Tyres

The front tyres on my 2009 Holden Captiva LX diesel auto are prematurely worn on inner and outer treads and it?s only done 17,500 km. The dealer has confirmed there are no alignment issues or any defects with the car. They also advised me to run 35 psi in the tyres, not the 30 psi Holden recommends. Holden has advised me that the dealer's opinion is irrelevant and that they will not assist me. I feel I have a genuine case, even supported by the comments from the dealer. What more can I do to get Holden to agree to replace the two worn tyres?

My son also has problems with excessive tyre wear on his Holden Captiva, which has only done 25,000 km. The car has pulled to the left since new, and the tyres are scrubbing out on the inside surface. The dealer simply suggests a wheel alignment to correct what appears to be, in my opinion, a design problem. Is there a reputable steering/suspension specialist that could address this problem?

The factory original Goodyear tyres on my 2007 BF Ford Falcon need replacing after 41,000 km, which I understand this is about average for a car of this size. I have obtained three quotes for the same tyres and the new replacement Goodyear tyre and all three quotes come in roughly between $1080 to $1260 fitted and balanced for a set of four. The fourth quote I obtained was for a similar tyre named Rockstone, which I understand is made in China and about half the price of the Goodyear. The dealer assured me that their driving characteristics were similar to the Goodyear tyres, and they were rated higher at 98W. I have never heard of them. Are they safe? Do they have good tyre life?

I have had to replace the 17-inch tyres on my 2009 Falcon G6 after only 20,000 km. Ford told me they had not heard of this happening before, and could offer no suggestion as to why it happened on my car. Have you heard of this, and if so why does it happen?

I read with interest the story of the Mitsubishi ASX owner unable to get replacement tyres for his new car, as this has just happened to me with my new Renault Laguna. I needed a tyre and was told the particular Michelin I needed was superseded by a new one. The new tyre was available, but the old one that was fitted to all new Lagunas in Australia had to be imported and could take months. When I called the Renault dealer and Renault Customer Service I got the same response as you did namely that the tyres were available and there shouldn't be an issue with getting a replacement. The reality is they are not available and I had to buy two new tyres. At the end of the day when all the spin, fluff and froth from Renault Customer Service is over you are late for work, you are still at the counter of Bob Jane T-mart and still can't get a tyre out of Michelin. The dealers did their best to assist, but Renault Customer Service was totally useless and simply fobbed me off and wished I would go away.

The tyres on my elderly friend's 1994 Toyota Corolla 4x4 manual sedan are wearing out quickly. The last set of tyres, Platinum Achille, lasted only 32,000 km and the set before that, Maxis, lasted just 28,000 km. Most of her driving is on sealed roads, but she does drive on some dirt as well, but considering that she is a careful driver I would have thought she should get better mileage out of the tyres. What should she be looking at when purchasing her next set of tyres?

These good samaritans get quite a shock when they help this lady move some tyres.

My 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart wear tyres very quickly on the front. I have had them balanced aligned and rotated etc., and I?ve been told that because the car is heavy it will go through tyres. It has just ticked over 13,000 km; I?ve never had to replace tyres within such a short space of time. The dealer referred me back to Mitsubishi, but they told me that it was not a manufacturer?s issue, but was an owner responsibility. What can I do to rectify the situation?

I am looking to replace the 235/45 x 17 performance tyres on my 2004 Commodore. Most of the tyres I have had in the past have only done about 24,000 km, and I would like to get better than that?

My 2004 AWD Mitsubishi Magna wears out its tyres very quickly. The original Bridgestone G Grid II tyres lasted 35,000 km, next set were Toyo TEOs and again I only got around 35,000 km out of them. Previous vehicles I have owned have got at least 50,000 km, but they were rear wheel drive. The Magna is used predominantly for suburban use with occasional country driving. Have you heard of such high tyre wear in other AWD Magnas, and if so any ways in which to combat it?