jasone36

I purchased a used 2002 SC430 thinking it had runflats. I noticed the ride was remarkably smooth, which I read is not something the run flats provide.

A few days into ownership I inspect it closer and it turns out my car does NOT have run-flat tires. It has regular 245/40R18 tires. I understand many owners replace the run flats because they create a lot of cabin noise and a stiff/rough ride. Apparently the first or second owner did just that, and also purchased the spare tire kit (which seems to include all the tools necessary to change a tire hidden nicely under the trunk carpet, and I also have a recessed space for the tire in the trunk, which I guess is the 'spare tire kit'), but I am missing the actual spare tire and of course cover. Time to search for one.

Does anyone know how to determine what the previous owners did with the TPM sensors? Are they disabled when you get regular tires? I see no warning lights on the dash about the TPM. Looking at the dealer service records I see the following entry from nine years ago: "TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCE ALL 4 DUE SLIGHT FEATHERING. INSTALL SPARE IN TRUNK." This likely means a spare was at one point present in this SC430, I'm guessing.

Now I feel like I have officially joined the SC430 club... any insight on this is welcomed!

UnSub

I love my run flat tires. Security and a good ride.

redliner8

iTrader: (1)

See if the previous owner unplugged the TPMS, it only takes 5 minutes: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...-system-2.html (Note: You dont need to take off the shift ****). If everything is still plugged in, the tires on your car most likely have tpm sensors in them. If it's unplugged, chances are they don't have the sensors. My TPM is unplugged since my summer tires don't have the tpm sensors.

If you're looking for a spare, I recommend searching the forum. There are a lot of threads on that topic. I don't recommend switching back to run flats, youll regret it. Just buy a new spare

Yes

Rather than doing this, I'd just let 5 lbs. of air pressure out and see if the light comes on. Then air it back up.

As for the spare tire kit, it doesn't sound like you have one. The recessed space and tool kit comes with every SC. The spare tire kit includes the actual tire and cover. The previous owner may have had one and sold it before he sold the car. That's what I would do.

SteadyEddy

iTrader: (1)

Unsub, if you love your ride now on runflats, I don't know what you would call it on regular tires. I really love the ride once we switched from the run flats. It was like night and day! The wife gets confused sometimes in which car she she riding in, the ES or the SC because her car rides so much better now that the runflats are gone and not missed. Yes I do have a spare that I keep in the garage and have a take a long air tank just in case. Plus we have AAA and thinking about getting a 12V air compressor for the car too, in case we are both with the car at the time.

ALBINO

I bought my spare tire kit from a person that removed the kit before they sold their SC430. I was fortunate enough to have paid only $75.00 for the OEM kit and the tire was brand new...

UnSub

I don't know if I would like a smother ride than I get now on my rft. I wonder if the ones I have are better than what others have had.

jasone36

I did not realise that the recessed space and tool kit comes with every SC. I guess I just need the tire now. In the interest of being economic (read "cheap"), I'm probably going to look for some aftermarket or used spare tire which fits this car as opposed to buying the official lexus spare tire. I will seach the forum.

ALBINO, you probably purchased my previous owners spare tire, I want it back! =)

mandyfig

What kind do you have?

I have Pirelli Nero P Zero. On smooth roads, great. Rough roads, very rough.

UnSub

They are Michelin but I will have to post the model after I get my car back. I loaned it to a friend because someone cut her catalytic covert off while she was at the movies last week end.

ALBINO

If you bought your SC430 from Orlando, Florida it could have been from that auto...LOL They asked $250.00 for the kit and advertised it for sale for over two months. I offered $75.00 and two months later I received an email from them indicating that the would sell it for the $75.00 offer....
I have made many very low offers on various items in the last two years. Sometimes they are accepted and other times they are rejected.
Life goes on.......

jasone36

My car is not from Orlando, but it sounds like you got an excellent deal on the tire.

jasone36

That being said, if anyone has a spare tire for sale please PM me. Thank you.