IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

2006 IS350 feel floaty at high speed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-27-12, 05:45 PM
  #1  
knbnguyen
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
knbnguyen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Georgia
Posts: 249
Received 22 Likes on 12 Posts
Default 2006 IS350 feel floaty at high speed

Hi all, after trading in my 08 IS250 for the 06 IS350 i notice that my car feel floaty left to right on the road at high speed. It is a common problem with the 06 or should i go have it check out?
Old 05-27-12, 06:26 PM
  #2  
slimjimtel
Lead Lap
 
slimjimtel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

What brand/type of tires are on the car? Also what is the air pressure?
Old 05-27-12, 06:28 PM
  #3  
Rikg35
Lead Lap
 
Rikg35's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Houston , Tx
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

What size shoe you wear.
Old 05-27-12, 07:05 PM
  #4  
Sango
Pole Position
iTrader: (10)
 
Sango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC / Seattle, WA
Posts: 3,382
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Was the alignment and geometry checked?
Old 05-27-12, 07:13 PM
  #5  
knbnguyen
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
knbnguyen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Georgia
Posts: 249
Received 22 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

I have 2 Bridgestone EH33 Turanzas for front tires and 2x Continental Extreme for Rear. All at 34 psi.
Old 05-27-12, 07:13 PM
  #6  
knbnguyen
Pole Position
Thread Starter
 
knbnguyen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Georgia
Posts: 249
Received 22 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

i'm thinking i will have to do the alignment and balance since i got off the dealership.. don't think they even touch it
Old 05-27-12, 07:18 PM
  #7  
Sango
Pole Position
iTrader: (10)
 
Sango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC / Seattle, WA
Posts: 3,382
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

I assume you mean ER33. The tire pressures are a bit low unless you're looking for performance. Ideally you want 38-40 front and 36-38 rear unless you do more freeway driving than city, then 36-38 front and 38-40 rear.

The dealership most likely don't know much about alignment anyways, you probably would not bother bringing it to them. Most likely they are going to just make it in the green and call it good.

You need to bring the car to a shop which specializes in alignments, frame and suspension systems.

Last edited by Sango; 05-29-12 at 11:48 AM.
Old 05-27-12, 11:51 PM
  #8  
Kurtz
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Kurtz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 7,810
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

yeah, pressures are low- and the fact they're not even the same tires doesn't help either.
Old 05-29-12, 11:42 AM
  #9  
kinglexus99
Advanced
 
kinglexus99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: IL
Posts: 551
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

The 08 steering was recalibrated to feel tighter than the 06-07. This is more than likely why it feels different although I have yet to drive a 6/7 myself.
Old 05-29-12, 11:47 AM
  #10  
B16da9
Racer
iTrader: (7)
 
B16da9's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Miami
Posts: 1,882
Received 11 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

Floaty feeling is also a sign of shocks going bad.
Old 05-29-12, 11:57 AM
  #11  
ibidu1
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
ibidu1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: FL
Posts: 5,801
Received 795 Likes on 688 Posts
Default

I would first check the alignment! But it may also be the torque of the car lifting the front end slightly making the front end a bit lighter, there for looser steering input.
Old 05-29-12, 12:07 PM
  #12  
slimjimtel
Lead Lap
 
slimjimtel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NC
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

Running different types of tires like you are can throw off the car as well. Depending on the stiffness of the sidewalls between the two. The Contis are really mushy, the bridgestones will be a bit stiffer. I would recommend never running different types of tires like this.

Think of it this way...on your left foot you have an Air Jordan, on your right foot you have a Brooks Running shoe. Your gonna walk a little funny and it won't EVER feel right to the point where you have to compensate on how you should walk.

Your car reacts the same way, and even more so at a higher rate of speed. If your feeling floaty, most likely it is the squishy Contis on those back wheels letting the rear end slightly move from side to side. Uping the pressure in the rears may help stiffen the ride a little. 34psi is a little low for all of the tires and will give a soft ride but could also add to the floatiness (if that's really a word)

Hope this helps!
Old 05-29-12, 01:06 PM
  #13  
iRyan
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (7)
 
iRyan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: South Fl.
Posts: 3,473
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

after you do all of that maybe try gettign the IS-F steering damper it maty help a little....it did for me
Old 05-29-12, 01:43 PM
  #14  
Gville350
Moderator
iTrader: (10)
 
Gville350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 11,576
Likes: 0
Received 436 Likes on 387 Posts
Default

The only time I felt "floaty" on the HWY was when I inflated my tires to like 38 psi all-around (BFG KDWs). Lowered them back down to 34 psi all-around...FIXED. But I do think it is your tires and the fact you are running two types and two different tread patterns.
Old 05-29-12, 02:11 PM
  #15  
UniSlayEX
Lexus Test Driver
 
UniSlayEX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Californ-i-a
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Live with it if you're not willing to change tires to be the same. Balance and alighn because my friendly stealership missed that and I now have 1 bald tire..


Quick Reply: 2006 IS350 feel floaty at high speed



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:10 PM.