I have a 2007 ES350 with about 42000 miles on the OEM Michelins. When I hit the brakes at higher speeds, above 40 MPH, the car vibrates and shakes. The dealer says that it is caused by the tires and they need replacement. Has anybody experienced similar problems? I have noticed this with the Michelins on my previous Lexus cars.

I have explored the threads on this forum with regards to tire replacements. I am wondering if the Primacy is any better. I have always used the Michelin MXV4 tires but am wondering if it is time for a change. The price of new tires does not allow for a second chance.

 

I was thinking more brake rotors than tires.

 

Vibration when you hit the brakes at higher speeds?
Highly unlikely it's the tires.
If anything, you could try and rebalance the tires.

Much more likely your brake rotors are a little warped (uneven)

If they resurface (cut) your rotors, the problems should go away.

 

Sounds like rotors. Have you worn the brakes all the way down?

 

I also thought it was the brakes and warped rotors but the dealer says the brakes are good.

 

i had similar problems but it vibrates when I drove over 60mph. I had lost most of the trends on my tires. when i got my front tires change, it drove smooth again but the dealer said i need to realign them.

 

Weird ... maybe take the car to an independent shop ... most will give a free estimate / diagnosis to your problem.

Off the top of my head, it sounds like warped rotors, as garsarno first suggested. However, it may very well be possible of tires being the culprit (far less likely, but possible).

After 42k miles, it may be best to change the tires ... your car will feel (and sound) like a new car again with a fresh set of good tires. From what I have read here, it seems the popular option is to go with the Michelin Primacy tires (as reported via Tirerack feedback) over the OEM Michelin MXV4 S8 tires (why did Toyota/Lexus pick these as standard? Michelin must have given them a deal on those ...)

Hope that helps. Please be sure to tell us what the mechanics did to solve the wheel shake problem.

 

I have had this problem on both my 2002 ES 300 (which I no longer own) and on my 2007 ES 350. When I replaced the rotors, the vibration was gone.

 

I went to the Michelin website and the Primacy tire was not recommended by Michelin for the ES350. I sent them an email and asked why. The following is the response:

"According to your email you are looking for replacement tires for your 2007
Lexus ES350 and are asking why the Primacy MXV4 is not recommended as a
replacement tire. Your vehicle came originally equipped with V speed rated
tires the Primacy MXV4 is only an H speed rated tire. We recommend that
your replacement tires be the same speed rated tire as the original
equipment tires in order to maintain the handling, cornering and
responsiveness of the vehicle.

Michelin North America
Consumer Care Department"

 

An H rated tire is for speeds up to 130mph. A V rated tire is for speeds up to 149mph. Unless you're Mario Andretti, I'd take their response in the context that they're covering their behind... The Primacy MXV4 by all reports is superior to the OEM Michelin currently on your ES.

Like others here, I doubt the tires are causing your problem. I'd bet it's the rotors (not warped but embedded brake dust). The URL / article below may be of some interest to you...

http://www.stoptech.com/tech_info/wp...rakedisk.shtml

 

As JimsGX already posted ... "speed" rating of the car isn't that big a deal for most consumers. Michelin only has given advice to cover its butt (legally) even though 99.999999% of ES350 buyers will ever take their vehicle out to an autocross to cross the 130mph threshold where a H-speed tire will "fail" to a V-speed rated tire.

I would be more concerned with the load rating (ie weight restriction). The OEM tire is a 93V rated tire (93 load rating, V speed rating). The Primacy is a 94H rated tire. So it actually can support a 'heavier' car, at the expense of a "slower" speed rating. For OEM size (225/55/17), the Primacy is 1lb heavier (25 vs 24 lb) so it may hurt with fuel economy as well as initial pick-up. But based upon TireRack reviewers, it seems the tires handle well for its intended purpose.

For those who are concerned with tread life ... the Primacy is a 620 vs a 440 for the S8 (OEM tires). That means the Primacy will last longer. The $38/tire price advantage for the Primacy tire doesn't hurt, either ...
Hope that helps.