qjj123

Any idea on how bad this cut is? Do I need to buy new tire? These tires have about 27k miles on them. If I need to, should I change just one or two or all four?

Michelin Latitude TourHP - P235/60R18.

Clutchless

You should take it to a couple of tire stores for evaluation. Maybe you can keep driving on it. From the rim damage it looks related to impact.
How much tread is left?

With that mileage you should replace all 4. Look at the sticky tire thread for folks recommendations.

kitlz

qjj123, without knowing what happened it's hard to determine the extent of the damage. Is there a bubble in the sidewall? How deep is the cut? You can have it inspected by a tire store like Clutchless mentioned. Personally I don't mess with sidewall damage for fear of a blowout.

qjj123

I have no idea on what happened. I was washing/waxing the car last evening when I noticed it.

No bulge/bubble or air leak from what I can see/feel. Do you think it might be someone trying to slash the tire? Although my guess is that it hit something while driving.

I was planning to take it to BJ's today evening to see if they can assess. Will also ask another shop just to double check.

Clutchless

It is probably pothole damage.

qjj123

The better half just accepted that it did hit the curb a few days ago

So you suggest that I should just change all four instead of just two? Any recommendations on the tires? It is 2013 RX350 AWD, if I did not mention it before.

vlad_a

That was going to be my guess, LOL!
Except that the curb had come out of nowhere and hit her.

Personally, I would do all 4 tires.
There is a huge tire thread floating around here. Lots of opinions and options.

If you want to save money now, you could buy the same tire from Tirerack. They offer a service to shave off part of the tread to match the wear on other 3.

qjj123

Thanks vlad. Did not know about the tire-rack service!

I will check it out.

charley95

You also have dry-rot on those sidewall pics. You need to replace all 4. Not a safe tire even without the sidewall damage. Your tires are shot.

qjj123

Is that a manufacturer warranty issue?

Clutchless

No it is an aging issue. I do not recall what year your RX is. Tire manufacturers generally recommend no more than 7 years due to rubber rot and deterioration issues. You got your money's worth from those tires, get a new set. Some favorite tires in the sticky thread are Michelins like you have. I bet BJ's has those and you already said you are a member. Also the Pirelli Scorpion Verde or Verde Plus. Also the Continental Cross Contact LX 20.

qjj123

Thank Clutchless for the recommendations.

The truck is 2013 and I bought it certified last year. The car has done about 10k miles since I bought it but has about 27k miles on it. Always in garage when parked.

Aren't these tires rated for 55k miles? Is it worth going back to the dealer or Michelin itself?

BTW, once charley95 pointed out the dry-rot (did not know about it), I checked other tires as well and all of them have it

raylor4

I don't think those are the tires that came with the car. If your car is a 2013 model, then the tires should be two years old. The cracking or dry rot looks more like an eight year old tire. I would take the car to a tire dealer you trust and have them read the date code on the tire. If the tire is eight years old, you have a claim with the dealer for putting old tires on a newer car. Also, looking at the inside of the tire at the damage site will tell more of the story. Yes, you need new tires, and I like the Michelin Latitude Tours. I have them on my '11 RX and my '04 Highlander. These are tough, quiet tires and good on wet pavement.

tromly

excellent advice, many times dealers switch tires unknowingly to the buyer

qjj123

Thanks Raylor4. I did not know that. I looked up on how to read the mfr date and all tires are in 23rd/24th month of 2012. I will confirm it with the tires dealer later today. But it is now part of my checklist for any other car purchase.

I also reached out to Michelin and they only honor warranty for the original buyer. This would have been covered on pro-rated basis. They are supposed to come back to me today, if they will honor it given that for me it is a new vehicle! Let's see how much the logic holds.

Anyone negotiated with a tire manufacturer on getting the pro-rated value of the tire back?