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Mazda MPV: Tires & Wheels

29 messages,  Last post on Jun 01, 2012 at 2:46 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda MPV, Tires, Van

Messages Page 2 of 3

#11 of 29 Spare tire cable problem by backy

May 23, 2008 (11:22 am)

Just got back from the Mazda dealer. My wife picked up a huge nail on our 2002 MPV a few days ago, so I popped the spare on and took it to the tire place, since the tires have a fix/replace warranty. The tire place fixed the flat, and I didn't think any more of it. Then my wife told me last night that something was dragging on the ground under the van. I looked under the van and the spare tire cable was nearly touching the ground. The spare tire was in the back. I figured the tire place would re-store the spare, as they have done on other flats I've taken there. I was miffed at them because I was sure I had reeled the cable all the way in, so I figured they had started to replace the spare, then gave up for some reason. Then I tried to replace the spare, and the cable wouldn't budge!
 
So I drove the van over to the tire place today and told them what had happened. They tried to replace the spare, but the cable wouldn't move. They apologized profusely, I asked them to tie the cable up, and I drove to my local Mazda dealer since the van has an extended warranty.
 
Turns out the cable assembly needs to be replaced--and the part costs $500! Fortunately I have the warranty, which is zero deductible. But I also found out the warranty company (Ultimate Warranty) went out of business. Luckily, their accounts were taken over by another company and they will honor the warranty, although I have to pay for the service and get reimbursed (the old company paid the dealer directly). So now the warranty company is looking for a used part, and if they can't find one today the dealer will order a new part and I'll get it installed next week.
 
A lot of money for a spare tire retaining cable, eh? And I think it's only been used twice. I never did like that under-the-van spare storage. Now I have another reason not to like it.

#12 of 29 Re: Spare tire cable problem [backy] by jipster

May 23, 2008 (6:04 pm)

Replying to: backy (May 23, 2008 11:22 am)
I used the spare tire on my 04 MPV about a year ago when my wife picked up a crowbar in it... it had fallen off a truck in front of her on the expressway. Didn't have a problem with the cable. Had to go to the salvage yard to find a replacement tire though. Or, I could have paid twice as much and had the dealership do it.. about $140 is what they wanted.

#13 of 29 Re: Spare tire cable problem [jipster] by backy

May 23, 2008 (7:42 pm)

Replying to: jipster (May 23, 2008 6:04 pm)
I had to replace a tire last year. I went to Discount Tire and got two smooth-riding Kumho tires plus lifetime replacement warranty plus lifetime replacement warranty on my two original tires, all for less than what one tire would have cost at the dealer.

#14 of 29 Re: Spare tire cable problem [backy] by jipster

May 24, 2008 (8:55 am)

Replying to: backy (May 23, 2008 7:42 pm)
My original post may have been a bit confusing. I didn't use my spare tire... my spare tire got punctured with a crowbar and had to be replaced.
 
In October I replaced the OEM Dunslops with Goodyear Tripletreds, which I've been very happy with.

#15 of 29 Spare tire winch problem by sanzhang

Oct 12, 2008 (5:25 am)

I was the one who tried to take out the spare tire in a 2001 MPV for the first time. The cable came out, the tire could be spun, but it did not come down. After a lot of sweat and W-40, I took it to a dealer. The dealer used more W-40, but could not get the tire down either. At the end, the dealer cut the cable, and yanked out the tire from the tiny hole that the cable went through. I did not take the option of having the winch mechanism replaced - a $600 job. I called Mazda to find whether there is a hidden warranty, but was denied, I am now trying to improvise with nuts and bolts.
 
Several mechanics that I talked to (including the one from Mazda) acknowledge that there are a lot of problems with this type of tire winch in both Chrysler and Mazda. I was lucky that I tried to remove the spare tire from my own garage. You can image how bad the situation will be if one really needs to use the spare tire in the middle of nowhere in a snow storm.
 
I will encourage everybody to try out the spare tire mechanism to ensure that it works, before it is too late.

#16 of 29 Re: Spare tire winch problem [sanzhang] by backy

Oct 12, 2008 (10:55 am)

Replying to: sanzhang (Oct 12, 2008 5:25 am)
I had to replace the winch on my 2002 MPV also. The spare did come down, but it would not winch up. The repair was nearly $600. Shortly after that, and after yet some more problems with the van, I dumped it. For a T&C that also has a winch-type system. Hope that one fares better if I ever have to use it.

#17 of 29 Re: New Tires. [jipster] by mariop1

Oct 31, 2008 (5:04 pm)

Replying to: jipster (Oct 10, 2007 11:12 am)
I would like to know how your making out with those Goodyear Tripple tread. Also would you suggest to go with the 225-60R-17 as you did on the MPV. I'm seeking my best choice still as I have a 2004 sport van like yours which I'm really happy with. It looks nice and sporty and drives well but now with 50,000 clicks on the odometer I need to replace those original tires.

#18 of 29 Re: New Tires. [mariop1] by jipster

Nov 01, 2008 (11:11 am)

Replying to: mariop1 (Oct 31, 2008 5:04 pm)
I would like to know how your making out with those Goodyear Tripple tread
 
Sure thing. I really like the Tripletreds and thus far nothing to complain about. The traction in dry and wet is pretty awesome... fairly good in the little amount of snow we have gotten the past couple winters. The wife commented how good the traction was in the rain about a week after we bought them.
 
I just had them rotated for the second time, so we've put about 14,000 miles on them. Very little wear noted. A little bit noisy on concrete, as most tires are nosier... very quiet on asphalt.
 
Yes, I would recommend going slighter bigger with tire size. You get a bit more stability in cornering, which was pretty good with the old Dunlops. They also look nicer on the van IMO.
 
You did pretty good getting 50k out of the OEM Dunlops. I only got 37,000 and they were getting pretty bad around 30k. I probably could have squeezed another legal 8k out of them.
 
I bought my tires at a Goodyear store. You can also find them priced less at Walmart. I asked my local Goodyear store if they would meet the Walmart price, which they did. A little bit more for lifetime balance and rotation and should last you till you're ready to sell the van. Good luck.

#19 of 29 Re: Spare tire winch problem [sanzhang] by sramamur1

Nov 17, 2008 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: sanzhang (Oct 12, 2008 5:25 am)
I had a flat about four weeks ago and could not lower the spare tire. I was able to lower the cable and the tire spun, but as reported previously, the spare tire got jammed up at the top and was not coming down. Now I need to go to a garage to get the spare tire out.
 
On top of this, the spare is also busted and could not be repaired. Need to look for another spare as well.
 
Well, atleast I got the flat fixed quickly!!
 
Sri.

#20 of 29 Winter or all weather tire? by sramamur1

Nov 17, 2008 (12:25 pm)

There is no ABS on my 2003 Mazda MPV DX and I need to change the tires before the snowy winter arrives. Wondering whether to go with a proper winter tire or an all weather tire such as Nokian WRG2
 
Any comments and suggestions?
 
Thanks,
 
Sri.

Messages Page 2 of 3

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