The dreaded R
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Turns out my front tires, one of which was quite worn on the edge due to an alignment issue, were also quite worn in the middle. Not JRitS worthy, but definitely at the wear bars (despite being at less than half their tread life). Unfortunately I didn't realize I was supposed to be having a booklet filled out for rotations, so I might be sunk on the treadlife warranty, even though I have other records (though the last rotation was one I did myself). They might also get me for improper inflation, as well I check inflation regularly, they do sure as hell look like they've been over-inflated from the wear pattern.
In any event, got an appointment tomorrow to get some Pilot Sport A/S 4s put on the front (current tires are Pilot Sport A/S 3+, which is no longer sold). Rear tires basically still look brand new, so I'll keep those even though I'm somewhat annoyed by having mismatched tires.
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@facw The badge of shame! My wife's car had it last month due to a loose bearing.
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@facw said in The dreaded R:
Turns out my front tires, one of which was quite worn on the edge due to an alignment issue, were also quite worn in the middle. Not JRitS worthy, but definitely at the wear bars (despite being at less than half their tread life). Unfortunately I didn't realize I was supposed to be having a booklet filled out for rotations, so I might be sunk on the treadlife warranty, even though I have other records (though the last rotation was one I did myself). They might also get me for improper inflation, as well I check inflation regularly, they do sure as hell look like they've been over-inflated from the wear pattern.
Obligatory: Why haven't you been rotating your tires?
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@eric I have been rotating them! I haven't been recording those rotations in Michelin's little book like they say is required (I thought having records would be enough, though apparently by the letter of Michelin's warranty its not):
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@facw Me, an Illinoisan: what's a vehicle inspection?
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@facw A real power move is to wait a few years until your expired sticker is the same color as the current years'.
The person reading this is a doo-doo head
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@facw Florida here, no inspections either. I'm surprised there aren't more hoopties and garbage barges on the roads here.
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@essextee I think we are on a 5-year cycle? But alas it's too late for that now that I have the R, way more noticeable than having a 7 on a blue sticker. I actually passed a cop going the other way on the way back from the inspection and was a bit worried, I think technically I'm supposed to get it towed to a shop for repairs, but that seems pretty silly on a dry day when I still have (shallow) tread left.
If I were really bold, I could have left the inspection until March when my registration expires, but I've already (years ago, and accidentally) gotten away with going a year without a current inspection so I feel like I've already used up my luck in that regard.
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@benn454 said in The dreaded R:
@facw Me, an Illinoisan: what's a vehicle inspection?
Also, Californian.
I have 3 cars. None of them require even the smog tests (two EVs and one too old for smog tests).
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@facw said in The dreaded R:
In any event, got an appointment tomorrow to get some Pilot Sport A/S 4s put on the front (current tires are Pilot Sport A/S 3+, which is no longer sold). Rear tires basically still look brand new, so I'll keep those even though I'm somewhat annoyed by having mismatched tires.
Really the 3+ didn't fare so good either?
I have the Sport A/S 3 (non +) I put on 2016 and I think there may have been a class action threat because lots of people that bought them got nowhere remotely close to the mileage they were rated for (including myself).
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@benn454 @AutomaticMan Despite failing, I do think it's better to have them, though I wish they were done by the state or inspection-only stations rather than shops that potentially make money by failing people to create work (my guy didn't even try to sell me tires though, just told me to get them done and come back).
Here is the high level view of what gets tested for the safety inspection:
The emissions inspection is basically just checking if your check engine light is on (presumably they also check if the system is "ready" to keep people from clearing codes right before they go in). -
@exage03040 So as I say the ones on the back look pristine. I think it's probably just that I've had a lot of things wrong on the front end (since getting the tires, I've replaced both struts, both ball joints, one tie rod, and a CV axle) so it was likely just scrubbing them or something at various points. Hopefully now things are in good enough shape that it won't eat the new ones (I'm probably going to put the rears on the front and the new ones on the back, and we'll see what sort of wear we get there). Aside from the premature wear, I did really like the A/S 3+ though, vastly better than the Michelin Premier A/S tires that were on the car previously, even though they were roughly the same price.
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@facw said in The dreaded R:
@eric I have been rotating them! I haven't been recording those rotations in Michelin's little book like they say is required (I thought having records would be enough, though apparently by the letter of Michelin's warranty its not):
So you have to have the rotated at a Michelin approved retailer? That sounds like it would cost as much as the tires over the life of them.
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@ibrad Doesn't have to be approved, but they say you do need to have this stuff filled out (no idea what they do about self-done rotations, it's not like an oil change where you can show receipt for oil/filter if you do your own). Will talk with the shop tomorrow and see if they think Michelin will accept my records or what. If that fails I'll get the new tires, but also see what Michelin says if I contact them directly.
And I guess will be more careful with documentation in the future.
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@facw Can you just fill in their booklet based on your records maybe?
I took advantage of their 'satisfaction' guarantee last set of tires I bought and they were very helpful and I was satisfied in the end. Hope the same for you!
Edit: and I bet the shop has lots of pull when it comes to presenting/getting the warranty on your behalf. They won't care if you're paying for the new ones or Michelin is.
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@ibrad Yeah, I'm going to put everything together, except for signing for the shop. I'd love for Michelin to pay out out, but I'm also not going to commit fraud for a bit of money. I'll include a copy of the shop record and hopefully that will be good enough. If not, I'll live, and will be more cautious about making sure to get the paperwork in the future.
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@facw If you think you've legitimately taken proper care of them and they didn't meet your lifetime expectation I don't think that constitutes fraud simply on a technicality. I'm not a lawyer though!
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🔵 '16 Renault Megane GT 🟠'80 Triumph TR7 V8
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@samv8 Definitely a thing. But can anyone actually collect on it? And can I?
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@facw said in The dreaded R:
@samv8 Definitely a thing. But can anyone actually collect on it? And can I?
And I learned that my spouse has 2 more years of roadside assistance that came with her tires.
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@automaticman said in The dreaded R:
@facw Florida here, no inspections either. I'm surprised there aren't more hoopties and garbage barges on the roads here.
I lived in Utah and in spite of the inspections there were more hoopties and dangerous junk on the road there than anywhere else I've ever lived. I came to the conclusion that the inspections:
- Are a scam, where only those without connections are subject to it.
- Cause greater neglect because many owners do not believe they are responsible for their own safety.
a) Story: My dad's coworker that we used to call "Pinky Toe" (because she said she'd give up her pinky toe for some relatively trivial amount of money, who later died of cancer, RIP) had this beat Bronco II and one day my dad saw that it had a flat tire as he was coming into work, so he tells her about it. With a straight face, she says it's not possible because it just had a safety inspection a couple weeks ago. My dad found this so funny that he told us the story...
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@eric I suppose inspections can be dangerous in the hands of those with limited knowledge. I have a friend whose cousin came over from China to study and proceeded to buy a mid-2000s Passat (this was circa 2015) with great confidence that it was in good shape because it passed Texas inspection. I suppose not as risky as buying one that failed inspection, but it still left him stranded within two months.
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@facw safety test, that's communism.
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@automaticman said in The dreaded R:
@facw Florida here, no inspections either. I'm surprised there aren't more hoopties and garbage barges on the roads here.
Ohio is where cars too janky for Florida Man go to die.
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