Energy MXV4 plus

TWO SEPARATE TIRE FAILURES FROM SAME BRAND/TYPE OF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES, FIRST: JANUARY 22, 2003, SECOND: APRIL 28, 2003 BOTH WERE SIDEWALL BLOWOUTS. THE FIRST, ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL IN JANUARY 2001, DID NOT POSE A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE. HOWEVER, THE 2ND, ONLY THREE MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST, OCCURRED ON A DIFFERENT WHEEL (RIGHT REAR) AT 60 MPH IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A CONGESTED PORTION OF I-95 NEAR MILFORD, CT. THE LATTER CLEARLY POSED A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD TO US, AND TO ALL OTHER VEHICLES ON THIS HEAVILY-TRAFFICKED INTERSTATE. I DID NOT REPORT THE FIRST BLOWOUT, BELIEVING THAT PERHAPS I HAD HIT SOMETHING ON THE ROAD. BUT THE SECOND BLOWOUT OF SAME BRAND/VINTAGE TIRE, THIS TIME ON REAR RIGHT SIDE, INDICATES A LIKELY SAFETY DEFECT IN THIS EXPENSIVE MICHELIN TIRE. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS, THE CAR HYDROPLANED SEVERAL TIMES. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS - IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THESE TIRES. I BARELY ESCAPED AN ACCIDENT IN DECEMBER, 2003, AFTER HYDROPLANING. I HAVE DRIVEN FOR 22 YEARS IN THE PACIFIC NW AND NEVER HAVE I BEEN SO SCARED ABOUT DRIVING IN THE RAIN AS I AM WITH THESE TIRES.

MICHELIN 195/65 R15 MXV4 + ENERGY RADIAL XSE DEVELOPED RADIAL CRACK ON OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF TIRE. INSTALLED ON 2003 VOLVO V70. DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS TIRE DEFECT (BELT SEPARATION). DEALER (DISCOUNT TIRE) REFUSED ADJUSTMENT ON TIRE WITH APPROX 9K MILES. HAD TO BUY NEW TIRE. LATER OFFERED 75% DISCOUNT AT SEARS ON NEW TIRE.

THE CHECK TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN I WENT TO HAVE AIR ADDED, WORKERS NOTICED A BULGE IN THE SIDE WALL. I CONTACTED MICHELIN, I NOTIFIED MICHELIN OF THE PROBLEM AND EXCESS TIRE TREAD WEAR AT 22,99 MILES. THEY HAD ME TAKE THE TIRE TO 2 LOCATIONS FOR INSPECTION (THEY SAID TO RULE OUT ME HITTING A CURB), BOTH PLACES SAID IT DID NOT APPEAR THAT I HAD HIT A CURB. THEY WERE TO CALL BE BACK AND I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM, I HAD TO REPLACE 2 TIRE AND THE OTHER 2 NEED TO BE REPLACED ALSO. ONE OF THE INSPECTORS SAID HE HAD SEEN THE SAME ISSUE ABOUT 2 WEEKS EARLIER WITH SAME TIRE ON SIMILAR CAR.