Rear Tires Worn Out After 5 months

[XeNonCiViC]

I have a mind boggling problem on my 06 Civic Sedan EX Auto.

About 2 weeks ago, I noticed that my rear wheels are causing my car to shake and vibrate at any speed over 50mph. The faster you go, the more the car shakes. There is also a LOT of tire noise from the rear tires; almost sounds like the tires are out of balance or a wheel is slightly bent or something. The rear tires make a "wah wah wah wah" kinda sound...

So I take my car into the dealership today to find out what's wrong. It turns out that both rear tires are almost completely worn out (and they wore pretty evenly across the whole tire), but the passenger side rear tire treads wore unevenly on the inside. The uneven treads are what's causing the shaking and noise. I have 17,000 miles on the car, the tires have never been rotated, and I don't drive the car hard at all. My front tires (which should be worn more than the rear tires) still look brand new.

The dealer said that my problem is not covered under warranty. They said Honda won't fix any alignment issues unless the problem occurs before 12K miles. They also said if there is any issue with the tires, that you would have to go to Bridgestone directly.

Anyone have any idea what might have caused the rear tires to wear so fast?>>> The only thing I can think of is an alignment problem in the rear only, since there were no normal indicators of an alignment problem (car doesn't pull on the highway) or a wheel balance problem (tires didn't make noise until 2 weeks ago).

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Originally Posted by XeNonCiViC

I have a mind boggling problem on my 06 Civic Sedan EX Auto.

About 2 weeks ago, I noticed that my rear wheels are causing my car to shake and vibrate at any speed over 50mph. The faster you go, the more the car shakes. There is also a LOT of tire noise from the rear tires; almost sounds like the tires are out of balance or a wheel is slightly bent or something. The rear tires make a "wah wah wah wah" kinda sound...

So I take my car into the dealership today to find out what's wrong. It turns out that both rear tires are almost completely worn out (and they wore pretty evenly across the whole tire), but the passenger side rear tire treads wore unevenly on the inside. The uneven treads are what's causing the shaking and noise. I have 17,000 miles on the car, the tires have never been rotated, and I don't drive the car hard at all. My front tires (which should be worn more than the rear tires) still look brand new.

The dealer said that my problem is not covered under warranty. They said Honda won't fix any alignment issues unless the problem occurs before 12K miles. They also said if there is any issue with the tires, that you would have to go to Bridgestone directly.

Anyone have any idea what might have caused the rear tires to wear so fast?>>> The only thing I can think of is an alignment problem in the rear only, since there were no normal indicators of an alignment problem (car doesn't pull on the highway) or a wheel balance problem (tires didn't make noise until 2 weeks ago).

you might not feel certain things if the rear tires are off in a certain way.. but it will wear them down quicker. To know if its alignment.. measure the same tire on the inner and outter edges and see if there is a difference of wear.

[XeNonCiViC]

Mark,

Both rear tires wore evenly, except for passenger side which had the treads on the inside wear unevenly, which is causing the shaking. I'm going to get an alignment done tomorrow, so that should answer some questions. If the alignment is bad, then I think that will explain the wear. But if the alignment is good.... I guess I'll have to go after Bridgestone for defective tires...

[CameronJr9]

Not that this matters now, but you really should rotate your tires every 5000 miles or so.

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Originally Posted by XeNonCiViC

Mark,

Both rear tires wore evenly, except for passenger side which had the treads on the inside wear unevenly, which is causing the shaking. I'm going to get an alignment done tomorrow, so that should answer some questions. If the alignment is bad, then I think that will explain the wear. But if the alignment is good.... I guess I'll have to go after Bridgestone for defective tires...

make sure you document everything for tire replacement through Bridgestone if it isn't a bad alignment.

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Originally Posted by CameronJr9

Not that this matters now, but you really should rotate your tires every 5000 miles or so.

every 10,000 is fine (every other oil change is what I do) - However, for snow/ice tires, its recommended to change them at every 3-5,000 miles especially if you drive them towards the end of winter when temperatures start to rise again. Same goes for summer-only, high performance tires.

For the mid-range, typical all-season, every 10-15k is fine.

[twistedframe]

i think the every other oil change rule applys only if you change your oil every 3k, you should rotate tires every 5-6k to be safe.

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Originally Posted by twistedframe

i think the every other oil change rule applys only if you change your oil every 3k, you should rotate tires every 5-6k to be safe.

It can't hurt to do it more often, but for those who have to pay 20 bucks to rotate at a garage, its fine to do it every 10k.

I'm glad I can do mine at home for free - takes me a few minutes on the lift and air gun.

[twistedframe]

ok i agree if i had to pay to get it done i would do it less often. lol

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that's why less people do it.. if at all when they have to pay for it.. but its a good idea to keep your 'investment' going for as long as possible.

[Wrathchild]

lack of rotation is your problem i think im a tech myself and ive seen it a 100 times over.

[XeNonCiViC]

It turns it that it is my alignment causing the tire wear. Both rear wheels were toed inward, which the service manager at Honda said was strange. The normal toe range is .5 to -2.0, and mine were at -4.3 and -4.1. I think my car must have come from the dealer like this brand new, because I have not even hit one pot hole yet since I've had the car (knocking on wood). Unfortunately I'll be paying for these tires out of my pocket.

I am going to replace both rear tires, but I have opted not to go with the OE Bridgestone Turanza EL400's. The tires are mediocre, and definately not worth the price (about $140 each locally). I went on Tire Rack's website, and the Turanza's got pretty bad reviews. I've never been a big fan of Bridgestone anyways.

The tires of choice are Continental ContiProContact. I used to have these tires on my '02 BMW 325Ci, and these tires are great. $98 a piece, $11 mount and balance each, and $13 for each free replacement certificate. Discount Tire is letting me buy certificates on my OE Bridgestones, so now I have all 4 tires covered on free replacement, and get unlimited free balancing and rotations, well worth $52. Thanks for all your responses guys.

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Originally Posted by XeNonCiViC

It turns it that it is my alignment causing the tire wear. Both rear wheels were toed inward, which the service manager at Honda said was strange. The normal toe range is .5 to -2.0, and mine were at -4.3 and -4.1. I think my car must have come from the dealer like this brand new, because I have not even hit one pot hole yet since I've had the car (knocking on wood). Unfortunately I'll be paying for these tires out of my pocket.

I am going to replace both rear tires, but I have opted not to go with the OE Bridgestone Turanza EL400's. The tires are mediocre, and definately not worth the price (about $140 each locally). I went on Tire Rack's website, and the Turanza's got pretty bad reviews. I've never been a big fan of Bridgestone anyways.

The tires of choice are Continental ContiProContact. I used to have these tires on my '02 BMW 325Ci, and these tires are great. $98 a piece, $11 mount and balance each, and $13 for each free replacement certificate. Discount Tire is letting me buy certificates on my OE Bridgestones, so now I have all 4 tires covered on free replacement, and get unlimited free balancing and rotations, well worth $52. Thanks for all your responses guys.

i would've fought the tire replacement.. as least 50/50

[civicboy]

I would have definately called American Honda on this deal! Most dealers today are just plain dam lazy and do things half ass when it comes to fixing your car. I still have that annoying fibration at idle and my car only does this on a cold morning. It seems like none of the dealers were able to duplicate this vibration I have.

[XeNonCiViC]

The service manager at my Honda dealer of choice told me that it's going to be a hard battle to fight, and I trust his judgement. He's always gone the extra mile for me to help me with any problems. I actually drive 30 miles to go to this particular dealership (there's a different dealership 5 miles from my house) because the service manager always takes care of me.

He said that because I already have 17,000 miles, Honda will not cover the alignment or tires. If I had found out about this before 12,000 miles, they would have covered it. I guess if I had rotated my tires at least once, I would have caught this problem early enough for warranty work.... I will def. rotate & balance my tires every 6-8K miles now....

BTW, For the 1st time today, I heard the annoying vibration from the rear deck lid you guys are all talking about. I probably never heard it before because my radio is usually always on.

[Wrathchild]

Originally Posted by XeNonCiViC

It turns it that it is my alignment causing the tire wear. Both rear wheels were toed inward, which the service manager at Honda said was strange. The normal toe range is .5 to -2.0, and mine were at -4.3 and -4.1. I think my car must have come from the dealer like this brand new, because I have not even hit one pot hole yet since I've had the car (knocking on wood). Unfortunately I'll be paying for these tires out of my pocket.

-4 inches of toe how is that possible on a new car? without a control arm being bent or excentric maxxed out? you would be able to see that extreme toe in just by looking at it. and the car should have went down the block dog tracking like a sob. You sure it wasnt camber not toe? these civs have -1.5 camber out of the box. anyway i highly suggest goodyear assurance triple treads put em on my car the second day i had it, car drives so much nicer compared to the bridgestones.

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Originally Posted by Wrathchild

-4 inches of toe how is that possible on a new car? without a control arm being bent or excentric maxxed out? you would be able to see that extreme toe in just by looking at it. and the car should have went down the block dog tracking like a sob. You sure it wasnt camber not toe? these civs have -1.5 camber out of the box. anyway i highly suggest goodyear assurance triple treads put em on my car the second day i had it, car drives so much nicer compared to the bridgestones.

i put the comfort treads on my g/f's car... one of the best all-season tires out there

[XeNonCiViC]

Originally Posted by Wrathchild

-4 inches of toe how is that possible on a new car? without a control arm being bent or excentric maxxed out? you would be able to see that extreme toe in just by looking at it. and the car should have went down the block dog tracking like a sob. You sure it wasnt camber not toe? these civs have -1.5 camber out of the box. anyway i highly suggest goodyear assurance triple treads put em on my car the second day i had it, car drives so much nicer compared to the bridgestones.

Wrathchild, you are right. I mixed up - & + between camber and toe. The factory toe range is .5-2.0mm. The actual was 4.3 and 4.1.