Big problem with new tyres

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Please recommend me the best course of action on the following.

I had 2 x new Goodyear efficientgrip performance tyres fitted on the front maybe 10d ago at a local tyre centre. Now I found a massive bulge on the right one. I wasn't driving like a maniac in any way.

For a start they both looked suspicious with really soft sidewal, and the car massively understeers in the corners. There is no way in hell I will run this brand a day longer.

Now what do I do with Kwik fit guarantee (if one exists - paid for by CC just a few days ago) and the other tyre that is yet to develop a bulge? I most certainly want different ones, ideally Bridgestone A001 as on the rear. I am not even sure if they do those specific ones, let alone that I am not comfortable just picking yet another brand from the shelf. Paying for 2 sets within 2 weeks would be a bit extreme though
 
Take it somewhere else before you go back to Kwik Fit. Ask them what they think has caused the issue. I'm assuming you haven't kerbed it.

It could be a Manufacturing fault.

I know a manager of a Kwik Fit do you have any pics. I'll see what he thinks
 
Assuming there is no obvious signs of you having belted the tyre on a curb or similar [heavy rim scuffing, scuffing on the tyre itself], then go back to kwik fit and ask to speak to a manager about it. Explain that you are obviously not happy with the bulge, but the fact that this has happened has left you unhappy with the brand of tyre and no confidence in it. Be polite but firm, obviously. Regardless of any replacement of the apparently defective tyre [and like anything, it IS possible for the occasional faulty one to leave a factory and personally I would not hold that against a manufacturer] they are not obliged to do anything with the other unless there is a fault on that afaik, but may offer to do so to keep a happy customer.
 
mattyg said:
Take it somewhere else before you go back to Kwik Fit. Ask them what they think has caused the issue. I'm assuming you haven't kerbed it.

It could be a Manufacturing fault.

I know a manager of a Kwik Fit do you have any pics. I'll see what he thinks
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Nothing I haven't done with the old ones. Those lasted over 2+ years. There are lots of potholes everywhere - not my fault though
 
I'd argue the toss that it's a manufacturing issue given their age, it is possible for it to be (though generally a bulge is impact damage).
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
I'd argue the toss that it's a manufacturing issue given their age, it is possible for it to be (though generally a bulge is impact damage).
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I haven't had a really "bad" pothole yet, but I am sure I will experience one sooner or later. Does it mean another bulge or tyre explosion if I carry on with these? I would argue it is a faulty design in particular. Soft sidewalls should be made illegal on safety grounds. extra 1mpg is not worth scrapping tyres or risking death.
 
Soft sidewalls would give less MPG not more.
 
daugirdas said:
For a start they both looked suspicious with really soft sidewal, and the car massively understeers in the corners. There is no way in hell I will run this brand a day longer.
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1. Check the tyre pressures. Both symptoms you describe can be caused by under-inflation. Every car owner should know this. If you have been running them under-inflated, there is a strong possibility that you will have destroyed one of them if you drove into a pothole - if the tyre isn't fully inflated it is far more likely to be damaged by hitting a pothole or kerb.

2. Never, ever rely on a national tyre chain to correctly inflate your tyres. This piece of advice will serve you well for as long as you continue to own and drive a motor vehicle. Example, when I had the fronts replaced on my first Imp, the fitter put 30psi in. I asked him if he was trying to get me killed. He didn't know the correct pressure, he just guessed. Massively badly. He didn't believe me when I told him the correct pressure.
 
onomatopoeia said:
1. Check the tyre pressures. Both symptoms you describe can be caused by under-inflation. Every car owner should know this. If you have been running them under-inflated, there is a strong possibility that you will have destroyed one of them if you drove into a pothole - if the tyre isn't fully inflated it is far more likely to be damaged by hitting a pothole or kerb.

2. Never, ever rely on a national tyre chain to correctly inflate your tyres. This piece of advice will serve you well for as long as you continue to own and drive a motor vehicle. Example, when I had the fronts replaced on my first Imp, the fitter put 30psi in. I asked him if he was trying to get me killed. He didn't know the correct pressure, he just guessed. Massively badly. He didn't believe me when I told him the correct pressure.
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I checked immediately. They were correct, according to SEAT recommendations found on the fuel cap (32 psi).
 
Nearly all cars have the correct tyre pressures on a sticker on the car door frame. All kwikfit stores have a guide for the correct pressure per car model, but these obviously change between models and how you drive, so it's best to check, or let them know.

The obvious thing is to return to where you bought them.
 
I'd take it further also. Kwak fit head office? Trading standards?
 
Bulges this soon are probably a manufacturing fault. I've had goodyears on my car for over a year and they are perfect. If they looked funny originally then I'd also contact goodyear to see if they are actually genuine! I've whacked over hundreds of potholes as the roads around me are disgusting. There is no sign of any damage at all. I always buy tyres with the R designation I think it is as it means they have the reinforced sidewalls.

I'd contact citizens advice consumer line as they can help with issues like this. Kwik fit would have to prove it was your fault and you had caused the damage and not you having to prove you didn't as you have only had the tyres a very short time.
 
Certainly worth pursuing Kwik Fit and the c.c. company and as Suz says they need to prove it was your fault. I'd check the manufacturing location and date code too (printed on the tyre - google the codes).

Out of interest why did you choose this specific tyre? Goodyear make some great tyres but reviews I've seen suggest this is not one of them. And finally when you get replacements, whatever they are, stick them on the rear!
 
I thought new tyres had to be stuck on the rear now. Interesting kwik fit have stuck them on the front...
 
pic https://www.dropbox.com/s/lm4qoh5jjjf3oi0/IMG_20140513_091921.jpg

I'm getting new ones asap (can't drive on space saver too long), probably tomorrow if they arrive soon enough.

then there are 3 options:

1) take both tyres off, keep them and contract CC or trading standards
2) keep and claim from Glasgow council for potholes (there are many many all the way to work)
3) get Kwik fit to send it to Good Year for inspection (that rules out CC option?)

Just to make the day even brighter I just got a nail in a rear tyre. Nice, there goes my nice sunny evening and a big bill on CC
 
That's just not on, a Tyre failing like that, obviously a faulty one or impact damage as already mentioned. Certainly pursue this if you are sure it's not your fault. I bought a brand new car Citroen C1 in 2007 as I got home the front Tyre went flat, a small nail had gone through the side wall. My mates all told me to take the car back and complain as it was a brand new car, and not even had it an hour. But how could I prove the nail was not already in the Tyre when I picked the car up, or I got the nail in on my way home? I had inspected the car before receiving it, and signed to say all was in order. I still have the Tyre, and it looks brand new apart from a small hole in the side wall. I have kept it as I intend to get an inner tube fitted at some point, I have been told it's safe to do so.

So if you are certainly sure it's a faulty Tyre I would certainly complain, and complain like mad, as it's a safety issue !
 
If the sidewalls feel soft, are you sure they're the correct load rating for your car?
 
nilagin said:
If the sidewalls feel soft, are you sure they're the correct load rating for your car?
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I am pretty sure they are (91V - as before). You need to see that particular brand to believe. I thought soft sidewalls were are thing of a past. You can find a few references to it on the internet if you do a google search.

I spoke to consumer direct and they think the retailer should help me out. Next thing to do tonight is CC people and then a formal letter to KwikFit. Since I have to buy 3 x new tyres tomorrow (unless KF change their mind) I am not sure where that leaves with the claim.

P.S. A funny thing - the car handled better with space saver than one of those!
 
I think the good year efficient grip came out top of the ADAC tests so I don't think they are going to be no good...I bought mine for their wet handling. They are A rated.

I've smacked over hundreds of potholes in the last year. None of mine have got bulges so they are sturdy. The damage on yours looks like a pinch. Are there speed humps with damage or the divided sort where you are? The lower mark looks almost like someone shoved a tyre iron inside the rim and yanked it.

Handling wise they don't feel as crisp as other tyres but after a few weeks that feeling seems to disappear so they either scrub in or you just get used to them.
 
daugirdas said:
pic https://www.dropbox.com/s/lm4qoh5jjjf3oi0/IMG_20140513_091921.jpg

I'm getting new ones asap (can't drive on space saver too long), probably tomorrow if they arrive soon enough.

then there are 3 options:

1) take both tyres off, keep them and contract CC or trading standards
2) keep and claim from Glasgow council for potholes (there are many many all the way to work)
3) get Kwik fit to send it to Good Year for inspection (that rules out CC option?)

Just to make the day even brighter I just got a nail in a rear tyre. Nice, there goes my nice sunny evening and a big bill on CC
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I have to say, if I was a Kwik Fit fitter, that does look suspiciously like some form of impact/compression damage particularly with the mark on the tyre nearer to the rim.

With your point 2, are you saying you did hit a pothole or that you're prepared to make a fraudulent claim? If the former, you need to be specific as to where and when it was and that the council was already aware of the pothole but hadn't fixed it.

You might get something out of KwikFit but I'd be inclined (now you've also got a puncture) to go out make sure I've got 4 new tyres all round. Either buy another 3 Goodyears or for example, National are doing a BOGOF on Avons - then flog the new(ish) Goodyear on ebay or keep it as a spare.
 
Looking at that picture and IF it was like that when it was fitted the balance machine OR the fitter would have spotted this and NO fitter would let that go.....Its a difficult one is this - You can call the manager of the KF and tell them you are calling your credit card company and putting the payment on your CC into distpute....This means they will not be paid and they will have to listen to you. Only do this IF you are 100% positive its NOT your fault.

For me and after the elapsed time and looking at the state of your rims - I would not give you a refund or exchange as from a retailers POV you have most likely kerbed it and caused the damage yourself. Even if its a pothole and not your fault - its not the garages fault either - your CC may well have insurance built in for instances like these...

Did you see the tyres being fitted? did the fitter have difficulty fitting them this particular one? a bad fitter can damage the side wall and cause this or similar when fitting....rare but it can happen with a trainee or a bad fitter...
 
I wouldn't bank on pursuing the pothole claim route.
People do, and occassionally they win, but there's a pretty stiff set of criteria to be met, hoops to be jumped through and proof to be presented.

Certainly seems like crappy Kwik Fit service though :(
 
Looking at that pic - there is a clear scuff on the tyre and mark on the rim - you've belted that on either a kerb ot a pothole - I don't how you can think that's Kwikfits/Goodyears fault - the damage is as plain as day on the wheel
 
srichards said:
I think the good year efficient grip came out top of the ADAC tests so I don't think they are going to be no good...I bought mine for their wet handling. They are A rated.

I've smacked over hundreds of potholes in the last year. None of mine have got bulges so they are sturdy. The damage on yours looks like a pinch. Are there speed humps with damage or the divided sort where you are? The lower mark looks almost like someone shoved a tyre iron inside the rim and yanked it.

Handling wise they don't feel as crisp as other tyres but after a few weeks that feeling seems to disappear so they either scrub in or you just get used to them.
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1. That was exactly the reason I picked them.

2. There are lots of potholes here and surface is pretty uneven, however nothing extraordinary for UK. It could have been faulty and a pothole finished it... I have no idea. The rear tyre on the same side must have gone over the same thing and is fine (apart from the nail)

3. You got used to it, but the difference is very obvious coming from a grippy rigid tyre. Understeer can be corrected but ultimately it is not very safe on countryside roads.


LASTOLITE said:
Looking at that picture and IF it was like that when it was fitted the balance machine OR the fitter would have spotted this and NO fitter would let that go.....Its a difficult one is this - You can call the manager of the KF and tell them you are calling your credit card company and putting the payment on your CC into distpute....This means they will not be paid and they will have to listen to you. Only do this IF you are 100% positive its NOT your fault.

For me and after the elapsed time and looking at the state of your rims - I would not give you a refund or exchange as from a retailers POV you have most likely kerbed it and caused the damage yourself. Even if its a pothole and not your fault - its not the garages fault either - your CC may well have insurance built in for instances like these...

Did you see the tyres being fitted? did the fitter have difficulty fitting them this particular one? a bad fitter can damage the side wall and cause this or similar when fitting....rare but it can happen with a trainee or a bad fitter...
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I have no idea how they fitted it. It looked Ok for a start.
And no, I haven't kerbed that tyre (the alloys were like that when I got the car, and the previous tyres handled even rocky terrain (e.g Ben Nevis north car park road) when needed). Is driving over a some unknown pothole my fault, Or council's in that case?

Spuff said:
With your point 2, are you saying you did hit a pothole or that you're prepared to make a fraudulent claim? If the former, you need to be specific as to where and when it was and that the council was already aware of the pothole but hadn't fixed it.

You might get something out of KwikFit but I'd be inclined (now you've also got a puncture) to go out make sure I've got 4 new tyres all round. Either buy another 3 Goodyears or for example, National are doing a BOGOF on Avons - then flog the new(ish) Goodyear on ebay or keep it as a spare.
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No fraud, I am just totally confused how this could happen and pothole is the only plausible explanation (yet it could be anything). I could point them to quite a few streets that are in desperate need of repair tough (as a combined cause of the fault).

Not a chance I will every use anything other than Bridgestone or Continental in the worst case.
 
Overexposed said:
Looking at that pic - there is a clear scuff on the tyre and mark on the rim - you've belted that on either a kerb ot a pothole - I don't how you can think that's Kwikfits/Goodyears fault - the damage is as plain as day on the wheel
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I can assure you the wheel marks are 3+ years old. The mark on the rim is probably the still the white stuff they use in the garage. I'll try to get a better pic tomorrow when its taken off
 
i went to kf for tyres not long ago and they left scrapes all around the rim total joke is there not a age date on them and if out of date the side wall starts to go soft on them?
 
Spuff said:
I have to say, if I was a Kwik Fit fitter, that does look suspiciously like some form of impact/compression damage particularly with the mark on the tyre nearer to the rim.

With your point 2, are you saying you did hit a pothole or that you're prepared to make a fraudulent claim? If the former, you need to be specific as to where and when it was and that the council was already aware of the pothole but hadn't fixed it.

You might get something out of KwikFit but I'd be inclined (now you've also got a puncture) to go out make sure I've got 4 new tyres all round. Either buy another 3 Goodyears or for example, National are doing a BOGOF on Avons - then flog the new(ish) Goodyear on ebay or keep it as a spare.
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That does of course mean that some poor unsuspecting person could end up with a faulty, and maybe even dangerous Tyre. NO, don't sell something like this on, if it's not good and safe for you, it's not safe for anyone !
 
jonbeeza said:
That does of course mean that some poor unsuspecting person could end up with a faulty, and maybe even dangerous Tyre. NO, don't sell something like this on, if it's not good and safe for you, it's not safe for anyone !
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I'm pretty sure the suggestion was to sell the new one which doesn't have the damage, if it was a manufacturing fault the chances of it occuring in both is quite slim (I would have thought) otherwise the manufacturer would have recalled the batch if they were all bad.
 
jonbeeza said:
That does of course mean that some poor unsuspecting person could end up with a faulty, and maybe even dangerous Tyre. NO, don't sell something like this on, if it's not good and safe for you, it's not safe for anyone !
Click to expand...

Of course, the bulgy tyre is only good for the skip - I meant the other new Goodyear he has, on the basis that he doesn't want any more Goodyears and personally I wouldn't mix brands on the same axle.

Plus now he's got a puncture in one of the rears and the other rear is of unknown state. I'd get rid of the lot and replace with good mid range stuff e.g. Vredestein, Kumho, Avon etc etc. assuming we're on a tight budget here.
 
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TopBanana said:
I'm pretty sure the suggestion was to sell the new one which doesn't have the damage, if it was a manufacturing fault the chances of it occuring in both is quite slim (I would have thought) otherwise the manufacturer would have recalled the batch if they were all bad.
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Spuff said:
Of course, the bulgy tyre is only good for the skip - I meant the other new Goodyear he has, on the basis that he doesn't want any more Goodyears and personally I wouldn't mix brands on the same axle.

Plus now he's got a puncture in one of the rears and the other rear is of unknown state. I'd get rid of the lot and replace with good mid range stuff e.g. Vredestein, Kumho, Avon etc etc. assuming we're on a tight budget here.
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Sorry I do apologise, me not reading the post properly :oops: :$
 
Spuff said:
Of course, the bulgy tyre is only good for the skip - I meant the other new Goodyear he has, on the basis that he doesn't want any more Goodyears and personally I wouldn't mix brands on the same axle.

Plus now he's got a puncture in one of the rears and the other rear is of unknown state. I'd get rid of the lot and replace with good mid range stuff e.g. Vredestein, Kumho, Avon etc etc. assuming we're on a tight budget here.
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No more 'rubbish' tyres for my car. Bridgestone a001 is tested and trusted. 4th one is pretty good- about 6-7mm left

Budget options always cost you twice like the Goodyear one
 
daugirdas said:
Budget options always cost me twice like the Goodyear one
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Corrected that for you.
Never had a budget tyre I've needed to complain about, nor one that that hasn't done more than it's fair share of miles....and I commute.
 
Have to say that the posted pic seems to show a bulge on the tyre with a pinch mark close to the rim where there's a corresponding kerbing scratch.
 
Nod said:
Have to say that the posted pic seems to show a bulge on the tyre with a pinch mark close to the rim where there's a corresponding kerbing scratch.
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+1. Certainly doesn't lean towards a manufacturing problem. Unless it can be proved which pothole was culprit, I think this one will just have to be put down to sods law and stump up for a replacement.
 
viv1969 said:
Corrected that for you.
Never had a budget tyre I've needed to complain about, nor one that that hasn't done more than it's fair share of miles....and I commute.
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I put budget tyres on a car once. My wife ran it off the road in the damp.
Since then I've always put quality tyres on. Itdoesn't improves my wifes driving but the damage and bills are now much less :D
 
Nod said:
Have to say that the posted pic seems to show a bulge on the tyre with a pinch mark close to the rim where there's a corresponding kerbing scratch.
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The scratch is very old as it black and oxidised (or it could be dirt as I hate washing the wheels). Fresh scratch would be bright metallic white.

Anyway what sort of tyre is it if I have to park the car 30 cm away from the kerb like a very old inconsiderate man and get it decorated by a bus? or avoiding all roads with potholes? Previous tyres handled a lot of intentional abuse. Eventually they got replaced due to simple wear. I am not even sure they were reinforced, but felt really hard. What I am trying to say that this goodyear stuff is simply not fit for purpose and will fail due to the slightest touch.
 
There's a lot of round objects being discussed in this thread!

And I don't mean the tyres!
 
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