Kuhmo's overheated - dealer recommends 4 tire replacement after 600 miles

[bluesrt]

as darius said, ill take it!! a small hole as the subject states is fine in my book, im not worried about it blowing, unless its by the sidewall

[Bill Pemberton]

Ask all of us that have had a track blow out or fast leak, and chat with any reputable race tire supplier or track service unit ---- fixing a DOT competition tire on a car that will hit the g's of an ACR is in my estimation similar to driving on the track without a helmet.

Going around an 65 mph turn and having the tire deflate quickly in a group of cars is possibly even more heartstopping than a blowout down a straight at 100 mph. This is a safetly issue not a legal issue.

[bluesrt]

a proper vulcanized tire will not let go, but I see where your at with this, im fine with it cause im the one repair patching my own tire,so I know its done right, iv patched them before on my acrx and never had a problem, done road America and Atlanta big boy tracks in advanced sessions. but they had pin holes in the middle of tread. but its all good everyone has a different view here wich is fine

[Bill Pemberton]

We beg to differ and just seen too many issues with tires over the years ,and I know not one of the 4 Tire Companies that sponsored me ever recommended patching for a track tire. Safety first, saving money on a tire or your life, each person can make that decision .

[MikeAdams]

Post pictures sidewall and inside of tires . Want to see inside of tire. Do not repair tire if you are going to use on track. Not worth the risk.

[dkarg]

Got my car back today.

Here are some tire pictures of the old and new ones.

Not taking into account the lack of skill of the dealer (it took them 8 days to change a tire, they ordered a front one), here is where I'm at.

- Got a new left rear that had a nail in it. Forgot to take it with me, need to go back.
- 3 "old ones"
- While taking pictures noticed the horrible "injuries" the repaved surface (repaved a week ago) is inflicting my tires.

Now I'm wondering:
- Tire's fault? (Kumho won't send an engineer, doesn't see anything wrong in the pictures. I'll cut them up the old one and send them a sample if it makes anything).
- Asphalt's fault? (I stuck a food thermometer and it's at 90F with 75F air temp, but I drive over it a 5-10mph for less than 1/2 mile).
- My fault?

Any advice appreciated. I'm with Bill tho, I won't track a repaired tire and want to get to the bottom of this.

tires_front_left old.jpgtires_rear_left_new.jpgtires_rear_left_new2.jpgtires_rear_right_old.jpgtires_rear_right_old2.jpg

[dkarg]

Here is two more pictures for completeness sake, of my Jeep running a weird no name brand "Fortera", and a Tesla with Michelin Pilot Sport.

The asphalt chips barely touch the Forteras and slightly blemish the Michelin's surface.tires_jeep_fortera_brand.jpgtires_tesla_pilot_sport.jpg

[TrackAire]

Now I'm kinda of confused.....maybe I'm not seeing it but I don't see a tire that was overheated. Are they worried about the little stone chips stuck to the tread?....do they think that means the tire is overheated? I don't think that is anything out of the norm for super sticky tires.

[dkarg]

Now I'm kinda of confused.....maybe I'm not seeing it but I don't see a tire that was overheated. Are they worried about the little stone chips stuck to the tread?....do they think that means the tire is overheated? I don't think that is anything out of the norm for super sticky tires.

To be honest I don't think their service department has worked on many vipers. As said, it took them 8 days to change 1 tire and in the process they ordered a front tire and had to take the tire somewhere else since they couldn't fit it on the rim in-house.

[dkarg]

You should be taking it to Normandin in San Jose. Your dealer is jacking you. Find the hole in the tire and patch it. Or send it to me. I'll pay the shipping.

I'll end up doing that. Their sales team has pissed me off so badly several times in the past that I wanted to avoid them, but I guess I'm stuck :-/

[bluesrt]

Your dealing with morons

[LmeaViper]

I actually have seen this in person where someone put the back on front and front on back one drivers side and was scratching his head at the race track complaining the car was really hard to steering and drove terrible. true story...lol he will never live it down

OMG can you imagine the shit and abuse a guy would take for years from something like this...LOL

[ACR Extreme]

Sorry , absolutely foolish!! Racing for 35 years and do not know any reputable track tire service that will patch a high speed tire. It is not just Road America that has high speed corners , as we have two at a nearby track that are between 90-100 mph and a blowout at that speed is somewhat exciting. Lawyer fees aside , the real issue is safety and g forces new cars produce. All it takes is one viewing of a Nascar race and seeing the effects of a blown tire to realize one doesn't fix the fastest production car's tires with a patch!

True.

It's interesting reading all these posts regarding the ACR - E with race tires simply respect the car buy new tires it's the least expensive repair.

Free Advice - it's worth exactly that - find a professional and listen.

First time at Road America - debated to run one last short session on the tires.

Made it thru loaded up the car strapped it down and the tire popped which could have happened just minutes before and put me in a wall upside down who knows.

Affording the ACR is one thing maintaining is another if you don't it's going to end poorly. It's not only the driver it's also out of respect for passengers other drivers especially on a race track!

[GTS Dean]

Here is two more pictures for completeness sake, of my Jeep running a weird no name brand "Fortera", and a Tesla with Michelin Pilot Sport.

The asphalt chips barely touch the Forteras and slightly blemish the Michelin's surface.tires_jeep_fortera_brand.jpgtires_tesla_pilot_sport.jpg

You are comparing apples and tomatoes. Both are red, round and you can eat them - but they aren't the same by a long shot. Your Jeep and Tesla tires were probably designed to last 40-80k miles with treadwear ratings in the 3-400s. The ACR runs on race tires with the minimum legal tread depth molded in and DRY GRIP as the primary design parameter. They have what - a 60 treadwear rating? They are going to pick up EVERYTHING loose on the pavement and sling it around your wheel wells. Some of it will embed itself in the soft rubber and work its way through the carcass and let the air out. If that bothers you, buy an extra set of standard Viper tires for everyday use. Bag your Kumhos and use them for the track.

[bluesrt]

Basicly you got hosed. Those tires were fine and dandy.

[dkarg]

Basicly you got hosed. Those tires were fine and dandy.

Agree. I'd give them hell if I had followed their advice and changed all 4. But after getting a screw into 1 I am on the "replace that thing". Camp. I gained an overpriced Kumho and Fremont CDJR lost a customer.

Furthermore will get some street rubber and another set of rims to match, saving the kumhos for track - otherwise my street is going to eat them up.

Thanks for the advice.