i_luv_my_rx8

So, I just got back from the dealer and was flipping through the paper work they gave me... and it looks like during their checkpoint inspection, they noticed that all 4 tires of mine have cracks in the grooves. Does anyone know what Mazda's factory brand tires are? It looks like the ones I have on right now are Bridgestones... the same ones that were on when I bought the car. I, myself, have only put 1,500 miles on the car since I bought it. Do I have any chance of getting this fixed/replaced sans the dealer under my warranty? Just seems a bit strange that all 4 tires have this problem... after only putting on 1,500 miles myself (the car itself has roughly 14K total on it now).

Let me know, thanks!

P.S. If it's not one thing, it's another.
P.P.S. Yes, I did a search on this, peoples! Didn't really get the answer I was looking for, though...

Wilson

The cracks come from age, not mileage. It is called Dry Rot. All tires do this. Once they start cracking, it will get worse. Sounds like it is time to replace them.

The Bridgestones were probably the stock tire. They are excelent summer tires.

There are a lot of tires available. You don't really have to go with the same ones that came on the car. You may not drive it hard enough to need a tire that costs aprox $200 each. You may decide that without the spare, that you would prefer a Run Flat tire since you aready have the TPMS on your rims. You may decide that a great all weather tire is better for you. If you don't have much snow, this would probably do year round.

By the time this thread gets a few pages long, you will have a better idea. Tell us more about how your car is driven and the weather conditions where you live. This will help us give you better advice

i_luv_my_rx8

I don't drive my car hard or anything like that... and I live in California so the weather isn't too extreme.


I was just wondering because I really don't feel like paying out of pocket for the full amount if by chance there is something that can be done under warranty.


P.S. I did a search through Google and it does look like these Bridgestone Potenzas are OE for the 8.

Should I complain to the dealer I bought it from? I think I should... just want opinions, though.

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

why would a dealer give you tires for free? There is no warranty for wear items like tires...

Wilson

No way they will warranty them. California is a huge place. More specific? Do you get snow? Very hot? Desert?

i_luv_my_rx8

Bay Area, so Mediterranean-type climate. Hot in summers (but nothing extreme), cool in winter (but no snow... just rain, wind, etc.)



Should I try going through the manufacturer, then? Because maybe there's a defect or something... haha *sigh*. Am I the only one here who thinks it's a bit absurd that there are only 14K miles on the car (I only contributed 1500 mi) and the tires are already cracking? *shrug* I don't know these things... but that's my hunch.


Care to explain more about this dry rot thing-a-majig, Wilson? I've never seen this happen on any of my parent's cars' or friends' cars this soon... hrm.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

is your car 04 or 05?

was the car garaged by the previous owner(s)? a car that is ungaraged and constantly exposed to the elements usually have faster wear and tear, especially on rubber elements like tires

sorry to hear about the tire wear, but at 14k miles you probably won't get any type of mileage warranty out of them, easiest thing is to just get fresh tires. edgeracing.com has Falken FK452 225/45/18's on sale for $124 per tire, should check it out.

i_luv_my_rx8

It's an 04.

I keep my car garaged, don't know what the previous owner did, though... that's the problem. Maybe I bought the car with the tires already in that condition and never noticed? Never bothered to check the tires THAT closely. Like I said previously, the cracks aren't on the sides or near the treads... their deep within each individual groove.

So you think I don't have a shot?

i_luv_my_rx8

So I read my Waranty booklet, and it seems like there should be a separate pamphlet for tire warranty. Well, just my luck, I don't seem to have that.

Does anyone know where I can find one online? Or if someone doesn't mind, can you give me the low down??

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

i know tires are NOT warrantied through Mazda; when i bought my car new, the paperwork includes a warranty pamphlet from the tire manufacturer (in my case it was Dunlop), i didn't read it closely, but i did not remember it resembling anything close to the mileage guarantee that store/internet bought tires provides.

you can give Bridgestone's USA customer service a call to see what they say, it may be a long shot, but it's worth a try.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

damn you posted just as I was replying, yeah that's what I remembered, tires are NOT covered by Mazda.

again, call Bridgestone and see what they say.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

but at 14k miles, the OEM Bridgestones are probably near the end of its tread life, might as well use this opportunity to upgrade to fresher/better tires?

ULLLOSE

iTrader: (1)

http://www.bridgestonetire.com/warra...rr.htm#limited

Typically the car dealer wont do anything with this... Go to a tire dealer. I had a set of tires on a Dodge Ram I use to tow with crack around the sidewalls. Went to my local Discount Tire store and they replaced them. Keep in mind most tire warranties are like a car battery, pro rated, so don't expect the brand new ones for free.

i_luv_my_rx8

Yeah, I called up a local Wheel Works and they're willing to take a look at my tires to assess the problem. I'm not looking for free tires, but at least looking to pay less than the actual cost per tire if this is under their warranty guarantee. I'll just keep my fingers crossed, I guess.

It looks like that link you posted says that Bridgestone's warranty covers weather cracking as long as it's within 4 years from purchase/manufacture... so I might have a shot.

shaunv74

I wouldn't replace them with the original bridgestones. They're loud, expensive, don't last, not that great in the rain. Look around the forum at what other people are buying. i have the BF Goodrich KDW's for the car and am very happy with them. They were also about $60/tire cheaper. But look around at what others have put on their cars to gather some more info on replacements.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

be sure and get the KDW2's, the KDW was the original version and not as good

Wilson

I doubt that you are the type that needs a tire with a speed rating of 168 mph, so you could go with an H or V rating and get a decent tire.

i_luv_my_rx8

I don't have money to buy a brand new set of tires right now... haha. Wahhhh.... *tear*

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

you and me both... just spent $200 on textbooks for this semester, waaaaaaah

i_luv_my_rx8

Seriously!
And I still haven't paid off my credit cards from X-Mas.... hahaha... yikes!


Just got back from Wheel Works, and he said that basically the type of cracking that my tires are exhibiting is pretty much normal and there's nothing to worry about. He said I can keep on driving on these tires since the cracks are minimal, but to just check them periodically to make sure the cracks aren't expanding. Whew, that's good. At least I'll have time to save up enough money to get new tires when the time comes....

shaunv74

Glad to hear it! Just keep rotating (I like to do it at each oil change) them and drive it regularly and that will help get the most out of them.

i_luv_my_rx8

Thanks, guys.