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I shall never forget the time I was cruising at 70 MPH at 2 AM on the Interstate in my 75 Mustang when the left rear blew out (back in 1977). The fish tailing was horrendous. It was a good thing I was the only car on the road, because I used all of it to get under control and stopped (thank goodness for rack and pinion steering). That was the incident that taught me to keep tabs on inflation and condition (and driving habits). I've never had a tire problem since. > ---------- > From: KEn Becker[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2000 11:55 PM > Subject: Re: General RANT by Ken > > Darwin, you are correct, and I certainly did not mean to get people upset. > If even the worst tires are not abused, they will probably not fail. Years > ago I had a car with re- grooved tires (used car dealers routinely cut the > tread deeper on bald, worn out tires to avoid replacing them.) I drove at > high speeds and was lucky, and never even realized how unsafe they were > until > I had a flat and got them replaced. On the other hand many people will > drive > an SUV at high speeds and put extra stress on an already compromised tire. > SUVs have a high center of gravity, so they can flip over easier than a > lower > vehicle, and they are often driven over rough terrain. All these factors > together make it important not to drive on tires with known defects. Fifty > accident deaths seem like a small number, unless one of them is a relative > or > friend! > So if I had a recalled tire on my vehicle I would not wait several months > for an adjustment, I would probably get them replaced and just hold them > until I could get credit. If Firestone cannot make tires fast enough to > replace the defective ones, they should offer refunds or another > brand...... > I am sorry if I caused anyone to panic! > Ken B >