MAZDA5 HAS TIRE WEAR PROBLEMS? Please advise...

[teekay13]

I just heard from the miata.net site that apparently Mazda5 has serious problems with tire wear. I did a quick google search and it seems that there are a lot of complaints about such.

My 2010 Sport is at 8,000 miles, and the front tires look more worn out than the rear, but nothing really alarming so far.

So what is this tire-eating problem? Is it only associated with UK models? Only in older (2007-08) models but has since been fixed?

Anyone else encountered the same problem? What's the diagnosis? What are the fixes?

Thanks.

 

[SuperJETT]

I'm pretty new to it, but from what I gather it's a combination of aggressive handling setup, weight, and crappy stock tires.

It's nothing new either.

 

[offset_98]

While not a 5 owner, I am a CX-7 owner and that same issue has been brought up about the CX-7. In my opinion, it all depends on how you properly inflate your tires and how you drive. Many people say they can't get 20k miles out of their tires. I am at 45k on my originals and think I can get 60k out of them.

 

[doctorz]

There are plenty of threads in this forum that you can view for more details. The stock Toyos stink, which is the basis for a majority of complaints. This is not limited to the Mazda5. Every new car I've owned couldn't get more than 30K out of its original tires. We got 28K out of the Toyos, despite religious inflation and rotations.

The other issue is that the '06-'07 models have more negative camber in the rear tires. If you look from the back you'll see that the rear tires seem to lean in. These seem to eat the tires and cause cupping. This, to my knowledge (according to the forum), was changed on the '08s.

We bought Michelin Pilot Exaltos, a pretty expensive tire, to replace the stock Toyos. Right now we have 30K on them, considerable tread life left, and no uneven wear. My guess is that we'll get 40-45K out of them, not spectacular, but not bad. What this leads me to believe is that if you take care of your tires and rotate them regularly, you'll do okay, but don't expect more than 25K-30K out of the stocks.

 

[skyhawk]

.

The other issue is that the '06-'07 models have more negative camber in the rear tires. If you look from the back you'll see that the rear tires seem to lean in. These seem to eat the tires and cause cupping. This, to my knowledge (according to the forum), was changed on the '08s.

.

I think: based on my physics 101. (lol).

A negative camber will have 'more rubber' in the inner side of the tire touching the ground. Even with perfect alignment, this part of the top 'rubber skin' will wear early and then when it is worn enough, it will reach the 'harder' part (near the wear mark) when this happens the outer part of the rubber will begin to 'take' wear faster than the inner.

I've observed this in my old Toyo tire. When I replaced them at 45K, they were evenly worn approaching the 'replace me' marker. But when they were new, the wear of the inner side was faster.. the outer side caught up later.

Some also has the wrong idea of over inflating the Toyo. Well if you over inflate in a negative camber, the outer rubber will be 'lifted' off the ground.. while the weight of the car increased on the inner side. But if you inflate just enough (as per recommended), the tire will flex and most likely load is distributed equally.

 

[thaxman]

My 2010 Sport is at 8,000 miles, and the front tires look more worn out than the rear, but nothing really alarming so far.

Thanks.

8000 miles is really too long to go w/o rotating the tires on a vehicle like this. The 1st & 2nd gen Chrysler minivans could wear down the front tires to the wear bars in 10,000 miles. The Mazda5 has a very similar layout to those old vans, and I wouldn't be surprised if the weight ration was similar. I rotate my tires every 3-5000 miles, to keep the tires even.

 

[Heat]

...So what is this tire-eating problem? ... Only in older (2007-08) models but has since been fixed?...

It was an '06/'07 model issue due to the negative camber from the factory. But you are overdue to rotate your tires - get'er done!

 

[RichB]

Usually you're supposed to rotate tires every 7.5 K miles (regardless of the make and model). I rotate mine every 5K and get a lot more life out of them.

 

[DKaz]

Rotate your tires every oil change.