I have a 2001 GS430 that absolutely eats tires. The Michelin Pilot MXM Hx's that came on it cupped terribly and despite having decent tread I had to remove them at 12,000 miles due to extreme noise. Seeking a quieter ride I put Yokohama AVS DB's on and now at 12,000 miles they sound like gumbo mudders! I have had a 4 wheel alignment twice and properly rotated the tires but after about 3,000 miles on both sets of tires the noise began to increase dramatically. I have used the tire shop that all the dealers take their problems to. The factory specs call for the rear tires to be slightly out at the bottom and this is corrected when you get up to highway speeds. However, both sets of tires cupped badly on the inside edge and as the miles pass it only gets worse. Does anybody know any remedies? I hate to buy a new set of tires every 10 or 12,000 miles. Should I just buy cheap tires and change them more often. I want this car to ride and sound like a Lexus and not an offroad SUV! This is enough of a problem that I'm thinking about getting rid of the car. Thanks for any thoughts.

 

Maybe you where sold blimps. Blimps are the first couple set of tires off the production line that have a defect.
I don't believe it's the car. Maybe the road in where you drive or your driving habits, but not the car. You could buy some Toyos and it wouldn't cost has much as the others but is still a decent tire. Then if you have to replace them you might not be that upset.

 

tiger, what pressure are you running them at? Cupping might be happening due to pressures too low maybe??

 

Tiger,

Do you have 16 or 17" wheels? I'm assuming 17 from your description of tire eating, but it bears clarification. 12 - 15K miles isn't unusual for tires on 17" wheels on a GS.

Bit has a good idea checking on the pressure. You could also look for a set of factory 16's wheels which don't seem to have this issue.

PS Aplus the type of tires you are talking about are called 'blems', which stands for blemished. Yes, there could be some confusion with that big Goodyear blimp and all . Tire manufactures aren't allowed to sell tires with structural issues, but they can sell some that are cosmetically flawed (white letter scuffed, etc).

 

Switching to LTuned suspension has helped get rid of uneven wear.

Salim

 

Thanks for your interest. I have 16" factory rims on my car. I find it hard to believe that I would get two sets of tires that are defective from two different manufacturers, however. I run 32 pounds of air in the tires and check it often. The roads here in Alabama are very good and are not a factor. My driving style is not aggressive and about 50-50 in town and interstate. My thoughts are I should get more than 3,000 to 4,000 miles before that whine from the tires start!

 

Tiger,

IMO Something is definitely wrong... I've never heard of 16"s causing this type of problem.

 

LOL.

Kinda like the doom light and caibers.

 

tiger430 - I agree with DaveGS4. I have a 2k1 GS430 with the same Michelins and while I don't like them, I have over 17K miles and I can't see any wear at all. My wife just bought a GS300 that came with the exact same tires and they were so awful, she took the car back to the dealership and wanted to give it back to them. They wouldn't take it back but to Lexus credit, they replaced all five Michelins with whatever she wanted (she took Yoko AVS db) and the difference in the car is like night and day. While my Michelins were never as loud as the ones that came on her new GS, I have to say there was a problem with those tires. I have been around long enough to remember the introduction of radials and in the early days, Michelin was the only one that seemed to get it right. With this most recent experience, I doubt I will ever buy Michelins again.

As for the cupping, I have no idea but be advised that a properly set up GS will not wear the stock 16 Michelins in any unusual manner for at least 17K miles. I don't have any good idea what is causing it but then again, it doesn't seem like the shops around you do either. All depends how much time you want to take to sort it out. I definitely agree that sometimes it is just not worth the time to sort it out and getting rid of the car is the better option. Just take it from me that something is wrong with your setup, it definitely is not a problem with the GS. Full disclosure, only suspension changes I have made are bilsteins and TRD sways. Both are going on the GS as soon as I get break in work.

Good luck.

 

Probably not much help, but my 2001 GS4 has OE Bridgestone RE030 tires (I think this tire is one-of-a-kind exclusively for Lexus) and although I wouldn't give them high marks for handling, they are just now wearing out at 24,000 plus miles and no problem wear that I can see. Stock suspension until December when I put the L-Tuned parts on.

 

When you buy new tires buy from reputable dealer that offers a good warranty like 50,000 miles they will usually last allot longer but are definitely not performance tires. See if this is available in your area. Have you had a Lexus dealer give your car an alignment I would have them try. Good Luck don't sell car try a few more things you wont be sorry

 

Cupping is definitely an alignment problem. I wish you were in LA coz I can point you where to go (Johnson's Alignment in L.A.--see previous posts re alignment) I had this prob before but careful alignment work fixed it. As suggested here also, higher psi will help but it will not totally avert the problem.

The AVS dB is a noisy tire when cupping sets in. I have a much, much better luck with Dunlop SP5000. Check the review of the AVS dB at Tirerack.com and you'll see you're not alone. A lot of angry users!!!

The SP5000 on the other hand is what Lexus should have. It is Ultra Quiet!!! Although it's a 4-season tire, I use it on L.A. freeways and they perform just like highway, high-performance tires. Can't tell the difference from the AVS dB to tell you the truth. Plus, it is cheaper $$$

I don't get any advertising dollars for Dunlop but just want to save some people grief. Don't get the AVS dB UNLESS you have a perfectly aligned car -- in which case, noise won't set in.

 

Yes I've heard very good things about the SP5000 tire as far as low noise and tire life.

 

Thanks for the possible info on the db, I will keep an eye on it. But for now, after over 15k miles on the Maxima and a couple of hundred on the new GS3, they are superb.

 

ok a question---would there be any advantage in putting some 215/60 16 tires on the car? I can get an H rated michelin mxv4 energy in that size and maybe it would be quieter.