3 Tire Bubbles in 18 Months -- HELP!
03-05-2008, 11:25 AM
#1
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3 Tire Bubbles in 18 Months -- HELP!
I've got a 2006 A4 2.0T quattro sedan that cruises the moonlike highways of New York City -- pothole city. I've had three tire bubbles in the space of 18 months. Called my dealer to find out if they had gotten complaints about the ContiPro tire that came stock. They explained that the ContiPro was actually a decent tire, and that I'd probably have this problem with just about any low profile tire as long as I continued to drive it on $hitty roads. But, the person I spoke with also noted that they generally had better luck with high quality Michelins than their typical stock tires.
I'll spend whatever I have to in order to avoid this problem. I drive quite a bit for work and really don't want to have a blowout in the middle of nowhere, let alone on a traffic-congested highway full of angry and impatient NY'ers.
Assuming there's a pothole-proof tire out there, would it make more sense to put those on the front and keep my ContiPros on the back?
Any advice is much appreciated!
I'll spend whatever I have to in order to avoid this problem. I drive quite a bit for work and really don't want to have a blowout in the middle of nowhere, let alone on a traffic-congested highway full of angry and impatient NY'ers.
Assuming there's a pothole-proof tire out there, would it make more sense to put those on the front and keep my ContiPros on the back?
Any advice is much appreciated!
03-06-2008, 07:02 AM
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This is freqently misunderstood
While aspect ration matters ( 50, 55, 60) the load rating (in your case, 93) matters much more. A larger tire will withstand more impact without deforming or damage. So go one full oversize, as I did - to 225/55-16. You also might consider asking a good tire dealer for a brand that is more durable (they vary) and even get an XL rated tire.
Saying "16 is usually ok" misses the entire engineering point. There are 16" tires with marginal load ratings and larger ones with spare load capacity. A tire is an air spring, plain and simple. While load rating is not intended to address this particular issue, LR and spring rate ( of the tire itself) are 100% directly correlated.
Oh, and add air. Run them at say 38-40 lbs. Harder riade, but better for your tire and rim longevity in harsh environments.
G
Saying "16 is usually ok" misses the entire engineering point. There are 16" tires with marginal load ratings and larger ones with spare load capacity. A tire is an air spring, plain and simple. While load rating is not intended to address this particular issue, LR and spring rate ( of the tire itself) are 100% directly correlated.
Oh, and add air. Run them at say 38-40 lbs. Harder riade, but better for your tire and rim longevity in harsh environments.
G
03-08-2008, 06:19 AM
#7
Here's a pic of 2 bubbles/1 tire (Falken) It's oversize 60 series.
<a href="http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/AudiJunkie/mycars/?action=view¤t=falken2s.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/AudiJunkie/mycars/falken2s.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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03-08-2008, 06:21 AM
#8
Try 215/60-16 if your roads are bad, 1.5% taller. I'd give Bridgestone G-009 a shot, quality-wise.
I use 215/55-16 on my Accord over 205/60-16 stock. It's an expensive size. 215/60-16 will save money and give better selection.
03-08-2008, 06:26 AM
#9
....A definate bump-up from there would be Eagle Response Edge w/ Carbon Fibre sidewall.
Pretty amazing tire. I just removed mine and stored for Fall. Worth the extra $20 if you don't burn them up in a year.