General Car Conversation 2024 - part 1
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
this is my two 4Runners above
Lexus LS460
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Mar 1, 2024 at 11:36 AM.
Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,400
Likes: 622
From: IL
Not permanently, I do eventually want to get back to the stock config, which after all is there for performance reasons. But if it's a couple of days/weeks to get the wheel and/or tire replaced, whatever. I'm driving on an alloy wheel with a properly balanced, premium tire of the correct diameter. The car drives fine, and can be driven as far and as fast as I want.
I actually did that about 6 years ago. Popped a front tire, reinflated it, and replaced it with one of my 17" winters when I got home. It took Costco about 2 weeks to get me a new Pilot Super Sport in the correct size. So I commuted for 8 or 9 days, 45 minutes to an hour each way (probably around 700 miles total), on tires of three different sizes--225/55/17 and 235/40/18 in the front, two 265/35/18 in the back.
I actually did that about 6 years ago. Popped a front tire, reinflated it, and replaced it with one of my 17" winters when I got home. It took Costco about 2 weeks to get me a new Pilot Super Sport in the correct size. So I commuted for 8 or 9 days, 45 minutes to an hour each way (probably around 700 miles total), on tires of three different sizes--225/55/17 and 235/40/18 in the front, two 265/35/18 in the back.
Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: IL
This is the stupidest possible way to do tire rotation, I'm honestly amazed that Toyota recommends it. It makes treadwear artificially UNeven. Your left tires have to be replaced when the right ones still have a third of their tread left. Better to never rotate them at all.
The proper way to do a 5-tire rotation is below:
The proper way to do a 5-tire rotation is below:
Last edited by geko29; Mar 1, 2024 at 11:45 AM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,498
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
This is the stupidest possible way to do tire rotation. It makes treadwear artificially UNeven. Your left tires have to be replaced when the right ones still have a third of their tread left. Better to never rotate them at all.
The proper way to do a 5-tire rotation is below:
The proper way to do a 5-tire rotation is below:
What brand and model is your diagram from?
Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: IL
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,498
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
In the Toyota diagram. The tires always rotate the same way. If they are crossed, the tires rotate a different way after rotation...That is how I perceive the reason why Toyota is recommending it. Why I am not sure..
Thread Starter
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,400
Likes: 622
From: IL
Which, since that's the side of the vehicle that incurs more tire wear, is the side more likely to have a flat. 
I strongly suspect 4Runner tires are not directional. Typically only some ultra high-performance and winter tires are. This would be noted by an arrow on the sidewall that says "Rotation-->"
I suspect the reason it's in there, is because this WAS the correct way to do 5-tire rotations back in the 50s when radial tires were first introduced, and they just never thought about it again. Putting a tire that was "used" to wearing in one direction on the opposite side of the car slightly increased the possibility of a blowout. But tire quality has improved immeasurably in the past 70+ years, so that's not a concern anymore. But even when it was a concern, doing a 5-tire rotation like this meant you didn't have a spare for the left side. So you either had to do a 4-tire rotation with a dedicated spare (that hadn't "learned"), or a 6-tire rotation with TWO spares, one designated for each side.
Last edited by geko29; Mar 1, 2024 at 12:22 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 883
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From: TN
Laziness and lack of money. I see it all the time in my city with bald temporary spares that people have been driving around on. I also see cars on the side of the road with a flat spare.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
Which is what you would have to do if your tires were directional (meaning, designed to only rotate one way). But if that were the case, then you don't actually have a spare for the left side of the vehicle. Which, since that's the side of the vehicle that incurs more tire wear, is the side more likely to have a flat. .
Which, since that's the side of the vehicle that incurs more tire wear, is the side more likely to have a flat. .I suspect the reason it's in there, is because this WAS the correct way to do 5-tire rotations back in the 50s when radial tires were first introduced, and they just never thought about it again. Putting a tire that was "used" to wearing in one direction on the opposite side of the car slightly increased the possibility of a blowout. But tire quality has improved immeasurably in the past 70+ years, so that's not a concern anymore. But even when it was a concern, doing a 5-tire rotation like this meant you didn't have a spare for the left side. So you either had to do a 4-tire rotation with a dedicated spare (that hadn't "learned"), or a 6-tire rotation with TWO spares, one designated for each side.
1998 LX470
2007 LX470
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Mar 1, 2024 at 12:53 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
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From: Maryland
Apparently I angered them somehow! I've bought 10 tires in the last 6 months!
Yeah its Black Garnet Pearl, at one time it looked like this (except with a black interior):
I don't think they do, those tires are probably pretty old. still have good tread on them...we'll see if they can plug it, she drives so little...
I don't think they do, those tires are probably pretty old. still have good tread on them...we'll see if they can plug it, she drives so little...
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,498
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
(Sorry. Just couldn’t resist)
Apparently I angered them somehow! I've bought 10 tires in the last 6 months!
Spoiler
celebrating 20 years…
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Mar 1, 2024 at 03:40 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,405
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From: Las Vegas
Apparently I angered them somehow! I've bought 10 tires in the last 6 months!
Yeah its Black Garnet Pearl, at one time it looked like this (except with a black interior):
I don't think they do, those tires are probably pretty old. still have good tread on them...we'll see if they can plug it, she drives so little...
Yeah its Black Garnet Pearl, at one time it looked like this (except with a black interior):
I don't think they do, those tires are probably pretty old. still have good tread on them...we'll see if they can plug it, she drives so little...
Do you owe the mob money?