Tire Feathering-Is it Natural?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Bethesda, MD
2009 C300 Sport 4MATIC
Tire Feathering-Is it Natural?
I have a slight feathering issue in my tires - it makes "um .. um ... um"-like noise.
And talked with MB Dealer only to hear that it is natural ... He said that slight feathering could occur even without any alignment matter.
When I just asked if I have to do alignment after replacing all tires, he was negative. Mines are Michelin stock tires - Pilot HX MXM4 (staggered).
I am curious if those unpleasant noises are real natural consequence caused by certain irregular contact to the road.
All I can do to escape from this noise world is to replace tires? Give me any words. Thanks.
And talked with MB Dealer only to hear that it is natural ... He said that slight feathering could occur even without any alignment matter.
When I just asked if I have to do alignment after replacing all tires, he was negative. Mines are Michelin stock tires - Pilot HX MXM4 (staggered).
I am curious if those unpleasant noises are real natural consequence caused by certain irregular contact to the road.
All I can do to escape from this noise world is to replace tires? Give me any words. Thanks.
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: Niskayuna,New York
2009 C300 Sport 4MATIC™ Sedan
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Bethesda, MD
2009 C300 Sport 4MATIC
No answer .... lol
My tires are close to 50K miles but still have good threads. I called Michelin to see what they can do but they asked me to re-inspect my tires to prove that the feathering was caused by tire defect, not alignment issue or something else. I asked my dealer's cooperation but they did not.
I think ... to prove what cause is, I need to check alignment before replacing tires OR the dealer should kindly test drive after replacing the tires.
I decided it is too complicated and painful so made up my minds to go with replacing tire option. I plan to go with Conti DSW. Don't know Michelin is worth several bucks more.
Good luck .... I know your pains ... It drives me nut actually whenever on the highway. Jesus.....
Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 684
Likes: 1
From: Leesburg, VA
2014 E550 4Matic with P1/LED/Pano
I put new Conti DWS on my C207 E Coupe in November. When I took the winter wheels off in April (approx 5k miles), they were badly feathered. This, on a car less than a year old. I had the alignment done at the 11k mile service visit.
I've never had these issues on other cars. The C207 shares is chassis with the W204 so perhaps there is something inherent in the design.
I've never had these issues on other cars. The C207 shares is chassis with the W204 so perhaps there is something inherent in the design.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
My OEM tyres suffered the same fate.
I am definitely going to rotate my Michelin Primacy HP's every 10,000 Km.( corner to corner).
No other car in 47 years of driving has cupped tyres even without rotating.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 9
From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
Tire Feathering Prevention
Wide, low profile tires are very prone to feathering, especially fronts, even with good alignment.
The outer ring of tread blocks wear more on the rolling back edge, vs leading edge. The effect is like subtle saw teeth around the outer edge of tire. So, on tire top: _/|_/|_/|_/|_/|_/|_
If you run your hand lightly over the outer band of tread blocks, front to back, it will feel rough. Likewise back to front feels smooth. Remember "rough-back" like rough-neck (oil rig worker) for feathering.
You should rotate tires every oil 5-10K miles. This reverses tire rotation direction and reverses the feathering process. For staggerd tires, go side-to-side. For non-staggered, do an X-rotation, but if fronts start to feather, switch to side-to-side rotation until feathering is removed.
At 50K miles and still good tread, I doubt you have an alignment problem.
.
The outer ring of tread blocks wear more on the rolling back edge, vs leading edge. The effect is like subtle saw teeth around the outer edge of tire. So, on tire top: _/|_/|_/|_/|_/|_/|_
If you run your hand lightly over the outer band of tread blocks, front to back, it will feel rough. Likewise back to front feels smooth. Remember "rough-back" like rough-neck (oil rig worker) for feathering.
You should rotate tires every oil 5-10K miles. This reverses tire rotation direction and reverses the feathering process. For staggerd tires, go side-to-side. For non-staggered, do an X-rotation, but if fronts start to feather, switch to side-to-side rotation until feathering is removed.
At 50K miles and still good tread, I doubt you have an alignment problem.
.
Last edited by kevink2; Jul 8, 2011 at 10:00 PM.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Bethesda, MD
2009 C300 Sport 4MATIC
Wide, low profile tires are very prone to feathering, especially fronts, even with good alignment.
The outer ring of tread blocks wear more on the rolling back edge, vs leading edge. The effect is like subtle saw teeth around the outer edge of tire. So, on tire top: _/|_/|_/|_/|_/|_/|_
If you run your hand lightly over the outer band of tread blocks, front to back, it will feel rough. Likewise back to front feels smooth. Remember "rough-back" like rough-neck (oil rig worker) for feathering.
You should rotate tires every oil 5-10K miles. This reverses tire rotation direction and reverses the feathering process. For staggerd tires, go side-to-side. For non-staggered, do an X-rotation, but if fronts start to feather, switch to side-to-side rotation until feathering is removed.
At 50K miles and still good tread, I doubt you have an alignment problem.
.
The outer ring of tread blocks wear more on the rolling back edge, vs leading edge. The effect is like subtle saw teeth around the outer edge of tire. So, on tire top: _/|_/|_/|_/|_/|_/|_
If you run your hand lightly over the outer band of tread blocks, front to back, it will feel rough. Likewise back to front feels smooth. Remember "rough-back" like rough-neck (oil rig worker) for feathering.
You should rotate tires every oil 5-10K miles. This reverses tire rotation direction and reverses the feathering process. For staggerd tires, go side-to-side. For non-staggered, do an X-rotation, but if fronts start to feather, switch to side-to-side rotation until feathering is removed.
At 50K miles and still good tread, I doubt you have an alignment problem.
.
I hope all get some tips through this thread to solve this unpleasant situation.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
none
Wow, i am glad i am not the only one with this issue!
i own a 2010 c -300 sport, staggered with michelins set up!
Bought the car a Benz dealer courtesy vehicle,with 11,000 miles on it now at 41,000 !
Tires are actually have lots of thread on them, no uneven wear, but that noise in the back, a combination of bad wheel bearings howling and air turbulence is extremely annoying!
About a year an half ago the dealer did road force balance and wheel alingment but, same issue!
So, Kevin, you claim cupping and feathering are 2 different issues ??
Also, you can only rotate side to side if you do not have directional tires !!
What is your expierience in this field, and what tires do your reccomend ?
From the research that i have doing, the Michelins are a very stiff tough tire, so the combination of factory lowered stiff suspension, the tires,there is a bounce, per say,on and off and that contributes i think to this problem!
A couple of loaners from the dealer with the contis that i used, did not have this sound and they are much softer then the michelins!!
I am leaning toward the Proxes 4 plus but...i do not if they are directionals!
Thanks for your help!
i own a 2010 c -300 sport, staggered with michelins set up!
Bought the car a Benz dealer courtesy vehicle,with 11,000 miles on it now at 41,000 !
Tires are actually have lots of thread on them, no uneven wear, but that noise in the back, a combination of bad wheel bearings howling and air turbulence is extremely annoying!
About a year an half ago the dealer did road force balance and wheel alingment but, same issue!
So, Kevin, you claim cupping and feathering are 2 different issues ??
Also, you can only rotate side to side if you do not have directional tires !!
What is your expierience in this field, and what tires do your reccomend ?
From the research that i have doing, the Michelins are a very stiff tough tire, so the combination of factory lowered stiff suspension, the tires,there is a bounce, per say,on and off and that contributes i think to this problem!
A couple of loaners from the dealer with the contis that i used, did not have this sound and they are much softer then the michelins!!
I am leaning toward the Proxes 4 plus but...i do not if they are directionals!
Thanks for your help!
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
none
Ethan form tirerack, reccomends to use non directional tires, and to go with conti pro contacts !
They are an all season touring tire!
I think it will make the car quiter because smaller less agressive sipes but....what about water and snow evacuation ?
Still though,,,,no one has the specific answer to feathering !!!!
I spent hours researching, all kinds of forums,audi,bimmer,nissan,chevy, e.t.c ...no one can explain the direct cause of feathering, why ??
nissan had horrid issues in the early 2000s, and they redisigned to fix !
Mercedes has had the issue for a while now it looks, from all the forum exchange here and a lot of us, due to lack of knowledge assumed its just tire noise or bad tires or design but ....all along it is feathering !!!
If it was not for Kevin, i would had never known what to look for !!
Will keep searching!
They are an all season touring tire!
I think it will make the car quiter because smaller less agressive sipes but....what about water and snow evacuation ?
Still though,,,,no one has the specific answer to feathering !!!!
I spent hours researching, all kinds of forums,audi,bimmer,nissan,chevy, e.t.c ...no one can explain the direct cause of feathering, why ??
nissan had horrid issues in the early 2000s, and they redisigned to fix !
Mercedes has had the issue for a while now it looks, from all the forum exchange here and a lot of us, due to lack of knowledge assumed its just tire noise or bad tires or design but ....all along it is feathering !!!
If it was not for Kevin, i would had never known what to look for !!
Will keep searching!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 9
From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
Also, you can only rotate side to side if you do not have directional tires !!What is your expierience in this field, and what tires do your reccomend ?
From the research that i have doing, the Michelins are a very stiff tough tire, so the combination of factory lowered stiff suspension, the tires,there is a bounce, per say,on and off and that contributes i think to this problem!
From the research that i have doing, the Michelins are a very stiff tough tire, so the combination of factory lowered stiff suspension, the tires,there is a bounce, per say,on and off and that contributes i think to this problem!
A couple of loaners from the dealer with the contis that i used, did not have this sound and they are much softer then the michelins!!
I am leaning toward the Proxes 4 plus but...i do not if they are directionals!
Thanks for your help!
I am leaning toward the Proxes 4 plus but...i do not if they are directionals!
Thanks for your help!
Please let us know more about your car and where you live:
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This helps others respond to issues, like tires, spring options, part sales, etc. Thanx
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
2018 E400 Coupe
Hello, I have a 2011 c300 sport 4matic with the staggered set up. I have cupping on the right rear I assume that everyone who is experiencing this issue is having it happen in the rear. I have conti dws06 extreme contact on my car and yes they are all weather and directional and I just want to know what I should do because I cannot take the noise it is driving me crazy! and I drive 50 miles one way to work, in the morning it is not that bad but in the evenings when I come home My Radio is not blasting so I can hear it, mind you this is all highway miles. I am about to buy another set for my rear and take it to Mercedes and have them mount them and balance them as well. I have had my alignment done and the balancing done but not with the previous set, So now I am looking to hold someone accountable if this doesn't work lol! but I am going to have them put them on. BUT I NEED TO KNOW IF I BUY SOME 18inch amg rims will the noise go away or????????
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 57
2013 C250 Sport
Hello, I have a 2011 c300 sport 4matic with the staggered set up. I have cupping on the right rear I assume that everyone who is experiencing this issue is having it happen in the rear. I have conti dws06 extreme contact on my car and yes they are all weather and directional and I just want to know what I should do because I cannot take the noise it is driving me crazy! and I drive 50 miles one way to work, in the morning it is not that bad but in the evenings when I come home My Radio is not blasting so I can hear it, mind you this is all highway miles. I am about to buy another set for my rear and take it to Mercedes and have them mount them and balance them as well. I have had my alignment done and the balancing done but not with the previous set, So now I am looking to hold someone accountable if this doesn't work lol! but I am going to have them put them on. BUT I NEED TO KNOW IF I BUY SOME 18inch amg rims will the noise go away or????????
I switched over to Pilot Super Sports and have been very happy with them. Despite being high performance summer tires the tread wear has been great. I had oscillations that were driving me absolutely nuts on the OEM tires.
