So one of my new snow tires blew out/failed...

[JackalS4]

Just got a set of 225/45/17 (stock size) snow tires installed on the stock rims.

Was planning on getting General Altimax or whatever other good stuff they had (Blizzak, Dunlop, Michelin etc) but because of the shortage all they had were Pirelli Winter Carving/Altimax knockoff's - made by "Sunny" in China.

Checked out the tread and they looked great. Kind of had to go with them because the snow was coming and that's all they had....everywhere else was sold out or too busy etc. Curious on how they'd perform, too.

Tread like this:


So I tested them out in the snow and they are stellar - and not too too noisy at speed.

Fast forward to yesterday, i'm hearing an increasing "humming" at speed, along with mild vibration that's coming and going at just about any speed. Seem to be from front passenger side wheel well. Eventually it became consistent.

I'm thinking ESP/ABS sensor because the braking felt "off", or a wheel bearing perhaps...but the steering wheel was slightly cocked...so I was left truly confused and quite worried. Pulled over and looked for ice/snow buildup but couldn't find anything wrong.

Turns out I get to work, co-worker tells me my passenger tire looks totally messed up. Like, not flat, but as in somebody punched in the FACE of the tread! Sure enough, half the tire from a side view curves in and out like a flower!

I must say, I was actually GLAD it was only a bad tire!!

I can pretty much guarantee I didn't hit anything at all. Tires were fine during initial week or so, so I don't think they started out bad.

Either way, I think i'm going to ditch all of them and see what brand name winters I can get.

Pics to come.

[AudiSportB5S4]

that sucks! I guess there is a reason for going with the name sometimes, that sucks :(.

[tike0rz]

I just got my General's on the other day as well. They are pretty damn nice, and for the price you can't beat it. I waited it out when they said it'll be 2 weeks before they could ship mine. Well worth it!

[JackalS4]

I agree with you both.

Just a friendly reminder to stick with the brand names...

KIDS: Stay away from Sunny Winter Grips!

Anyhow, upon closer inspection, it looks as though the SIDEWALL actually collapsed/folded. As though the tire wasn't designed for any reasonable load.

Scary stuff.

To top it off in humourous irony, my spare is a mint Blizzak WS-60 lol.

[hoganalley]

This tread design is older...I've had it on mine for 3 years now. I have Gislaved tires which are well known. I don't know what to say about the tire going crazy because sometimes it just happens, but I don't see the point in paying premium prices for a tire that isn't that much different than what you have. General's aren't bad....they're not great, but better than "Sunny". I think you just got a bad tire.

I know the material compositions are better in brand name tires, but I don't think the difference is all that great. Can anyone prove this different?

[Rajan147]

Blizzaks or Dunlop M3 Winter Sport. TireRack has some good close out specials.

[UGwagen]

This tread design is older...I've had it on mine for 3 years now. I have Gislaved tires which are well known. I don't know what to say about the tire going crazy because sometimes it just happens, but I don't see the point in paying premium prices for a tire that isn't that much different than what you have. General's aren't bad....they're not great, but better than "Sunny". I think you just got a bad tire.

I know the material compositions are better in brand name tires, but I don't think the difference is all that great. Can anyone prove this different?

My Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSI has Canola oil in the compound, which is supposed to help with colder temperatures and provide low rolling resistance.

[JackalS4]

I don't know what to say about the tire going crazy because sometimes it just happens....I think you just got a bad tire.

You know, I was thinking, i'm going to have the tire properly checked out to be fair. This does happen from time to time...and I was driving on it for a while which could be why the sidewall appears collapsed.

If I see a direct puncture or installation error, then perhaps it may not be "Sunny"'s fault afterall.

Time will tell.

Blizzaks or Dunlop M3 Winter Sport. TireRack has some good close out specials.

If it looks like the tires' quality's fault, i'll be shooting for a set one of those two if at all possible!

[DA4KNESS]

I would contact the place you got them from and complain. If that wouldve blown out on a dry road... that sounds like grounds for a lawsuit to me. It couldve been a faulty mount on the wheel or you just got a bad a tire. Either way, I'd make a stink about it.

[JackalS4]

I would contact the place you got them from and complain. If that wouldve blown out on a dry road... that sounds like grounds for a lawsuit to me. It couldve been a faulty mount on the wheel or you just got a bad a tire. Either way, I'd make a stink about it.

Oh don't worry, i'll be going back.

I'll be playing it by ear based on how they handle everything.

I'm sure they'll fix it, i'm just hoping they'll take all the Sunny's back without a hard time and give me some kind of discount on a different set or similar if there's no evidence of a puncture or installation error.

[JackalS4]

So it turns out the whole ordeal was a valve stem failure, and the driving on the flat tire made it appear as wrecked as it did.

So the tire is all fixed up for free, and i'll be watching.

Some before/after pics:






So, as of now, I have no issues with the Sunny Winter Grip's just yet, because they perform GREAT in the snow!

Seriously, night and day difference going and stopping, it's almost like driving on the dry...

[RedRocketS4]

check the manufactured date on the tire. that can cause some big time issues if the tire was made over 5-6 years ago.

[pOrKcHoP07]

^^ yea people sell tires that are "brand new" even though they are over 6 years old which is a no-go!

i think I watch too much of dateline.

[JackalS4]

check the manufactured date on the tire. that can cause some big time issues if the tire was made over 5-6 years ago.

Yes actually I remember hearing about this! The tire says DOT and some letters...no numbers...any idea on how to translate?

Although this was on the outside of the tire...too cold and snowy to want to check the inside right now.

I'm guessing they're pretty new because of the demand and the shops keeps getting tons of fresh tires, but I guess you never know.

[Whitseml]

Man those rims are dirty haha.

[WingsnHorns]

Jackal do you find these tires hum noticably at speed?

[stamps]

Check out the last set of numbers on the DOT. There will be 4 numbers, I believe the first two are the year in which they were produced and the second two are the week of that year they were produced, however it could be the other way around. 0445 = 2004 on the 45th week. As mentioned anything over 5 years should be avoided at all costs, I believe in europe there are regulations dealing with age of tires.

+1 for M3s, just put a set on. replaced my Bliz both good choices. going no name for a ssac exhaust is one thing but when you've only got around 200 sq in of contact with the road via your tires, it seams like a good place to splurge to me.

[tike0rz]

Dude I went out today and I looked down at my passenger rear tire...and WTF flat!

I filled it up to 32psi and I hope it holds...or else!

[rick_chicago]

Check out the last set of numbers on the DOT....

As you mentioned, it's flip-flopped - MMYY. The really old ones have only three digits (9 for 1999). It can often be on the inside of the tire.

[MacDaddy]

if you were driving on a flat tire, it should be unmounted and the inner sidewall checked for damage.

I'd ask the tire shop if they did this when they replaced the valve stem.

[JackalS4]

if you were driving on a flat tire, it should be unmounted and the inner sidewall checked for damage.

I'd ask the tire shop if they did this when they replaced the valve stem.

This was all checked and the tire looks fine except for a mild scar from the rolling on the outside.

I guess time will tell, so far it seems alright, thanks!

Man those rims are dirty haha.

Yes. Yes, they are. Long story short, painted over curb rash of last owner, paint picks up brake dust, wheels like to stay dirty.

Jackal do you find these tires hum noticably at speed?

No, to me they seem rather quiet for winter tires. The Firestone Winterforce were the ones I noticed had the most hum.

Dude I went out today and I looked down at my passenger rear tire...and WTF flat!

I filled it up to 32psi and I hope it holds...or else!

WTF??? Be vigilant indeed! Funny how that happens...

[RedRocketS4]

sorry for the delay...

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4813029

O... and jack up the car and check the inside of the tire for the DOT number. Sometimes, they only print that manufactured date number on one side.

[WingsnHorns]

Jackal, I asked about the noise because coincidentaly, my rear wheel bearings started to go bad when I put the Hankook I-Pikes on. Got it all sorted out and fixed. Now I need to change the front control arms too. *sigh* it never ends with this car.

[JackalS4]

sorry for the delay...

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4813029

O... and jack up the car and check the inside of the tire for the DOT number. Sometimes, they only print that manufactured date number on one side.

Thanks, I checked this out and the number was "3108", so indeed they were fresh (31st week of 2008)!

Jackal, I asked about the noise because coincidentaly, my rear wheel bearings started to go bad when I put the Hankook I-Pikes on. Got it all sorted out and fixed. Now I need to change the front control arms too. *sigh* it never ends with this car.

Haha what are the chances??

But yeah I hear ya man... Better to get it all over with though right?

EDIT: Oh yeah, and the tire did need replacing (developed a 'bulge'). All is good now.