2004 Toyo Proxes R28 tread separation

[alexteek]

I went to Discount Tire today to get my tires balanced and rotated (paid for the warranty last year) and they said my tread is separating on my 2004 Mazdaspeed OEM tires. The car has 27000 on it (I know, but I drive from Bulverde to Helotes everyday) and I thought that just wasn't enough miles for my warranty to be out.

I called the dealer and they said to look at my brochure and see what it says. There is a very good warranty on the tires. Discount Tire said they would match the warranty even though they are not a Toyo dealer. So, right now I am trying to find the original tread depth so that I can figure out what I will be paying (the warranty is a formula based on remaining tread depth) and then I am also trying to figure out what a comparable tire is to the OEM tires - carried by Discount Tire. The Yokohamas just don't look as nice and neither do the Kumhos. I know we don't purchase based on looks, but it is a part of the Miata package - looks!

What do you all think?
Thanks all!

Ann

[Coolhand]

I don't know, it just seems every story I hear about Discount Tire is riddled with sleazyness. "Tires still in warranty? No problem, we don't carry that brand, but we'll put new ones on instead" And it seems they assume women don't know anything. I recently bought some wheels and tires from Don Privett. Since the tires he sold me (he wanted new tires and rims) still had what looks like plenty of tread, I decided to use 'em up. I took my Yokohama Avid S's off and have them hermetically sealed for the August trip to Breckenridge. However, Ann, not only do I like the looks of my Yokohama's, they seem twice as good as the Bridgestones that came on Don's car. The Yokoham's gripped on corners like nobody's business. The Bridgestones get very squirrely on curves. I ordered my Yokohama's from Tire Rack and had a neighborhood tire place balance and mount them.

I hope this didn't confuse you too too much! Good luck!

[Jimbo]

Hey, George! Did you wipe off the slobber after you had them "mouth" your tires? I figured they were just trying to lick your tires clean!!!

Jimbo

[Coolhand]

Always the wise guy, lol. I corrected it...smarty.

[alexteek]

Discount Tire did honor part of my Toyo warranty. I got my new Yokohamas for $80 a piece!

When I drove away on my new treads I didn't feel so good about it. I felt like I was driving on ice. After they adjusted the pressure back and forth for 3 days, it was feeling a little better, but still not right. I spoke to George Lucas and on his advice, emailed Leon Franklin for some expert consultation.

Here's Leon's response, based on experience:

"Old problem --- easy fix. Tires have the mold release used in the manufacturing on them. I have found 29 - 30 all around works well on both Pats MS and my 99.
Just put 150 - 200 miles on them then all will be good. Just be aware they will not have full grip until this is done. They will feel squirrely and seem to move around (like on ice). Be cautious and where safe try to scrub them by swerving or turning left and right.
I run yokamas on both cars and my tires did just what you described."

I really appreciate the BBMC help on this. As George said in his response to an earlier post of mine, sometimes women are not taken seriously and the guys at Discount Tire looked at me funny as I tried to describe the problem. In their defense, they finally did send a guy out with me as I drove and he felt the "squirrely" handling. They just didn't have the answer to how to fix it. Now I know - break them in and get the tire pressure right (Discount Tire was working the psi angle).

Thanks all - thought this might benefit some other members, so I am sharing my gratitude and the fix!