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Sawtooth Tyre Wear
I recently bought new front tyres (Dunlop SS Max) for my 09-plate Octiavia vRS (30K Miles).
The existing tyres were not excessively worn (5mm plus remaining), but due to the onset of winter and also increased levels of road noise, I decided to get them changed.
Feeling disappointed that the noise had not stopped, I assumed that it must be the wheel bearings. After taking the car into the main dealer, I was told that the rear tyres were suffering from saw tooth wear. I was told by the garage that a four wheel laser alignment was needed, and four new tyres. Having just spent £250 on two new rear tyres, I refused the offer, as they wanted £90 for the alignment (it never ceases to amaze me how a warranty evaporates at the first sign of trouble - the car has done neither 60K miles, nor is three years old, but my three year/60,000-mile warranty does not cover for wheel alignment).
My two main questions here:
1. Do I have an issue with Skoda, or with the tyre manufacturer?
2: Is it dangerous to be driving a car with saw tooth wear? The dealer told me that it is not, and I should turn up the stereo, a solution which to me is preferable to spending £600 on four new tyres and an alignment. Moreover, would it cause an MOT failure when due?
The existing tyres were not excessively worn (5mm plus remaining), but due to the onset of winter and also increased levels of road noise, I decided to get them changed.
Feeling disappointed that the noise had not stopped, I assumed that it must be the wheel bearings. After taking the car into the main dealer, I was told that the rear tyres were suffering from saw tooth wear. I was told by the garage that a four wheel laser alignment was needed, and four new tyres. Having just spent £250 on two new rear tyres, I refused the offer, as they wanted £90 for the alignment (it never ceases to amaze me how a warranty evaporates at the first sign of trouble - the car has done neither 60K miles, nor is three years old, but my three year/60,000-mile warranty does not cover for wheel alignment).
My two main questions here:
1. Do I have an issue with Skoda, or with the tyre manufacturer?
2: Is it dangerous to be driving a car with saw tooth wear? The dealer told me that it is not, and I should turn up the stereo, a solution which to me is preferable to spending £600 on four new tyres and an alignment. Moreover, would it cause an MOT failure when due?
Asked on 17 January 2011 by Tackle
Answered by
Honest John
Alignment is obviously not covered by warranty because it can be knocked out on speed humps, potholes or kerbs. The saw tooth effect might have been caused by straddling speed cushions which causes massive abrasion to the inner shoulders of car tyres. But you don't have a real problem because if you got 30k miles out of the fronts of a VRS you have done very well. 15k - 20k is normal.
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