sweetboy02

I dropped off my car for maintenance yesterday morning and picked up 2014 model loaner. OMG the steering wheel is so "light" when to make the turns, my 2010 is so stiff and hard. How can It be fixed? Also i don't really want to spend extra 20K just to get the 2014 model.

PS: Oh this is what they recommended services. Beside the Tire prices, i don't think any other fix are making sense .

corradoMR2

WOW, where do we start with this?

That's a lot of cash for tires and TPMS totaling about 1800$ and another $1100 for brake pads and rotors?

First, the Dueler's are among the worst tires in its class for traction, noise, longevity. Check the dedicated tire thread at the top of this forum for far better alternatives including the Pirelli Scorpions, Micheline Latitudes, etc.

Second, the Dueler HL 400s are about 600$ for 4 on Tirerack.com and the LRR versions $800. Ok, add another 60-80$ for balancing/install and about another 100$ on alignment and at your local reputable garage, still much cheaper. I'm hoping for $1000 on the estimate, they're at least the LRRs (low-rolling resistance = better fuel economy) but since it's not specified on the estimate, caution.

Bottom line, if you haven't committed to this, don't. You can save several hundreds of dollars on tires/TPMS and get a much better tire that will also last you longer (the Dueler's have only 260-300 treadwear rating versus others with 400-600 in this class of tire). I would get a brake job quote from Toyota and do it there as you will likely save a couple hundred $.

Good luck and keep us posted.

vlad_a

I love it how the total is $3K even. Must be, how much is this customer worth?
What mileage is on your vehicle? Are your tires loosing pressure? Is that why TPMS is triggered? Odd that they want to replace 3 sensors. What's wrong with brakes? Brake pads are a fairly simple DYI job. At that point, you can pull the rotors and have them resurfaced at either a local shop or an auto store for about $15/each. Brake pads are usually less than $100/set.

Those Bridgestone tires will run you less than $700 on tirerack:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

Of course, you won't get a free loaner and coffee with cookies.

hypervish

Tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine!

sweetboy02

Hahhaha. I dare

I haven't driving much last 2 years because i bought a small sedan for the long commute, my car was 6ty-ish thousand miles and never done any break job.

Back to the point. Making the steering wheel lighter is possible because I like the feel of the 2014 steering wheel?

raylor4

I am assuming Watertown, NY. These must be Superbowl prices. I would shop around. I recommend the Michelin Latitudes @ Costco based on my experience with Michelins and the posts on this board. Seems odd to replace three TP sensors. Why not just the bad one? I'm going with the recommendation of getting a quote from a reputable Toyota dealer if you're not up to changing the brakes yourself. Personally, I'm past the stage of DIY brake jobs. Good luck.
BTW, look at the tread pattern where the sidewall meets the rest of the tread, the "corner" of the tire if you will...If the pattern repeats, it will give you more road noise than a non-repeating pattern, or so I've heard. Hope this helps.
I assume they are recommending tire replacement because yours are worn out and leaking.
Ray A.

markrivers

I used to have a 2011 ( which is fairly the same as your 2010) and now i have a 2013.
I never noticed any difference between the two. 2013/2014 are basically the same RX except for SIRI.

I don't recall any changes to the steering wheel assembly with the 3rd gen RX, meaning your 2010 up to the 2014 should feel the same.
So something is wrong if you feel some heaviness on yours.

Bring it to a different service dept. and ask a drive along with a mechanic who does wheel balancing.
Get his inputs

sweetboy02

It's like shift gear in bikes. Heavier and less turn vs lighter and more turns. There must be something with my steering wheel then. I will check it next time maintenance. Thanks all

vlad_a

Keep in mind, steering is electric. If anything, there might be a software update.
Also, if the '14 you drove was FWD, then the steering would feel lighter due to more pronounced torque-steer.
And then, there are tires. If they're bald, you will get more resistance.

Clutchless

The steering feel could be related to your worn tires and your alignment being way off specification,.