2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Sidewall of Tires are checking

[MFranz]

My Michelin LTX M/S truck tires that were manufactured in 2006 and bought in 2007 and have only 2500 miles are checking bad enough that I'M going to replace them. The tire store that I deal with,Americas Tire Store is Prorating the tires and selling a $195 tire for $60. I'm replacing all 6 tires.

The questions I have are what are the causes of this and how can it be prevented?Does this sound like a fair settlement?Is this a common problem?

Is there a tire treatment that would help prevent this?



Thank You

Mike

 

[PMould]

my guess! ozone sunlight heat. good luck with new ones

 

[budnate]

been there twice on tires, both times the guys stood by them and only cost a few bucks to get new ones back on... they have to pro rate a little for the miles you have driven on them.

 

[BigPapa]

Mike,



If your talking about the very small cracks in the sidewalls, they're pretty much normal on the Michelins. I was told by a Michelin Rep that they are only cosmetic and have nothing to do with the structural integrity of the tire. Here's an old thread from '05 along the same lines as yours:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com.../128242-dry-rot-tires-when-they-not-safe.html



Scott

 

[WestTN]

Do you use any kind of tire dressing? Petroleum based products can cause checking.

 

[StevenWalker]

You will need to look at the date code on the tires to find out when the tire was manufactured. Many times tires can spend a lot of time in a warehouse before they are sold as "new". When you buy "new" tires, they can be a year or two old.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

The last 4 digits of the DOT code are the date. The first 2 = the week and the last 2 = the year.

 

[georgej]

Mike

If the truck isn't driven much I would use RV tire covers to protect them from UV radiation. If the truck is used every day or so the rolling action of the tire "pumps" the uv protectorant that is blended into the rubber to the surface of the tire. I don't think Michelin recommends using any spray or wipe on protectorant. They also state that light checking is OK, but I would do what you're doing and replace them!

 

[Grizzly]

You will need to look at the date code on the tires to find out when the tire was manufactured. Many times tires can spend a lot of time in a warehouse before they are sold as "new". When you buy "new" tires, they can be a year or two old.

MFranz did say that the tires were manufactured in 2006.

 

[4570]

I had three of my 4 fairly new Michelin tires knifed and replaced with same tires . The original older tire was fine two years later and the newer three had bad checks and had small bulges runing up and down the side walls . I think Michelin put out some bad rubber and wouldnt admit it . I told the guy at the tire store to put on the cheapest 8 ply he had as theres no since buying expensive tires if they dont hold up. Arnie

 

[Forrest Nearing]

Michelin will warranty them, it's a known issue.



Please don't put 8 ply tires on a dodge diesel

 

[BigEasy]

Please don't put 8 ply tires on a dodge diesel

You're kidding, right? I have D range Coopers that had a higher load rating than the E range that was available... funniest part to me is that D and E don't necessarily mean 8 or 10 ply respectively.

 

[ILIANBG]

My second set of LTX M/S were checking badly too, so I replaced those with less than 40000 miles on, even though there was another maybe 15000 left. The first set (the same kind) lasted 60000. I just had LTX A/T2 installed, and those seem that will last longer than 60000, we'll see. I will start using tire shine product again. I think because of it the first set did not develop any checking/cracks, but the second did- the same kind of tire. So, that's my opinion.
Ilian

 

[MFranz]

Thanks everyone a lot of great responses. The Tech at Americas Tire store were telling me they use a water base tire shine and that some of the other tire shine products actually contribute to the problem. Its seems that

vehicles parked for a long time,exposed to the sun also is a factor.



Thanks

Mike