While I'm in the habit of checking over almost everything on my cars myself, I let the experts guide me on tires.
So the Mercedes dealer reported in March that the tires could blow any minute. Not seeing it ourselves, my wife went to Discount Tire and asked them. They reported right rear at 3/32 and left rear at 4/32.
Thought ok, someone was trying to upsell at the dealership as usual. Let's check in a few months.
Well this week, went into the same Discount Tire for a rotation and balance on the other car. Different person handled it this time and refused to do it. Said the inside of the right rear was at 2/32 while the rest and the left rear was at 4/32
So I began shopping for tires. Then thought lets go and see for myself. So running in all 4 grooves, I find one tread bar that is close to going flush. Ok, so I can see what they are getting at.
Went over to the Merc whose tires are closer to the wheel arch so much more is by feel. But on the outside I can kind of see where they came up with 3/32. Reach to the inside and cannot feel any tread bars! Get down lower to eyeball the inner part of the tire nearer the ground and am astounded by what I see!
No wonder the Merc dealer said it could blow any minute!
It all comes down to who looks at your car. The first tech at DT was lazy and assumed the inner wear was the same as the outer wear. The second tech at DT and the Merc tech were more thorough.
It made me realize that maybe I should do my own rotations - I can do a brake fluid flush while I'm at it and can if course inspect the tires much more closely myself
So the Mercedes dealer reported in March that the tires could blow any minute. Not seeing it ourselves, my wife went to Discount Tire and asked them. They reported right rear at 3/32 and left rear at 4/32.
Thought ok, someone was trying to upsell at the dealership as usual. Let's check in a few months.
Well this week, went into the same Discount Tire for a rotation and balance on the other car. Different person handled it this time and refused to do it. Said the inside of the right rear was at 2/32 while the rest and the left rear was at 4/32
So I began shopping for tires. Then thought lets go and see for myself. So running in all 4 grooves, I find one tread bar that is close to going flush. Ok, so I can see what they are getting at.
Went over to the Merc whose tires are closer to the wheel arch so much more is by feel. But on the outside I can kind of see where they came up with 3/32. Reach to the inside and cannot feel any tread bars! Get down lower to eyeball the inner part of the tire nearer the ground and am astounded by what I see!
No wonder the Merc dealer said it could blow any minute!
It all comes down to who looks at your car. The first tech at DT was lazy and assumed the inner wear was the same as the outer wear. The second tech at DT and the Merc tech were more thorough.
It made me realize that maybe I should do my own rotations - I can do a brake fluid flush while I'm at it and can if course inspect the tires much more closely myself