I own a 2000 GS400 with 180000 miles which I use for business. I purchased 4 Michelin Pilot Ecolite A/S tires and had the wheels aligned June 1, 2012. I’ve driven ~7000 miles since, 95% highway, and had a blow-out on a rear tire last week. It totally wore through the inner-edge steel bands, however, wear bands fully across the tire were at minimum. The other rear tire was similarly worn. The two front tires show no significant wear. I replaced both rear tires.

I generally carry ~300 pounds of tools and supplies evenly distributed in my backseat. On my second (1800 mile) trip I also had a utility trailer behind, with ~75 pounds of tongue weight and a total weight of 400 pounds.
I don’t believe that I have ever exceeded the carrying capacity of the car. The 300 pounds load in the back seat is like having two 150 pound guys back there. However, every Lexus representative has identified this as “a problem” but I don’t accept this quick answer.

This is my second 2000 GS400, and I drove my first car to 275,000 miles. I always have had more rear tire wear, but tires typically lasted 50,000 miles.

Both cars and the 1994 GS300 before, (with 250,000 miles) have always bottomed out on the rear suspension with this very same load. It never looked good but it never affected handling either.

I don’t think that there is anything wrong with the tire compounding... but I also don’t see anything wrong with my car either.

So what’s wrong? I don’t want to waste my new Bridgestone tires.

Not to direct the conversation, but I’ve always been unhappy that Lexus would not allow me to keep my standard load in the car while it was aligned… but this is how I go down the road.

I don’t have specifics on the alignment but I don’t see any reason to suspect that they did a poor job.

Kurt

 

How are the struts/shocks? If they're blown, that will cause the wear as the weight makes the car go up and down a lot [with busted struts] causing 'toe' which will eat your tires. If you have the same load all the time, you should get it aligned with that weight in there.

 

Def take it to a shop other thab the dealership and get it aligned with the normal load on the suspension..

 

I took the car into a Cleveland OH Lexus dealer this morning. They have agreed to align the wheels with my car loaded, then they will evaluate what else may be wrong. I'll let the forum know if there is anything wrong aside from the alignment. Thanks for the suggestions.

Kurt

 

This will be interesting to hear about

Good luck