nakago1

so the new car has been performing great in the 1 year that i bought it. getting my 40 mpg as advertised.

I noticed recently some really bad squeaking when I make a sharp turn, this happens mostly when pull in parking lot when i need to do 90 deg turn to go in or just making a u turn .... none of it high speed.

but the sound it makes is definitely very loud and fully audible even with closed window.

is this something that is solely tire related or is something wrong with the steering control?

jbm79

I have this problem as well on some parking garages with smooth/shiny surface while turning sharply, at less than 5 mph. The noise is much worse when the tires are wet from the rain. The noise is so loud and the car shakes it's scary; makes it seem like I ran over something and it's being dragged along.

2013 ES300h with Michelin Primacy.

alpinefun

So what are you guys waiting for? Just made an appointment with your Lexus service department and fix the problem. Your cars must be still under the warranty.

ElliotB

Squeaking as in a high pitch sound, something to do with the brakes, or tire noise possibly due to poor alignment? Either way, as suggested your Lexus dealer can take care of it for you.

nakago1

well. my car is not shaking, just squeaking noise. and yes on flat surfaces like parking garage is the worst.

I already made an appointment with dealer. but not sure if they can do anything except change the tires (which of course they won't) i hope it's something they can fix. but i am afraid it's just a case where this type/model of tires is just "squeaky" kinda of like some shoes are much more squeakier than other shoes. can't fix the problem unless you change shoes.

jbm79

Ow...in my case, I don't think it's a mechanical problem. The shaking I mentioned is more like the tires skidding due to the surface being slick. This only happens when the wheels are turned, as when making a 90-degree turn, and only happens on this one specific parking garage. So I concluded that it's the surface that's the main culprit, and not necessarily the tires/car.

I'm guessing the "shaking" that I mentioned is perhaps due to the front tires "sliding" when the wheels are turned, and thus "dragging" the vehicle forward versus "rolling" forward. I don't know if my explanation makes sense.

To the OP, I think what you're experiencing is normal skidding due to the surface.

nakago1

Thanks for the replies guys.

While i understand most tires do squeak on slick surfaces. my squeaking is happening in more general settings. like in 80% of the road surfaces and outside (rough) parking lots. or just a normal asphalt street where i would make a 90deg turn or a U-turn (especially U turn)

the squeaking is kinda of loud and embarrassing, kinda like i am dring a 90's clunker.... not what i had in mind when i bought the ES300h.

jonmanch

Let us know what the dealer does to correct the problem.

bc6152

Also make sure that the tires are at correct pressure.

nakago1

did take to dealer today, unfortunately we cannot duplicate the squeaking sound.
so they can't really pin point the issue.

it really only happens about 50% of the time or even less.

my pressure is on the higher side (38 to 39) (max pressure i think is 50)
i like the keep the a little higher to get better FE.