Tire Noise -- Will I notice a difference?
05-28-09, 09:04 AM
#16
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Thanks for all your feedback. I think the thing to do is "live with it" and get used to it. It's just a different ride. I'm intrigued by bigred08's statement, where you jumped from 40 to a 45 profile on the same car as mine, and it made a difference.
If the difference is 10 or 20% in ride comfort, it's not worth over $1k in new tires to me. If the difference is 50% or more, it may be.
I've driven less than 100 miles on the new GS so far, so I've decided I need to spend some more time.
Thanks again!
If the difference is 10 or 20% in ride comfort, it's not worth over $1k in new tires to me. If the difference is 50% or more, it may be.
I've driven less than 100 miles on the new GS so far, so I've decided I need to spend some more time.
Thanks again!
05-29-09, 05:20 PM
#17
First post -- thanks in advance for your replies.
New owner of an 06 GS300 with 18-inch wheels upgrade option.
Last owner just replaced the OEM tires with Goodyear Eagle GT 245-40-18.
I can feel every bump in the road. Way too hard for me. (They're all but brand new -- maybe 400 miles on em.)
Thinking of replacing them with some softer, touring tires, like the Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum.
Question is: will I be able to tell the difference? One mechanic told me yes. Another said no, because the sidewalls are so short with this size tire.
What has your experience been?
Thank you!!
New owner of an 06 GS300 with 18-inch wheels upgrade option.
Last owner just replaced the OEM tires with Goodyear Eagle GT 245-40-18.
I can feel every bump in the road. Way too hard for me. (They're all but brand new -- maybe 400 miles on em.)
Thinking of replacing them with some softer, touring tires, like the Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum.
Question is: will I be able to tell the difference? One mechanic told me yes. Another said no, because the sidewalls are so short with this size tire.
What has your experience been?
Thank you!!
Steve
05-29-09, 05:53 PM
#18
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The tire sizes do not match the recommendations for factory equivalent 18 inch wheels. The 18" tires to match factory tire diameters would be 235-45X18 so you are riding on tires with a lower profile and probably a speedometer error from the factory settings. Are these really factory wheels or an aftermarket installation?
Steve
Steve
Very very interesting. Could you please post a link to that info? I'd love to have it to reference. Thanks OldCajun.
Last edited by gs3008; 05-29-09 at 05:56 PM.
05-29-09, 06:24 PM
#19
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Also, be sure to check the tire pressure. I just put 245/40/18's on my GS350 with the 18" option wheels - Bridgestone Potenza 960AS Pole Positions. It was much rougher than the original Yokohamas at first and I was wondering if they were really that bad. Then, I noticed my gas mileage was really bad and decided on a whim to check the tire pressure. The Firestone guys had filled the front tires to 42 psi and the rear to 36!!
I reduced them all to the 33 psi they are supposed to be and now it's MUCH better. (For my year, Lexus recommends (and so does TireRack) the 245/40/18s.) PS - Congrats on the GS! I think you'll notice it's a bit faster than the ES 
I reduced them all to the 33 psi they are supposed to be and now it's MUCH better. (For my year, Lexus recommends (and so does TireRack) the 245/40/18s.) PS - Congrats on the GS! I think you'll notice it's a bit faster than the ES
05-30-09, 08:03 AM
#20
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Well, turns out that the tire size on the car -- 245-40-18 -- is the size recommended by Lexus. BUT the option exists to go to 235-45-18 or even 225-45-18.
Just updating.
Will definitely check the PSI too.
Just updating.
Will definitely check the PSI too.
05-30-09, 09:14 PM
#21
If you go to Tire Rack, you can look at tire sizes for your particular car. If there is a factory option, it will show on the screen. The previous owner put oversize tires on your car. The tires she selected were poor choices. You can live with it, or work to return the car to the Lexus factory specs which give a nice, quiet ride.
Steve
Steve
06-06-09, 06:25 AM
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Just a quick update:
I swapped the Goodyear's that were already on the car (sold them on Craigslist for $95 apiece!) for Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum.
Went from the Goodyears, which were 245/40-18
to the Kumhos, which are 225/45-18
Tire Rack said the new size is within the Lexus factory specification for the model. I spoke to several people at TireRack, Lexus, and elsewhere about the size change, and the difference in overall diameter is 1/3 of an inch, and everyone said there should be no problem.
The result: HUGE difference. The car is significantly quieter. Much less road noise. If I were to put a number on it, I'd say it's 60% quieter. There's just more insulation b/w the road and the cabin with the larger sidewalls. Also, I still feel the road, but not nearly as crudely or dramatically. The ride has become softer, smoother, more elegant.
And these are not terribly expensive tires!
Turns out, tires really do make a difference.
Thanks again for all your help.
Next project: getting the 18" wheels repaired, they have some road rash. Last owner lived in the city and apparently didn't know how to parallel park!
I swapped the Goodyear's that were already on the car (sold them on Craigslist for $95 apiece!) for Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum.
Went from the Goodyears, which were 245/40-18
to the Kumhos, which are 225/45-18
Tire Rack said the new size is within the Lexus factory specification for the model. I spoke to several people at TireRack, Lexus, and elsewhere about the size change, and the difference in overall diameter is 1/3 of an inch, and everyone said there should be no problem.
The result: HUGE difference. The car is significantly quieter. Much less road noise. If I were to put a number on it, I'd say it's 60% quieter. There's just more insulation b/w the road and the cabin with the larger sidewalls. Also, I still feel the road, but not nearly as crudely or dramatically. The ride has become softer, smoother, more elegant.
And these are not terribly expensive tires!
Turns out, tires really do make a difference.
Thanks again for all your help.
Next project: getting the 18" wheels repaired, they have some road rash. Last owner lived in the city and apparently didn't know how to parallel park!
06-06-09, 06:58 AM
#23
I bought my car new from dealer (09gs350) just this week and it came with yokohomas. I was expecting run-flats just as how my is250 came and after reading this thread I'm scared about how noisy it might get after everything settles and as I put miles on them. Anyone here with that experience?
Anyone here got yokohomas instead of bridgestones?
Edit: did any of u get green tire caps? Not a big deal but I want the regular lexus "nitrofill or whatever it is" not the "green ecofriendly" ones. Haha
Anyone here got yokohomas instead of bridgestones?
Edit: did any of u get green tire caps? Not a big deal but I want the regular lexus "nitrofill or whatever it is" not the "green ecofriendly" ones. Haha
Last edited by vuiskool; 06-06-09 at 07:05 AM.
06-07-09, 09:05 PM
#24
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hey gs3008,
I was thinking of replacing my stock tires (245-40-18) with some 245-45-18's. So how come you decided to go with the 225's vs the 235 or even the stock 245's? Was it price? With 225's obviously there is less tire gripping the road, so do you experience any less traction or anything? any comments would be welcome. thanks.
I was thinking of replacing my stock tires (245-40-18) with some 245-45-18's. So how come you decided to go with the 225's vs the 235 or even the stock 245's? Was it price? With 225's obviously there is less tire gripping the road, so do you experience any less traction or anything? any comments would be welcome. thanks.
Last edited by Lexus_Star; 06-07-09 at 09:50 PM.
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