Abnormal Tire Wear?
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Abnormal Tire Wear?
Hi,
I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro, and before that had a 2000 A4 2.8 Quattro. I just
took in for my second round of service with 18,500 miles.
While the sticker recommends lower, I keep the tire pressure at 38 psi and check
every couple weeks. Alignment on the car has seemed fine with no drift or
anything, and no abnormal driving conditions.
An issue that recently developed is abnormal wear on the front passenger side
tire, and is at the point where Audi service now tells me I need four new tires.
They also indicated the tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles, something
which had never recommended to me before. At the same time, they don't do tire
rotation when bringing the car in for routine service at 10K, 20K, etc.
I never had this problem with my 2000 A4, and had through 25K miles before I got
the 2002. I know at least one other person with an A6 Quattro and two others
with A4 Quattro's that have run into similar problems.
I wanted to see whether anyone here has run into the same problem, and if so,
whether Audi did anything to address the issue. A new set of tires at 18,500
miles seems way too soon, particularly when they do nothing in the way of tire
rotation for service, nor never made reference to having it done every 5,000
miles outside of their service plan.
Thanks,
Mike
I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro, and before that had a 2000 A4 2.8 Quattro. I just
took in for my second round of service with 18,500 miles.
While the sticker recommends lower, I keep the tire pressure at 38 psi and check
every couple weeks. Alignment on the car has seemed fine with no drift or
anything, and no abnormal driving conditions.
An issue that recently developed is abnormal wear on the front passenger side
tire, and is at the point where Audi service now tells me I need four new tires.
They also indicated the tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles, something
which had never recommended to me before. At the same time, they don't do tire
rotation when bringing the car in for routine service at 10K, 20K, etc.
I never had this problem with my 2000 A4, and had through 25K miles before I got
the 2002. I know at least one other person with an A6 Quattro and two others
with A4 Quattro's that have run into similar problems.
I wanted to see whether anyone here has run into the same problem, and if so,
whether Audi did anything to address the issue. A new set of tires at 18,500
miles seems way too soon, particularly when they do nothing in the way of tire
rotation for service, nor never made reference to having it done every 5,000
miles outside of their service plan.
Thanks,
Mike
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Abnormal Tire Wear?
"Mike" <ihate@spam.com> wrote
> While the sticker recommends lower, I keep the tire pressure at 38 psi
Why? This can result in uneven tire wear.
> An issue that recently developed is abnormal wear on the front passenger
side
> tire,
Can you describe the abnormality of it (or post a picture)? Also, what
size and model of tires do you have?
> and is at the point where Audi service now tells me I need four new
tires.
Such is 'beauty' of Torsen. It's best to replace all 4 at the same time.
> They also indicated the tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles,
Yep. Tire rotation is common knowledge these days. Although with quattro,
tires usually wear quite evenly, even if not rotated. Still, the fronts
wear out quicker because they do all the turning, so should be rotated.
> I wanted to see whether anyone here has run into the same problem, and if
so,
> whether Audi did anything to address the issue. A new set of tires at
18,500
> miles seems way too soon,
Personally, I never had an issue with uneven tire wear. If you have summer
tires, 18-20K miles of life is actually not uncommon though. Whether
they're worn unevenly or not, they might be ready for replacement.
The fact that only one tire wore unevenly is strange though. If we exclude
improper inflation (since you said you check it frequently), then I would
look into the following:
a. alignment - dealer can verify if it's needed
b. worn suspension component - again, dealer should be able to check this
c. tire defect - this one will be tough to prove, I'm afraid, and if you
can get any money back, it'll be from the tire manufacturer rather than
from an Audi dealer, me thinks.
Good luck. Keep us posted.
Cheers,
Pete
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Abnormal Tire Wear?
"Mike" <ihate@spam.com> wrote in message news:c00qtr015rk@drn.newsguy.com...
> Hi,
>
> I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro, and before that had a 2000 A4 2.8 Quattro. I
just
> took in for my second round of service with 18,500 miles.
>
> While the sticker recommends lower, I keep the tire pressure at 38 psi and
check
> every couple weeks. Alignment on the car has seemed fine with no drift or
> anything, and no abnormal driving conditions.
>
> An issue that recently developed is abnormal wear on the front passenger
side
> tire, and is at the point where Audi service now tells me I need four new
tires.
If would help to know what the wear /is/!
In general - more wear in centre = overinflation, more wear on both
shoulders = underinflation, more wear on one shoulder = tracking problem
(dynamic or static)
--
Hairy One Kenobi
Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the opinion
in the first place. So there!
> Hi,
>
> I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro, and before that had a 2000 A4 2.8 Quattro. I
just
> took in for my second round of service with 18,500 miles.
>
> While the sticker recommends lower, I keep the tire pressure at 38 psi and
check
> every couple weeks. Alignment on the car has seemed fine with no drift or
> anything, and no abnormal driving conditions.
>
> An issue that recently developed is abnormal wear on the front passenger
side
> tire, and is at the point where Audi service now tells me I need four new
tires.
If would help to know what the wear /is/!
In general - more wear in centre = overinflation, more wear on both
shoulders = underinflation, more wear on one shoulder = tracking problem
(dynamic or static)
--
Hairy One Kenobi
Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this opinion do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the highly-opinionated person expressing the opinion
in the first place. So there!
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Abnormal Tire Wear?
"Hairy One Kenobi" <abuse@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message news:<Kc2Vb.692$vo1.316@newsfep4-winn.server.ntli.net>...
> "Mike" <ihate@spam.com> wrote in message news:c00qtr015rk@drn.newsguy.com...
> > Hi,
> >
> > I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro, and before that had a 2000 A4 2.8 Quattro. I
> just
> > took in for my second round of service with 18,500 miles.
> >
> > While the sticker recommends lower, I keep the tire pressure at 38 psi and
> check
> > every couple weeks. Alignment on the car has seemed fine with no drift or
> > anything, and no abnormal driving conditions.
> >
> > An issue that recently developed is abnormal wear on the front passenger
> side
> > tire, and is at the point where Audi service now tells me I need four new
> tires.
>
> If would help to know what the wear /is/!
>
> In general - more wear in centre = overinflation, more wear on both
> shoulders = underinflation, more wear on one shoulder = tracking problem
> (dynamic or static)
Tire wear is certainly driver influenced, but inflation and rotation
are also major factors. I try to rotate tires every other oil change
and I always inflate to spec. Over air wears the tire centers and in
the quattros it seems to induce a pulse through the steering. Under
air (even a few pounds) seems to make the car feel like it's running
on flatted tires.
I usually get about 35 to 40,000 miles on my summer tires, I have
22,000 on my Blizzaks. Yes, they are pretty shot.
On one of my 100's, I had a couple tires wear unevenly and prematurely
before I realized that my rear struts wear shot. The extra jounce at
the wheels with a bit of out of balance shredded them real quickly.
You might have a bad front strut! Also, these cars are super sensitive
to balance. Be sure they are perfect to get the best wear life.
Finally, it may be the case that you had a bad tire or damaged the
belts by running over something or hitting a curb. In that case, the
tire can look fine, but wear out prematurely. I had this experience on
one of my A42.8Q's after I ran over a ball peen hammer at speed In
that case, I chased the problem for weeks to figure out what was
wrong. It wasn't until we concluded that the belts were separated that
I remembered hammering the hammer.
> "Mike" <ihate@spam.com> wrote in message news:c00qtr015rk@drn.newsguy.com...
> > Hi,
> >
> > I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro, and before that had a 2000 A4 2.8 Quattro. I
> just
> > took in for my second round of service with 18,500 miles.
> >
> > While the sticker recommends lower, I keep the tire pressure at 38 psi and
> check
> > every couple weeks. Alignment on the car has seemed fine with no drift or
> > anything, and no abnormal driving conditions.
> >
> > An issue that recently developed is abnormal wear on the front passenger
> side
> > tire, and is at the point where Audi service now tells me I need four new
> tires.
>
> If would help to know what the wear /is/!
>
> In general - more wear in centre = overinflation, more wear on both
> shoulders = underinflation, more wear on one shoulder = tracking problem
> (dynamic or static)
Tire wear is certainly driver influenced, but inflation and rotation
are also major factors. I try to rotate tires every other oil change
and I always inflate to spec. Over air wears the tire centers and in
the quattros it seems to induce a pulse through the steering. Under
air (even a few pounds) seems to make the car feel like it's running
on flatted tires.
I usually get about 35 to 40,000 miles on my summer tires, I have
22,000 on my Blizzaks. Yes, they are pretty shot.
On one of my 100's, I had a couple tires wear unevenly and prematurely
before I realized that my rear struts wear shot. The extra jounce at
the wheels with a bit of out of balance shredded them real quickly.
You might have a bad front strut! Also, these cars are super sensitive
to balance. Be sure they are perfect to get the best wear life.
Finally, it may be the case that you had a bad tire or damaged the
belts by running over something or hitting a curb. In that case, the
tire can look fine, but wear out prematurely. I had this experience on
one of my A42.8Q's after I ran over a ball peen hammer at speed In
that case, I chased the problem for weeks to figure out what was
wrong. It wasn't until we concluded that the belts were separated that
I remembered hammering the hammer.
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Abnormal Tire Wear?
What are your driving habits?
33K isn't that bad on a set of high performance tires. Tire life and
stickiness are usually on opposite ends of the stick. The treadwear rating
is what..... about 280?
"Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402070722370.6012@honker.vgers oft.com...
> Just as a data point: I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro with the original
> Dunlop SP9000 tires on it. They are just about shot now at 33,000 miles.
>
> -s
33K isn't that bad on a set of high performance tires. Tire life and
stickiness are usually on opposite ends of the stick. The treadwear rating
is what..... about 280?
"Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402070722370.6012@honker.vgers oft.com...
> Just as a data point: I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro with the original
> Dunlop SP9000 tires on it. They are just about shot now at 33,000 miles.
>
> -s
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Abnormal Tire Wear?
On Sat, 7 Feb 2004, JPB357 wrote:
> What are your driving habits?
>
> 33K isn't that bad on a set of high performance tires. Tire life and
> stickiness are usually on opposite ends of the stick. The treadwear rating
> is what..... about 280?
>
> "Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
> news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402070722370.6012@honker.vgers oft.com...
> > Just as a data point: I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro with the original
> > Dunlop SP9000 tires on it. They are just about shot now at 33,000 miles.
> >
> > -s
Yes, the tread wear rating is 280. I usually get about 100 miles per point
of tread wear rating (perhaps that's the point?). Besides the A4, I have a
Passat, and that got 30,000 miles from a set of SP5000's (t/w 300) and
20,000 miles from a set of SP8000's (t/w 200). My daily commute is 55
miles each way, mostly highway, mostly "above 55 mph".
-s
> What are your driving habits?
>
> 33K isn't that bad on a set of high performance tires. Tire life and
> stickiness are usually on opposite ends of the stick. The treadwear rating
> is what..... about 280?
>
> "Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
> news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402070722370.6012@honker.vgers oft.com...
> > Just as a data point: I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro with the original
> > Dunlop SP9000 tires on it. They are just about shot now at 33,000 miles.
> >
> > -s
Yes, the tread wear rating is 280. I usually get about 100 miles per point
of tread wear rating (perhaps that's the point?). Besides the A4, I have a
Passat, and that got 30,000 miles from a set of SP5000's (t/w 300) and
20,000 miles from a set of SP8000's (t/w 200). My daily commute is 55
miles each way, mostly highway, mostly "above 55 mph".
-s
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Abnormal Tire Wear?
Steve, It sounds like you got good service from them. You can go to higher
mileage tires but... well... It all depends on your driving needs.
Do you have any need for snow traction?
I now have Dunlop Sport A2's on my '01 A6 2.7Tq. They don't stick near as
well as the SP 9000's on an offramp but I get traction in any weather, rain
or snow. They are rated 420-AA-A and cost $110 apiece installed in
Cincinnati.
Jon
"Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402071206080.16762@honker.vger soft.com...
> On Sat, 7 Feb 2004, JPB357 wrote:
>
> > What are your driving habits?
> >
> > 33K isn't that bad on a set of high performance tires. Tire life and
> > stickiness are usually on opposite ends of the stick. The treadwear
rating
> > is what..... about 280?
> >
> > "Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402070722370.6012@honker.vgers oft.com...
> > > Just as a data point: I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro with the original
> > > Dunlop SP9000 tires on it. They are just about shot now at 33,000
miles.
> > >
> > > -s
>
> Yes, the tread wear rating is 280. I usually get about 100 miles per point
> of tread wear rating (perhaps that's the point?). Besides the A4, I have a
> Passat, and that got 30,000 miles from a set of SP5000's (t/w 300) and
> 20,000 miles from a set of SP8000's (t/w 200). My daily commute is 55
> miles each way, mostly highway, mostly "above 55 mph".
>
> -s
>
mileage tires but... well... It all depends on your driving needs.
Do you have any need for snow traction?
I now have Dunlop Sport A2's on my '01 A6 2.7Tq. They don't stick near as
well as the SP 9000's on an offramp but I get traction in any weather, rain
or snow. They are rated 420-AA-A and cost $110 apiece installed in
Cincinnati.
Jon
"Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402071206080.16762@honker.vger soft.com...
> On Sat, 7 Feb 2004, JPB357 wrote:
>
> > What are your driving habits?
> >
> > 33K isn't that bad on a set of high performance tires. Tire life and
> > stickiness are usually on opposite ends of the stick. The treadwear
rating
> > is what..... about 280?
> >
> > "Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402070722370.6012@honker.vgers oft.com...
> > > Just as a data point: I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro with the original
> > > Dunlop SP9000 tires on it. They are just about shot now at 33,000
miles.
> > >
> > > -s
>
> Yes, the tread wear rating is 280. I usually get about 100 miles per point
> of tread wear rating (perhaps that's the point?). Besides the A4, I have a
> Passat, and that got 30,000 miles from a set of SP5000's (t/w 300) and
> 20,000 miles from a set of SP8000's (t/w 200). My daily commute is 55
> miles each way, mostly highway, mostly "above 55 mph".
>
> -s
>
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Abnormal Tire Wear?
I am "happy" if I get more than 15,000 miles from my tyres.
--
Doug Ramage
"JPB357" <jpb357@jyifan.net> wrote in message
news:40250c7f$0$73097$a0465688@nnrp.fuse.net...
> What are your driving habits?
>
> 33K isn't that bad on a set of high performance tires. Tire life and
> stickiness are usually on opposite ends of the stick. The treadwear
rating
> is what..... about 280?
>
> "Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
> news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402070722370.6012@honker.vgers oft.com...
> > Just as a data point: I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro with the original
> > Dunlop SP9000 tires on it. They are just about shot now at 33,000 miles.
> >
> > -s
>
>
--
Doug Ramage
"JPB357" <jpb357@jyifan.net> wrote in message
news:40250c7f$0$73097$a0465688@nnrp.fuse.net...
> What are your driving habits?
>
> 33K isn't that bad on a set of high performance tires. Tire life and
> stickiness are usually on opposite ends of the stick. The treadwear
rating
> is what..... about 280?
>
> "Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
> news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402070722370.6012@honker.vgers oft.com...
> > Just as a data point: I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro with the original
> > Dunlop SP9000 tires on it. They are just about shot now at 33,000 miles.
> >
> > -s
>
>
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Abnormal Tire Wear?
"Doug Ramage" <namxat666@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:c05000$1383bd$1@ID-34015.news.uni-berlin.de...
> I am "happy" if I get more than 15,000 miles from my tyres.
A lot can also depend upon the age of a tyre, as well - IIRC it's to do with
styrene migration over time, making the rubber stiffer and less "grippy".
Certainly, my tramlining has disappeared by replacing the old tyres (18-24
months old) and the car feels a lot more predictable when cornering
"briskly".
YMMV (pun intended ;o)
H1K
> "JPB357" <jpb357@jyifan.net> wrote in message
> news:40250c7f$0$73097$a0465688@nnrp.fuse.net...
> > What are your driving habits?
> >
> > 33K isn't that bad on a set of high performance tires. Tire life and
> > stickiness are usually on opposite ends of the stick. The treadwear
> rating
> > is what..... about 280?
> >
> > "Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402070722370.6012@honker.vgers oft.com...
> > > Just as a data point: I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro with the original
> > > Dunlop SP9000 tires on it. They are just about shot now at 33,000
miles.
news:c05000$1383bd$1@ID-34015.news.uni-berlin.de...
> I am "happy" if I get more than 15,000 miles from my tyres.
A lot can also depend upon the age of a tyre, as well - IIRC it's to do with
styrene migration over time, making the rubber stiffer and less "grippy".
Certainly, my tramlining has disappeared by replacing the old tyres (18-24
months old) and the car feels a lot more predictable when cornering
"briskly".
YMMV (pun intended ;o)
H1K
> "JPB357" <jpb357@jyifan.net> wrote in message
> news:40250c7f$0$73097$a0465688@nnrp.fuse.net...
> > What are your driving habits?
> >
> > 33K isn't that bad on a set of high performance tires. Tire life and
> > stickiness are usually on opposite ends of the stick. The treadwear
> rating
> > is what..... about 280?
> >
> > "Steve Thompson" <smt@vgersoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:Pine.LNX.4.58.0402070722370.6012@honker.vgers oft.com...
> > > Just as a data point: I have a 2002 A4 3.0 Quattro with the original
> > > Dunlop SP9000 tires on it. They are just about shot now at 33,000
miles.