Been googling and talking to co-workers and can't find any kind of consensus. My 2004 Ford Taurus has just eaten through its second set of tires in 4 years. First set was relatively expensive (Triple Treads, experienced severe cupping and inner tread wear after 18 months/30,000 miles). Second set was cheaper (Cientra Plus) and, at last rotation, I was informed that they are about shot (after about 36,000 miles). My driving conditions: -60 miles commute per day on paved country highways with no traffic or potholes, just two reductions in speed to pass through small towns along the way. -Northern plains state i.e. snow, ice, and melting solvents on roads. -Some potholes in parking lots at work but I try to avoid them. I don't peel out or brake excessively. Thoughts? Could it be my particular car (rather than Tauruses in general) eating the tires? I bought it used with about 20,000 miles on it. Thanks.

1. Find a real alignment shop, a shop that specializes in alignments and nothing else. Not a tire shop. Find some racer kids and ask them who does race car alignments in your area. Get a real alignment done by someone who knows what they are doing, not the tire store kids. 2. Put some chalk on your tires and drive around for a bit. Drive around corners. Adjust your inflation pressure so the wear on the chalk is even and that the chalk on the sidewall never wears at all even in sharp curves. The guy at the alignment shop may be willing to help with this. 3. Mark the tire inflation pressures that are optimal in your owner's manual and check your tire pressure every time you get gas. If there are major temperature changes outside, there will be changes in your tire pressure. My bet is that most of your problem has to do with incorrect inflation; if you can actually do the chalk lines and get the correct contact, do that. If you can't, or until you do, use the numbers on the door of...

Does the Taurus eat tires?

Aug 02, 2010 28 Replies

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Paul 15 years ago

Sounds like the car has all 3 of these: Worn out strut shocks Worn bushings Out of alignment You will need to have new tires and have the bushings and struts checked before the alignment is done. Also, verify there are no cracks in the frames or towers.

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jim beam 15 years ago

have you ever bought a set of "toyota" branded tires? why would toyota take care of the warranty on another manufacturer's brand on a commodity product like a tire?

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bob u 15 years ago

Having owned 5 Taurus, i cannot say normally they wear tires more than any other FWD car.

There are MANY issues that can cause abnormal wear. Was this car EVER wrecked? If so, it may have NEVER been fixed right. This includes falling off the truck at the dealer lot.

If you have never had the front end fully inspected after all this, that's an issue. Many Taurus had issues with broken coil springs. Have yours been inspected? Are inner and outer tie rods snug? ball joints? Has the car had a 4 wheel alignment or been checked? Are the sub frame bushings intact and tight?

was the trannie or motor ever out of the car?, if so, the subframe alignment may be out of wack.

At any rate, you may be looking at 4 new spring/struts with a

4 wheel alignment with any other front end parts replaced as needed. Check those CV boots while your at it

bob

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Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B 15 years ago

I bought a new 1980 Corolla SR5 in August 1980. Delivered in time for Labor Day weekend. It came with Bridgestone tires. They went 125,000 miles.

When I called Bridgestone because I couldn't find another set, the guy said something to the effect of "That's probably why we don't sell them anymore!"

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Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B 15 years ago

Damn! My Scion tC came with Potenzas. I went to Bridgestone's web site and got this:

Original Size: We're sorry, we don't currently produce a tire that matches your vehicle's original equipment tire size, load range and speed rating combination. Optional sizes may be available for your vehicle. Please consult your owner's manual and check with your retailer to verify all tire recommendations before purchasing your tire(s)."

Wow.

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jim beam 15 years ago

some web sites are badly organized. just go to tire rack.

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Harry Face 15 years ago

Worn or bent parts will wear out tires .... so will the alignment being off. If you bought it used the unibody may be bent from a previous accident or previous owner hitting a big pot hole.

Good Luck.

harryface

91 Bonneville 322,655 05 Park Avenue 101,699

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Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B 15 years ago

I did! ;)

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MNRebecca 15 years ago

Thanks, everybody. Lots to study here. I appreciate it.

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