Tire Advice Needed Here!!

[pwelpa]

I have a 2005 300c with stock Continental AST Self-Sealing 18" tires. At about 8,000 miles I started noticing an uneven wear pattern and tire "roar". Eventually, the dealer serviceman found that Chrysler had updated the alignment specs on this model. After alignment, rotation, balancing the car drove better, the quietened, and I was told the wear would "even out". Instead, now just 1 month later, all 4 tires are showing belt separation...
Now, it probably doesn't help that I live in HOT Texas and put about 700 miles a week on my car. But Chrysler says this is a Continental problem and Continental says it's a Chrysler problem... I need advice so I can get back on the road and back to work!
Has anyone else had this problem? My service dept told us he'd heard of it several times, but more on the Magnum's....

[70GT6]

Originally Posted by pwelpa

I have a 2005 300c with stock Continental AST Self-Sealing 18" tires. At about 8,000 miles I started noticing an uneven wear pattern and tire "roar". Eventually, the dealer serviceman found that Chrysler had updated the alignment specs on this model. After alignment, rotation, balancing the car drove better, the quietened, and I was told the wear would "even out". Instead, now just 1 month later, all 4 tires are showing belt separation...
Now, it probably doesn't help that I live in HOT Texas and put about 700 miles a week on my car. But Chrysler says this is a Continental problem and Continental says it's a Chrysler problem... I need advice so I can get back on the road and back to work!
Has anyone else had this problem? My service dept told us he'd heard of it several times, but more on the Magnum's....

I am thinking that the claim would be against Conti, I believe the warranty card that came with the cars mnual specifically has the tire mfg as the point of contact for tire issues. Not that Chrysler should ingore it, your SM should certainly do what he can to get you going or contact the Conti rep.

[mspeasl]

Originally Posted by pwelpa

I have a 2005 300c with stock Continental AST Self-Sealing 18" tires. At about 8,000 miles I started noticing an uneven wear pattern and tire "roar". Eventually, the dealer serviceman found that Chrysler had updated the alignment specs on this model. After alignment, rotation, balancing the car drove better, the quietened, and I was told the wear would "even out". Instead, now just 1 month later, all 4 tires are showing belt separation...
Now, it probably doesn't help that I live in HOT Texas and put about 700 miles a week on my car. But Chrysler says this is a Continental problem and Continental says it's a Chrysler problem... I need advice so I can get back on the road and back to work!
Has anyone else had this problem? My service dept told us he'd heard of it several times, but more on the Magnum's....

Guy,

Sorry to hear of your problem but it is the tire OEM's problem. Bad thing about it is they will tell you the same thing they did me and that's to put your complaint where the sun don't shine. They don't warn't tire wear on OEM tires. At 21K my tires were completely gone and I am 63 years old and I rotated them every 6K and didn't abuse them. I got lucky when I went to "Discount Tire" where they prorated them out at 100% toward a new set on Michelins. You may want to give that a try.

Good Luck

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by pwelpa

all 4 tires are showing belt separation...

Tires don't "show belt separation." If the tire(s) has a separated belt, then it is not serviceable. When a tire separates, it becomes extremely out-of-round. You don't have belt separation, you have alignment wear on the tires, which is allowing the belts to show through. Those are different things.

Your problem is not the tire maker's fault. Why should Continental be responsible for keeping the alignment in specs on your car? If Chrysler had the alignment set at the wrong specs, then it's their problem. If Chrysler had the alignment set properly on your car, then it's your problem. Chrysler can align your car properly, but of course, they can't guarantee that it won't ever get knocked out of specs. Simply because Chrysler "updated" the alignment specs doesn't necessarily mean that they improperly aligned every car prior to that.

If anyone is going to replace your tires besides you, it's going to be Chrysler. Continental isn't liable.

[Mr.DJ]

Originally Posted by pwelpa

I have a 2005 300c with stock Continental AST Self-Sealing 18" tires. At about 8,000 miles I started noticing an uneven wear pattern and tire "roar". Eventually, the dealer serviceman found that Chrysler had updated the alignment specs on this model. After alignment, rotation, balancing the car drove better, the quietened, and I was told the wear would "even out". Instead, now just 1 month later, all 4 tires are showing belt separation...
Now, it probably doesn't help that I live in HOT Texas and put about 700 miles a week on my car. But Chrysler says this is a Continental problem and Continental says it's a Chrysler problem... I need advice so I can get back on the road and back to work!
Has anyone else had this problem? My service dept told us he'd heard of it several times, but more on the Magnum's....

Ironhorse is 'spot on'. Unfortunately, when it comes down to the consumer and OEM tires, neither the tire manufacturer nor the vehicle manufacturer will want to assume responsibility for inappropriate/rapid tire treadwear...each will blame the other. More often than not, it's the consumer who will usually 'bear the burden' (absorb tire replacement cost) him/her-self.

[jjs]

Conti early wear out...warranty...replacements

[pwelpa]

Thanks for your advice Ironhorse and others... Chrysler gave me a "Care file"; they told me to go ahead and order replacement tires and they'd reimburse me (as long as I purchased the same Conti spec tires). I did so and am now waiting on my reimbursement...