Another @&#$% Flat!!!

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 1:03 am

I am fed up with the cr*p tires. Drove down a gravel road to my neighbors 55th anniversary party, parked it and 10 minutes later Rt Frt is flat as a flitter. Apparently I had driven over a rock about 1/2 the size of my thumb because the hole in the tire was about a 1/4 of that size. At least the inner sidewall didn't just blow out of the blue like the last one. Heading for Les Schwab in the morning to get three more Toyo's. Be nice to have a size larger and something greater than tissue paper plys!

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:52 am

Cowcatcher wrote:

I am fed up with the cr*p tires. Drove down a gravel road to my neighbors 55th anniversary party, parked it and 10 minutes later Rt Frt is flat as a flitter. Apparently I had driven over a rock about 1/2 the size of my thumb because the hole in the tire was about a 1/4 of that size. At least the inner sidewall didn't just blow out of the blue like the last one. Heading for Les Schwab in the morning to get three more Toyo's. Be nice to have a size larger and something greater than tissue paper plys!

OEM tires on CRD are not trail rated tires or off pavement rated tires. They are energy tires designed for 38 to 44 PSI inflation for improved fuel mileage. I went with Yokohoma Geo's at 30,000 mile of excellent wear and traction at 38 PSI, but I decided when it was time to replace them I would go with a non energy tire more suited for back roads and trails then the OEM tires. The new tires are max 36 PSI and we run 35 PSI in them, but the mileage dropped about 2 MPG in town. So there was a downside to a more reliable tire for gravel or trails in the back woods, nothing is perfect.

europachris · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:34 am

I'm looking at going to Firestone Destination AT tires on the wife's '05 CRD. Amazingly, we have almost 40K on the OEM tires, and aside from the absolutely horrendous wet traction, they have been OK.

Related fact is that I switched from Michelin Energy MXV tires that came OEM on my '02 Jetta Wagon TDI to Bridgestone Turanza LH tires and immediately lost almost 10% fuel mileage. I used to get mid 50's on a long trip, and now can barely touch 50. However, the tradeoff to 10% fuel mileage hit was about 10000% better wet traction and and much improved handling and dry traction. The Michelins were downright dangerous in the wet.

Chris

BBB · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:52 am

Factory tires were crap. We had at least 6 flats in 20K miles due to the gravel road we live on. Too many wife cell phone calls crying :cry:

Finally gave up and got some Kuhmo KL 78 Road Venture All Terrains 245/70/16 from Tir*Rac*.com for around $90 each. No tax, all delivered for $39 and came the next day from the Delaware warehouse! Had the local pit stop tire place install them. National tire chains stores will deny to install upsized tires, so check with them first before waiting inline. When you order online, do not select a vehicle type or they will deny the purchase on the grounds that is is not a stock size. When checking out just check the box that you do not want to verify the vehicle type. They will not sell the upgraded size to you over the phone because they will ask to verify the vehicle type. :roll:

I can say is there was a 100% improvement in ride quality over the stock BadYears. No rubbing at all and no increased road noise with this size upgrade. They appear to be a more aggressive tread over the stockers. Told some other Libby owners and they got the same set up with great results also.

BiodieselJeep.com · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:55 am

Traction on OEM is kinda lame. And got two punctures on the first 3k miles on a construction road, but still...But, since I'm cheap I'll ride 'em out. Only at 25,000 and we rarely off-road for more than a few miles.

For a mommy buggy which my CRD is now, minivan tires are appropiate. Embarrasssing when Daddy drives :oops:

, but appropriate.

The shame....

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:02 am

Yes the OEM tires were all about fuel mileage and no thouht for severe service which is strange to say the least for a "trail Rated" vehicle.

I can vouch for the MXV as not being the best for rain, and they really get bad if tire pressure on those 44 PSI ties are dropped below 36/38 PSI range.

On our old Jetta we did the same thing, got rid of the Goodyear energy tires and went to a Michelin non energy tire that had a max PSI rating of 35 PSI and ride improvement over the 51 PSI Goodyears was amazing as was the better traction.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:15 pm

Thanks for the moral support. I would have just had them switched out when I took delivery had I known better.

I am going with TOYO and a size up with a regional tire provider, Les Schwab, simply because of their service and hundreds of locations. They would sell me anything and provide their rock solid road hazzard guaranty and service but they always stock the TOYO and their prices are lower on them. I already had one upsize on the spare from the OEM blowout last summer so that will not be an issue.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 4:50 pm

Ahhhhhh! Real tires. 4ea 245/70 R-16 and the feel is much better. Flatter corners without tissue sidewalls.

chrispitude · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:22 pm

europachris wrote:

I'm looking at going to Firestone Destination AT tires on the wife's '05 CRD. Amazingly, we have almost 40K on the OEM tires, and aside from the absolutely horrendous wet traction, they have been OK.

Our Firestone Destination ATs have been excellent four-season tires so far. They get noisy if you don't rotate occasionally, but they wear well, have been durable on the occasional off-pavement excursion, and were a great value for the money.

- Chris

KJFROG · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:45 pm

4 day with 4 flats, upgraded to tha BFG Alterrains, no flats in 4 years, great traction all yeay round

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Sat Jun 16, 2007 9:34 pm

need I say more?

Another @&#$% Flat!!!

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