Tyres cracked - opinions

CreepingDeath

Hi,

In Aug 2011 I bought 4 new Dunlop 225/45/ZR17 (94Y) extra load tyres.
They cost €140 each, so I expected them to last. (Honda Civic 1.8l)

But I just noticed cracking in 2 of them, both on the drivers side.
The other two are fine.

Photo Link

The tyre time stamps say "1911", so they were "new" when I bought them as opposed to tyres manufactured years before and lying in a warehouse/shop.

So 3.5 years later, and probably only 20,000km.... there's still plenty of thread on the tyres, nowhere near the tyre wear indicator.

I certainly don't like the look of the cracks and my NCT is due in May.

Are they fecked ?
Did I get my moneys worth out of them?
Is 3.5 years / 20,000 km a reasonable time to expect?
Or do ye think they've failed prematurely?

I typically inflate them to 32psi, nothing I would consider extreme.
Would the Honda Civics firm suspension be a little hard on them?

There was recently an issue with the driver side suspension, some seal went and I got it fixed in a service a few months ago.
The mechanic said he didn't think I needed to replace the other side as it would "bed down" before the NCT was due and shouldn't be imbalanced.
May be nothing, or may have caused it?

Any thoughts... and recommendations for replacing the tyres?
Is Dunlop dodgy? Was looking at Goodyear efficient grip tyres if I had to replace them.

regards,
CD

Stheno

I'd say three and a half years is good going tbh

Alun

Looks to me like there's excessive wear on the middle of the tyre. Here's a picture of what I think your tyre tread looked like when new.



You'll see that the outer block pattern is reasonably intact but where the next set of blocks meets the central rib, there's little left.

You say you inflated them to 32 psi, what does the tyre inflation sticker on the car say?

Regardless of all this, if there's cracking like that developing in the tread grooves, replace them anyway.

keithclancy

Whats the manufacture year of the tyre ?

Should be on it

Atlantic Dawn

keithclancy wrote: »

Whats the manufacture year of the tyre ?

Says 1911 in OP, this would be 19th week 2011.

Ded_Zebra

I would be disappointed with a tyre lasting such a short time but it's definitely time to change them IMO.

CreepingDeath

Ded_Zebra wrote: »

I would be disappointed with a tyre lasting such a short time but it's definitely time to change them IMO.

Yeah, they were the most expensive tyres I ever bought and to see them crack like that as opposed to wear down was quite disturbing.

I won't be buying "Dunlop" ever again.
Probably go for "Goodyear efficient grip" tyres next.
Seems to have good reviews and I like the fuel efficiency aspect as I'll be clocking up a lot of miles in future.

The other two tyres on the passenger side (front & rear) are okay... quite strange.
Although the last time I got them serviced they may have rotated the tyres around and didn't notice the cracks in the tyres.

For the majority of the last 3.5 years I was only driving on the weekend.
As I mentioned I probably only clocked up 20,000km over 3.5 years.
I rang up the car tyre company who supplied them for quotes on new tyres and they said they see that sort of thing on big mercs/second cars that people only drive on the weekend/infrequently.

I'll replace all 4 for safety, can't be doing motorway driving with a young family on those yokes which look like they'd split open like a kinder surprise.

Anyways, just getting peoples thoughts on the subject.

Not sure if I'd get any money from those part-worn tyre shops for the other 2 non-cracked tyres?

JJJJNR

I have my winter tyres since 2010 and they have small cracks on them, its just weathering, tyres are perfect with 5mm left on them and went through the NCT without issue.

keithclancy

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Yeah, they were the most expensive tyres I ever bought and to see them crack like that as opposed to wear down was quite disturbing.

I won't be buying "Dunlop" ever again.
Probably go for "Goodyear efficient grip" tyres next.
Seems to have good reviews and I like the fuel efficiency aspect as I'll be clocking up a lot of miles in future.

The other two tyres on the passenger side (front & rear) are okay... quite strange.
Although the last time I got them serviced they may have rotated the tyres around and didn't notice the cracks in the tyres.

For the majority of the last 3.5 years I was only driving on the weekend.
As I mentioned I probably only clocked up 20,000km over 3.5 years.
I rang up the car tyre company who supplied them for quotes on new tyres and they said they see that sort of thing on big mercs/second cars that people only drive on the weekend/infrequently.

I'll replace all 4 for safety, can't be doing motorway driving with a young family on those yokes which look like they'd split open like a kinder surprise.

Anyways, just getting peoples thoughts on the subject.

Not sure if I'd get any money from those part-worn tyre shops for the other 2 non-cracked tyres?

Sounds about right then, for such low mileage the Tyres will be prone to cracking much more quickly.

I get around 50-60000 on mine, but that's in a year and a bit.

It's super common on camper vans and caravans as they stand most of the time in one place.

Also showrooms have the same issue.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=30

The anti-aging chemicals used in the rubber compounds are more effective when the tire is exercised. The repeated stretching of the rubber compound actually helps deter cracks from forming. The tires used on vehicles that are driven infrequently, or accumulate low annual mileage are more likely to experience cracking because long periods of parking or storage interrupt "working" the rubber. In addition to being an annoyance to show car owners, this condition often frustrates motor home and recreational vehicle owners who only take occasional trips and cannot even park their vehicle in a garage or shaded area. Using tire covers at least minimizes direct exposure to sunlight.

JohnBoy26

Stheno wrote: »

I'd say three and a half years is good going tbh

For a premium tyre that cost €140 to have developed those kind of cracks in such a short space of time is not good going at all imo.

CreepingDeath

keithclancy wrote: »

Sounds about right then, for such low mileage the Tyres will be prone to cracking much more quickly.

Well, I learnt something new today.
Now this looks like structural cracking, not surface cracking.
I did drive the car at least twice a week and had older cars with older tyres which didn't exhibit such severe cracking along the tread groove.

Your quote was from a US site... not sure what the Irish/shop warranty was when I bought them, but the tyres are less than 4 years old (both manufacturing and purchase date).
So not sure if the rest of that web page applies here... ie.

Tire manufacturers' warranties typically cover cracking for a period of 4 years from the date the tire was purchased (receipt for the new tires or in-service date of the vehicle required) or four years from the date the tire was manufactured.

CreepingDeath

I've e-mailed Dunlop for an explanation, not expecting anything, just giving them some feedback.

Will try Goodyear efficient grip tyres when they're in stock I reckon.

Falcon L

I bought a car last year and the 4 tyres were badly cracked on the tread and sidewalls. They were 9 years old.

Now the funny bit: the car came with a brand new NCT with a pass advisory that the tyres were more than 6 years old. No mention of the state of them

ironclaw

Mileage isn't the only thing that affects tyres folks. You have 3.5 years of rain, temperature and sunlight along with Irish roads. I wouldn't expect tyres to last 2 years, lot alone almost 4.

CreepingDeath

In fairness to them, I got a very quick reply back from Dunlop customer support.

So I'll go back to where I bought the tyres, get them to have a look at the two cracked tyres and see whether they think they should be returned and a potential partial discount for replacements.

Nice to know there's a 5 year warranty.

Luckily, I only saw the cracks because some of the wheel arch trim was a little loose and I was adjusting it.

Dunlop reply wrote:

Our passenger tyres are warranted for 5 years from date of manufacture or date of purchase if proof can be shown. The warranty covers manufacturing and materials but not accidental damage to the tyre, natural wear etc caused during use.


To arrange for a warranty examination please ask the tyre retailer or vehicle dealer who supplied the tyres to arrange the return to us. Returning a product via the retailer who took your money for it best covers you under the sale of goods act. Vehicle main agents and tyre dealers can send tyres back for inspection if they have an account with us. If they do not have an account the return can be made through their wholesaler who will then arrange to return the tyre here on their behalf. If this is not possible many dealers will return a tyre under warranty as long as you are purchasing the replacement from them. Before buying the replacement you will need to ensure they are aware you wish them to return the tyres as part of the deal and they will offer any allowance should one be advised.


For further information on returns and the industry standard.


See http://www.btmauk.com/page.php?page=useful-information&subpage=complaintprocedure

VeVeX

CreepingDeath wrote: »

I won't be buying "Dunlop" ever again.
Probably go for "Goodyear efficient grip" tyres next.

Dunlop and Goodyear are the same company FYI.

CreepingDeath

VeVeX wrote: »

Dunlop and Goodyear are the same company FYI.

Thanks, this is especially helpful as I was considering replacing the tyres with Goodyear efficient grip tyres so I might get a discount on those.

I imagine they've different factories, processes and production lines etc... and just the same company in a legal/corporate sense.

keithclancy

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Thanks, this is especially helpful as I was considering replacing the tyres with Goodyear efficient grip tyres so I might get a discount on those.

I imagine they've different factories, processes and production lines etc... and just the same company in a legal/corporate sense.

From a business point of view, that would not make financial sense

Dardania

I have Goodyear Efficient Grip tyres on my car (Ford Focus) for approx. 8 months, and am very impressed - feel much more secure on the road.

positron

Also looking to change two rear tyres and I hadn't considered 'Goodyear Efficient Grip' before CreepingDeath mentioned it. However the reviews doesn't look great?

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Goodyear/EfficientGrip.htm

Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 2 on the other hand is reviewed much better and about £2 cheaper in Camskill.co.uk in the 225/45/17 size. I have these on the front axle of the Honda Accord and they have been very good so far.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Goodyear/EfficientGrip.htm

VeVeX

positron wrote: »

Also looking to change two rear tyres and I hadn't considered 'Goodyear Efficient Grip' before CreepingDeath mentioned it. However the reviews doesn't look great?

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Goodyear/EfficientGrip.htm

Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 2 on the other hand is reviewed much better and about £2 cheaper in Camskill.co.uk in the 225/45/17 size. I have these on the front axle of the Honda Accord and they have been very good so far.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Goodyear/EfficientGrip.htm

Its Efficient Grip Performance. Efficient Grip is the older variant.

Efficient Grip Performance for comfort, longevity, fuel economy

Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 for Handling, Responsiveness, Performance

CreepingDeath

Just a nice update on this thread, after I sort of slated Dunlop a little

I brought the tyres back to where I bought them, and got a new/different set (Goodyear F1 asymmetric 2's )
The guy in the garage saw evidence of cracks starting on the other tyres too.
Dunlop had someone drop around and check the tyres in the garage within a week or two. The garage said it takes a while to process the claim.

Anyways, got a call today that I was getting €172 refund
It's probably worked out as a percentage of ownership time versus the 5 year warranty.

So I'm happy with that. Think it was fair considering their 5 year warranty and I was driving at least twice a week and there was still a lot of thread on the tyres.

A story of customer service done right

challengemaster

Judging from what you said, the car has been standing still on those tyres for 2.5 years of those 3.5 years, with only 1 year of actual days driving. I wouldn't be overly surprised at how much they perished, all things considered.

CreepingDeath

challengemaster wrote: »

I wouldn't be overly surprised at how much they perished, all things considered.

There's no manual or documentation which comes with tyres, nothing at all.
No manufacturers recommendations for prolonging tyre life, eg. saying you "should" drive at least every 2-3 days or "should" clock up over 10,000km a year. This is something that people in this forum seem to have learnt via experience or anecdote.

But the manufacturers probably don't want to say "not suitable for people who don't drive to work" 5 days a week.

Anyways, they honoured their own warranty with no fuss and should be commended for that.

Atlantic Dawn

Very good service, I would have thought them giving you a brand new replacement set would have been looking after you well but the refund is great.

blade1

Should have went with Triangles:pac:

Neilw

blade1 wrote: »

Should have went with Triangles:pac:

Round ones are easier on the suspension

zapata

I've seen more Dunlops with that type of cracking that any other brand for the year of tyre. Seems more common on size above 200 width.

El Guapo!

zapata wrote: »

I've seen more Dunlops with that type of cracking that any other brand for the year of tyre. Seems more common on size above 200 width.

The worst tyres I've ever seen for sidewall cracking are Michelin. Mainly the Energy Saver model. They are horrific in my experience.

9935452

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Just a nice update on this thread, after I sort of slated Dunlop a little

I brought the tyres back to where I bought them, and got a new/different set (Goodyear F1 asymmetric 2's )
The guy in the garage saw evidence of cracks starting on the other tyres too.
Dunlop had someone drop around and check the tyres in the garage within a week or two. The garage said it takes a while to process the claim.

Anyways, got a call today that I was getting €172 refund
It's probably worked out as a percentage of ownership time versus the 5 year warranty.

So I'm happy with that. Think it was fair considering their 5 year warranty and I was driving at least twice a week and there was still a lot of thread on the tyres.

A story of customer service done right

A good result for you but i wouldn't be entirely happy with the tyre place you bought them off of.
You rang them and told them of the problem and they told you it was common enough problem. They knew about the 5 year gaurantee and didnt tell you about it. You paid well when you bought the tyres , you paid for a service. You have to get onto dunlop directly.
The refund you got is nearly the price of 2 tyres. You might have paid 140 for the tyres fitted but they most likely cost the tyre place 90-110 euro. (Look at www.openeo.ie for prices )
They normally charge 15 for fitting and balancing and a few quid on the tyres

George Dalton

El Guapo! wrote: »

The worst tyres I've ever seen for sidewall cracking are Michelin. Mainly the Energy Saver model. They are horrific in my experience.

Coincidentally enough, we had to replace the tyres on a low mileage 2012 Megane last week because of severe cracking in the grooves between the tread blocks.

George Dalton

CreepingDeath wrote: »

Anyways, got a call today that I was getting €172 refund
It's probably worked out as a percentage of ownership time versus the 5 year warranty.

So I'm happy with that. Think it was fair considering their 5 year warranty and I was driving at least twice a week and there was still a lot of thread on the tyres.

A story of customer service done right

Great result IMO.

Who is giving you the refund? Is it the tyre retailer or Goodyear Dunlop Ireland?

George Dalton

9935452 wrote: »

A good result for you but i wouldn't be entirely happy with the tyre place you bought them off of.


The refund you got is nearly the price of 2 tyres. You might have paid 140 for the tyres fitted but they most likely cost the tyre place 90-110 euro. (Look at www.openeo.ie for prices )
They normally charge 15 for fitting and balancing and a few quid on the tyres

And then if those tyres crack after 2 years where does the OP go for recourse?

Fitter? No, not their problem.
Goodyear/Dunlop Ireland? No, not their problem.
Oponeo? Hmmmm. Doubt you'd get too far tbh...

9935452

George Dalton wrote: »

And then if those tyres crack after 2 years where does the OP go for recourse?

Fitter? No, not their problem.
Goodyear/Dunlop Ireland? No, not their problem.
Oponeo? Hmmmm. Doubt you'd get too far tbh...

My point here is the op informed the tyre place that he had problems with the tyres. They said it was common and should have known and informed him there was a 5 year warranty.
The op had to contact the manufacturer direct to find out this.
The lads i use at home would be complaining to the supplier without asking if i had problems with tyres i bought off them

I was only using oponeo as a guide for the price of what the tyre place is probably buying them for

CreepingDeath

Hi all,

just to clarify the sequence of events, on who said what...

I saw the cracks in the thread grooves (no cracks on the side of the tyres).
There was an online contact form on the Dunlop site, so I sent them an e-mail about it directly first.
They responded fairly fast, telling me the best option is to return to where I bought them and they typically will send them back to Dunlop for analysis. They said that Dunlop had a 5 year warranty, from date of manufacture or date of sale (with proof of purchase).

When I went back to the tyre shop it was them who said they didn't know there was a 5 year warranty on Dunlop tyres, that they learn something new everyday.
And that they saw this type of tyre cracking on the likes of Big Mercs that people only take out on the weekend.
And that I had fairly low mileage, approx 20-30k in 3.5 years.
But they had no hesitation in starting the process of contacting Dunlop.

A week or two later a Dunlop representative dropped into the garage to check the tyres and they made a report.
About 2-3 months later after I chased up the garage for an update, Dunlop said they were giving a refund.

So the original set of Dunlop tyres cost around €560 fitted, and I got back €172.

Can't really criticize the garage, apart from it being strange that they said they didn't know Dunlop had a 5 year warranty.
But it's no loss to them, just extra hassle if they have to return tyres under warranty.

cheers,
CD