZ81 · June 2015

OP: I can't imagine a "normal" situation where tires are threadbare after 15,000 miles. I would have them check that car with a fine tooth comb since it is still under warranty and make sure that it isn't a manufacturer defect causing the unusual wear.

Even cheap tires should last you 25,000+ miles and expensive/high quality tires should last you 75,000+ miles.

lbonga1 · June 2015

The rear tires are still barely worn, so I'll definitely have them look the car over, check the alignment, etc. I was reading some reviews for these tires, and unfortunately, the quick wear seems to be pretty common.

AprilZ81 · June 2015

lbonga1 said:

The rear tires are still barely worn, so I'll definitely have them look the car over, check the alignment, etc. I was reading some reviews for these tires, and unfortunately, the quick wear seems to be pretty common.

If this is common I would at least go with a different brand with better life span. It makes no sense to pay $600 for two new tires every 2-3 years.

formerlyGDaisy09 · June 2015

AprilZ81 said:

OP: I can't imagine a "normal" situation where tires are threadbare after 15,000 miles. I would have them check that car with a fine tooth comb since it is still under warranty and make sure that it isn't a manufacturer defect causing the unusual wear.

Even cheap tires should last you 25,000+ miles and expensive/high quality tires should last you 75,000+ miles.

This is interesting! I had no idea. We change our tires out seasonally. my 2007 Mazda has 75K miles on it and we're on our 2nd set of summer tires, which the tire place refuses to put back on the car because they "won't last the season" and the tire place is telling us we need to buy another set of snows next year (which would also be our 3rd set)...so I now think they're ripping us off. they also lost the key for the lugnuts.

brij2006 · June 2015

formerlyGDaisy09 said:

AprilZ81 said:

OP: I can't imagine a "normal" situation where tires are threadbare after 15,000 miles. I would have them check that car with a fine tooth comb since it is still under warranty and make sure that it isn't a manufacturer defect causing the unusual wear.

Even cheap tires should last you 25,000+ miles and expensive/high quality tires should last you 75,000+ miles.

This is interesting! I had no idea. We change our tires out seasonally. my 2007 Mazda has 75K miles on it and we're on our 2nd set of summer tires, which the tire place refuses to put back on the car because they "won't last the season" and the tire place is telling us we need to buy another set of snows next year (which would also be our 3rd set)...so I now think they're ripping us off. they also lost the key for the lugnuts.

There really are so many things to factor in regarding how long tires should last. My H is a road warrior, and we change his tires every year. He puts 30,000 miles on them/year, is higher speed driving, and in all weather (sun, snow, heavy rain) so we don't chance it and change them once the tread is wearing enough to not get good traction in the rain. They aren't cheap tires either.

Also, tires can wear very quickly in a situation like OP stated. No rotations, and if the alignment was off, $5k miles of them wearing incorrectly and the tires are shot (which would explain why the front ones were bad, but back ones are still good).

**It pays to be married to a car geek.**

AprilZ81 · June 2015

formerlyGDaisy09 said:

AprilZ81 said:

OP: I can't imagine a "normal" situation where tires are threadbare after 15,000 miles. I would have them check that car with a fine tooth comb since it is still under warranty and make sure that it isn't a manufacturer defect causing the unusual wear.

Even cheap tires should last you 25,000+ miles and expensive/high quality tires should last you 75,000+ miles.

This is interesting! I had no idea. We change our tires out seasonally. my 2007 Mazda has 75K miles on it and we're on our 2nd set of summer tires, which the tire place refuses to put back on the car because they "won't last the season" and the tire place is telling us we need to buy another set of snows next year (which would also be our 3rd set)...so I now think they're ripping us off. they also lost the key for the lugnuts.

Mileage will vary based on the type of driving you do (interstate vs gravel roads), your driving style and type of vehicle (heavier vehicles have tires that wear down faster), but yeah, they should be lasting longer than a year or two. I have a 2011 Chevy Cruz that I bought used with 7,000 miles on it. It now has 45,000 miles on it and I've only rotated the tires once and I'm nowhere near needing new tires. I think I have Goodyear tires, but I haven't really paid attention.

The only reason I had them rotated is that I was worried I had some slow leaks in my front tires and went in to have them checked when I was home for Thanksgiving (my Dad knows the owners would treat me right). There were no leaks, just the tires reacting to extreme temp changes and the owner said I was getting excellent wear and I wouldn't need new tires for awhile. He rotated them as a favor...

Links on tire wear:

Tire Replacement and Safety

Typical Tire Wear

formerlyGDaisy09 · June 2015

brij2006 said:

formerlyGDaisy09 said:

AprilZ81 said:

OP: I can't imagine a "normal" situation where tires are threadbare after 15,000 miles. I would have them check that car with a fine tooth comb since it is still under warranty and make sure that it isn't a manufacturer defect causing the unusual wear.

Even cheap tires should last you 25,000+ miles and expensive/high quality tires should last you 75,000+ miles.

This is interesting! I had no idea. We change our tires out seasonally. my 2007 Mazda has 75K miles on it and we're on our 2nd set of summer tires, which the tire place refuses to put back on the car because they "won't last the season" and the tire place is telling us we need to buy another set of snows next year (which would also be our 3rd set)...so I now think they're ripping us off. they also lost the key for the lugnuts.

There really are so many things to factor in regarding how long tires should last. My H is a road warrior, and we change his tires every year. He puts 30,000 miles on them/year, is higher speed driving, and in all weather (sun, snow, heavy rain) so we don't chance it and change them once the tread is wearing enough to not get good traction in the rain. They aren't cheap tires either.

Also, tires can wear very quickly in a situation like OP stated. No rotations, and if the alignment was off, $5k miles of them wearing incorrectly and the tires are shot (which would explain why the front ones were bad, but back ones are still good).

**It pays to be married to a car geek.**

yea, we don't do any crazy driving, baisc interstate and paved state roads mostly. we put less than 10K miles a year on both cars, and change tires out seasonally, so they're rotated every 5K miles at least. so the snows we're taking off now (yea, I know it's the end of june), that they've told us "won't be good for another season" really have less than 15K miles on them. I think we're switching tire places and I think now that we both only have a <5mile commute to work we'll be switching to high quality all seasons. That's what I have on my subaru (rotated at every oil change) and it does just fine in the snow.

What would MM do? Tires question

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