AboutBarry Smith Expertise I have over 30 years experience in the design, manufacturing, and
testing of tires. I have served as the technical advisor to the "800"
number. I have authored or co-authored many publications - usually
without credit. I can answer almost any technical question, but
please don`t ask me to compare brands. I probably have prejudices because of
my work experience.
Experience Member SAE (Society of Automotive
Engineers)
Member Tire Society (Tire Technical Organization)
SCCA Regional Competiton License holder
Authored many training manuals on tires, their care and use.
Expert: Barry Smith Date: 6/16/2008 Subject: cupping tires
Question QUESTION: I have a 2007 Dodge Caliber and it has a little over 18,000 miles on it. When I took it for its 18,000 checkup (oil change and tire rotation) one place told me I had bad bearing and needed to have them replaced.I then took it to the dealership and had them check it because it is still under warranty. They then told me that all my tires are cupping and the back is worse then the front. My question is should the dealership replace my tires and try and figure out why the tires are cupping. Thanks for any help you can give me.
ANSWER: Kathy,
Correct me if I am wrong, but tires aren't covered by the warranty because they are considered wear items. Normally cupping is caused by misalignment (which might be caused by being knocked out of a pot hole.) and aggravated by insufficient inflation pressure and insufficient rotation practices. So as a general rule, cupping of tires is not covered by warranty for those 2 reasons.
You didn't mention if the bearing was covered by the warranty - and that's important. A wheel bearing might have caused the misalignment and that caused the cupping. If it was the wheel bearing - and it was covered by warranty, then that would be the only justification you would have to get the dealership to cover the tires under warranty.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I took my car to Firestone for the oil change and tire rotation. They told me I had a bad bearing. Then I went to the Dealership the told me I had no bearing problem and test drove the car and came to the conclusion that the tires were cupping. I then took it to a 3rd place for a third opinion and they also told me the tires were cupping.
I guess my question really is if I replace the tires and get an alignment(which I think is wrong because of how few miles and only being a year old) and in 6, 12 and 18 months when its time to rotate the tires and they are cupping again, There might have been something wrong with the car. Then that won't be covered under the warranty such as struts, bearing etc. Because the dealership didn't want to do an in depth check on it. Thanks again
Answer Kathy,
You need to find a shop that will tell you that the alignment has to be within the inner half of the tolerance. That way you know that they understand that that alignment is a matter of degree, rather than kind. In other words, being a little far away from the target is just as bad as being a lot away, except that it takes longer.
I suspect that when the dealer heard you had tire problems, he wanted to stay as far away from it as possible - but I do not think there is anything wrong with the vehicle - other than the alignment.
