Integraphite

Has anyone had issues with the stock Michelins getting bubbles in the sidewalls and/or blowing out? I've had two incidents now. The first one came after hitting an admittedly huge pothole in Manhattan- I got a nice bubble in the sidewall of the front driver side tire. Acura would be happy to replace it if I wanted to purchase a new one at full price, but they recommended I go to Michelin to see if they would cover it.

Technically, the tire's warranty does not cover damages caused by road conditions, but the local Michelin dealer (alright, Sears) told me that they have had numerous examples of that same problem with that particular model. After Michelin had them inspect the tire and wheel, they covered 50% of the cost to replace it.

Now, tonight, I hit a nasty pothole (maybe I need to move) and thought "that sounds just like the last one I hit." Five minutes later, it blew out. I have to say, the car handled well with three passengers doing 80 riding on the front passenger rim. NOTHING left of the tire, but I have to think I got another bubble that burst.

Instead of replacing this one with the same tire, I need to get two new fronts that can handle abuse a little better. As I know so many of you are trading up for performance, can anyone instead suggest something a little more rugged?

hobbestec

The michelin tires that are on there are known for not having a very strong sidewall. Other Acura's have the same exact tires, and they also have similar issues. I ran over some crap in the road today and was paranoid about a blowout or bubbles too

I have no experience with other tires myself, but i've heard people on other Acura boards switch to other brand tires and have better luck with them, though lower profile tires have less sidewall material than regular profile tires.

Dan Martin

I'm having one tire replaced tomorrow for exactly the same reason. I hit a pothole on a side street that had to be almost 6 inches deep so I'm not sure how any other tire would have done but the michelin has a nice bubble in the sidewall.

acc91ex

i hit a pot hole two months ago and have a bubble too. since i was due for a rotation so now the bubble is in the rear and i am not too worry about that. just taking my chances hopefully it won't blow out on me. knock on wood.

bob shiftright

This is one of the main reasons I run winter tires and steel wheels during the ugly months.

A few years ago there was a class action lawsuit brought against Volvo for equipping the 850R with 17" wheels and low-profile tires. It was brought by a New York law firm after an epidemic of bent wheels and ruptured tires following contact with the tri-state area's famous potholes.

Amazingly, Volvo actually settled the lawsuit, I think because the company was just about to be bought out by Ford and needed to get the liability off it's books. Owners received $500 towards a new set of tires. The lawyers received more.

Dan Martin

It's really dangerous to drive with a bubble in the sidewall I wouldn't risk my life for a $150 tire.

yuhoo22

I agree with Dan, driving with a bubble in the sidewall is not a good idea and definitely not worth risking your safety for $150.

Bass Mechanic

i dont know about where you live but here in colorado if you hit a pot hole and cause damage to your car you can call the pothole hotline. the city is responcible for maintaining the roads and if you have damage from a result of hitting their pothole they will replace the tire and rim if needed as well as pay to align your car.
i know several people who have done this.

DEVO

i wouldn't blame the tire in this case... you will find that any tire (of the same size) will do equally bad/good (depending on your view)... bad, a bubble... good, your rim survived and no blow out.

Dan Martin

Just in case anyone is curious, the best price I found in the GTA was $240CDN installed. http://www.mtctire.com/

I had 8 quotes anywhere from $240 up to $280 so it pays to shop around....

Integraphite

Thanks for your responses. I'm going to replace all 4. Just debating which all-season tires to use...

tsxer.ca

any one can post a pic which shows bubble in the sidewall of the tire?

hobbestec

This is an example of a bubble: http://www.acurainspired.com/gallery...=395&pid=16175

dabuda

does anyone know what other side effects a bubble in the sidewall can cause besides the worst case such as blowouts. for eg, decreased gas mileage, alignment shift, etc?

Dan Martin

It's not a question of if the tire will blow just a question of when. I wouldn't drive it long enough to worry about decreased gas mileage. Alignment could be thrown out when you hit whatever it was to cause the bubble but the bubble itself doesn't otherwise have anything to with alignment.

Integraphite

I concur. Not to mention that most of us reading this forum like to drive in a, shall I say, spirited way. As well as the TSX handled, I did not enjoy blowing out at 80mph with two passengers.

It isn't worth it.

lushious000

I have thought about doing this.. I'm from Toronto.. but I feel like they would just laugh in my face! I had to replace one of my michelin's and pay the full price for a new tiore.. they said it was because I hit a pothole as well... but now that I see that many of you out there have had a similar problem... than maybe I should call my dealership and complain about these Michelins???

lushious000

Really dumb question... but what happens when a tire blowsout? if its in the rear of the car?

DEVO

always, accelerate first. then gradually slow down.

phile

I've never experienced a blowout, but I did see one happen on the freeway. It's not like in the movies...all of a sudden, I hear a kaboom and I see that the tire on the other car is completely exploded - whatever is left of it is just revolving with the rims. But the driver had complete control - he wasn't swurving left and right or anything like that. And this was on a van too, so I was expecting it to tip over, but it didn't.

DGH

Why? What's the rationale?

DEVO

The rational is that if you slam on your brakes, you will lock up because you don't have a tire in the back and your front will slow down faster then your rear of the car, which will cause your car to spin out of control. By accelerating you prevent the rear from coming forward, you shifted the weight in your favor. So floor the accelerator first, then let car slow down gradually before applying the brakes.

DEVO

and for a more detailed explaination...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...l/blowouts.jsp

my dad told me about this growing up, should be required info given out by driver instructors IMO.

JTso

iTrader: (2)

When you take a chance on a tire that can blow out, you are not only endangering yourself but also others who drive around you. So, please take care of that tire.

lushious000

The other pic of the bulge didn't work so I found this one...


http://www.careersnet.org/automotive/PHS/Photos/Suspension/Tire%20Bulge02.jpg

lushious000

Sorry... the other link I posted didn't work but this one should!

http://www.careersnet.org/automotive...%20Bulge02.jpg