Tire Blowout!

[JALEEN]

Hey everyone I am new to this forum was a member on Modularpowerhouse for a long time before the forum closed. (Same username) So i have had three stangs now, the most recent I just purchased on March 16th it is a 2007 GT coupe torch red. I am really happy with the newer model.

So about 4 days ago i was driving home on the interstate probably going about 70mph or so when i felt the rear end kind of kick out and the car got very shakey. I pulled over on the side of the interstate quickly to find that the rear passenger side tire had completley come apart. (I am going to try and get a pic up shortly) Where the sidewall meets the tread on the top the tire split all the way around on the outside and on the hubside leaving the tread completely unattached to the rest of the wheel. Luckily there was no damage to the body or rim that i can see, other than a bit of a scrape on the inner wheel well. These were the stock 17 in rims with Pirelli P-zero nero tires (stock equipment if i am correct.) I bought the car used with only 15,000 miles on it. The tires appeared to be in great shape no sign of dry rot or any excessive wear on the tread. No sign of anything that I may have hit with the tire nor do i recall hitting anything. I have just never seen a tire come apart like this, and worry about the other three! I dont know if I should try and see if the dealership i had bought the car from just over a month before would help fix the situation or if i should send pictures to pirelli. Hopefully I will be getting some new rims and tires come friday and just be done with the whole thing but i gotta say that was pretty scary for a minute and it could have gone a whole lot worse.

I think the dealership would not be very helpful for one real reason the car was bought used. (but with a 3 month 3000 mile warranty) Pirelli may be more helpful but i dont want to fight about it for months ya know. I would really just like some opinions and once the pic is posted anyone who would like to take a crack at guessing how this tire blew out, i would welcome the insight.

Thanks in advance, Jon

 

[mustangford289]

age

How old was the tire...check the date code.

 

[joedeboever]

air conditioning problem

i have a 2002 gt ,last summer the ac quit working but it has freon, the compressor is good and a guy at a garage checked the fuses, does anybody think it could be my control unit thats in the dash board or does anybody have any suggestions thanks joe, sorry im new to this an dont see where i can post my own new thread

 

[mustangford289]

Hijack

Dont hijack a thread man....figure out how to post your own, its pretty simple...

 

[JALEEN]

 

[JALEEN]

I am having all sorts of trouble with this darn pic lol anyone know of a better image hosting site other than imageshack.us?

 

[JALEEN]

How old was the tire...check the date code.

that is a good idea with only 15k miles on it i bet its the original tire and for an 07 with that low milage it is very possible that it did alot of sitting...

 

[JALEEN]

By jaleen281 at 2011-05-02

there we go never mind on the image help as you can see you can literally just pull the rim from the center like a plug lol

 

[streethorse]

Probably the lack of usage caused flat spots. That 1 tire could have lost air while being stored or could have takin a curb hit.
If it was me Id replace all 4 tires and call it a day.

 

[arcwcb]

I had the same thing happen with my stock 18's, the tread did the exact same separation, only it was the rear driver. They only see usage 3-4 months a year since when I know it won't snow I run the 20's, so probably the same thing as what happened to yours from sitting so long.

 

[mustangford289]

The cut u see around the perimeter is from the rim riding on the flat tire and cutting the side walls. The cause of the flat lies elsewhere.

 

[mustangford289]

age

that is a good idea with only 15k miles on it i bet its the original tire and for an 07 with that low milage it is very possible that it did alot of sitting...

That tire could be 4 to 5 yrs old, if it were built in 06 as an 07 model, and sitting a lot does it no good.

Cars are like boats if you do not use them they go to ****.

I got this at tirerack.com READ The 4th paragraph!
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and tire manufacturers are currently studying the many variables. Exposure to the elements (sun and atmospheric), regularity of use (frequent or only occasional) and the quality of care (maintaining proper inflation pressure, wheel alignment, etc.) will all influence the answer. So while tire life depends on the service conditions and the environment in which they operate, the difficult task remains how to identify all of the variables that influence a tire's calendar age and attempt to quantify their influence.

The current industry association recommendations regarding inspecting and replacing tires due to age originate outside the United States.

The British Rubber Manufacturers Association (BRMA) recommended practice issued June, 2001, states "BRMA members strongly recommend that unused tyres should not be put into service if they are over six years old and that all tyres should be replaced ten years from the date of their manufacture."

"Environmental conditions like exposure to sunlight and coastal climates, as well as poor storage and infrequent use, accelerate the aging process. In ideal conditions, a tyre may have a life expectancy that exceeds ten years from its date of manufacture. However, such conditions are rare. Aging may not exhibit any external indications and, since there is no non-destructive test to assess the serviceability of a tyre, even an inspection carried out by a tyre expert may not reveal the extent of any deterioration."

More recently, The Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA) recommended practice issued May, 2005, states "customers are encouraged to have their vehicle tires promptly inspected after five years of use to determine if the tires can continue to be used (recommends spare tires be inspected as well). Furthermore, even when the tires look usable, it is recommended that all tires (including spare tires) that were made more than ten years ago be replaced with new tires. Additionally, because in some cases automobile makers--based on the characteristics of the relevant vehicle--stipulate in the owner's manual the timing of tire inspection and replacement. Please read and confirm the content of the owner's manual."

Several European vehicle manufacturers of high performance sports cars, coupes and sedans identify that "under no circumstances should tires older than 6 years be used" in their vehicle owner's manual. However, it should be noted that European recommendations must include driving conditions that include roads like the German Autobahn, which allows vehicles to be legally driven at their top speeds for extended periods of time.

While American driving conditions don't include the high-speed challenges of the German Autobahn, Chrysler and Ford Motor Company joined their European colleagues in 2005 by recommending that tires installed as Original Equipment be replaced after six years of service. (General Motors declined to offer a recommendation until a more scientific analysis of driving conditions and tire aging could be completed).

It is important to take into account Original Equipment tires are mounted on wheels and put into service right after being received by vehicle manufacturers, so their calendar age begins immediately. However the same cannot be said of tires properly stored in a tire manufacturers' warehouse or in Tire Rack distribution centers before they go into service. Properly stored tires that are protected from the elements and not mounted on a wheel age very slowly before they are mounted and put into service.

Our experience has been that when properly stored and cared for, most street tires have a useful life in service of between six to ten years. And while part of that time is spent as the tire travels from the manufacturing plant to the manufacturer's distribution center, to the retailer and to you, the remainder is the time it spends on your vehicle.

 

[JALEEN]

thanks mustangford289! that does make alot of sense. that is the thing with used cars you just dont always know the history even with a carfax lol I appreciate all the quick responses and information guys, this forum seems great! i dont really know if calling the dealership again would do me any good i think they kinda gave me the run around the first time, probably just have to bite the bullet and take this one out of pocket

 

[arcwcb]

I don't see how you could expect them to do anything, it's probably just something you hit in the road. The dealer won't cover that, it's on you.

 

[Spdfreak]

Even if it was a new car, I doubt Ford would cover you under warranty. Tires are a "wear" part, and only Perilli (sp) is responsible. They're almost 5 years old, anyway. And they SUCK, IMO. Just pony up the dough and get some Goodyear Eagle F1-DSG3's. Fresh tires are key.

 

[jaybertx]

British english is silly. Tyre. LOL.

 

[arcwcb]

Even if it was a new car, I doubt Ford would cover you under warranty. Tires are a "wear" part, and only Perilli (sp) is responsible. They're almost 5 years old, anyway. And they SUCK, IMO. Just pony up the dough and get some Goodyear Eagle F1-DSG3's. Fresh tires are key.

I hate the Goodyear Eagle...

 

[streethorse]

The cut u see around the perimeter is from the rim riding on the flat tire and cutting the side walls. The cause of the flat lies elsewhere.

Excellent point, when a tire blows out, it blows out. Leaves a hole like
a gunshot from the inside. Ive seen a few. Usually its an old tire with obvious
dry rot. The other 3 tires may actually be fine in this case. But like I said
I would still get 4 new tires asap.

 

[Gix]

Yep have seen this before, the tire was driven flat or very low. Over time the rim wears out or cuts the side wall. I would think there would have been signs of wear on the outside on the side of the tire. But I'm thinking if the tire was just low for a long time it might wear the tire without showing on the outside of the sidewall. I would defiantly check the other tires my guess is it's just that one tire. Rear passenger you don't see it as much so it was at some point low and went unnoticed.IMO

 

[Spdfreak]

I hate the Goodyear Eagle...

Really? I have nothing to say but good things about the F-1's. They're no like Nittos or anything, but they handle well when it's dry, and more importantly, they are really good when it's wet.


Meh, personal preference, I suppose.