Thread: All terrain or not?

Originally Posted by ATH

I've been advised by the maker of a certain tyre, promoted as "All Terrain" and covered by a 2 year warranty against road hazards, that it doesn't actually mean unsealed road surfaces.
I bought 5 new tyres and this was a major selling point from the retailer. I did query why 1 tyre had a different build date from the other 4 and was told this made no difference and they were all covered.
Strange that the tyre with the earlier build date suffered greatly from extra wear and punctures on a recent trip which included a fair bit of unsealed road work with reduced pressure.... and reduced speed I might add. The other 3 on the road were OK.
This too is just not on apparently as they are of a low profile type (255x55x19) and letting tyres down on them will involve greater stress being put on the tyre.
So there we have it, misleading info. from the dealer and denial by the makers agent for any claim for a replacement.
It's only 330 bucks but I do think I may have to make a bit of noise about this.....
AlanH.

Let me guess, Yokohama geolander AT

The current road hazard warranty provided by Pirelli for their All Terrain Plus tyres is only for hitting curbs or pot-holes on sealed roads but IMO that is not an indication that the tyres can't be used on unsealed roads or tracks. I did not blame the tyre when I destroyed one hitting a 6-8 inch high lump of limestone on a track on the Nullabor at about 40 kph. The tyres performed and survived normal outback coarse gravel very well so I consider they are very much all-terrain.

None of the above. If I'd hit something maybe I'd accept it but just normal dirt road driving, no. As I said none of the other 3 tyres suffered like this one so I might pursue this a bit.
AlanH.

Originally Posted by 1nando

Let me guess, Yokohama geolander AT

Have to admit, that's where I went as well.

However, a decent Tyre dealer should help out here. I purchased some tyres for an ordinary road car from my local ( Insert racing driver's name of choice here ) and everything the promised me they have done. Including not charging me for repairs. What they said was "next time you buy tyres you'll remember me". He even said that if I got into trouble far from him to tell the nearest to me dealer to contact him and he would see that I would be looked after.

I don't like the "it's only 330 bucks" thing, Alan. Stuff that, too many people lie down. All States and Territories in this country have laws regarding consumer protection. "Fit for Purpose" and "Implied Warranty" are the words you should be using in your dealings here.

Also, you are not required to deal with the manufacturer. You deal with the retailer you bought them from. It's their job to deal with their wholesaler. Mention the "Implied Warranty". "Fit for Purpose" and your States consumer authority and see what happens. The reaction can be amusing. Not enough people do this.

I have family who work for CAV ( Consumer Affairs Victoria ), and I listen to them. I can't use them, in fact I'm specifically excluded from using them ( good thing ), but nothing says I can't listen to their advice.

Thnx. for that JohnTins. Yes I intend to go back to the dealer as it was them who got the agent to contact and meet me to discuss the tyre in the first place. I say "only 330 bucks" but although that's not going to break the bank I'm not letting it go. I might have done if the response had been better but airy fairy crap like "We'll look after you in the future is just crap" and a feeble attempt to shut me up.
I've had good results in the past by using consumer affairs firstly(pretty useless and ineffective here in WA) then small claims court about a badly built caravan and their lack of response to warranty claims.
Off to the dealer today with a print out of the agents response and my reply which wasn't overly polite. I'm busy composing my follow up letter re further action to them right now depending on what they say...
AlanH.

The big C?

Good luck with this But if you let the tyres down too much (or even just a little bit) you are just asking for trouble with low profile tyres and IF the supplier is aware that you have run the tyres below the recommended pressures i think that your warrenty wil be voided.
I have run AT Yokies(245/70/16 and 265/75/16) in the past without any blowouts or other tyre failures and they gave me good mileage , Even punctures were rare and that is in limestone and breakaway country at about 18-20psi at times.

Originally Posted by 1nando

Let me guess, Yokohama geolander AT

Why?