I think I might have heard of this.

After biting a retaining wall at speed tonight, the car turns over but refuses to fire.

Is there some sort of inertia switch that needs to be reset?

 

Not sure which model you have but most are on A pillar nearby to door hinges. If button is extended and showing red, push back in.

 

Its on the right hand A post. Open the passenger door and you will see a black plastic cover, that's it.

 

Malc4D,

Thanks so much for the tip. I was looking on the driver's side.

I found it on the pass side. It was tripped. Car is now startable.

Next up? How to get a jack underneath it to raise it enough to put the spare on it and see how it can be driven.

Cheers

 

Lift all of the front end with a trolley jack at the front cross member.


Place jack stands under each sprig pad up front. crack the lug nuts
before any lift. Now wheel removal is safe.


Or, somewhat OK. Use the Jaguar scissor jack on the nearest jacking point.


In either case, hand brake on, transmission in park, and chocks on any wheel still on the ground. How I know, don't ask ???


I hope the tin isn't too bad.


Why did a newly installed new tire blow out??? Something is/was drasticaly wrong. Forensics required. Invite the tire vendor/installer over. Record all on "film"? Insurance claims, oh yeah. Yours and his.


But, start each, now. Timing is extremely important.


The good part!!! No one got hurt. all else is secondary.


Carl.
Ct

 

I think I may have found the problem.

I asked the dealer for 98 rated H or V rated tires. He sold me the Cooper CS5. I didn't double check the load rating.

Looking at it now, it's 96. Close, but maybe not close enough. I had been doing an hour on a hot afternoon on interstate 95. Merged with the capitol beltway, and moved to the left lane. All the loads were on the driver's front tire. That's the one that blew.

 

Somewhat good news. Body guy came over today (the car is not mobile yet).

He is estimated $3-4K in repairs with panel replacement, repairs to the rear quarter, frame straightening, and a respray of the drivers side.

Of course I still have to redo the driver's front suspension but I've got all the pieces that were just removed. Just have to put new bushings in the old control arms, and replace the ball joints again. Maybe the spindle as well.

Things are not as gloomy as they seemed last night..

 

Not to me. Any decent tire should be safe under that situation.


Consistent over load a different issue. Forensics needed in my opinion.


Carl

 

I am not a tyre load expert but there is no way l would be accepting that as a reason for catastrophic tyre failure.

 

Defective tyre, or defective mounting, or both, that is for sure, or a sharp object on the road surface. Higher speed ratings are there to ensure the tyre can take the much faster flexing frequencies, braking and cornering forces at high speeds; nothing to do with being strong enough to withstand 70 MPH on the roads. I totally agree you should get an expert opinion on the cause. Of course, you cannot rule out a sharp object on the tarmac doing the damage, but it should be obvious what happened to an expert in these matters.
Greg

 

Seems like I am not alone. Find the root cause. A real expert.
Psuedo science has been rampant.


At one time, I had he resources to find the real deal. Time has erased them.


Your insurer might be of assistance.


As I read the tale, it seems that collision insurance was not your choice.


So you are on your own. Not necessarily a bad thing, as you have resources here, albeit a bit different.


Carl

 

So I've spent the day googling Cooper tires and blowouts. Way to many incidents out there, including testimony from factory workers about how they are built.

Talked to several law firms, but none are interested since there was no personal injury.

I've appreciate input from anyone here about whether the damage to this tire looks to be caused by road debris.

I dont remember running anything over. And I'm sensitive to this sort of stuff as once having my leg broken by a part of a truck leaf spring that came through my care via the firewall/floor.




Blowout or road debris?

 

"Way too many...." relative to what?

Google Goodyear, Michelin, Firestone, etc and see how many tire failures are reported. Not very precise, I know, but it might give you a feel of things. I think it's accepted that *any* tire manufacturer will produce some duds.



Have you spoken to Cooper Tires?


My non-expert opinion is it looks like a clean *slice*, not a blowout. A blowout, IME, leaves a ragged injury. Road debris, IMHO.


Cheers
DD

 

I agree.

A defective tire or road debris are more likely, IMHO.

A 96 load rating would be enough, I'd say. Now, if there was a 'stack up' of various contributing factors the load rating *might* play in. But I wouldn't hang my hat on it being the sole or even primary cause.

Cheers
DD

 

Yeah, it sure does look lie a slash, "clean" edge as opposed to a ragged hole as is 'usual" in "blow outs".


Jacking up that corner would all the tire to unfold and more clearly depict the opening.


Some tires have a "road hazard" warranty. that would get you a tire, but no help on the bet tin.


There might be a way to recovery of the repair costs. other than via a law firm. On a contingent fee basis, they a seek cases that offer big bucks. Bent tin does not do that.


Your jurisdiction just might have a "Small Claims Court" with a high enough level to make it interesting. Five grand limit would cover?
However, the burden of proof on liability and damages is yours.
It would take a "hired gun" aka expert to testify. Not cheap.
You can bet that Cooper would be prepared with competent testimony
to controvert your expert. As to damages, an estimate might work.
But, stronger evidence would be a paid bill.


There is a chance that the insurer for Cooper and/or the vendor just might buy a release. Worth the effort.


Was there a police investigation? An officer just may have done investigation work that would clarify.


My rough and ready opinion agrees with Doug. Road hazard....




However, that might not be the end !!!! Detritus . No one to blame that can be identified. Not impossible, but improbable.


Road defect, even a pot hole. Got a fighting chance. as against the
governmental entity responsible for proper maintenance on that road.


I suspect David Boger just might have the tin you need. Not too far from you, North Carolina, and reasonable.as well as a good guy.


Good luck in your endeavors !!!


Carl