Tire failure heads up

**jwight** · 08-02-2008, 02:32 PM

Like most people, I can't remember the last time I heard of anyone suffering a tire failure. Well, actually I can, as we had it happen Friday on the way back from Texas. Not smart enough to heed the warning signs the tire was giving us - low speed wiggle or fishtailing at the rear and some mild thumping, all signs one of the radial belts was loose and the entire tread was moving in a "S" shape. The tire finally made enough noise on I-30 in Arkansas that we pulled over, just before it would have failed.

Needless to say this wasn't on the smart; with help from AAA and a nearby Wal-Mart we were able to get a new tire and make it home. In the smart we wouldn't have been nearly as fortunate.

Smart Enuf · 08-02-2008, 02:38 PM

Glad you're okay. I had a tire failure about 6 years ago, and I, too, failed to heed the warning signs (vibration and sound) coming from my tire. I may have to rethink that tire and wheel warranty thing.

DFWehman · 08-02-2008, 03:09 PM

Ditto for me, I shreadded the rear of my Toyota Previa with no noticible driving feel. Perhaps a testiment to the stability of these cars. Oddly, on that section of I-95 I have stopped to help many change tires, etc. Now it was my turn! I was pleased that someone saw me, and stopped. To ask me directions! Oh, well, always happy to help!

Karl Roth · 08-02-2008, 06:21 PM

Glad to see you made it home safe jwight. How old was the that failed?
Thanks karl
BYW the SCOA sticker looks great on the car
Thanks again

blackbeagle · 08-02-2008, 06:49 PM

Most people don't know but tires don't just 'blow out'. Blow outs are usually the results of running the tires too low on air where the tires get too hot and the sidewall or tread gives out. In your case Jwight, it was a case of a tire at the end of its life. It looks like a cheap brand as well.

The stock Contis on the Smart is an OK tire. Not a great tire but not an El Cheapo at Sam's either. So just make sure you pay attention to the yellow light for a flat and deal with it before it gets too low or you will experience the dreaded 'blowout'.

Quagmire · 08-02-2008, 07:54 PM

From the looks of the last picture, that tire was already worn down to the wear bar in the tread. Glad to hear you remained safe.
Take care of your tires people... Your life and others depend on it.

SuperGeek · 08-02-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackbeagle

Most people don't know but tires don't just 'blow out'. Blow outs are usually the results of running the tires too low on air where the tires get too hot and the sidewall or tread gives out. In your case Jwight, it was a case of a tire at the end of its life. It looks like a cheap brand as well.

The stock Contis on the Smart is an OK tire. Not a great tire but not an El Cheapo at Sam's either. So just make sure you pay attention to the yellow light for a flat and deal with it before it gets too low or you will experience the dreaded 'blowout'.

And rotate those tires. On another car, I've had to replace 4 sets of tires that were only a year old because of an alignment problem that kept coming back (country roads). Instead of getting the alignment done, I waited... check the tires at the shop and sure enough, the inside has worn down 3x as fast as the outside. $400 for a matching set of 4 tires is a lot more than preventative maintenance and checkups. Rotation won't fix the alignment, but you'll want to even out the wear pattern before the tire gets too worn.

mendo · 08-02-2008, 11:07 PM

cannot rotate from front to rear, cannot rotate from left to right, just gotta pay attention and replace when required.

keep in mind a lot of flats are due to pressure, low pressure mostly, check your tire pressure often, saves the tires and saves fuel!!

**SmartCard** · 08-03-2008, 05:42 AM

Glad you caught it before it blew at high speed.....and really glad it wasn't a smartie tire - which was my first thought since this is a smart car tire forum. (maybe moving it to the car lounge may cause less people panic when they see this post!)

DaveInTexas · 08-03-2008, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackbeagle

In your case Jwight, it was a case of a tire at the end of its life. It looks like a cheap brand as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quagmire

From the looks of the last picture, that tire was already worn down to the wear bar in the tread. Glad to hear you remained safe.
Take care of your tires people... Your life and others depend on it.

Before you blame jwight for improper maintenance, check out the pictures better. I don't believe that the tires were at the wear bar. I have had a tread separation before and the area where the tire has separated is going to look real worn down. Spin the tire 180 and the tread will be perfect. If you look at the left side of the 1st picture, there is ample tread showing where the belts are not loose.

On another note, If the tires are over 6 years old, it might be wise to start looking into replacement. Rubber gets brittle and can go at any time after that, regardless of mileage. This would go for radiator hoses as well.

By the way jwight, is that a Goodyear tire? It kind of looks like a common Goodyear sidewall pattern.