crack on michelin tire

[tcpoob]

Should i be concerned? looks like the tread is separating from the sidewall. tires are about 3 and 1/2 year old, < 25k miles, parked outdoors exposed to elements in the northeast. thanks

 

[Snesley Wipes]

I would not want to drive on those! The more laterals you do the more likely the tread is to slip right of the tire! I imagine Michelin or whereever you got em will replace those no question.

 

[tcpoob]

the tire tech told me it's ok, just some tire molding issue in the manuf process, no worries. i think he's full of it.

 

[CookieRoe]

the tire tech told me it's ok, just some tire molding issue in the manuf process, no worries. i think he's full of it.

He's definitely full of it. Call Michelin or talk to the tire tech's boss (or where ever you got them from). You might get the shaft on the warranty (if you have one).

What type of tire exactly is it? (Cross Terrains, LTX, LTM M/S2, etc etc)??

 

[Snesley Wipes]

This is not normal "wear and tear" here and should be covered. Make sure you use the word "safety/unsafe" when discussing this with the boss or Michelin...that will get their attention.

 

[CXS]

Go to the installer in person, don't use the phone, talk loud so waiting customers can hear and say something like "What do you mean you're not going to warranty these defective tires you sold me!"

It works for me every time.

 

[tcpoob]

it's michelin symmetry line on my other ride. Thx all for the tips, I'll drive it to the tire center (costco) where I got them installed, to have it looked at. The tech who told me it's "normal" is from a diff store.

i'd a set of Michelin LTX AT2 installed 5 months ago, on my daily beater 4Runner 2005 SR5 4WD, now 152k miles ish on the 3rd set of tires. So far, no complaints on the new LTX AT 2. The prev set of Cross Terrain served me well, 90+k, lasting much longer than the stock Bridgestone (not Revo) which were retired at < 50k.

Isn't LTX light truck class tires - I thought Michelin retired the Cross Terrain line when i was looking for replacement end of last year but apparently they still have them in the tire shops, just not online at where I got it from (costco.com). The tire center mounted the OWL (outline white lettering) facing inside, even though they were told to mount it facing out ... arghhh!

Spring is here, washed it, 8 years and still shiny! I'll post up a pic but it's completely stock as I am not nearly as mechanically proficient as you guys.

 

[Gecko123]

definitely NOT ok to drive on those. That looks pretty dangerous especially on highway speeds

 

[Darklight]

Looks like dry rot deformation to me, possibly valid for a warranty replacement. Hope it works out for you, my factory Duflops did the same thing after about 2 years and 25K on them. They were also a little chewed on from the trails,

Also, look on the side wall for the date the tire was made.
Check out Tirerack to determine how to find the month/year your tires were made. They might of been old to begin with or it may just be form the elements sun, concrete. All of these contribute to dry rot.

Tire Tech Information - Determining the Age of a Tire

 

[Druss]

Looks like dry rot deformation to me, possibly valid for a warranty replacement. Hope it works out for you, my factory Duflops did the same thing after about 2 years and 25K on them. They were also a little chewed on from the trails,

Also, look on the side wall for the date the tire was made.
Check out Tirerack to determine how to find the month/year your tires were made. They might of been old to begin with or it may just be form the elements sun, concrete. All of these contribute to dry rot.

Tire Tech Information - Determining the Age of a Tire

Like Darklight says. Check out the DOT date code to start. Note: I have had Dayton AT tires not look this dry rotted after 6 years outside.