Had to see this to believe it. Female friend just got a '98 Civic LX sedan; a week after she got it the right rear tire went flat. Now the fun part.
Her mechanic---good guy but not a tire guru---suggested she get a 'quality' used tire for the right rear to match the others, then replace them all later if she keeps the car. She went to a used tire shop, they told her they did not have a used tire in that size and sold her a new one....a Mastercraft MC-440 in the OE spec 185/65R14.
Now the really fun part. This is where I get my first look at the car. (Door jamb says 185/65R14 85S.) She says the used tire shop told her the left rear needed to be replaced too, but she figured they wanted to upsell a female customer. Asks me to check it with my tread gauge....so yesterday I checked all-around and found:
Both front tires were Mastercraft MC-440, size 195/60R14, with date codes from separate weeks in 2010 and about 3-3.5/32" tread. No obvious cracks but had stuff stuck in what was left of the grooves that looked like old moss, if you know what I mean.
Right rear was the new MC-440, date code 4315, 9.5/32" tread, in H-speed rating and 185/65R14.
Left rear was a Kumho, I think KH16, in 175/70R14, with about 1.5/32" tread. I did not see wear bars stick out, but once I noticed the size and measured the tread I had seen enough. (I say I "think" it was a KH16 as I am near-certain that's the correct model, but I can't find it listed in that size online.)
So the car has tires in three different sizes; the rear axle has a brand-new lower-end tire mixed with a bald tire of a different size and model; and the front tires are 5-6 years old, low on tread and a different size than either of the rear tires.
The best solution would be a new set of quality tires and keep the new Mastercraft as a spare. Since neither the lady nor I could afford that, and IMO the situation is so bad it can't wait till DTD Memorial Day sales, I used my Firestone card to pre-order three Primewell Valera Touring tires in 185/65R14 86H to match the new Mastercraft on the right rear, of the same size and specs.
None of those is a high-quality tire but I figure it's way, way better than what's on there now---which I consider downright dangerous. (I told her to drive like an old lady in the rain to get to Firestone, and considered having AAA tow it there. She thought I was kidding.) At least it will be four new tires of the same size and spec.
Sorry to ramble on so long, but I thought the tire gurus here would enjoy this tale, in a horrified sorta way.
Her mechanic---good guy but not a tire guru---suggested she get a 'quality' used tire for the right rear to match the others, then replace them all later if she keeps the car. She went to a used tire shop, they told her they did not have a used tire in that size and sold her a new one....a Mastercraft MC-440 in the OE spec 185/65R14.
Now the really fun part. This is where I get my first look at the car. (Door jamb says 185/65R14 85S.) She says the used tire shop told her the left rear needed to be replaced too, but she figured they wanted to upsell a female customer. Asks me to check it with my tread gauge....so yesterday I checked all-around and found:
Both front tires were Mastercraft MC-440, size 195/60R14, with date codes from separate weeks in 2010 and about 3-3.5/32" tread. No obvious cracks but had stuff stuck in what was left of the grooves that looked like old moss, if you know what I mean.
Right rear was the new MC-440, date code 4315, 9.5/32" tread, in H-speed rating and 185/65R14.
Left rear was a Kumho, I think KH16, in 175/70R14, with about 1.5/32" tread. I did not see wear bars stick out, but once I noticed the size and measured the tread I had seen enough. (I say I "think" it was a KH16 as I am near-certain that's the correct model, but I can't find it listed in that size online.)
So the car has tires in three different sizes; the rear axle has a brand-new lower-end tire mixed with a bald tire of a different size and model; and the front tires are 5-6 years old, low on tread and a different size than either of the rear tires.
The best solution would be a new set of quality tires and keep the new Mastercraft as a spare. Since neither the lady nor I could afford that, and IMO the situation is so bad it can't wait till DTD Memorial Day sales, I used my Firestone card to pre-order three Primewell Valera Touring tires in 185/65R14 86H to match the new Mastercraft on the right rear, of the same size and specs.
None of those is a high-quality tire but I figure it's way, way better than what's on there now---which I consider downright dangerous. (I told her to drive like an old lady in the rain to get to Firestone, and considered having AAA tow it there. She thought I was kidding.) At least it will be four new tires of the same size and spec.
Sorry to ramble on so long, but I thought the tire gurus here would enjoy this tale, in a horrified sorta way.
