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2008-2009 Chevrolet Malibu

1510 messages,  Last post on Mar 16, 2013 at 12:47 PM

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Messages Page 139 of 152

#1379 of 1510 Re: chevy tires [ab348] by djm2

Jan 19, 2011 (7:12 pm)

Replying to: ab348 (Jan 19, 2011 3:50 pm)
Thank you for your reply! ---- This is my situation. ----- I have a 2010 four cylinder LTZ Malibu. This vehicle is serviced every 2,500 miles. (My choice as I travel extensively for my job, and I need dependable transportation.) ----- This translates into having the oil and filter changed and the tire pressure set to 30 pounds. ------ After four weeks after the service, the tire pressure is down to 28 pounds. This has occurred since the vehicle was new. ---- There must be a leak between the tire and the rim when the tire flexes. ----- (Soft side walls or a problem with the tire bead.) ---- I could understand if one tire had this problem, but all four tires??????????????? The maximum mpg on the road with this vehicle is 27mpg. I should be getting between 30 to 33. One of the reasons for the lower mpg could be the tire pressure. ----- Soft tires do not roll easily. ---- QUESTION: ---- Do your tires loose air on your Buick? ---- Best regards. ----- Dwayne

#1380 of 1510 Re: chevy tires [djm2] by ab348

Jan 19, 2011 (7:28 pm)

Replying to: djm2 (Jan 19, 2011 7:12 pm)
According to my TPMS display I lose a couple of pounds after a couple of months, but it then seems to stabilize.
 
I have heard similar tire pressure stories on other message boards about other cars. I wonder if the use of alloy wheels these days may have something to do with tire pressure issues.

#1381 of 1510 Re: chevy tires [ab348] by djm2

Jan 20, 2011 (6:06 am)

Replying to: ab348 (Jan 19, 2011 7:28 pm)
Good Morning:
 
      Thank you for your reply. ---- This is now becoming very interesting. ---- If other vehicle brand names are experiencing the same issue of lost air due to a problem with the aluminum wheels, then we have a "major safety issue" on the roads today, because most people do not service their vehicles at the designated time, (every 5,000 miles), and most people never check their air pressure between oil & filter service. ---- So what we have on the roads today is a large group of vehicles with "low tire pressure" causing the tire walls to flex. ---- Think about this reality when you are traveling at 65 MPH on the highway next to another vehicle.
 
       I am sure that other vehicles are also loosing air over a period of time. (Whether this is a fault of the quality of the tires, the aluminum wheels or a combination of both, this is a very dangerous condition.) ---- My other vehicle is a 2007 XLE V6 Camry. It also has aluminum wheels. The Vehicle came with Bridgestone Tires, but I forced the dealer to exchange the tires for original equipment Michelin Tires. The original Michelin Tires lasted 50,000 miles. I am now on my second set of Michelin Tires and the vehicle has about 62,000 miles. I never have an air loss problem. It could be that the Michelin Tires have a stronger sidewall, thus limiting the "flexing of the tire bead at the aluminum wheel," or the quality of the aluminum wheel is much better than the quality of the Chevrolet wheel.
 
        I am out on the road for days at a time, which is why I "over service" my vehicles. My vehicle is my office and it needs to be 100% --- 24 / 7. A tire problem on the road would be very inconvenient at least, but it would a disaster if I was involved in an accident. ---- I guess I need "peace of mind!" ----- Here is the "BIG QUESTION"! ----- I really like the Chevrolet Malibu. ---- I like the quality of the vehicle. ----- I think it is as good as a Honda Accord. ---- It is a fun car to drive. ---- Up to this issue, I was considering purchasing another Malibu or possibly an Impala in 2012, (if GM developed a 6 speed auto trans), but do I want to deal with anther GM vehicle that has this "tire / aluminum wheel" problem? --- It might be "ok" if the fix is as simple as a set of Michelin Tires!------- Best regards. -----Dwayne

#1382 of 1510 Re: chevy tires [djm2] by bdyment

Jan 20, 2011 (6:20 am)

Replying to: djm2 (Jan 20, 2011 6:06 am)
A two lb. drop in pressure isn't very much. Perhaps it is due to filling the tires at 30lbs in a warm garage and then checking the tires in the cold outside. Approx. 1 lb. is lost for every 10 degree drop in temperature.
 
Also the garage tire gauge may be calibrated slightly different than yours.
 
If your were losing four or five lbs., then I would be concerned.

#1383 of 1510 Re: chevy tires [bdyment] by djm2

Jan 21, 2011 (6:05 am)

Replying to: bdyment (Jan 20, 2011 6:20 am)
You make an excellent point! ---- The last time the tire pressure was adjusted by the dealer, the ambient temperature, and the temperature of the wheels & tires was cold. ---- Best regards! ---- Dwayne

#1384 of 1510 Malibu Tires by bohemia1

Jan 21, 2011 (12:21 pm)

2008 LT Malibu
 
I also have decided that my tires need to be repalced. At least I got 25k out of the oem tires. I am constantly losing air and am not happy with the tire performance.
 
Has anyone considered or purchased Cooper tires for your Malibu? Any comments?

#1385 of 1510 Re: Malibu Tires [bohemia1] by djm2

Jan 21, 2011 (3:45 pm)

Replying to: bohemia1 (Jan 21, 2011 12:21 pm)
Thank you for your positing on this subject! ---- I was starting to think that it was all in my mind! ---- Since 1997, I have either owned or leased five (5) Honda vehicles, one Toyota Camry and now the 2010 Malibu. ---- The Hondas and the Toyota all had Michelin tires, and I never had any problems with the tires. ---- I always got 50,000 miles out of a set of Michelin tires,--- and they never lost air between my 2,500 mile service intervals. ---- The vehicle that I turned in, (against the Malibu), had the original Michelin tires, and they were 6 + years old. They never lost air! ------- Since you have a 2008 Malibu, GM must know that there is a problem with these tires, and they have chosen to ignore the entire issue, -- because they are still installing these tires on their new vehicles. ---- I would suggest that you explore the possibility of purchasing a set of Michelin tires on your Malibu! ----- Bite the bullet and get the best. ---- If I was purchasing this vehicle again, I would insist that the tires be changed. ---- I love the car, but I feel that I have been cheated by the quality of the tires. ---- I hope that the GM representatives monitor this site. ----- We cannot be the only owners of the Malibu that are experiencing this tire problem. ---- Will this be an major issue when I purchase a vehicle in 2012? ----- YES, ----- in fact, it very well could be a "deal breaker," and force me to go to a foreign name plate! ---- Do a search on the "net" about "Cooper tires" and see what you come up with in terms of problems! ------ Best regards. --------- Dwayne

#1386 of 1510 Re: Malibu Tires [djm2] by malexbu

Jan 21, 2011 (11:33 pm)

Replying to: djm2 (Jan 21, 2011 3:45 pm)
Perhaps not all, but a significant part of your concerns may be in
your mind, indeed.
 
The ambient temperature significantly changes the measured pressure
(as you already agreed). The increased tire temperature due to
driving the car changes the pressure. The pressure meters are not
terrifically accurate instruments and are sometimes awkward to use.
Measuring through a modern type of cap may give different results than
measuring with the cap off.
 
Measurement errors are everywhere. OTOH, plus minus three PSi
shouldn't matter that much.
 
My advice: buy a quality gauge ($8) and a 12V-socket-powered inflator
pump ($20), then inspect and pump your tires as frequently as you feel
needed. With my three Malibus, I do it about once every two months or
before long trips. Takes 30 minutes, gives a piece of mind and
understanding.
 
I expect that you won't find leaks to talk about (every tire leaks a
bit). I also expect that having the correct pressure of 30 PSi will
not make your Malibu an MPG winner over your Toyota (judging by the
numbers you quoted).
 
Just measure everything yourself and don't trust anybody, even your
dealer.
 
BTW, changing oil and filter every 2500 miles is a certain overkill:
it doesn't make your car any better of safer -- on the opposite,
increases the chance that a technician drops something
harmful into your engine. (On top of costing you money and polluting
the environment.) Follow the manual on that and other issues.
 
Hope you'll begin enjoying your Malibu more when you start your own
DIY

#1387 of 1510 Re: Malibu Tires [malexbu] by djm2

Jan 22, 2011 (6:01 pm)

Replying to: malexbu (Jan 21, 2011 11:33 pm)
Hi malexbu:
 
          I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your suggestions. They are appreciated.
 
          I do own a quality tire gauge. In fact, I keep one in each vehicle. I could easily check and adjust my tire pressure every week if necessary, when I purchase fuel.
 
          Since my last posting, I found someone who has solved this problem with these tires. ------- He simply installed a liquid tire sealer in each tire. ----- This stopped the slow tire leak. (I do not know what this sealer will do in the tire over time, but it did solve the leak problem.)
 
          Since we are discussing this issue on an open forum, lets consider these concepts. My Chevrolet LTZ Malibu had an MSRP of $30,000.00. (I did not pay anywhere near this amount, but for discussion sake, lets say that the Malibu is worth $30,000.00 dollars. ----- Is this defect acceptable in a product worth $30,000.00 dollars? ----- Would be be acceptable in a Bentley at $363,000.00, a BMW at $85,550.00, a Mercedes Benz at $58,200.00 or a Porsche at $245,000.00? ----- I guess what I am asking is ----How much do you have to pay for a new vehicle to get a "quality product" that does not have such an issue? ----- Where is the cut off point in terms of price, that guarantees the customer quality and / or customer satisfaction?
 
          I am sure that a person who purchases a Bentley, BMW, Mercedes or a Porsche would not accept this condition on their new vehicle, and I am sure that these companies would correct the problem to the satisfaction of the customer. For those of us who can only afford a Chevrolet, this is our Bentley, BMW, Mercedes or Porsche. Why aren't we treated as valued customers?
 
          Best regards. ----- Thank you for your time. ------ Dwayne

#1388 of 1510 Re: Malibu Tires [djm2] by malexbu

Jan 22, 2011 (8:10 pm)

Replying to: djm2 (Jan 22, 2011 6:01 pm)
Dwayne,
 
Checking and adjusting the tire pressure at gas stations is not always
easy and reliable.
 
For some reason, Shell and Mobil gas stations I have tried to do it
at, have terrible gauges and it's a pain and waste of time to adjust
tire pressure there. I only saw good electronic systems at Hess
stations around here. So, I've come to the conclusion that it would
be better to do it at home with proper equipment -- I now do that and
don't have worries about the tire pressure.
 
I don't think I would use Slime or another sealer to seal a leaking
tire. If it leaks you've got to find the cause and fix or replace the
tire (I do drive with a tire I plugged myself -- it's as good as new.)
 
On your concept question: "Is this defect acceptable in a product
worth $30,000.00 dollars?"
 
You didn't demonstrate your defect; you have a perception of a defect.
 
You didn't report your own measurements history. I am not to eager to
go back and reread your long postings but I think you said you had
"the problem" in all four tires. A simultaneous and quanitatively
similar leak in four wheels/tires seems extremely unlikely to me.
 
Pump your tires to the same pressure (say, 31 PSi). Come to your car
with your quality preasure gauge in the morning on a weekend, when the
tires are cold. Measure, record. Do the same the next weekend (or
the weekend after). Always in the morning, before driving the car.
Measure (w/o releasing air), record.
 
Do this for a month, report your data. Until there is no trend
showing a leak, your don't have a case.
 
A defective tire is not acceptable to drive with in any car, $30K or $5K.
 
But to demand that your Malibu had Michelins is ridiculous. I don't
know if Michelins are any better than Goodyears (like many other
people I haven't had problems with Goodyears.) But in the free market
economy you are free to buy what you want, at the price you want --
and nobody is obliged to sell you what you want. Manufacturers do
handle safety problems with equipment, but your claims that Goodyears
are unsafe are not serious: they may be, like everything else, but
it's not for you to make a general claim of that nature -- report your
personal experience, accurately, please, and let people make their own
conclusions.
 
If I had to buy a car now, I would likely buy another Malibu -- I
don't give a damn about Goodyears vs Michelins. You do: fine, go find
a car with those. Chevrolet doesn't have an obligation to sell you
what you want. Like every reasonable business they have to balance
various factors and be profitable, or else.
 
"Why aren't we treated as valued customers?" I have dealt with
several Chevrolet dealers and have nothing but praise for them, some
of them were just extraordinary. And I love my Malibus. What else do
I need from Chevrolet? (I.e. I strongly disagree with this statement
of yours.)
 
Regards

Messages Page 139 of 152

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