I have a 2005 Audi A6 Quattro that I put new Continental ContiProContact 245 40 R18 tires about 16 months ago (about 12,00 miles on the tires). All four tires are now cupped/feathered on all 8 outer edges and the car sounds like a Jeep with knobby tires. I have maintained this car meticulously checking tire pressures monthly and never had a problem. The original Michelins lasted 43,000 miles without issue and the car has never been wrecked. I had the wheels aligned recently and it wasn’t out of alignment The car still drives like it is on rails but the tire noise is making me crazy. Can this be a suspension problem or did I get a bad batch of tires?
When is the last time you have your struts checked. The most common cause of tire cupping is weak or worn out shocks/struts. Other possible causes are loose suspension components and alignment.
You should have rotated the tires long before 12,000 miles. Check your owner’s manual for the factory recommended mileage, possibly 6000 or 8000 miles.
This sounds like an underinflation problem. What pressure are the tires at and how accurate do you think your tire pressure gauge is?
The struts are a possibility but it sure sounds like underinflation to me also. The tipoff here is that all “8” inner and outer edges are affected. Underinflated tires are very noisy with or without the wear.
The tires were rotated twice in the 12,00 miles