Vote: Have you had uneven tire wear?

[cyled]

This is to get an idea of how many have had the middle rear and/or the inside fronts wear out in under 20,000 miles. It is in my opinion that Mercury or BFGoodrich has recommended the pressure for gas mileage (which is evident in the 04's) versus even tire wear. I feel they need to revisit the recommendations.

This is to try to get Mercury to at least take notice. This is not to be used in a negative manner. There is no promise they will do anything about it, however I can guarentee they will not do anything about if we say nothing.

This is not a subsitute for taking your car to the dealer and having them make note on your vehicle record. That is what Mercury will pay attention to. I am just want to hurry up the process.

[Macon Marauder]

I only have about 7800 miles on mine. No uneven tire wear noticed.

[67435animal]

9800 miles; 35PS all around and tire wear is even.

Bob

[gohogs]

At 10,500 miles have excessive cupping/wear on inside of front tires, and middle of tire wear on rears. Tire inflation checked to factory specs at least monthly.

[Dave Compson]

At 20k i took my car into the dealership and discovered the dreaded tire wear issue. Now it looks as if i will be replacing my tires. I have contacted my dealership and am (waiting) for them to get back with me. This sucks and i wish there was something or someone that would help. To me, it seems like tires should last a little longer than this. Irregular tire wear and proper inflation is a sign of something wrong.

Frustrated and nowhere to turn....

[SergntMac]

I voted "no" and I would like to explain why.

I drive daily in metropolitan Chicago, some of the worst roads in America are registered here as sex offenders. What I'm posting now, is drawn from that perspective, K? Hot sticky tar 3 months of any year. Cold and unforgiving pot-holed and cracked pavement the rest of the year. Re-construction and repavement is a season, K? Not a temporary condition, and my decision to vote "no" is based on my accumulated experience with two MMs on Chicago roads.

My first MM, born 06/02, racked up almost 10K on these roads before I turned it over to CarMax. It came with the BF Goodrich tires in correct sizes, but not with the KDWS designation seen later in production. The tire markings were different, the KDWS markings more subdued than production tires of a later date, evident that something changed, even if just a tire mold.

Nonetheless, from day one, I maintained 35 PSI at all four corners, and got good tire wear in return. The ride was "crisp," and the road feel "accurate." Rolling resistance was measured and set at it's minimum of 35 PSI, but for many reading my stuff here way back then also called it "harsh" and "stiff," and ultimately undesireable.

Despite these reports, I held my 35 PSI position, and when I turned my 1st MM over to CarMax, their tire inspection gave me a full thumbs up on expected wear and tear.

My second Marauder is the Kenny Brown Marauder S, #1x, the experimental car retired 11/02/02. "Patches" came with Kenny Brown's choice of Pirelli P-Zero Assymetrico tires in new (and larger) sizes. Good Lord what a grip on Chicago roads! Yet, these tires were also underinflated, IMHO.

They came pumped to 32 PSI when the Pirelli web site recommended 36 PSI. We all know grip is affected by tire pressure, and I presumed that the pressure was adjusted for maximum grip, not maximum rolling resistance. I restored my favorite 35 PSI, and I have enjoyed thousands of miles of traction I did not see...ummm...feel, with my BFG tires on my first MM.

I admit inflation was not held to Pirelli, or, Kenny Brown's recommendations, but you do what you gotta do, right?

I've had these Pirelli tires balanced twice now, and I also got one front end alignment. The balance was slightly off both times, and the alignment argued about with independent "specialists." Kenny Brown has his own settings for alignment, but they are not much off the OEM settings gathered from FMC by Hunter. Not much at all.

My rear tires are worn, but worn evenly, I admit I am burning them up. However, my front tires show medium to significant "cupping" on the inside tracks, depending on how you measure "wear." I'm not pleased that my tires are worn out now, but the joy of solid grip under power has been worth this wear, and I drive under power, or I'm not driving, K?

In my book, this is all normal wear and tear on a high performance automobile. I think most of us drive harder and more aggressive than we are willing to admit or acknowledge, and this topic has turned into a "missing the bang for the buck" agenda. Well, I think we're not missing anything, we're just not counting something else. I've added 10K to my Pirelli's, and I need new tires. I will buy a full set in the Spring of '04, before the car comes out for the '04 season. I expect to have to replace them every season, because of how I drive during the season.

IMHO, y'all are forgetting something, and that's how this MM drives and rides in your season. 20K on stock BFGs? That's cool, because this ain't your daddy's Crown Vic. 20K on BFGs is about right, IMHO.

I wouldn't want to be the pilot of any MM on any rain soaked road with more than 20K miles, that just ain't safe enough for me or my passengers, and that's the way it is with a high performance automobile.

If this doesn't sit well with you, go buy a black Gran Marquis and lie to your neighbors. But, before you do, go for a drive in the rain, the way you always drive. Remember though, you got 20K miles on BFG tires.

Just my .02c, rebutts to SergntMac@aol.com please. Logan has enough to handle right now, K?

[looking97233]

Well, well. After buying my car, I played with the tire pressure. At 32lbs, as stated on the sticker, it felt like the car was "plowing" in the front. I went and cheked out BFG's web page. Going by thier figures, I think it was 44 in the front and 42 in the back. After experimenting I settled on 38 in the front and 36 out back. The ride is firm. As it should be on this car. At 14k miles the fronts look almost new, however the backs will need to be replaced soon. Is it the cars fault? No, blame my right foot. As for the BFG's IMHO for an all-season tire, they work good. Better than average traction in the wet. They are a 'W' rated tire (186mph) this is not conducive to long tread life. Also the tires have thier work cut out for them, a 4200lb car + whatever you may put in it. Did Mercury list the pressure lower to give a 'softer' ride? Maybe, but it's the first thing I changed. Finally for the money, less than $100 a corner, 20K miles seems like a good deal.
This is not meant to say there aren't any out there with problems from inproper allignment ect. that could cause problems with the tires. Just my thoughts on tire wear.

[Lowell]

No uneven tire wear at 8k. 300A daily driver.

[studio460]

I have high wear mid-tread on rears at 10,000 miles (Dave Compson pointed it out to me at the L.A. meet). 34 PSI all around. Haven't checked the fronts. I drive it like I stole it. I remember that I used to burn up my Mustang's front tires really, really fast.

[Dave Compson]

I hate to incriminate myself, but i think ill just have to go out and buy new tires. After reading others posts', i see we are all getting about 20k miles then its time for a change. Oh well...

[Mark McQuaide]

I don't mind tires wearing out fast on a high-performance car - I do have a problem when they wear unevenly. Not acceptable at all as far as I'm concerned.

[cyled]

Originally posted by Mark McQuaide
I don't mind tires wearing out fast on a high-performance car - I do have a problem when they wear unevenly. Not acceptable at all as far as I'm concerned.

And that is my point. I know they are high performance, but cupping and the middle of the tire is not normal wear..
Based on most of the feedback, it looks like most is going to file in the, that is just they way it is category. Which is fine, that is why we have a great sight where people can share their views. Unless we have a high number in agreement, we cannot get Mercury to look at it.
We can only hope for somebody to come along with a tire that has higher mileage. I would rather have the higher mileage than the performance, but on our size I don't think we are going to see it yet... And no I am not going back to a Crown Vic or Grand Marquis :D

[Dave Compson]

I complained to mercury today, we'll see what happens? I have to take my car to a SVT dealer to have the alignment checked. They are aware of my tire wear issues, but ill have to wait to see what my alignment looks like.

[SergntMac]

I'm wondering if a frame alignment is an answer?

[Ross]

20K, uneven wear on inside of tires. Front end aligned (tech said not very far out of spec) . Rotated side to side, hope to get at least 10K more before they need replacing. 34 PSI all around.

[Heavy351]

Just noticed this last night. Taking to the dealer this week. only 5500 miles!!!!!!!!

All I do is drive my son to and from daycare, no high speed backroad twisties..

[jfclancy]

Just noticed this last night. Taking to the dealer this week. only 5500 miles!!!!!!!!

All I do is drive my son to and from daycare, no high speed backroad twisties..

There was a post about a known front end alignement problem with some (300A) cars had mine done twice ran at recomended air pressure and had to replace fronts and rears are almost gone in center. Under 18,000 mixed city and highway miles. ANYHOW if it makes you feel better to complain go ahead
I just replaced the tires.

Joe Clancy

[Heavy D.]

Left rear has cupped center, all others okay. 17,800 miles @ 30-32 psi (checked monthly). Pretty strange - I'd expect the right rear to show the same wear as the left. Any ideas anyone?

[Rich]

Rear tires wearing in center. Replaced at 20000.

[cruzer]

Replaced both rears at 17,000. Left rear down to warning bars--outer tread @ 6/32nds---right rear was warning bar on center tread and 5/32nds @outer tread. Fronts wearing evenly at 18,500 with between 6 and 7/32nds. Daily driver @ 32 psi --2 long cross country trips

[Bigdogjim]

Question you need to ask yourself is "what am I looking" for as far as mileage goes?"

You need to compair apples to apples here.

20,000 miles is about normal for this application.

I have 14,000 miles on my Marauder and it looks like I could get 30,000+ out of 'em.

Will I "push" them that far? No, Like Mac pointed out they are not safe on rain slicked highways.

We all know we drive these cars hard. That's why we bought 'em.

I do not think is fair to expect 40,000 miles of tread life.

Now if they are wearing uneven then you need to look harder at the cause.

I have a friend in the body shop business and he had already check my frame and that is OK!

Hi-preformance cars always carry a higher mantaince cost.

Our company work vans (E-350 SD) come with Goodyears LT 245R 16 and I get about 80-90,000 miles with 6,000 mile rotation.

[woaface]

I voted "no" and I would like to explain why.

(Lots of good information...)



Is it Sarges point that the poll question is somewhat basic?

[Heavy351]

The question in the poll is pretty straightforward IMHO.

Because I have burned up the inside front edges of my front tires at less than 6000 miles, I would call that unusual and uneven wear. If they were worn on the outside edges or all the way across you could make the case for aggressive driving habits. That argument is a reach since my rear tires look like they are new. It is pretty obvious that my car is out of spec or cannot hold the spec while driving for whatever reason (under driving loads the rack moves towards toe in?). This cannot be usual behavior since at this rate they will be down to the cords long before the 12000 mile limit the dealer has the responsibility for.

So I am calling this unusual wear.

Dealers can handle this differently depending on how bad they want you as a customer but I am waiting to hear if anyone has gotten some kind of response from Ford Corporate on this.

[gonzo50]

I'm at a little less than 11,000 miles and tires are wearing evenly, I don't baby the car but I also don't :burnout: "Drive it like I stole it", I consider myself an aggressive driver as in driving it hard, :o (well, that's what my wife say's), but I'm satisfied with the performance of the BFGoodrich's, :up: when it comes time to replace them, I'll get the same tires. :rock: