Turanza Tire wear on 06 Grand Caravan.

[scargoz]

We've 20,000 miles on our 2006 Grand Caravan.

The tires are Bridgestone Turanza EL42 in the
215 65 16.

I observe that the outer and inner edge of the tire seems
to be more worn, or excessively worn. All four are
about the same after a couple of rotations.

I'm pretty sure the Mrs isn't doing any Solo II around
town ...

I'll have to find a good way to measure across the tread
to see if this is indeed the case. Perhaps this is my
imagination, but I have "seen" this on another van
in the neighborhood. If it is my imagination, it sure
does make it look like the tires are bald - while the
center section looks good.

Maybe the recommended pressure is wrong, or my
tire gauge is way over reporting, and they are under inflated?

Any comments or notes recommended.

[RickMN]

Buy a tread depth gauge at any auto parts store and measure the tread on the sides and in the middle. The gauge is less than $5 (forget about the penny routine--it's worthless in determining actual tread depth).

Tires that are worn on both the inner and outer edges tell me that you're air pressure is too low. The center tread puckers upwareds and the tire actually runs on the edges--causing excessive wear, extra heat, and providing less contact with the road.

Check the psi on the placard located on the driver's door pillar and follow it. Check every month--because all tires lose air.

[scargoz]

Thanks for the reply.

I've an air pressure gauge on an inexpensive Husky brand
compressor that reports way differently than the gauge I
use (that cost $40 about 10 years ago). So, another
opinion would be good. The Husky reports low - it's 44 is
more like 54 (I put 44 psi into the Graspix Snows on the
Neon).

Another tool to acquire and use is an infrared thermometer.
Use this to look at temps across the surface of the tire after
a run ...

A four wheel alignment is in order. My other issue is a horrible
crunch/grind from the front. Maybe what that is has the suspension
bound up in some funk.

I recall seeing the 1995 Neon ACRs at the factory - their front end
was not even aligned - as delivered it was way way way positive
cambered - like it hit a curb ... on each side!

Thanks!

[krs2fur]

We've 20,000 miles on our 2006 Grand Caravan.

The tires are Bridgestone Turanza EL42 in the
215 65 16.

I observe that the outer and inner edge of the tire seems
to be more worn, or excessively worn. All four are
about the same after a couple of rotations.

I'm pretty sure the Mrs isn't doing any Solo II around
town ...

I'll have to find a good way to measure across the tread
to see if this is indeed the case. Perhaps this is my
imagination, but I have "seen" this on another van
in the neighborhood. If it is my imagination, it sure
does make it look like the tires are bald - while the
center section looks good.

Maybe the recommended pressure is wrong, or my
tire gauge is way over reporting, and they are under inflated?

Any comments or notes recommended.


I had the same problem with my OEM Bridgestones, on an '06GC with S&G. When I inquired about this, I was told by the mechanic at the Dodge dealer (my dad) that it was from hard cornering. I disagreed vehemently; but was schooled by one of the local tire shops, when I inquired further. What was explained to me was that Daimler Chrysler chose to save a few dollars on these, like most OEMs do (ie Ford/Firestone Explorer fiasco); by outfitting these vans with low line passenger tires. It was further explained that with a larger load in the van (Wife and 5 kids), the sidewalls of the tires tend to deflect on the Bridgestones under even the most conservative cornering; allowing the sidewalls to deflect and the tires to "roll". This caused the edges, both inner and outer, to wear significantly more than the centers. This was further cemented, when I realized that the tires would squeal when making a basic left hand turn at any speed over about MPH.

I was shown a number of different tires that had a somewhat "stiffer" sidewall that tended to deflect less under the load of the van. I opted to install a Micheline Hydro-Edge in the same size as the OEM Bridgestones. This came at a cost of just under $700 for everything, including a Lifetime FREE replacement road hazzard package (not pro-rated...FREE!!!!!:rck:)

Once I had these tires installed and rolled along my merry way down the road; I couldn't get them to squeal on corners if I tried. I also checked the specs on this tire compared to the OEMs. I found that the Michelines are a 90K as compared to a 40K for the Bridgestones. WELL WORTH THE EXTRA $$$$$.

Hope this helps someone else resolve any doubt they have about their alignment/air pressure issues.

[scargoz]

Interesting .... I don't hear too much squeal as the windows are usually
up, but I have absolutely heard some squeal during window down mode.
I'll have to try this some more - when it is my turn to take it for
a spin.

I usually credited the squeals to weird pavement - this ain't no race car.

For now They should last another 2.5 years before 40K.

The usual tire place is Costco - mounted balanced, lifetime
balance (never used this) and live time road hazard - have used
this (it is prorated coverage) and free nitrogen (woohoo!).

The last set was about 5 years ago on the 2000 GC. Bought the
least expensive tire in-stock

[vipergg]

Thanks for the reply.

I've an air pressure gauge on an inexpensive Husky brand
compressor that reports way differently than the gauge I
use (that cost $40 about 10 years ago). So, another
opinion would be good. The Husky reports low - it's 44 is
more like 54 (I put 44 psi into the Graspix Snows on the
Neon).

Another tool to acquire and use is an infrared thermometer.
Use this to look at temps across the surface of the tire after
a run ...

A four wheel alignment is in order. My other issue is a horrible
crunch/grind from the front. Maybe what that is has the suspension
bound up in some funk.

I recall seeing the 1995 Neon ACRs at the factory - their front end
was not even aligned - as delivered it was way way way positive
cambered - like it hit a curb ... on each side!

Thanks!

44 lbs. ???? That sounds like it is way over the recommended air pressure . If you look on the inside of the door placard its usually 36 lbs. I know some of the tires on the sidewall say you can blow them up to like 44 lbs but thats got to be a real harsh and maybe why you are getting excessive wear on the outside . Look on the inside of the driver door and see what they recommend , a lot of time it is different than what it says on the tire sidewall.

[scargoz]

Yes 44 psi. That is the max. I checked and I have them at
42 psi. It is much more stable than the. On the tire, max is 44 cold.

That seems like a lot, but the manufacturer max is possibly
or probably the maximum safe cold pressure at which there
would be NO legal or possible cause there would be a problem
with the tire.

Another set of snows, the Nokkien Hakkapeliitta, I had on
my 2001 ACR Neon way back were, IMHO, 900% superior
to these Dunlops, I kept at 40 PSI, again way more than the
32 PSI glued to the door jamb.

But - still gotta get the gauge on the ones on the 2006 GC to
see if they are at least wearing evenly.

Thanks!

[mfahey]

We also recently installed the Michelin HydroEdge and even my wife noticed how much more sure footed the van was and for her to notice is saying a lot.

[Vistal]

just Cheap tires the sidewalls are not tuff enough to support the weight.

[jfoust]

FWIW, the reviews on these tires are HORRIBLE on tirerack.com. I had them on my '05 SXT and managed to get 30,000 miles out of them before they needed replacing. I'm religious about checking pressure, rotating, alignment, etc... Just replaced them on Wednesday with a set of BF Goodrich Traction T/A's and the ride is MUCH nicer. In sharp turns at speed the van always felt mushy to me, like the sidewalls were giving, but that feeling is long gone now!

[moparman2k2]

the cheapest tire shop tires will usually be better than OEM tires