Quality defect in Michelin Pilot Preceda's??

v1p3r · 7th September 2008, 02:42

Have had experience with Michelin warranty claims for friends, and while they are reluctant to honour warranty claims, it helps if you speak to the technical person (who normally determines the claim) and press your goodwill factor -- having bought 3 sets of tyres. Call me if you need any help.

manveet · 7th September 2008, 03:34

Well, just a few days back I got one of my Yoko's on the Getz replaced as it had developed a bulge.

As per their engineer, if there is a cut on the inside of the tire where the bulge is present - they will not replace the tire. If there is no such cut visible on the inside, they will replace it.

Ricky_63 · 8th September 2008, 10:05

@ iraghava

If Michellin is NOT entertaining warranty claims - it totally negates the purpose of buying more expensive tyres with B & W. Sad scene.

@ manveet

Yoko did replace your tyre because of the bulge, it would not have had there been a cut on the sidewall - understandable.

So are we saying Michellin is let's say snooty & Yoko is customer centric ???

No wonder the cheaper stuff from the grey market will sell & continue to do so. If I am paying extra for a B&W I am doing it for a reason. But if the purpose it serves is defeated then I'd go back to the grey - would'nt we all ????

Cheers

itzzme · 8th September 2008, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by iraghava

Yes, there have been quite a few impacts but the roads are the same ones on which the old sets did just fine. I don't see any change in any other variables apart from the tyres.

Also, upon taking off all 4 tyres & inspecting, not one has a cut on the inner portion of the sidewall which is the normal cause of sidewall bulge. Though they have listed the cause as 'Pin Shock' actual impact marks/cuts are not there on tyres.
.

I think they would have meant "PINCH SHOCK".
Such phenomenon can happen in any tyre subjected to shock, this can even happen in a truck tyre which has many layers of plies.

The only thing is a CUSTOMER CENTRIC company would try to pass on the benefit of doubt to the customer in case there are no eveident marks on the tyre.

Sahil · 8th September 2008, 10:54

What is with Michelin and bulging sidewalls?

I had shifted on to Michelin Certis when my Accord was delivered 5 years back. 6 months down the line i noticed a bulge on the sidewall. I didn't waste my time fighting with the company, instead repaired it and used it as my spare.

The tires performed well but the bulge has always left a bad taste. And now with more and more complaints of the same it seems like a chronic problem.

I have been hoping my next tire purchase would be Michelin PS2s but i'm now having second thoughts.

WasavaTyres · 8th September 2008, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

instead repaired it and used it as my spare.

How'd you repair a bulge ?? Was it an impact damage with the sidewall being cut/damaged ??

amtak · 8th September 2008, 11:11

Ishaan,

Can you please post the pictures of the bulge. Last couple of days I too have a feeling that my car's front tires have developed a bulge but I really don't know a way to identify it. When I show it to the mechanics, they say it is because of the engine at the front. My point is, don't other cars also have engine in the front? Why is it visible in my car only?

PS: I am using Micheline XM1 Plus

Sahil · 8th September 2008, 11:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by WasavaTyres

How'd you repair a bulge ?? Was it an impact damage with the sidewall being cut/damaged ??

No it wasn't an impact bulge from what i remember. I just gave it back to the store i bought it from and they returned it repaired, not sure how as i never used the tire after that.

autopsyche · 8th September 2008, 13:24

amtak, a bulge mostly will look like a bump when you smash your forehead.

amtak · 8th September 2008, 14:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by autopsyche

amtak, a bulge mostly will look like a bump when you smash your forehead.

Thanks a lot Arush. I am now sure that my car's tires don't have a bulge. However, to be on the safer side, I'll click a pic of those and post here for confirmation.

WasavaTyres · 8th September 2008, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

No it wasn't an impact bulge from what i remember. I just gave it back to the store i bought it from and they returned it repaired, not sure how as i never used the tire after that.

Don't intend to get into a debate on this but I don't think 'bulges' can be repaired. If it's not impact damage then it has to be ply separation or splice (that portion of the tyre not having nylon plies on the inside) in which case you can claim for a new tyre successfully.

Sahil · 8th September 2008, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by WasavaTyres

Don't intend to get into a debate on this but I don't think 'bulges' can be repaired. If it's not impact damage then it has to be ply separation or splice (that portion of the tyre not having nylon plies on the inside) in which case you can claim for a new tyre successfully.

Patch work soldering does repair it to a certain extend, I got this done on my Run-flat tires when it got a bulge due to an impact. However the repair work was shabby and was messing with the wheels balancing etc so i just bought a new tire instead. I guess a similar repair was done on the Michelin's too.

manveet · 8th September 2008, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky_63

@ manveet
Yoko did replace your tyre because of the bulge, it would not have had there been a cut on the sidewall - understandable.

What I meant was is that they specifically look at the INSIDE sidewall and NOT the Outer. My tire was replaced despite a cut on the outer sidewall.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricky_63

So are we saying Michellin is let's say snooty & Yoko is customer centric ???

After a lot of convincing, the Yoko Sales Manager decided to give me the benefit of doubt, which unfortunately Ishan didn't get from Michelin. Thats about it IMO. I don't mean to make this a Yoko vs. Michelin issue

itzzme · 8th September 2008, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by manveet

What I meant was is that they specifically look at the INSIDE sidewall and NOT the Outer. My tire was replaced despite a cut on the outer sidewall.

After a lot of convincing, the Yoko Sales Manager decided to give me the benefit of doubt, which unfortunately Ishan didn't get from Michelin. Thats about it IMO. I don't mean to make this a Yoko vs. Michelin issue

Till the time companies have X-Ray machines to prove their points, a customer cenrtic company will always pass on the benfit of doubt to the customer.

djay99 · 8th September 2008, 20:51

I bought 4 Michelin PP1's 195/60-14 and was getting strange sounds like gurrr at certain speeds. I thought the problem was with the new car Getz CRDi i bought. I informed this to hyundai and engineers checked the car 3 to 4 times and after many tests, problem was with the tires. I had used them for 1K KM. The handling was poor with strange sounds.
I talked to my tire dealer and he said that michelin guys will not even consider this strange sound as an issue and will never change tires.
So i paid extra money and bought maxxis victra 205/50-15 tires. These tires are superb. Cannot compare with PP1's which i had earlier.

7th September 2008, 02:42	#16
v1p3r Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: BLR / DXB / LON Posts: 5,364 Thanked: 7,506 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (7)	Have had experience with Michelin warranty claims for friends, and while they are reluctant to honour warranty claims, it helps if you speak to the technical person (who normally determines the claim) and press your goodwill factor -- having bought 3 sets of tyres. Call me if you need any help.
	() Thanks

7th September 2008, 03:34	#17
manveet Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,105 Thanked: 898 Times View My Garage	Well, just a few days back I got one of my Yoko's on the Getz replaced as it had developed a bulge. As per their engineer, if there is a cut on the inside of the tire where the bulge is present - they will not replace the tire. If there is no such cut visible on the inside, they will replace it.
	() Thanks

8th September 2008, 10:05	#18
Ricky_63 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,880 Thanked: 520 Times View My Garage	@ iraghava If Michellin is NOT entertaining warranty claims - it totally negates the purpose of buying more expensive tyres with B & W. Sad scene. @ manveet Yoko did replace your tyre because of the bulge, it would not have had there been a cut on the sidewall - understandable. So are we saying Michellin is let's say snooty & Yoko is customer centric ??? No wonder the cheaper stuff from the grey market will sell & continue to do so. If I am paying extra for a B&W I am doing it for a reason. But if the purpose it serves is defeated then I'd go back to the grey - would'nt we all ???? Cheers
	() Thanks

8th September 2008, 10:54	#20
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,357 Thanked: 8,060 Times	What is with Michelin and bulging sidewalls? I had shifted on to Michelin Certis when my Accord was delivered 5 years back. 6 months down the line i noticed a bulge on the sidewall. I didn't waste my time fighting with the company, instead repaired it and used it as my spare. The tires performed well but the bulge has always left a bad taste. And now with more and more complaints of the same it seems like a chronic problem. I have been hoping my next tire purchase would be Michelin PS2s but i'm now having second thoughts.
	() Thanks

8th September 2008, 11:11	#22
amtak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai - The city of Sea Link!!! Posts: 2,985 Thanked: 1,109 Times	Pic please! Ishaan, Can you please post the pictures of the bulge. Last couple of days I too have a feeling that my car's front tires have developed a bulge but I really don't know a way to identify it. When I show it to the mechanics, they say it is because of the engine at the front. My point is, don't other cars also have engine in the front? Why is it visible in my car only? PS: I am using Micheline XM1 Plus
	() Thanks

8th September 2008, 13:24	#24
autopsyche Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Delhi, Indi Posts: 1,511 Thanked: 36 Times View My Garage	amtak, a bulge mostly will look like a bump when you smash your forehead. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

8th September 2008, 20:51	#30
djay99 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,480 Thanked: 553 Times View My Garage	I bought 4 Michelin PP1's 195/60-14 and was getting strange sounds like gurrr at certain speeds. I thought the problem was with the new car Getz CRDi i bought. I informed this to hyundai and engineers checked the car 3 to 4 times and after many tests, problem was with the tires. I had used them for 1K KM. The handling was poor with strange sounds. I talked to my tire dealer and he said that michelin guys will not even consider this strange sound as an issue and will never change tires. So i paid extra money and bought maxxis victra 205/50-15 tires. These tires are superb. Cannot compare with PP1's which i had earlier.
	() Thanks