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Tire Shape anomaly--Safety issue?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by kgall, Feb 1, 2013.

  1. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    This is not really a fuel economy question, but I'm putting it here because this seems to be the place we discuss tires.
    When I was inflating my tires today, I noticed the anomaly you see in the picture below.
    These are Continental Pro Contact with EcoPlus tires, OE size on my OE 15" wheels. As you may be able to see, roughly between the O and N in the name "CONTACT", there is a depression that you see as a change in the color of the tire, running from the wheel outward across the sidewall. I noticed this on all the tires, in roughly this place.

    Problem? Safety issue? Is the thing about to blow up?
    Or am I just paranoid?
    Now I have to tell you that I went to the tire shop and the owner said "Oh, yeah, this is normal. They make these things in clamshell molds, and this is the place where the pieces are joined together."

    But I figured I'd ask the experts on PriusChat.

    Thanks!


    tireanomalyphoto.JPG
     
    #1 kgall, Feb 1, 2013
  2. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    As tires age & are exposed to the elements brown areas appear. I'd be concerned if there is a blister or bubble in the sidewall.
     
    #2 JimN, Feb 1, 2013
  3. Blu-ray

    Blu-ray Blizzard Brigade #215

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    I've had this before. I was always told it is from the tires being strapped down and stored that way for too long. Who knows?

    The other thing is you bought Continentals. I've only hada them one time on a previous vehicle. I had to replace them after about 20k because the tread was separating and splitting for some reason. I didn't have this problem with the tires before them nor after on the same vehicle, and no my tire pressure wasnt too low. I've shyed away from them since. Just keep an eye on them.
     
    #3 Blu-ray, Feb 1, 2013
  4. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    Thanks to both of you. I'm driving and the tires haven't blown up--yet.
    Jim N--No blister or bubble--the tire store also mentioned bulges as indicating problems.
    Blu-ray--Yep, I'm keeping an eye on them.

    Anyone besides me been told this is how tires are made?
     
    #4 kgall, Feb 5, 2013
  5. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    Is that the wear bar or what ever they call it?
     
    #5 adamace1, Feb 5, 2013
  6. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    No it's not. These are new tires, bought several months and about 5K miles ago. It's also on the sidewall, not a strip across the tread.
    So far as I can tell, the tread itself looks OK.
     
    #6 kgall, Feb 6, 2013
  7. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    Looks like a ripped nylon or steel belt in the sidewall, I'd replace
     
    #7 ursle, Feb 6, 2013
  8. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    I'd expect a ripped belt to cause a bulge--not a depression. I suspect there's some kind of warrantee on the tire. See what the tire store says.
     
    #8 css28, Feb 6, 2013
  9. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    That's the sort of thing I was afraid of when I first saw it. The tire store assures me that it is a normal part of the manufacturing process, and agrees with css28 that it would be a bulge if the sidewall were damaged.
     
    #9 kgall, Feb 7, 2013
  10. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    They are correct. It's a result of the manufacturing process and a manufacturer not being overly concerned about the cosmetic appearance of the tires. Other than looking funny, no problem.

    http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=624

    tire irregularity
     
    #10 xs650, Feb 7, 2013
    chrisj428 and kgall like this.
  11. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    That's exactly what I wanted to know (and a slightly different explanation from what I got at the tire store).
     
    #11 kgall, Feb 7, 2013
  12. Launch Vehicle

    Launch Vehicle Junior Member

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    I have the EXACT same Continental Ec0 Plus tires as the OP - with the exact same radial depressions.

    After 32,000 miles on them, I've experienced no problems...
     
    #12 Launch Vehicle, Feb 7, 2013
    kgall likes this.
  13. Reagle

    Reagle Junior Member

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    Just noticed the same things on a set of brand new Continental Pro Contact with EcoPlus installed a month ago. So this is more of a cosmetic than structural thing?
     

    Attached Files:

    #13 Reagle, Jun 14, 2013
  14. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    I ment when you wear the tire down the spots in the pics will line up with the wear bars.
     
    #14 adamace1, Jun 14, 2013
  15. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    OK.
    Thanks.
     
    #15 kgall, Jun 14, 2013
  16. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    Seems that way to me. The tires are working well in emergency stops.
    I'm not quite so sure on mileage--in a month or two I will see how they have done over the full year.
     
    #16 kgall, Jun 14, 2013
  17. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I've had same tire on the front about a year, not seeing the irregularity though. Did not notice much MPG difference between them and GY ComforTred which was similar MPG to OEM GY Intergrity.
     
    #17 wjtracy, Jun 14, 2013
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