Automotive Forums

Has anyone else had problem with excessive wear with tires on their 2003 Pontiac Vibe AWD?

I've gone through 2 sets and only have 63,000km on my vehicle.

 

What tires have you run?  

Well I dont have a vibe, but i do have a 03' Pontiac Grand Prix, and at 30,000 miles they are dangerously wore and I drive very lightly. Came with Eagle LS tires, which are aweful, so if the vibe is running on eagles, I'd say get a different brand next time.  

I have a 2004 vibe (almost 28,000 miles).  At 20,000 miles I had to replace two tires due to "cupping"; 10,000 miles later, all 4 tires are bad (same problem) and I need to replace all 4 tires.  GM replaced first two tires but won't do anything now.  What happened to their 3 yr, 30,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty?  

My guess is this...if cupping is a problem rotate the tires regularly...every 5000 or so....what are you driving habbits...when was the last alignment...are the tire pressures checked regularly...

Nick
ASE Certified Master Technician, L1  
ASE Master Auto Technician, L1, ASE Certified Service Consultant, ASE Certified Parts Specialist, Chrysler Certified Service Manager/Technician

had alignment done by dealer every 5000 miles and check pressure regularly.  I think it might be something more serious that is causing my problem - any suggestions?  

vibe owner:
had alignment done by dealer every 5000 miles and check pressure regularly.  I think it might be something more serious that is causing my problem - any suggestions?

Yeah it definately sounds like a design problem... you can try to fight it with your dealership or take to a corporate level but you wont find any help or solutions. Best thing to do, get new tires and SELL it. Good Luck  

The OE on pontiac Vibes is basically a joke. I think it's GM's idea to make more money. They put on a tire they will not cover under warranty because of "premature wear" and think the consumer will buy new tires from them. If you have Continental tires on your vehicle your basically screwed out of $700 +. Continentals are rated for 100,000 kms or 60,000 miles. Your lucky if you get 30,000 kms use out of them before they need replaced. It's the same story with every Vibe out there.  

Continentals have an extremely high amount of road force.  Go with a michelin tire, have it aligned and ask for a print out.  Camber should be from 0.00 to -0.02 the left should be about -0.02 to -0.04.  You want a -0.02 spred.  You  also want between a -0.01 to -0.05 spred in front caster.  Toe should be set a 0.03 per side with a total of 0.04 to 0.06.  If they still wear a lot, sell it and buy a dodge magnum.