Random Thoughts

[putnam6]

I've also done extensive traveling in cars, and there is definitely a difference in the quality of the different brands. I've had some of the off-brand tires become out of round with age, or have belts that snap loose inside the tire. No issues with alignments or suspension as I have these checked with every new set. There are also definitely wide variances in the traction. My vehicle has a lot of power and rear wheel drive, and the tread patterns definitely matter, particularly in the snow or rain.

I also never rotate my tires, only balance them when needed. No problems with the tires lasting to the stated warranty mileage. One really only needs to rotate tires on a vehicle with bent suspension. Most cars have been in at least one minor accident. I used to work on older cars and trust me, they've all been hit whether the owner knows it or not. I think the issues arises where a lot of the cheaper cars don't have suspension that's fully adjustable. This can be remedied with a kit in most cases but most tire places would rather sell you more tires, alignments, and rotations.

I was referring to rotating when using used tires and retreads, I rarely rotated the prestige brands unless I just had a wild hair. All of my work vehicles had the hell driven out of them, the last vehicle had 294,000 miles in 5 plus years, all of my last 4 vehicles had about the same mileage. All of my vehicles have been in accidents, so I have no doubt bent frames could be a factor, but improperly inflated tires, misaligned tires and even damage wheels can cause uneven tire wear too. 

As well as the aforementioned not being able to afford regular proper maintenance, along with better driving habits proper breaking, less hauling ass on winding roads all of that effects tire wear, breaks too.