Is this "normal" for tires? Is the tire shop full of it?

Opinions and advice are welcome, I've never had a tire do this and I don't know if it's a warranty claim or not.

The Discount Tire guy tried to tell me that this is normal wear and tear. He said it's probably because I drove over something, but I don't see the evidence for that since these chunks are all at different stages of tearing out. I don't buy that this is very "normal." I did have feathering concerns about this specific tire about 4k miles into its life. Alignment was checked at that time and found to be acceptable.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4s
265/75r16
34psi

My passenger front tire is the only one that looks like this and I noticed it has gotten worse since my last rotation. I have almost exactly 20k on this set and I rotate front to back at 5k.

I am going to get a second opinion and an alignment (if I need it) in the next week but I don't think it's that out of whack.

 

I cannot speak for that model but I would say it is abnormal, it does kindof look like it got rubbed against something, maybe you did just got the strange tire out of the batch.

 

Strange tire, but also check your front passenger tie rod

 

The cupping or feathering is not normal. What type of roads are you traveling as I noticed rocks in the tires.

 

What's the date code, and is it different than the other 3?

 

They have been on pavement and some pretty tame fire roads. Nothing but pavement for the last 12 months.

I will do it again good sir. It can only hurt my pride.

 

Is that wear just on the outer edges of the tire , looks like the outer two row from the pics. If so I’m inclined to say it more feathering than cupping. Have the alignment guys take a very close look at toe and caster.

 

Like @JoshS said, what's the DOT date code on the problem tire vs. the other 3 and your purchase date? I see a lot of dry-rotting type cracks in the tread grooves. If you've maintained tire pressure as you say, then that's typically indicative of an old tire, esp. one that's been exposed to a lot of UV (sunlight) or ozone.

 

It is different, but only by a few weeks. All made in late 2018.

It's not just on the outer edge of the lugs, but that's where it is the worst. They'll check out toe when I get an alignment, but I'm not getting any pull while driving

 

There is maybe a month separating the oldest and youngest tire. It does see sun, but this seems excessive for 20k on one tire.

 

Email the manufacturer.

 

Thank you. That's the exact amount of encouragement I needed. I don't want to mess around with the desk monkey at Discount Tire.

 

Really, id go to the source, they can tell younif your tires are from a bad batch or something. Calling would be better to be honest.

 

Cupping and feathering of tire are usually indications of an alignment issue or worn suspension component and yes this can be only on one side. It could be a manufacturing issue but that’s less likely in my opinion, but you never know. Good luck. Keep us posted as to the alignment specs.

 

There is a Discount Tire forum hear on TW and they been very responsive to my questions.

 

That groove in the center looks like you spun the tires pretty hard over something.

 

That groove came with the tire. It's the only one that has that line down the center. I never really thought much about it.

 

Is that a new to you tire, like a low mile take off?

 

No, I bought these new in 2019. All 20k are my miles. I'm currently waiting for my alignment appointment before I make a final judgement.

 

Interesting that all the damage seems to be on one side of the groove. I think that might be a seam but I’m not certain