I just bought a 2004 coupe last month, and I BELIEVE it's the Limited model - it has the high-backed leather seats and the autostick, so that's my assumption. It's a Chrysler "certified" car, which was THE selling point for the wife, looks very clean inside and out except for the typical (I guess) wear lines on some of the interior vinyl edges. Lovely car!

The first question is, my WHEELS - the factory wheels on all the other X-fires I've seen have the flat-finished "aluminum" look to them, where mine are shiny and polished, actually look like they're chromed - but they appear to have the same exact design and logo as the "flat" finished ones. What can anybody tell me about these rims?

NEXT: There's something I've noticed about low-speed braking. The old school test (hey, I'M old school) for alignment and brakes was to roll at about 15-20 mph, release the wheel and step on the brakes, and see if the car "pulled" one way or the other. Well, mine pulled to the right for a few days - and then it pulled to the left for a few days. Could it just be the difference in the pavement/surface? I've never had a car with this type of sporty-car grip - or MONSTER TIRES - and maybe that ol' test just ain't valid on these...?

LAST: Speaking of tires, the car has 36k miles on it, and many of the posts I've read here seem to indicate that that's about the time for new rubber. As stated, I have no previous experience with this type of tire, and heck, these still look pretty good to me. Is there the equivalent to the old "penny test" that I can do to visually check the wear and probably-life-left in this set of tires?

We're hitting the road next week for the drive from San Diego to Vegas for our daughter's wedding, and I hope the trip will be very uneventful, except for enjoying the ride...

Thanks in advance to all you X-fire sages!

 

first off welcome to the forum ...


~ all '04 are the same (fully loaded... not called limiteds in '04) ... equivalent to the '05 and greater limited model.
(you could ... opt fo a manual trans or auto trans and all-season tires... that's the only additional cost options in '04 model year).

~ you rims were indded chromed as an aftermarket item... a process many on the forum have done.

~ you car is probably pulling due to low thread depth/worn tires... normal when braking with tires in that shape/condition. new tires will solve this issue.

 

Thanks for your reply!

OK, so it's NOT a Limited, just an '04 coupe with the autostick option. I wondered why it didn't say something on the window sticker, and now I know.

It's odd (to me) that these wheels would only have been an aftermarket deal - I'm the second owner, the car was a lease return - and it just makes me wonder what would possess a leasee to add that kind of expense to a 'temporary' ride. Oh well, takes all kinds! Maybe the dealer did it, pre-lease, to help move the car? Or, even post-lease? Nah, that's probably not likely...

Anyway, I think it makes it a real standout - in the past two weeks I've only seen two other X-fires down in my end of town, another blue (like mine) and a dark gray one, and just a few others around the city - all with the "stock" wheels.

Here's a pic of one of my wheels:

Purdy, huh? I mean, if you like that shiny stuff...

Last, geez, the tires sure LOOK good to me (yup, I'm a rookie) - how much depth should there be on the tread? Of course, I'm not looking at it now, but I have the impression that there's a good 3/8" inch of rubber left from the bottom of deep, wide, straight grooves - which sure look funny to me. I always thought tread/grooves were supposed to be "squiggly" to grip. The things we think we know!

I can measure the tread depth for sure, if you can give me a "safe" number or rule of thumb - like, can I see Lincoln's earrings?

Hey, I appreciate your help and input.

 

Andrew is right on the money on the first 2 points, but i would offer an alternate view on the third.
It is quite possible that the tires on your car have already been replaced by 36K. There is a minimum required tread depth for a car to be "certified". My guess is the "pulling" is very typical of the way our cars can track based on road surfaces...part of the price you can pay for wide low profile performance rubber. It could also be as Andrew described, but being a certified car i have to bet that there is at least 50% tread on those tires.
Easy way to tell is grab a tire depth gauge. They are really cheap.
http://www.amazon.com/Milton-Industr.../dp/B000FL1ZH6

 

Usually thread is used up at 1/8" or less remaining. I agree with last post on the pulling. My car has under 5,000 miles on the tires and it pulls dramatically to either side depending on road surface. Its much more sensitive to poor surface conditions (grooves, ruts) than most cars I've owned. I just hold the wheel tighter because IMO this same sensitivity gives the car its outstanding handling in the turns.

 

Keep an eye on your chromies, I've seen a couple cars with issues, where the chrome starts lifting and peeling, just don't hit the curbs with them. Otherwise you'll cry like a little girl!

 

the car pulling on imperfect road surfaces is normal... it is just more noticeable in this car than probably what you have experienced previously... and maxwell is right about the chrome... hopefully it was done expensively and correctly... and by the way congratulations on the new car... you will enjoy it...

 

right or wrong, I stand by the penny test as a general gauge of tread depth.

 

Isn't that, when you can see the top of old Abe's head, then you need new tires?
I had almost forgot about that one.
Nice call Don.

 

Ah Hell!!! You bought a new car, so tell the old lady that you need new rims, new tires, new stereo, new wipers, new navigation, new springs!!! That's the fun of it all...MORE TOYS!!!

Welcome to the forum!!!

 

Congrats & Welcome to the Forum!!!

Take care of your "chrome "rims and they will take care of you. I would invest in a set of Rotex Gold brake pads for the front brakes (you will not regret it).
A little chrome polish twice a month and wheel wax or car wax once a month and you will be fine. One warning though...do not use any abrasive cleaners or wheel cleaners on your chrome. I usually use Windex (Old School) and a micro fiber cloth, then chrome polish and then wax.

 

yes, works well. also, the treadwear indicators on the tires indicate 2/32" remaining - the same as the distance between the top of abe's head and the edge of the coin.

 

The tire should have 10/32 inch of tread when new, that's for the Michelin PS2. Not sure of the Conti tires but should be close to the same. I just checked my tires @ 8,000 miles and still had 8/32 inch. Like most other people on here, my Crossfire pulls hard one way or the other depending on how well the road is maintained. When you get on a good road, look out, she goes straight as an arrow, and oh so smooth. Oh yea I forgot to mention the .9G corners...

 

So, I went home and really eyeballed the tires and rims - the rims look fine, nice job by the chromers.

The tires are Michelin Pilot Sports, PS2. They look almost new, but that could be just another dealer trick - not that I don't trust the dealer... Pardon my lack of correct vocabulary, but I'd describe them like this:

The "center contact band" is completely smooth - no indication of tread grooves. The next two contact bands out from the center each show faint tread grooves in their outer halves. The last two contact bands have tread grooves all the way across. The four "separating grooves" are all at least 1/4" deep or more.

If I knew what these tires looked like NEW, I could probably gauge the wear. I guess I'll do a web search and see if I can find a good pic of the tread pattern. BUT, I gotta say, they look like they have plenty of rubber left to me...

EDIT: AH YES! Went to the Michelin website. OK, it's obvious now that these aren't brand new, and seem to show some wear in the second "contact bands", but other than that they are a pretty good match to the picture. There's NO WAY these are the original tire with 36k on them, gotta be the second set. I feel MUCH better now, thanks.

Remember, as a newbie AND an old fart, I'll probably just be "rolling" these tires, as I have heard some of you say. Heck, this is just our fun and fancy weekend cruiser, not a go-fast toy or even a daily driver. The upcoming trip to Vegas is probably the most stress we'll put on the car - once a year, Baby!

Thanks to all for the help and advice.

ps: Oh, and, Maxwell, just so you know - I already cry like a little girl every time I write the check for the monthly payment, and write the next check to the insurance company!

Just kidding...

 

Regarding wheel control issues (alignment) my 2005 gave me fits, pulling to left, then to the right, same with braking. I did not realize the tire pressure was so critical!! 1-3 lbs difference makes a difference. I have driven sports cars all my life, including mercedes - but this little dude is different. The low profile tires handle different. My problem is where to take the car for service. We have 4 chrysler dealers in the area and none sell the car, or was successful in doing so, so how would they have knowledge- anyone with ideas???

 

Just for fun, I edited the pictures of the car that the dealer had submitted to Autotrader.com (which was where I found the car) and uploaded them here to my gallery. Nice shots of a typical '04 coupe, including the some detail of the interior and the chrome wheels. Perhaps these will provide a useful reference for someone.