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Tires installed inside-out.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by arthur92710, Oct 16, 2014.

  1. arthur92710

    arthur92710 Junior Member

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    Hi guys,
    I got a 2010 Gen3 (with 64k miles) last month, from a Toyota dealer, certified and everything. Last weekend, after about 4000 miles, I went to rotate the tires. I noticed that they all said "Inside" on the outside.
    The tires are Michelin Defender Green X. I'm not sure when they were installed but they look almost new. They are the second set of tires on the car, based on the carfax. I will check the car fax for that date when I get home.

    Is it a problem to have these tires installed inside out? If it is, will I have to eat it, as I didn't notice when buying, or will the dealer take care of it?

    Thanks
     
    #1 arthur92710, Oct 16, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2014
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    It's not really "inside out".

    Inside simply means the manufacturer recommends that side be put towards the "inside" of the car...not the side outwards or showing.

    IMO...you've only had the car a month, if the tires look fine..not abnormally worn..then just have them flipped and rotated.

    The key is how they look today...and if they are fine...you're fine.

    Moving forward, I'd probably want them installed per the manufacturers recommendation, that is --inside facing inside...BUT if they look almost new? I don't think you have a problem...you caught a problem before it became a problem.

    PS.
    I'd certainly discuss this with your dealer, and say you'd like the tires installed to the recommended specification of the tire manufacturer. I would think, it's simple enough of a task that they would be willing to do it as a measure of goodwill at least.

    And if the dealership is installing the tires labeled this way? They should be made aware it is happening and stop the practice.
     
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  3. GrGramps

    GrGramps Active Member

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    Google "tires mounted inside out"

    Apparently you have asymmetrical tread design and they are mounted incorrectly.
     
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  4. Den49

    Den49 Member

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    According to Tire Rack, Michelin Defenders have a "mildly asymmetric tread design" which is why they have inside/outside markings. You should get them remounted in the correct orientation ASAP. The dealer should correct this at no charge to you.
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Here's something:

    John Fixes Stuff: Are Michelin Defender XT tires directional?

    Not sure what the final word is on the defenders, but I do know you need to be on your toes: I picked up a set of Michelin X-Ice3 a week or two back, on loose rims (for another vehicle), and this is a VERY directional tire, ie: you need to buy 2 rights and 2 lefts. Costco managed to sell me 3 rights and a left, first time 'round.
     
  6. arthur92710

    arthur92710 Junior Member

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    Ok, thanks guys. I will call them tomorrow during my lunch break. Update you then.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the toyota dealer in burlington vermont sold her 4 tyres and mounted them inside out.when she rotated them at 5,000 miles, there was already premature wear.
     
  8. arthur92710

    arthur92710 Junior Member

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    Screenshot_2014-10-16-22-49-13.png I just checked the maintenance records. The tires were replaced on 02/13/2013 at 44k. I'm at 68k, bought at 64k.
    So they were installed over a year ago and already have >20k miles. Will the dealer hold this against me?
     
    #8 arthur92710, Oct 16, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2014
  9. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I don't quite understand the question.

    I'd suspect the dealership would be willing and should re-install the tires correctly.

    But if you aren't showing any abnormal tread wear, and you said the tires look almost new, then that is all I'd expect them to do.

    Yes, it appears a mistake was made, but you've only lived with the mistake for 4000 miles.

    There's nothing the dealership would be "holding against you"...

    All you did was discover the tires were at some point installed incorrectly.

    I don't know what your expectations are here.

    If you are going to ask for an entirely new set of tires? That might be a hard sell, if the tires look OK today.

    But I think you are being perfectly reasonable in wanting the tires orientated as the manufacturer suggests. Getting them changed around shouldn't be a big deal.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If there's no left and right versions of the defender, they're not directional, then I think the only problem is the cosmetic appearance: you're looking at the more utilitarian sidewall facing outward.

    FWIW, if they reverse them on the rims, and you want to keep them rolling in the same direction (per Toyota's Owners Manual stipulation to not swap sides when rotating tires), then you'll want to move them to opposite sides of the vehicle, just this once.

    I'm gonna get some coffee now, just burnt out my 2 brain cells.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you don't rotate them every 5k, they deny all responsibility.
     
  12. lester williams

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    You have the invoice clearly showing the dealer installed them, and not according to Michelin's recommendation. They should happily fix this for you-- personally, I would get this done whether they did it or not. If they refuse to make good their nice person-up, post the dealers name so others can avoid them.
     
  13. arthur92710

    arthur92710 Junior Member

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    There is no left or right, but the tread pattern is asymmetrical so it does matter how it is mounted on the rim. Switching to the other side of the car will not fix it.

    I called the service department of the dealership they told me I need to talk to the used car manager. They connected me to the used car department, so I asked for the manager, who of course wasn't in. I told the guy who answered the phone the problem and he said it should be handled by the service department. He said he will connect me back to them, however it was actually just a voicemail that he connected me too.

    Basically they gave me the run around. I'll try again today.
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If all Defender tires are physically identical, ie: there may be some asymmetry in the tread pattern, but there are not right and left handed (mirrored) versions of the tires, then your only problem is that you're seeing the less cosmetic side wall.

    The litmus test: when buying a set of 4 Defenders, do they have to go find 2 lefts and 2 rights? Or is every tire the same? If the latter is the case, then the tread asymmetry is immaterial, when the tires are mounted on left side or right side of the vehicle the pattern is a bit reversed, but that's by design, it doesn't matter.

    And I'd still stand by what I said previously: if they remount them, so that the current inside face faces outward, then you want to move them to the other sides. This'll keep them rolling the same direction.
     
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  15. arthur92710

    arthur92710 Junior Member

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    I see, I just went out and looked at the tires. Regardless of how they are mounted, one side is always rolling the "wrong" way. That would make this not a problem.
     
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    FWIW, with non-directional tires, Toyota's kind of a hold out, regarding keeping tires on one side, rolling the same direction. I know Honda for one says straight back and cross to front. This is typically what the tire manufacturer says as well.

    Since Toyota says keep 'em on one side, rolling the same direction, I've been sticking with that. Our OEM's our non-directional, but our X-Ice snows are directional. Keeps it simple to apply the same rules to both.
     
  17. riceroni87

    riceroni87 Senior Member

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    I read the title and was like...... there... is... no... way....
     
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  18. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    I think more along the lines of a motorcycle tire.

    I've had people ask me which side I want showing. The "outside" with the lettering/whitewall or the plain side. Motorcycle tires have an arrow indicating correct direction of rotation. If it's going the wrong way, the tire is on the wheel backwards.

    You could put the "inside" out on a car tire by putting the right side tires on the left side. I suppose if direction of rotation was critical, they would put those arrows on car tires a well. Are there arrows on your tires showing which way they should rotate when going forward?
     
  19. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Tyre manufacturers do not go to the trouble of marking the tyre inside and outside for no good reason.
    The Goodyear tyres on my car are marked and the tread is different on either edge of the tyres. It could also be that the sidewall is strengthened on one side to help protect from kerbing. Some tyres have a kerbing rib on one side.
    Most cars have a certain amount of camber on the wheels so in a strait line run on the inside edge. and that edge can have a different tread pattern.

    John (Britprius)
     
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  20. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Couldn't you just flipped one of the right side tires inside out?