(non) Ecotires

[Zig in East Orleans]

Ok, so we get our first oil change a few weeks back and the kid checks the tire tread depth. It comes back "8 in the front, 10 in the back". But the kid's got a puzzled look. (I'm assuming the units are mm). He's wondering how in the world it could be 8 in the front for a vehicle with 4969 km! So now what, do i call the dealer to let them know or wait until i have the tires rotated at 10k?I really want these tires off my car.

[Raven]

I went through the same thing exactly last fall. Talk to the service manager and tell him you want them replaced. He will probably refer you to the GM customer service #. Be firm but polite and do not accept no for an answer.Keep calling them back if they don't call you when they say they will. Eventually they will arrange for the district service manager to have a look at them. After about a month I got my front ones replaced and then traded the 2 new and 2 used tires in for $250.00 at an independent tire shop. Don't even mount the 2 new tires, trade them in immediately. If you want the name of the tire dealer in Ottawa that I dealt with send me an IM. Do a search for Continental tires, there are many threads about them. Everyone hates them.

[JohnC]

The increments are probably 32nds, the tires start out at 11/32. Mine lasted less than 15k miles. I am at step two of the customer satisfaction procedure described in the owners manual. Document everything, even conversations with the dealer. Good luck with yours.

[sensfanrk]

At my first oil change I had the service manager comment "at least your bill is cheaper than the other Vibe's that is in here!" So I asked him what he meant (thinking (removed) my engine is going to go in a year!) He told me that the guy was getting 4 new tires on his car after a year and 30 000kms. I used to work at a garage for 3 years, and I've never heard of new "premium" tires wearing out in one year! He told me that the guy drives like a nut (understandable) but Vibe tires are "sticky performance tires" that wear out without rotation and hard driving. When I was waiting for my car to be shipped I was hoping for the Good Years, but alas I'm stuck with these "sticky performance" tires that will probably go next year! You're not in this alone Zig!

[Zig in East Orleans]

So we go to the dealer Saturday and the SM is hailed to investigate our 'complaint' saying that 8/32" for the front tires is normal (at 4700 km!) Then he goes on to agree that the Conti's aren't good tires and that he's had some problems with other Vibe clients. Then at the same time some employee cuts in (who i didn't really care to hear) and says "my friend works for a dealer and he's done 40, 000km on them and says they're great in the winter!" Whatever. 2 weeks after we got our ride, it stormed and we almost ditched the car. Oh well, we'll just keep tabs on them and get our own winter tires anyway.