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Tyre Story with my three year old California

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pgsup

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Hi All
Would like to share my experience of three years driving my VW California regarding the above.First thing to say,best decision I have made and am still enjoying every day with my Bulli,it did take some time to get to know the van and that is still an enjoyable work in progress.My van is a thee month old demonstrator, had 300 miles on the clock,the bed upstairs was still wrapped in polythene,so hardly used.It is a Cali SE Auto 1.9 Litre twin turbo and well kitted out.
In the last three years I have unfortunately had four tyre punctures which were not repairable.
The last two happened in the first five months of this year, with a brand new set of Goodyear Vector four season all weather tyres.First occasion was a small screw near the rim,Tyre written off.Second occasion drove over a small stone reversing into a parking place.The stone split in half and punctured a hole in the tyre near the rim at the thickest point on the tyre profile,second one written off.
The tyre depot where I replaced the last tyre were of the opinion that Tyres like Goodyear Vector 4Seasons are simply not robust enough for T5 vans and that a stone would not have punctured a normal van tyre i.e. Goodyear Cargo's for example.Have complained to Goodyear about the stone accident and waiting for a response.Happy with the tyres but have lost confidence in them.Reason for all weather decision is that I spend most of the winter months in Germany and was fed up of switching over to winter set of steel wheels and winter tyres.
Any feedback comments would be appreciated.
PG SUP
 
it is the crap on the roads rather than the tyre

Summer, Winter, All Season had screws in them all
 
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Did you fit the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons SUV tyre?

http://tinyurl.com/zrkmq84

On the Goodyear website this looks like it is the only version that can carry the weight of the Cali. The standard Vector 4 Seasons doesn't come up in the search for the load rating required.

If you had the standard tyre fitted, then I doubt Goodyear will be very understanding, so your recourse will be with the dealer who fitted them for you. They should know all about load rating on tyres and the safety aspect related to that and have only fitted the SUV version.


Alan
 
Did you fit the Goodyear Vector 4Seasons SUV tyre?

http://tinyurl.com/zrkmq84

On the Goodyear website this looks like it is the only version that can carry the weight of the Cali. The standard Vector 4 Seasons doesn't come up in the search for the load rating required.

If you had the standard tyre fitted, then I doubt Goodyear will be very understanding, so your recourse will be with the dealer who fitted them for you. They should know all about load rating on tyres and the safety aspect related to that and have only fitted the SUV version.


Alan
Thanks for reply
Fitted the SUV and purchased by a VW Dealer in Germany,the tyre drives well,but the specialist Tyre centre in UK where I replaced the Tyre do not believe they are tough enough and fit for purpose compared to van tyres.When I am in Germany my tyres are under Warrant whatever the cause for two years,but the puncture happened while I was in UK.
 
No problem so far with my Goodyear Vector 4Seasons. 103H rated. Covered 9000 miles in last 4 months.
 
My all seasons have done 21,000 miles.

Not so lucky with my winter tyres. 2 have managed 6,000 miles, 2 sadly fell foul of a few boulders and rocks in Scotland :(
 
My understanding is that the Cali should have tyres with adequate load rating (mine are "106/104") and also with Commercial (or Light Truck) rating "C" which is related to sidewall toughness.
Mine are "215/65R16C 104/106T".

But I can't find anything written about that at the moment...
 
On the Drivers Door Pillar there should be a sticker detailing the relevant tyre sizes, load and speed rating for the wheels that your vehicle was built with.
image.jpeg

I have 235/55 R17 103H fitted.

image.jpeg
 
On the Drivers Door Pillar there should be a sticker detailing the relevant tyre sizes, load and speed rating for the wheels that your vehicle was built with.
View attachment 13032

I have 235/55 R17 103H fitted.

View attachment 13031
Thanks all for your feedback and comments,It appears that its just bad luck so far,will keep you posted and as the Germans say Ich drĂĽcke die Daumen,keep my fingers crossed for no more punctures.I have the correct Tyres fitted and tyre pressures,the VW dealer here in Germany is excellent and I have had only good service from them.
Thanks again
 
Thanks for reply
Fitted the SUV and purchased by a VW Dealer in Germany,the tyre drives well,but the specialist Tyre centre in UK where I replaced the Tyre do not believe they are tough enough and fit for purpose compared to van tyres.When I am in Germany my tyres are under Warrant whatever the cause for two years,but the puncture happened while I was in UK.

Well not that then. I guess this comes down to a matter of opinion of the tyre supply company staff, which is often differing. The only ones to believe would be Goodyear themselves. They will know the performance of the tyre and its suitability for a California.

Good luck

Alan
 
First tire puncture after 0.0 miles still standing in the garage picking up new cali (feb 2016) . There was a screw in the middle of tire tread of one of the front tires. I was lucky to notice before driving home with our new cali . As they did not have a new tire available I drove home with spare wheel and had to pick up new tire few days later.
 
In the last ten+ years I don't think that I have ever completely worn out a full set of tyres. Punctures seem to be a regular occurence these days and in my experience, mainly due to the rubbish lying around on the roads. No one ever wants to repair punctures either so its almost always another new tyre.
 
We did 28,000 miles on the Pan-American Highway and then 6,000 more in Europe once returned home - then they were almost ready to be changed! No punctures despite some 4,000 to 5,000 miles off road. We used some French stuff beginning with a M.
 
Once again thanks for all your feedback regarding my Tyre Punctures,I have another question and it regards the warranty.My van will be three years old 1/5/16 and is booked in with the dealer for 40K mile service MOT and check over to identify any possible future problems.I have yesterday discovered a tear in the rubber seal drivers side where one gets in and out,that is the rubber gasket that seals the door when you shut it.There was some corrosion there as well, as its no longer waterproof at this point.
Is this covered under warranty or is it bad luck again ,wear and tear etc,and should I try and repair it myself with rubber compound or something similar.Like the tyre problem I feel the rubber seal should be hardwearing enough to deal with stepping in and out of the Cali,or is this a wear and tear issue that regularly occurs,although I have not seen it on this forum.
Any tips regarding checking the van over, shortly before warranty runs out would also be appreciated.
Thanks
PGSUP
 
The French stuff starting with a M is a tyre maker, not my favourite people so I didn't want to soil my posting with their name. And it ends with a N, not a E...
 
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