[bobarb]

Hi, I recently had our '08 Passion at the MB dealership for the recall. On their 100 point inspection, they found I had two tires mounted on the wrong rims. I had a new set of stock Continentals installed several years ago, and the shop (that will remain nameless) screwed up. Is the rim size marked anywhere on the stock rims?

 

[jimvw57]

the difference between the (stock) front and rear rims is about an inch. The rears are an inch wider than the fronts (rear 5.5 front 4.5) placing them side by side you can tell the difference. The steel rims are marked "front and "rear" by the valve stem also I believe they are marked with the size.

 

[twcom]

What was the initial MB objection? Was the set of Continental tires you had put on all 4 the same size. Did you find anything odd in the driving during that year. and the real question did the MB dealer look the sell you some tires?

 

[bobarb]

The replacement tires were the same as original, 155/60R-15 Conti Pro Contact on the front and 175/55R-15 Conti Pro Contact on the rear. My right rear tire was mounted on a 4.5 front rim and the left front was mounted on a 5.5 rear rim. They checked the tire wear as part of the inspection and found the front should be replaced. That's probably when they noticed the rim problem. They quoted $277 for the pair, but no hard sell. I just bought two online for $141 delivered.( plus mounting and balance)
I believe the car was driven for almost 40,000 miles with no ill effects.

 

[bobarb]

Anyone know if the OEM alloy rims are marked with the size or other notation?

 

[jwight]

Not sure, but they are obviously different widths if people take the time to look.....

 

[bobarb]

One inch, side by side with no tire, obvious. Tire on, on car on the ground, not so obvious. I want to point it out to the tech when they're doing the write up.

 

[jwight]

Very true, but pretty sure the rims were bare before the new tires went on. They just missed the width difference.

 

[Shalmaneser64]

Older post, but thought I’d add a few comments based on personal tire stories:

1 - Recently looked at a Cadillac CTS AWD. Owner told me that shortly after he purchased, he took it in because of concerns about drivability. Turned out the front and rear tires, different in diameter and width, had been switched rear to front.

2 - On two occasions, I have watched tire installers put directional tires on backwards. I always watch when tires are being mounted.

3 - When I had a donut spare mounted on a steel rim, the guy used tape weights for alloy rims instead of the crimp weights that grab the bead of a steel rim.

You’d think tires are not that complicated, but you best think again, it seems...