So i just purchased a new set of Michelin ltx m/s2's. they have about 200 miles on them ans today i noticed that two of the tires have a indentation in the side wall almost like a ripple. One tire is on the left front and one is on the right rear. I have seen this on other cars and truck before but wasnt sure if it was detrimental to the tire life. Should i tak these back or ride it out?

 

Well i found the enaswer to what i thought were defects in my tires. See below

Sidewall undulation is an indentation on the sidewall surface of an inflated tire. Undulation is common in almost all radial tires and is most visible on tires with larger sidewalls or tires running at a high inflation pressure.

In a radial tire, the body ply cords run parallel to each other across the tire from bead to bead. With the straight across construction, the joining of the ply material in the sidewall can cause a slight indentation or wavy appearance on the sidewall surface of the tire when it’s inflated.

Tires with sidewall undulation are safe to use on your automobile. The undulation will not affect vehicle performance and will not increase your risk of a blowout or tire failure.

However, if the tire has bulges on the sidewall instead of indentations, the tire has gaps between some of the body ply cords inside the tire. Tires with gaps between the body ply cords may have serious issues and should be taken off the road immediately. Bulges are considered defects and are covered in the manufacturers materials and workmanship warranty.

 

Were you worried because of looks bothering you or was there vibration at certain speeds?Your new tires may feel a bit slimey for a fue K miles also untill the mold release wears off .

 

I had the same question before Jeff. It looks unsafe (and I thought it was) but I was told by a few people here that its ok. I couldnt find the thread but heres a couple of pics:

 

No, the tires ride very well. I just saw the ripples and wondered if that was bad. Its called tire undulation. Tire rack and a couple of other places talk about it and how it isnt anything to worry about.