just put deposit down

[netpenthe]

Run your hands around the front tyres and feel the wear pattern on the individual blocks. Mine had the issue and it was the blocks worn in a tapered fashion, tyre guys called it castling/castelling. They say a lot of powerful FWD cars suffer from it especially VW group cars, I reckon mine is from towing heavy trailers at high speed. Mine had the rythmic thump as yours has.

oh that's kind of comforting to know - could you fix it?

[BluChris]

Mmmmmm sounds like sawtoothing. Yes, very common with VW group cars. Often caused by poor alignment (even ex-factory), and some tyres e.g. Dunlop SP Sport notorious for it. My Octavia has one in particular that is incredibly loud and annoying, sounds like a 4WD tyre. Can't be fixed, live with it or replace unfortunately

[netpenthe]

oh i just looked up sawtoothing: Wierd 'sawtooth' tyre wear ... advice needed

THATS ANNOYING.

[Ozsko]

Mmmmmm sounds like sawtoothing. Yes, very common with VW group cars. Often caused by poor alignment (even ex-factory), and some tyres e.g. Dunlop SP Sport notorious for it. My Octavia has one in particular that is incredibly loud and annoying, sounds like a 4WD tyre. Can't be fixed, live with it or replace unfortunately

I wouldn't bet on an alignment problem causing it, that is the instant answer any tyre/alignment place gives when they don't really know. I think it is caused by the tyre deforming due to power applied just prior to the contact patch. Powerful FWD cars are the usual culprit and that is why I think mine is due to towing as it requires more power applied at the front wheels and thus deforms more. Camber thrust might be an issue also but who I have not found anyone who really knows. Tyres deform just before the contact patch constantly, just my two cents worth.

[netpenthe]

so from what i understand its the crappy Dunlop Sport Maxx that is to blame, and i'll just have to wait until my treads gone and i can get new tyres..

would Beaurepaires be able to tell? Would I be able to just replace a couple of tyres and this could fix it?

[BluChris]

Yeah except I've only got a lowly 1.9TDI - not exactly powerful and the worst tyre was on the back not the front. Definitely alignment, and the best Skoda dealer I dealt with not only knew all about it but recommended an annual 4 wheel alignment to keep it at bay. Probably $100 well spent. Anyhoo, there's tons on the subject in this forum and Briskoda and sawtoothing due to VW/Skoda suspension setup and
alignment issues is the common response, at least for the Octavia.

There's lots of recommendations for better tyres as well. None are Dunlop, no surprise. For the Octavia the dealer was recommending Kumho Ecsta for low noise with good grip, and I noticed they did well in a Wheels comparison test too.

Yes, Beaurepaires will know what's up. They can tell you if it's 2 tyres or all 4 (though if you only notice the noise from one end of the car you can keep the others since it isn't a safety issue). Your choice. I have lived with the noise but I do hate it. Just a cheapskate you see

[netpenthe]

audio

Yap, if you got Bolero, you got a MY09. But it may not necessary be a bad thing as many people have complained about the GPS with RNS510. Many would prefer to use their Tomtom and retain the good audio with Bolero.
book).

as a side point, this bolero system is unbelievably good..

[Ozsko]

[QUOTE=BluChris;776446]Yeah except I've only got a lowly 1.9TDI - not exactly powerful and the worst tyre was on the back not the front. Definitely alignment, and the best Skoda dealer I dealt with not only knew all about it but recommended an annual 4 wheel alignment to keep it at bay. Probably $100 well spent. Anyhoo, there's tons on the subject in this forum and Briskoda and sawtoothing due to VW/Skoda suspension setup and
alignment issues is the common response, at least for the Octavia. QUOTE]

A typical answer to the issue, did they actually explain why it does it. I have yet to hear anyone give a definitive answer except suspension setting and wheel alignment. I have asked a fair few so called experts and not one can identify why these and other cars do it. If they can't identify the problem they can't fix it. My car had P Zeros on it, not Dunlops,the type of tyre means nothing.

[BluChris]

Nup, this was considered to be 'the answer'. As the damage was already done and I haven't changed tyres I've no idea if this is the fix except to say that with the alignment the tyres were rotated and where the worst tyre was, the current tyre has not gone the same way.

As for brand I'd beg to differ in one respect - Dunlops get a massive amount of bad press amongst VW and Skoda owners in more than one country for noise and sawtoothing. Not a coincidence methinks. I sure won't be using Dunlop when I do replace purely because of the unholy din. Put it this way: my daughter is looking for a second hand Mazda 6, not the best reputation for road noise. They sound like Rolls-Royce against my car on Dunlops...

[netpenthe]

took it to beaureapaires

guy said there was lots of uneven wear on it, said that he can align balance and rotate them for $120 but that there is still likely to be the sound. he suggested pumping them right up, maybe it'll even them out a bit

dno if it'll work, but its not very much money so i'll give it a go tomorrow

[BlackSuperb]

....A typical answer to the issue, did they actually explain why it does it. I have yet to hear anyone give a definitive answer except suspension setting and wheel alignment. I have asked a fair few so called experts and not one can identify why these and other cars do it. If they can't identify the problem they can't fix it. My car had P Zeros on it, not Dunlops,the type of tyre means nothing.

My car started to make tyre noise at around 50,000km with P Zeros. It got louder and worse as they wore out at 60,000km where they were changed to Michelin. Not sure exactly what type of Michelins (I'm overseas at the moment and car is parked at the airport) but they were about $100 cheaper than the P Zeros at around $250 each, and they still stick well to the road and no more tyre noise.

[netpenthe]

beaurepaires rotated and balanced tyres

also he said he would over inflate them (43 psi?) in order to help with the tyre walls or something..

feels a bit better now, but the exclamation mark warning light is now on (which indicates something weird with tyre pressure) - oh well.

---------- Post added 20-02-2012 at 08:57 AM ---------- Previous post was 19-02-2012 at 10:33 PM ----------

couple of photos, first and maybe the most thorough wash I ever do on a car. Took about 5 hours:

1. wash with APC
2. dry waffle weave
3. clay
4. Nanolex paint sealant

[Jake02]

but the exclamation mark warning light is now on (which indicates something weird with tyre pressure) - oh well.

Have you reset them? I doubt Beaurepairs did.

[netpenthe]

oh didn't realise you could reset them, from what i can see on the net, i just hold down the exclamation mark button that is sitting next to the DSG stick....

[BlackSuperb]

Yup. Hold it down until it goes "ding". You may have to be driving along when you press it from memory.