Michelin is KILLIN' me here lately...........(Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr).........

[redgtxdi]

So I had a slight vibration over 65mph that got worse as you went faster, so I assumed it was a tire balance issue.

I went & had the tires balanced today & the guy calls me to tell me my car's ready & to let me know that one of the tires has a bubble on it. WTF????????????????????

These are Michelins and yet again, like on my '98 Camry I've got a Michelin with a problem. The Camry tire had become "out of alignment". Now, I'd never heard of this before, but it was a Costco tire & the manager assured me that's what it's called.....(apparently the steel belt moves within the tire enough to make the tire bad?).........and only resolution was replacement. OK, whatever. FTW!

So, now I've got this one on my prizm that has a bubble in the sidewall. I haven't had a chance to take it on the freeway yet to see if the vibration's completely gone, but I'll know after work.

I've always been a die hard Michelin fan, but I think I just might be tryin' another brand of tire after this go 'round. I don't think Michelin's bad, I just don't know that they aren't having quality issues & I won't reward a company for slacking off in that dept. based on their name.



OH and P.S. ---------------> My '95 Prizm has 195/65 14's on it and all tires websites are showin' it should have 175/65's or 185/65's as an alternate. Anybody got opinions????

[REN69]

I thought all Corollas and Prizms of that gen came with 185/65-14s as stock... maybe try going with 195/60-14s next time, less sidewall to bubble and it should perform better than stock.

[redgtxdi]

Ya.........well, I was thinkin' some Yokohama's in 235/30R-14's

OK.......now somebody's just gotta' Photochop that one in so I can see what it'd look like........LMAO!!!

[terrastrife]

Originally Posted by REN69

I thought all Corollas and Prizms of that gen came with 185/65-14s as stock... maybe try going with 195/60-14s next time, less sidewall to bubble and it should perform better than stock.

oh yeah 3mm less sidewall, you can do that with 1psi of air pressure.

but really, check the manufacturere warranty and where you buy it next time. do nto buy a tyre over 18 months old either.

[01loadedLE]

red, Ive had the same frustration with multiple khumo purchases so I recommend staying away from them as well. I didnt like the yoko avid tires either btw. Im leaning towards the traction t-ah or turanza ls-t.

[dlichterman]

well on the VE the 175-65r14 are standard and optional for the 185's.....which really made a difference for me. Much better ride because the tire is bigger. Oh, and I bought michelin and then seem fine......just might need an alignment for the wobble since they are balanced.....no biggie though

[albertmdh]

i had that issue with some goodyears, replaced with humho esta supra 712s, I' lovin it, especially at less than half the price, got em at www.discounttiredirect.com

[dandxg]

BF Goodrich Touring TA from Sams Club is what my Rolla has. 70k warranty to boot and like $300 for everything including alignment if i remember correct. Not that it matters in So Cal, but these things are good in snow too! Only thing, a bit of road noise, but no care. If you want a tire that last long, it will be harder and produce more noise, if you want cushy ride they don't last as long. I run 185 65 on my Rolla and have used 175 as well, I didn't think you could run 195? Check the ratings at tirerack.com

I have BF Goodrich Traction TA on my Camry, anyway you get the point BF Goodrich is a good value, Kumho is a POS, but you get what you pay for.

Check out Sams Club or Costco, I have both, they have good values, I think Costco has a discount this week?

[aaron7]

I have 195/60/14 Michelin Pilots on my SR5 now. I like them, no issues yet, though my mum had some on her new Windstar that only lasted 15,000 miles before they wore out