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Lexus RX 400h Tire/Wheel Questions
Discuss tire and wheel options and problems here.
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One other question...the new RX400h brochure noted that XM radio would be available in February. Can that be added by the dealer to a vehicle purchased earlier?
Thanks!
Michelan 235/55R18 99V @ 38 PSI is what mine is at. After driving it home from the dealership I found the front tires at 37 and the back tires at 38 so I just inflated the front tires to match. I noticed that the recommended PSI on the door is 30 and that the max PSI on the wall of the tire is 44.
I am looking to squeak out as much MPG as I can but do not want to overinflate the tires.
The 2007 does and frankly, after reading it, maybe wishes I didn't have it.
Something about after changing to new tires and take it back to Lexus for hook up (?) which probably means $$ out of my pocket.
Can someone shed some light to this?
Now we are at 30,000 miles maintence. The shimming and vibration is even worse now than it has been ever. Guess what the lexus service is saying - ..."you need new tires." How is it this is ONLY a tire problem and not an alignment or steering problem since it has been going on since 10,000 miles on vehicle?How is it a $51,000 car has tires which only last for 10,000 miles.
So I think what got your attention was something that makes sense. Go too long without rotating tires and the wear on tires causes unusual sounds and sensations when they get moved to different wheel locations.
My gut is telling me that tires will eliminate your shimmy and vibration. Your tire choice is probably going to have to be a tradeoff involving performance, ride comfort/noise, and expected tread life.
I'll try to stop in and see my buddy tomorrow and see what kind of options he'd advise for replacement tires!
I rotated every 5,ooo per their suggestion and even rebalanced at 10,000 miles to no avail. Now, I have to buy 2 at their dealership and they will pay for the other 2.
They indicated that I must buy 2 or they will not buy the other 2.
I called Michelin (this is what I am putting on as replacement) and they said to first cure the problem before putting new tires on or the same problem will reoccur.
The dealer can't find the problem. He said that it tracks perfectly straight and when putting on brakes, it doesn't pull to one side. they have concluded that they can't explain why it is cupping!!1 Won't this just reoccur again soon after putting on 4 new tires ?
Any help will be appreciated. Please send response to my personal e-mail address which is: kr5flute@yahoo.com Thanks. RD
Steve
Good Luck!
Melody
but now i have an vibration at 130-150 km speed.Sorry i dont know the miles, i live in HOLLAND, and sorry my bad English. The dealer does every thing but cant fixed it. my tires are bad on the inside. I also have new tires now at the back.The vibration still resist. i am sure the cannot solve my problem!!
The tire wear is very excessive having to replace them in about 1/3 of estimated mileage..
The car has its oil changed, tires rotated, checked for alignment every 3,000-5,000 miles. It appears to drive fine with no pulling, etc. The tires even seem to wear evenly, just FAST!
The original set of 60,000 mile rated tires that came with the car literally shredded (you could see the steel belts) at 20,0000 miles.
Judging from some of the comments in this Edmunds forum and others, Lexus seems to have an issue. Why so much excessive tire wear relative to miles travelled?
10-15K miles. Is this normal or a sign of poor alignment/tire problems? I am currently looking at this as a red flag for each vehicle....should I be?
Here is the questions; 1. Did the new steering box cause this positive result? If so, how come Lexus never admitted to the premature tire wear was their fault and why did it take them 3 years to finally change the mechanism? or
2. Did the guy who did the alignment really do the first real good alignment on this car? Did this alignment result in the positive results?
Not too clear! But I still see many posts about premature tire wear on the Lexus 400H
Battery. On life support because it is always dying. Had to buy a -"trickle charger."
First told I needed new tires at 15,000 miles. Took car in at 20,000 miles and was told the tires were fine. Parked with tires at an angle and my brothers told me my tires were ALL bald on the inside--that they must be out of alignment and I should not be driving the car with bald tires. Also told that tires must be leaning in to cause that "cupping." Service manager said that the Lexus 400H (2006) never needed alignment. I find that hard to believe. Taking car i tomorrow for new tires etc.
Does this sound like a $50,000 plus car with 21,585 miles on it? I am thinking of pulling its feeding tube.
I propose a realistic compromise to Lexus----charge the owner only $400 flat to replace the tires every 20000 miles, using the highest quality rated michelin tires, including balancing, alignment check, etc, for the remaining life of these cars. It's a cost I wasn't expecting and not thrilled about, but this is a high-price, high performance car, and I'd reasonably assume this cost as part of unforeseen "maintenance" for the 400h, if only Lexus would come clean on their end, and provide a reasonable "settlement" of this issue for everyone. If they did so, it would restore confidence in the brand, and as try could also plan on this as a maintenance item, they could negotiate cheaper pricing on the tires and still make a little money on the deal. For our part, at least we'd know we'd be getting new, high quality tires every 20k, at closer to cost, and any Lexus 400h owner should be able to afford this.
HOW ABOUT IT LEXUS.??
bobgail
It is my understanding that these vehicles automatically apportion drive torque to the rear in a pre-emptive manner during low speed acceleration and turning.
In a more "standard" AWD or 4WD when the opposite drive is engaged the entire driveline and the tires are subjected to the stress and heat from driveline windup and/or tires scrubbing.
With the RXh and HH only the tire scrubbing is present when the opposite drive axles are engaged. That might well result in premature tread wear.
Go to the Highlander hybrid thread and search "tire wear".
I also have 2008 lexus LX 570 - Michelin lattitude HP tires - 35000 miles on those. Dealer said I have to replace soon.
My Toyota Sienna 2002 had 65000 miles with firestone tires when I replaced them.
I can confirm : original tires from the factory run around 30K in average!
The tires from the stores are better for some reason and last longer!
From all the issues you have all spoke about in reference to tire wear it comes down to "Under Inflated Tires". If you go to the goodyear home page and search for "recommened tire preasure" you will find the goodyear engineers won't take a stand. They say follow the OEM tire preasure on the door jab lable. On my 2008 it says 30psi. I know from years of messing with tires on water trucks, 5th wheel trailers, Chevrolets, Fords and motorcycles that if the side wall of the tire says 44 psi then I know that the tire manufacture has built that tire to withstand 44 psi with the determined pounds that tire will hold. So I determine the load "Weight" that will be on that peticular vehicle "Tire Load" and Adjust psi. So, in the case of the lexus they say 30 psi, goodyear on the sidewall of the 235/55r18 99v says 44 psi with a load range of "1700 lbs" each, then here is the "MATH"
1700lbs ea. x 4 = 6800 lbs total load these tires can handle, then the "Gross Vehicle Weight" (GVW) RX400h = 5520 lbs plus add the weight of 4 adults "800lbs" plus some bagage to get a total weight on all 4 tires to equal 6600 lbs then divide this by 4 = 1650 lbs per tire, Thus, I run my Lexus 400h tires at 40 psi and I have no tire issues. The stock tires have 16000 miles with normal tire wear with 60% tire tread left. Don't forget about the spare. My lexus monitors the tires which includes the spare. If you follow the above and you still have inside wear with standard rotation policies then you do have an alignment issue. Remember, an under inflated tire will wear on the outside/inside and an over inflated tire will wear in the middle. You must determine what works best for you and 30lbs of air preasure is not going to cut it.
take care...
There are a couple of things wrong with your math. No, the math was done correctly, but it's the logic.
1) The GVW is the maximum weight the vehicle was designed to weigh - and that includes passengers and baggage.
2) Vehicles don't typically weigh the same front to rear - even fully loaded.
3) The tire load - while a function of inflation pressure - is not necessarly referenced to what is printed on the sidewall.
Given all that, there is nothing in your "math" that is helpful in determining the proper inflation pressure.
First, when you say the tires are worn out at 26K, did they wear evenly or was one side more worn than the others? If it is the latter, then there is an alignment issue that needs to be addressed. Some vehicles are spec'd out with lots of camber to help the handling, and that is not a setting that is conducive to even tire wear.
Second, do all 4 tires exhibit the same condition? If not, then I would suspect that tire rotations were not taking place.
Third, you have to be careful comparing tires supplied to vehicle manufacturers to what is supplied to the tire dealer. Vehicle manufacturers typically specify tires with low rolling resistance characteristics - and in order to get LRR, traction and/or treadwear are sacrificed - where tires delivered to tire dealers are either designed for good grip or good treadwear - and they typically do not have great RR properties. Tire properties can vary widely even within the same manufacturer.
It's a question of the vehicle and how many revolutions the tires make over time---which seems to be a common experience. I replaced the OEM tires with dealer installed Michelins at 20--25,000 miles. 10k miles later, I have even wear but wear, and was told by the Lexus service dept. to never expect to get more than 20-25k out of ANY tire on this vehicle.
I've never experienced this, am not a car enthusiast, so I don't know if it's normal to expect this type of performance on such a vehicle. I DO know that such a characteristic should be part of an INFORMED BUYING PROCESS, and it's grossly disappointing, especially since it's such a surprise to so many people. Whatever the culprit, in the end, I believe it is Lexus' HUGE failure to not jump in and provide a rational explanation, AND to have made some "gesture" toward acknowledging the issue. There are a number of things that come to mind that they could have done to mitigate and resolve the issue, and/or expectations.
This is my first Lexus. I knew I was paying more, and in fairness I love the vehicle's quality, and my dealership experience---other than the tire issue---has been the best I've ever had. I'm at a point in life where I didn't mind paying a little more for what I considered to be premium service.
But this tire experience has been abysmal, and not just to me...there are many folks who feel the same way. If I were to go looking for a new car today, I'd start at the same place...looking for what I want, and choosing the best overall quality, but now I will always carry this experience into my next decision, to Lexus' detriment. I can't say I'd never buy another Lexus , but they've certainly added a hurdle to that decision, of their own making. It seems recklessly foolish for them to stick their heads in the sand over one manageable issue, after all they've invested over YEARS trying to build an image, and a practice to encourage repeat business.
So Lexus, if you're out there, I feel you blew it big time over this manageable issue. If someone were to ask me right now about buying a Lexus, i'd tell them to expect what you'd obviously expect from the car, but that the company was worse than any other carmaker i've experienced when it came to responding to this issue, and that leaves me with little to no confidence in them as a company---exactly the opposite of what they've invested to build.
And to my fellow 400h'ers, expect this to be a fatal flaw of the vehicle, and to pay for it several times more over the vehicle's life. My only recommendation is, whatever tire you get, I'd buy them independently and take advantage of better prices AND free rotations. One thing in my control is, i'll never give Lexus another dollar on this issue that they refused to acknowledge. I think it would make quite a statement to Lexus if we could all adopt this same practice. It would also surely save you money. It may not fix the flaw, we'll still have to keep replacing these tires, but just imagine if every Lexus 400h owner went in To their Lexus dealer right now and said, "put it in my service record right now...don't EVER rotate the tires or ask me to buy them here. I've already taken care of that myself---as a matter of principle.". If we did that in numbers, I think we'd get their attention.
Vs:
Question of how many STRESSFUL revolutions the tires make over time.
RX400h and I'm guessing not F/awd...
The front tires absorb ALL of the stress for regenerative braking. Unless you transition to frictional braking mode during the braking to a stop or slowing the rear tires contribute NOTHING to the effort.
Without F/awd the front tires are used SOLELY for engine/electrics acceleration torque levels. Are you fully aware of the level, EXTRAORDINARY level, of torque those electric motors produce starting out from a stop or at lower speeds...?
If your RX400h has a "Snow Mode" or such you might want to make it common practice to switch to that mode each and every time you fire the ignition.
And lastly:
You purchased a hybrid vehicle designed for and better known for low 0-60 times rather than decent FE, live with it.
You ask if I am referring to a 400h, my answer is YES, that is what this particular forum is covering. I have AWD. I'm not really sure what f/awd is, unless you're asking if it's either of those, in which case, YES it is. And, admittedly I don't know anything about "snow mode" especially in an awd vehicle. If you're asking if the 400h has one, then you probably aren't an owner. Even with your knowledge of torque on a hybrid.
I admitted before I'm not a car enthusiast, but I understand the basics. I don't understand how I'm supposed to "transition to friction mode"...a driver simply applies the brakes. And while the front tires may absorb all of THAT friction, it's never the only thing doing the braking, now is it? I also understand that the front tires may absorb all of the stress of the starting out torque. Perhaps you are well-informed as to a reason why those tires DO wear out faster because of this. But it still doesn't explain why the tires on most vehicles wear out unevenly, does it. All tires wear out---properly maintained ones wear out evenly. My tires are regularly inspected and maintained by Lexus, so I'm going to assume on their behalf, that their work is proper.
To be complete, I'd admit that I would have accepted an official Lexus answer at any time of this ilk, meaning, if they said "be forewarned that 400h tires wear out faster than normal due to hybrid motor stress" then fair enough...if you know that, just tell me when I'm buying the car. If Lexus only found that out now, then just tell me now. If Lexus believes not only this, but adds that "and be forewarned that due to things like TORQUE they also wear unevenly, and the inner tires may wear to the steel belt before you notice any outer wear", then just tell me....even if you don't want to admit this is an engineering defect or oversight...which to us consumers, it would appear to be.
Informed Disclosure could have been an EASY SOLUTION for Lexus. It would have cost them nothing. They haven't done that yet.
Empathy for a buyer who now faces this issue, after the fact, would have also been an EASY SOLUTION for Lexus. It too would have cost them nothing. They haven't shown that yet.
Making any kind of a "we'll meet you halfway toward a solution" might have cost Lexus some $$$, but it would more than be offset by the goodwill and maintenance of it's reputation as a top automobile company. In my humble opinion, they've been penny wise and pound foolish.
Which leaves me with you my friend, and your condescending conclusion to tell me to "live with it". I've calmly replied to your other thoughts without insult. I've even thought, if you own the Lexus company, are a frustrated Lexus dealer who has listened to what are numerous customer complaints, or are the design engineer who invented hybrids and regenerative braking, then perhaps my prior discussion of this tire subject was personally insulting to you. That was not my intention. What's yours? You don't seem to be a 400h owner, or at least not one with a problem with your vehicle. Why not consider yourself lucky? If you wanted to impress us with your superior knowledge of all matters torque-related, ok, you've made your point. If you're just someone who trolls message boards looking for the right opportunity in which to insult people, ok, ya got me, are you willing to move on?
Why not identify, if not your name, at least your purpose or contribution to this message board?
You've won your poker hand, even if it was a bluff, that you're an informed expert. I'd leave it at that. Because in the matters of understanding people, customer loyalty, or even a simple battle of wits, against me, my friend, you will surely lose.
I have had numerous return trips to the independent tire dealer, but he can't see the out of round off the car, nor find any issues!
Anyone else experience similar?
Oh and I understand torque, bought the car cuz I loved the 0-60 times, but now love the ride...
I had a Mazda RX-7 with V rated tires and had the same problem - the rubber is softer for better road grip and a higher speed rating, and consequently wears faster.
I have come to realize the 400h tries to be all things to all people: performance, quiet ride and gas savings - which is why we bought the car. I think the cost for that is in tires.
I am glad I found this forum, now I can tell my wife that it is not just my driving that has worn down the tires. I have been getting a lot of heat on that one! (even though she is partially correct). I can now tell her what I learned here.
Thanks!
P.S. I live in Vancouver , B.C. where we are expecting a cold winter spell.
Summer tires have more roadbed contact surface area so the majority of time those often better traction than ANY wintertime specialty tire. For those occassions of need I always have a set of tire chains on board, 2 sets during the winter, rears go on first, fronts only in the extreme,..... NEVER happened.
Wheel spacers all around so rear suspension clearance doesn't interfer with chains.
Me...?
Just disappointed, VERY, that Lexus chose to outfit the RXh for "boy-racer" type mentalities instead of going for FE.
And I'm still waiting for a Venza/h with that new 4 banger up graded to DFI and the Venza's "new" electromechanical clutch system for implementing F/awd. The clutch could be engaged anytime the brakes are applied, absent VSC activation, thereby more evenly distributing the front vs rear tire wear.
I was concerned about driving to Whistler during the winter months with just summer tires.
Thank you for your timely response!