The Laughing Wolf

Tire Safety Update

Just a quick suggestion to one and all: It is not always a good idea to let your car dealership service your tires. No offense to most service departments, but their area of specialization is not tires.

My own vehicle, a Subaru Outback sedan, came with what I refer to as peel-and-eat tires of a brand – though not the same model – as became (in)famous with Ford Explorers. Even though I was assured by the dealer that they were safe, I switched them out immediately for some Yokohama racing tires.

Driving to the gym the other day, I suddenly began experiencing some strong vibration from the right rear whilst going 70 or so. This led to my going to the tire place that installed and maintains my tires, where it was discovered that the belt had broken in one tire. By sheer luck, this did not turn into a catastrophic wheel loss. It also turns out that some helpful soul had inflated all my tires to the max level indicated on the tires.

With standard tires, this is not good but not too bad. With racing tires, it is a very bad thing since they are supposed to be less inflated for proper traction and handling. Max pressure can and does very quickly become overpressure as the tires heat on the road. I do not know for sure that it was done during a recent service of the car, but sort of doubt the inflation fairy paid me a visit one night.

So, some quick advice is to let a good tire place who knows tires and what they are doing check your tires. Follow their advice on inflation and other issues as they are the keepers of the warranty. Finally, double check things at regular service just in case someone, trying to be helpful, did something they should not.

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