Problem with Yokohama A-Drive's

goel.honey · 17th February 2009, 21:26

Hi Friends,

I had recently purchased Yoko A-Drives (185-60R14) for my Viva CRDi, Some days ago I noticed a cut in one of the tyres and this caused balooning. Thus I had to purchase a new tyre.
Today again I noticed a cut in another tyre.

I am unable to understand the cause of it as I generally drive quite safely and take special care over potholes. Also it is difficult to believe that in 1 month I have managed to ruin 2 tyres whereas my earlier tyres lasted more than 3 years.

Has anybody else also experienced a similar problem?

Also please let me know how safe is using patched on the tyres as this time the cut is small and the dealer is advising me to use a patch.

Thanks

GTO · 18th February 2009, 11:24

That's extremely premature damage if you haven't gone over a divider or something. What does the dealer say? Didn't you push for free replacements?

Eddy · 18th February 2009, 11:34

Where did you buy the tyres from ?

predatorwheelz · 18th February 2009, 11:42

Thats very strange. I have been using Yokohama A-drives (165/65 R13) for the last 6 months on my Indica, and have found them much much better than the previous OEM Goodyears. Not a single puncture, and the tyres have performed very well in terms of noise, grip and comfort.

I suggest taking the other 2 tyres to an independent dealership (especially one where you know the owner personally) and getting them verified. It may be possible that the dealer sold you damaged stock.

Avoid using patches on tubeless tyres at all costs. As opposed to a normal tyre (where the tube is inside the tyre and does not come in direct contact with the road), in a tubeless tyre the inside wall of the tread itself acts as air retainer. Using patches will damage the entire structural integrity of the tyre and may make it unsafe at high speeds.

Sahil · 18th February 2009, 11:58

Damn, I just put A-Drive's on my Altis few weeks back. Keeping my fingers crossed now!

Fountainheader · 18th February 2009, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahil

Damn, I just put A-Drive's on my Altis few weeks back. Keeping my fingers crossed now!

One-off case I guess dude. I too have Yoko A-Drives on my Swift for the past one month. No issues whatsoever. Excellent VFM tyres compared to the pricey Michelins.

goel.honey,
What kind of roads do you drive on ?

iraghava · 18th February 2009, 15:03

G.H - Some pictures of the damage on the tyres would help.

mobike008 · 18th February 2009, 15:17

What a timely thread. I too have a Viva CRDi and contemplating changing the stock tyres and A-Drives are on top of my list.

Now i am going to make doubly sure before i buy them. By the way, how much did you pay for your tyres?

ankitahuja · 18th February 2009, 20:16

Isn't it possible that the fitting is not being done properly?

If the tyre steel bands (see pic) are broken while fitting the tyre on the rims, can't this end in a bulge and cuts?

Problem with Yokohama A-Drive's-tyre.jpg

iraghava · 18th February 2009, 20:20

No Ankit, that steel belt (referred to as the Bead) doesn not lead to bulges but will cause air loss (at a very fast rate, thereby rendering the tyre useless) if the damaged portion is big enough.

ankitahuja · 18th February 2009, 20:27

That's clears a doubt in my head for sure.

Honey, you could atleast try to claim free replacement rendering the tyre as 'faulty'.

Like Ishan siad, post a few pictures for the guru to assess!

goel.honey · 18th February 2009, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddy

Where did you buy the tyres from ?

Bought them from Karwal Tyre House in Karol Bagh

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

That's extremely premature damage if you haven't gone over a divider or something. What does the dealer say? Didn't you push for free replacements?

I'm pretty sure that the car hasnt gone over any divider. I would have accepted it if it had happened once. But the second time I was way too careful. Had just got a new tyre a week back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fountainheader

One-off case I guess dude. I too have Yoko A-Drives on my Swift for the past one month. No issues whatsoever. Excellent VFM tyres compared to the pricey Michelins.

goel.honey,
What kind of roads do you drive on ?

I basically drive in Delhi NCR or Delhi-Jaipur and Delhi-Chandigarh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iraghava

G.H - Some pictures of the damage on the tyres would help.

Will surely do so tomorrow or day after.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobike008

What a timely thread. I too have a Viva CRDi and contemplating changing the stock tyres and A-Drives are on top of my list.

Now i am going to make doubly sure before i buy them. By the way, how much did you pay for your tyres?

I bought these for 3250 a piece.

Quote:

Originally Posted by predatorwheelz

Thats very strange. I have been using Yokohama A-drives (165/65 R13) for the last 6 months on my Indica, and have found them much much better than the previous OEM Goodyears. Not a single puncture, and the tyres have performed very well in terms of noise, grip and comfort.

I suggest taking the other 2 tyres to an independent dealership (especially one where you know the owner personally) and getting them verified. It may be possible that the dealer sold you damaged stock.

Avoid using patches on tubeless tyres at all costs. As opposed to a normal tyre (where the tube is inside the tyre and does not come in direct contact with the road), in a tubeless tyre the inside wall of the tread itself acts as air retainer. Using patches will damage the entire structural integrity of the tyre and may make it unsafe at high speeds.

Thanks, will keep it in mind for sure.

17th February 2009, 21:26	#1
goel.honey BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Delhi Posts: 65 Thanked: 6 Times	Problem with Yokohama A-Drive's Hi Friends, I had recently purchased Yoko A-Drives (185-60R14) for my Viva CRDi, Some days ago I noticed a cut in one of the tyres and this caused balooning. Thus I had to purchase a new tyre. Today again I noticed a cut in another tyre. I am unable to understand the cause of it as I generally drive quite safely and take special care over potholes. Also it is difficult to believe that in 1 month I have managed to ruin 2 tyres whereas my earlier tyres lasted more than 3 years. Has anybody else also experienced a similar problem? Also please let me know how safe is using patched on the tyres as this time the cut is small and the dealer is advising me to use a patch. Thanks
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 11:24	#2
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,512 Thanked: 300,693 Times View My Garage	That's extremely premature damage if you haven't gone over a divider or something. What does the dealer say? Didn't you push for free replacements?
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 11:34	#3
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 9,387 Thanked: 13,301 Times	Where did you buy the tyres from ?
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 11:42	#4
predatorwheelz Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Delhi/Kolkata Posts: 1,720 Thanked: 1,973 Times View My Garage	Thats very strange. I have been using Yokohama A-drives (165/65 R13) for the last 6 months on my Indica, and have found them much much better than the previous OEM Goodyears. Not a single puncture, and the tyres have performed very well in terms of noise, grip and comfort. I suggest taking the other 2 tyres to an independent dealership (especially one where you know the owner personally) and getting them verified. It may be possible that the dealer sold you damaged stock. Avoid using patches on tubeless tyres at all costs. As opposed to a normal tyre (where the tube is inside the tyre and does not come in direct contact with the road), in a tubeless tyre the inside wall of the tread itself acts as air retainer. Using patches will damage the entire structural integrity of the tyre and may make it unsafe at high speeds.
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 11:58	#5
Sahil Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 6,292 Thanked: 7,607 Times	Damn, I just put A-Drive's on my Altis few weeks back. Keeping my fingers crossed now!
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 15:03	#7
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	G.H - Some pictures of the damage on the tyres would help.
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 15:17	#8
mobike008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 11,695 Thanked: 14,809 Times View My Garage	What a timely thread. I too have a Viva CRDi and contemplating changing the stock tyres and A-Drives are on top of my list. Now i am going to make doubly sure before i buy them. By the way, how much did you pay for your tyres?
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 20:16	#9
ankitahuja BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 921 Thanked: 94 Times View My Garage	Isn't it possible that the fitting is not being done properly? If the tyre steel bands (see pic) are broken while fitting the tyre on the rims, can't this end in a bulge and cuts?
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 20:20	#10
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	No Ankit, that steel belt (referred to as the Bead) doesn not lead to bulges but will cause air loss (at a very fast rate, thereby rendering the tyre useless) if the damaged portion is big enough.
	() Thanks

18th February 2009, 20:27	#11
ankitahuja BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 921 Thanked: 94 Times View My Garage	That's clears a doubt in my head for sure. Honey, you could atleast try to claim free replacement rendering the tyre as 'faulty'. Like Ishan siad, post a few pictures for the guru to assess!
	() Thanks