Tire dealer destroyed wheels at 21,000 miles.

[genep]

Don't buy replacement tires from discount big box stores!! This has been said over and over and over again.... The tires bought in Sam's, Costco, Mavis, etc are NOT the same tire. Take the car to a reliable mechanic and get the tires from there. Sure; you will pay a bit more than those big box stores but it's well worth it.

I have seen tires at Sam's Club that I could not find any info on when I searched the web. I assume that is what you are referring to. When I asked about travel and tire warranty when I am away, the salesperson admitted that I would have to go back to Sam's. Not all the tires sold there were like that. Some were the same as sold else where. It is just a case of the buyer needing to do research before the purchase. I suggest doing tire research before buying anywhere.

[Tuktanuk]

I have seen tires at Sam's Club that I could not find any info on when I searched the web. I assume that is what you are referring to. When I asked about travel and tire warranty when I am away, the salesperson admitted that I would have to go back to Sam's. Not all the tires sold there were like that. Some were the same as sold else where. It is just a case of the buyer needing to do research before the purchase. I suggest doing tire research before buying anywhere.

Indeed.. These types of tires ARE stamped with the name brands but are a specific tread pattern and USUALLY have slightly less tread depth on them. Are they knock off tires? No but, the Club tires are not your average; readily available. Bottom line is; I could give a crap what anyone wants to buy. I know I feel much more comfortable NOT cheaping out on my only contact with the road.

[BAIR]

This has been an ongoing story for a number of years and it is one of those stories wherein everyone is correct... to a point.

Several years ago this sort of story was featured on '60 Minutes', a young man died in a traffic accident while driving his father's van - the tires fell apart at speed and they lost control and rolled. The investigation found that the tires were too old and that they had been purchased new by the father some 2-4 months before the accident. (yes I know that is a contradiction of terms - read on)

A further investigation revealled (I'm generalizing here for brevity) that major manufacturers produce a model of tire by the tens of thousands and stockpile them until they are sold to ... Stores (Sears, Costco etc) where they can sit in a warehouse for...years!

Next tidbit of information, tires have a shelf life of...?? (Shall we guess at 8 years?) and then the rubber starts to dry out and break down...

So at some point they are sold BRAND NEW (Six years old - or more) and installed on your car, if they are 1-2 years old you are good! If they are six years old... mayby...

The only way to KNOW What you are buying is too look at the DATE STAMP that is on the tire and learn how to read it (they use a weird date system).

So at the end of this tale - a local dealer can give you a better chance of having a 'NEW' tire (small stock room) rather than a Large store that is pulling stock out of a big warehouse...

OK... let the debate begin!

[genep]

The only way to KNOW What you are buying is too look at the DATE STAMP that is on the tire and learn how to read it (they use a weird date system).

Can you tell us how to read the 'weird date system'?

[BAIR]

The date is hard to find, it is on the INSIDE of the tire (read the opposite side from the whitewall - the side that NORMALLY faces in towards the car) and is only four simple digits (you'll have to look for it) and even then it won't make much sense unless you understand it...

ie [0608] means??? .... the tire was made in the 6th week of 2008 (February).

So if your NEW tire has a date code of [0199] ... don't buy it, it was made in the first week of 1999!

As clear as mud to the uninformed and very hard to find.

[Carbuff2]

The date is hard to find, it is on the INSIDE of the tire (read the opposite side from the whitewall - the side that NORMALLY faces in towards the car)

I think that tires made after 2005 - 2006 had the date code on the OUTSIDE as well... now that I think of it, my Dad's 2002 Dodge had OE Michelins with the date on the outside.

Tire Rack has the "Rosetta Stone" for tire dates here:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...jsp?techid=11&

[Scout1]

The tires sold at Costco...Sam's etc are the same as
ANY tire store, brick or on line.
The French Fat man is not the only one that makes
decent feet for vehicles. The last set I put on were BFG's
T/A radials....and they were excellent!

[Carbuff2]

^^^ Hey Scout, did you know that Michelin has produced BF Goodrich tires since 1988?

BFGoodrich is an American brand of tires. It is now separated from the Goodrich company and owned by Michelin. Some Michelin tires for auto racing are now branded BFGoodrich to increase brand awareness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BF_Goodrich

[genep]

The French Fat man is not the only one that makes
decent feet for vehicles. The last set I put on were BFG's
T/A radials....and they were excellent!

I'm pretty sure that 'The French Fat man' bought out BFG. So he made your T/As.

Edit: Carbuff posted while I was typing.

[Scout1]

I guess you can go to the next level...............
Who built the car you drive?
Who made the shorts you wear?

And if "the fat frenchman" owns it or not, there are still other
CHOICES...........just like your shorts.