Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a '95 Toyota Corolla. Despite having bought new tires and having several wheel alignments, I still get a sawtooth-shaped tire wear pattern. Each little nub of rubber on the tire becomes individually slanted, like the teeth on a circular-saw blade. After about 10,000 miles, the road noise becomes an annoying whine, and the steering wheel shimmies. When I have the alignment checked they say it's completely within spec, and they don't see any signs of damage. I don't drive the car in any unusual ways. Why is this happening? -- Elaine

Tom: If you trust the guy who checked the alignment and the car has not been in an accident, then several possibilities come to mind, Elaine. One is that you're buying the cheapest possible tires known to man. Really cheap tires wear quickly and in funny ways, so if you've been buying the $29.95 tires at Tires R Us, that may be why you're having continual problems.

Ray: The other possibility is that your shocks are worn out. If your shocks aren't doing their job (keeping the tires from bouncing off the road), that constant bouncing will scuff the tires and you'll end up with unusual wear patterns.

Tom: And of course, both of these could be true. So if you're sure the alignment is correct, ask your mechanic to check your shocks, and if they're worn, replace them. And if your tires cost less than your monthly cable TV bill, get a good set and start over again. What's the best way to warm up your engine in the morning? Find out by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" Send $3 and a stamped (55 cents), self-addressed, No. 10 envelope to Ruin, PO Box 6420, Riverton, NJ 08077-6420. © 1999 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Wait! Don't buy another car without the mechanic's checklist that's included in Tom and Ray's pamphlet "How to Buy a Great Used Car: Secrets Only Your Mechanic Knows." It will help you get a good used car and avoid the clunkers. To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1999 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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