spamcop

So, we put a pair of new Michelins (Thanks Sam's Club) on the front and the Goodyears are on the rear. We are at 25,000 and the ride is degrading. The tires "appear" to be okay. I saw a fellow 06 400h owner and asked her about alignment and her brand new Michelins. Her story was identical. Aligned three times in 20,000 and she was on her third set of tires...IN 20,000 MILES?!?!?! I called Lexus about it. They said they would have a "specialist" get back with me.

I admit I may be a bit whiny here, but the whole "this is the first we heard of it" line is a load of, well, you know. I'll post what the "specialist" replies with.

Any new information, stories and/or dealer/manufacturer remedies you want to share?

Rockville1

Well, my 400h is too new to comment on the alignment problems (2,500 miles), but a number of you mentioned wear on the inside edge of the tire. This is symptom of tire over inflation. Since another thread mentioned how so many of the RXs were at 38-40 PSI when the recommened PSI is 30, I wonder if over inflation could be contributing to your wear problems.

I checked my PSI after reading the threads and mine was also at 40 PSI. I have taken the pressure down to 35 PSI and I will monitor the tires for uneven wear. Also, the car rides much more smoothly (less bounce) now that I have lowered the pressure.

wstr75

My tires were not over inflated. I had it aligned by the Lexus dealer at 6000 miles. My tires were badly worn out at 13,500 miles when I replaced the crappy Goodyears. I put Bridgestone Alenzas on and at 19,000 miles they are looking good. The Firestone store did an alignment when the Potenzas were installed and found the rear wheels were big time mis-aligned. I can see front wheels getting misaligned in 7,500 miles from hitting curbs, but why would the back wheels get mis-aligned?

MadloR

Sorry, but you are incorrect in your post. Over inflation will wear out the centre of the tire, not the inside edge. Underinflation and/or poor alignement are the main cause of wear on the inside edge.

You can set the psi some where around 36-38psi, I believe it to be the sweet spot on the RX 400h gathering from all the posts about poor tire durability with the factory Good Years...

Cheers,

MadloR

spamcop

Hey thanks for the input and idea. Actually, overinflation would wear the center of the tire and underinflation could wear both sides of the tire. This was only the inside of the tire.

Additionally, I do check and keep my tires inflated per the door (30psi) as you mentioned. Plus, they were checked by Lexus dealers (and one Toyota dealer). Per your recommendation, this would seem to still be under inflated. I'll bump it up to 36 PSI as your research suggests,

Lexus called me back, but I was on an airplane and missed the call. I'll try to call next week and post the response.

spamcop

So, I finally caught up with Lexus. The lady tried several times to call me; so it wasn't their fault this resolution took so long.

I told Lexus about everything. This included the first 10K service where the tires were cupped and horrifically out of alignment, the 2 tire replacement by Lexus Tulsa (with more Goodyears), my purchase of 2 Michelins, this thread, and several personal conversations I have had with other 400h owners (I go out of my way to ask about tires and alignments, and I hear the same story: Goodyear=bad alignments/Michelins=no problems).

The resolution: Lexus will pay for me to get two new Michelins. At the end of it all, I am satisfied with the outcome personally. That said, I am out $400+ for tires that shouldn't have worn out so early and $100 for an alignment.

Everytime I talk to a representitive of Lexus, either service person or the toll-free Lexus customer service, I am met with "I haven't ever heard of this issue." If you had, are having, or suspect you may start having alignment issues on your 400h and have Goodyear tires, please call both your service department at your local dealer AND the Lexus customer service line (800-25Lexus I believe) and let them know. If this is indeed a common problem, Lexus needs to know and issue a TSB and/or recall.

Thanks for allowing me to rant here. And a special thanks to all those who provided information both here and through personal conversation.

//KJB
Arkansas

riwyle

What were the before and after alignment readings when you had it re-aligned?

spamcop

I dunno. Reliable Lexus (Springfield, MO) did have Toyota of Northwest Arkansas send them the before and after readings. They did mention that the before was indicative the type wear I experienced. They also told me the after readings were correct.

FWIW, I ordered the two new Michelins at my local Sam's Club an hour ago. I will likely have it aligned again (hopefully for the last time for a while) right after the new tires are on.

spamcop

Follow up post:

The car runs great now with the Michelins on. Lexus sent me a reimbursement check for the tires as I got them at Sam's and not the dealership that is two hours away.

If you had or are currently having this problem, call Lexus and let them know. I'd suggest bypassing the dealer as they appear to be limited as to what they will acknowledge/do. Feel free to reference this post when you call them.

./joe

oldcajun

Just had my car in for 20,000 mi. service and I requested that they check the tires for uneven wear. My original Goodyears were worn out on the inner part in 13,000 mi so Lexus replaced them along with correcting the alignment. The current Goodyears have only 7000 mi, but at least at this point the wear is even accross all 4 tires. I'm now optimistic that the alignment at 13K fixed the uneven wear.

If nothing else, the free set of tires at 13K has now saved me money as without the alignment problem I would be looking for new tires about now. The only downside is that I'm still running the Badyears instead of changing to a better tire.

Steve

MadloR

Seems like every tire manufacturer has there "dog of a tire" model, and Good Year is no exception. But, I went with the Good Year Eagle ResponsEdge and they are simply AWESOME. Quiet, smooth, beautifully balanced, great in the rain and they really dampen in cabin tire noise over patchy tarmac.

One should make reference to the model and not specifically to the brand. I have owned Michelin Pilot on my M5 and they were the worst tire I have ever owned after 5000miles on them. Noisey beyond any other tire I have ever driven on of all the vehicles I have ever owned.

Cheers,

MadloR

jim256

The Goodyear RS-A on the 400h only has a treadwear rating of 260. Quite low. Could you tell me what it is on the Response Edge? I've found that number is a reasonable indicator of relative wear, with a rating of 400 better meeting expectations of 25-35k miles on a set.

MadloR

My tire size 255/45 ZR18

TREADWEAR 440 A A

Maximum Load 1709 lbs.

Tire weight 28 lbs

Cheers,

MadloR

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...irePageLocQty=

jim256

thanks, sounds like a good alternative.

robik

Just had my 20K service done today - have had the maintenance done, like clockwork, at 5K, 10K, and 15K including tire rotation. No hard driving, roads here in Austin are in pretty good shape. Something significant must have happened between the 15K and 20K checkups; the front two tires were worn "to an unsafe level" on the inside aspect of the treads.

Spoke with the service manager, they offered two free tires and alignment if I bought the other two tires. He said he's seeing it with Goodyears and is putting Michelins on.

Seems like a fair arrangement to me, although I can't think of anything happening that would have caused the alignment to get out of plumb that quickly. Given the mileage on the tires, fighting this with Goodyear would end up with a pro-rated replacement, the same (possibly inferior) tires, and more hassle. Lexus also offered me a "deal" for an upcoming tire replacement on my 06 GS300. All in all, I'm satisfied.

Rob