Second Alignment in 11,000 miles.

[AJsMSP]

Has anyone had problems with alignments? I went through a set of Goodyear Eagle F1 all-seasons in less then 11,000 miles. I had the first alignment done at about 4,500 miles and then just had another one this week. I don't drive too crazy and avoid as many potholes as I can (really hard in Upstate NY). Both have been done under warranty. I just put the stock tires back on for the rest of the summer, so we will see what happens.

 

[jville]

WHat is the treadwear rating on the f1s? The stock potenzas are 140 which is really soft. I'm at 14k right now and need a set of tires very soon.

 

[shadesofgray19]

F1 all-seasons are a 400 or 420 treadwear rating. There is no way you should only get 11k miles out of them. I have 21k on the stock potenzas, but the driver side front tire is getting pretty worn and I will replace them soon.

 

[tunersteve]

Yeah, when I purchased my car they failed to check the alignment. I had it fixed 3 days after buying the car. About a month later, it started pulling again, took it back, and the dealer found the rear camber to we grossly out of spec. Fixed again, and finally seems to be right. I'm at 11k miles right now and my tires are showing some wear, I doubt I get through the winter with them.

 

[AJsMSP]

I also make it a habit to check the tire pressures after every service at the dealership because they never set them correctly. And sure enough they were all at 30 PSI instead 38 PSI. Now when I was a technician and I did alignments, I am pretty sure that you are suppose to make sure that the tires are properly inflated before beginning the alignment.

 

[jville]

Usually the second step, right after the test drive.

 

[astraelraen]

Alignments are a warranty item?

 

[speed6_dude]

I have had this problem three sets of tires in 35k miles. Paid for all 4 of my allignments out of pocket and still the stuped car wears tires bald around the edges. No Mazdaspeed dealer around here car seem to fix it.

 

[AJsMSP]

Alignments are a warranty item?

There is a 12,000 mile warranty adjustment period for the car, alignments are covered under this. And now that it is documented that it has been done twice, it will be easier to get done after this adjustment period as well, I hope.

 

[AJsMSP]

I have had this problem three sets of tires in 35k miles. Paid for all 4 of my allignments out of pocket and still the stuped car wears tires bald around the edges. No Mazdaspeed dealer around here car seem to fix it.

And technically in NY state, if I have to go in for more than three time before 18,000 miles and they can't fix it, I could return it under the states lemon law. But I really don't want to.

 

[jville]

Ok so stop going to the dealers and go to a reputable shop. I used to manage a shop here in jax and did all of the alignement including adjusting my ms6, then when jaxjeff lowered his ms6 on some hr's i aligned his car without a problem and he still has no excessive/odd wear. you just need to find somewhere that has a good alignment machine and a good tech. Good machines like the newer ones wth the IR laser with the reflactive wireless paddles, stay away from anything with wires because they are old and often outdated/out of calibration.

 

[tunersteve]

I know up here the local Firestone shop has a lifetime plan for $150 I believe, and they're the only ones I trust aligning my car. When my alignment runs bad again, I'll be doing that.

 

[AJsMSP]

Well I guess I will just have to wait and see. I will have to put all-seasons back on for the winter in the fall anyway. That should be enough time to see if I need another alignment. tunersteve, I am originally from Michigan, Battle Creek to be exact.