Hey! I am hoping to ask a few opinions on my tire situation that Ive had for a little while....

The question is: Do I have a legitimate reason to replace the tires either pro-rated, or let the tire store make good on their offer. (if they actually come thru on their word) .

The tires have about 20k on them, 8/32 of tread remaining (on the good side, the insides are 6/32 going to 5/32. Michelin Primacy mxm4's. Have had them aligned every 6k and rotated every 6 k, as we all should. I do my hw and standard maintenance on the car. Just completed B 13 service this week.

The issue has been obvious for the past 3000-5000 miles. The car cannot steer straight if I hold the wheel straight. I have been back to the alignment shop three times in the past 2500 miles. The first trip at my 6000k rotation...I was told that the alignment wasn't that bad (have papers to prove it). However, it didn't feel right when coming in. 1000 miles later my car was still not right, and the mechanic said that my toe was way off (no kidding).
1500 miles later (this past Wednesday) the kind folks at Acura service informed me that my tires were feathered and the suspension looked great....must be the alignment. OF course, they're in business to make money too, but I wanted to get to the bottom of my tire wearing problem, then go back to them for a real alignment.

Im not that unappeasable customer, typically Im fairly laid back to be honest. However enough's enough. I did notice with the loaner TL, that car steered fine and I drove the same roads.

The shop I use for tires and alignments I have been going to for years. The district manager spoke with me, asked their technician to align the car and drive it....then rotate the tires, drive the car again. Guess what, the tech said "yeah, the rotation feels better" well....those tires were rotated 3000 miles ago, under the interval of 6k. The district manager also said that If the car doesn't feel right, that they would "replace my tires at no cost to me", just call and we would evaluate the vehicle.

I took my TL on a 300 mile drive this weekend. It doesn't feel right. Still have to fight the car to go straight. It could be belts too in the tires....who knows, maybe its the alignment. Do I have a right to be concerned? My tires are wearing prematurely because they didn't align the car correctly to begin with? I have paperwork and the alignment records.......

I don't want to be "that guy" however, its not a cheap tire to repair.
Thanks in advance for the ball busting comments...and the helpful ones too. :-)

 

From what you're describing, sounds like perhaps a trip to your local Acura dealer is in order.


As the alignment settings, are reported to be correct or within specs, sounds like you have other suspension or steering issues, which I generally will 'pony up' the extra dough and take to the local Acura dealer -- I always use the Acura dealer anyway, but that's just me.


Acuras have fairly aggressive suspension settings but since your car doesn't go straight down the road, something else is wrong.


Belts on modern (especially premium brand tires) don't separate unless subject to excessive load/speed for long durations, so likely not it. You can always call Michelin or email their customer service and they'll have a rep meet you at your tire dealer (assuming they are authorized Michelin dealer, or if not, at one) to inspect your tires. As a former Bridgestone rep, I used to do this with some regularity, or if my dealership requested I do so.


You could take your tire dealer up on their offer to replace tires, but if car doesn't go straight down the road, likely will run into same issue until the root cause is found.


Good luck, hope that helps.

 

I appreciate your input. :-)

I've driven the car a good 500 miles....and it's going straight ahead now. I did stop back to the Acura dealer and they double checked the car...suspension components are ok. The tires are defiantly loud and with the "better" tires up front, they will wear faster because they were just rotated 2/3000 miles ago. The company spoke with me today and they are going to install new tires for me at n/c.....I'll be taking it from there back to Acura for a second alignment to confirm that all's good. I'll also be taking the car to a Body shop to confirm that the subframe wasn't hit before, and not documented on car fax.

I wonder, do your cars pull right or left with the slightest crown in the road? My old car with a 235 tire width didn't really....but this car always did respond and go left/right depending on a pebble in the road.