So I spent $415 on new tires, $180 for mount balance and alignment.... I even had the self control to keep my driving style grandma enough to break them in properly. 500mi of easy acceleration and braking. I drive halfway to DC (150mi +/-) today and my friend says, "Dude, I think this tire is on backwards." I say no way and check and initially thought he was wrong, but he wasn't....



Questions:

How bad is it for my tire to have been mounted backwards for 500mi +/- on soft acceleration, braking and nothing above 90mph (I know... )?
Do they need to re-align the car when they dismount and remount the tire?
How will this effect the life of the tire?

Don't think it matters but, 225/45/17 Kumho Ecsta SPT

 

Happens all the time, it's fine. Hydroplane like crazy if you hit water. Just have them rebalance with it on the rim correctly. No need to re-align.

 

Just stay away from any water and have the place fix it.

Heck, you may want to ask them to replace the tire because you are afraid that it is a directional tire and has been driven on in the wrong direction. Wouldn't hurt to try.

 

I agree to have them replace the tire and mount it correctly. Tread pattern plays a big effect on handling....especially as mentioned in the wet.

 

Breaking in tires is not required, they are not a mechanical component like an engine. The day I get new tires i am alway anxious to start carving corners and "see what they can do". Just beware that when tires are new they have grease on them from the mold and will be slippery. 500miles to break them in is definitely excessive!

 

You break in tires?

 

[QUOTE=UMDSuzuka,Jan 28 2008, 09:49 AM] You break in tires?

 

Get it flipped, rebalanced and tell them they are dumb. Try to get them to refund the labor you paid for them to mess up the job.

 

I break in everything. I break in my seats by not carrying fat people for the first 500 miles.

 

$415 for 4 tires - mine are over twice as much...