joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

So.. all of 4 tires in the 400h is bald in the inside.
Had to call Lexus Corporate.
Well the car is at the dealership now.
basically, here's the "outcome"

Lexus will replace 2 tires, and I'll pay for the other 2.
I pay for the alignment.

Tires are ~$245 each at the dealership, they are $180 @ the tireshop down the street. alignment is $250. (i have to get all of it done @ the dealer or no free tires)...

i know i know, i should take my losses and get it done..
but what makes me sad is that, it's the car's design that's causing the bad tire wear, if it was my fault, I will gladly pay 100% of the cost..

oh well.. If you have GOOD YEAR tires, please check the INSIDE tread!!
mine looked brand new from the outer part, but it was bald in the inside.

Take off your tire to check, if not turn your tires all the way to the left or right and look at it.

UPDATE:
Here is my alignment sheet, they charge $250 for this:

I am no expert, but 2 hours on the rack, i think they should be able to zero out the toe..
my front tires were bald.. and the alignment did not change anything noticeable. so if my new michelins wear out the same, then definitely there's a problem with the 400h itself.. if it wears evenly, then it's the Good Years..

Take a look at the camber of the front. I dont see a reason for so much negative camber.. I believe the extra weight of the battery is affecting this figure. I guess Lexus cheaped out on "redesigning" the suspension of the Hybrid..

slimpiggy

All 2007 releases comes with 18' Michelin, I am #18 in toronto for the 2007 model and it's michelin, rememeber Toronto is tough weathered too

mandyfig

Have a similar comment on the Goodyears, how did they convince Lexus to be the OEM for the RX.....good riddance!

joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

They called 2 "free" tires "Goodwill", yet I was charged for the other two tires and the alignment..

but i really felt that it was a goodwill on MY part that i paid for the other two tires and alignment...

I think the problem with the RX hybrid as opposed to the Prius is that fact that RX was NOT designed as a hybrid on the blue-print.
Prius on the other hand was designed as hybrid ONLY..
live and learn i guess

irieblue

My 2006 400h has the same issue with wear on the inside of both front tires. I've always made sure the tires are inflated to the spec (I add air when the tires are cold). The car has been in twice for general service, and Lexus says the tire wear is fine, even though in my mind the wear on the inner side is completely obvious compared to the outside.

I've never been a good year tire fan at all , but I'm thinking about calling lexus in the next couple of weeks once I collect enough background info on the issue and whether others are experiencing the same issue. I am in Northern California.

joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

make sure u get it documented ASAP..
Lexus was trippin that I didn't mention it up until now... I told them, I didn't know til my tire guy told me!

sinthetiq

Could it possibly be your driving style?

joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

i get ~26~27 mpg on this car.. i think "normal" people only get 23~24.. so no i doubt it's my driving style

Lexmex

I have taken my RX300 to a different place for alignment for some time. I need to do an alignment EVERY MONTH. That is how bad Mexico City is on vehicles here. I routinely suggest to vehicles at my track who have had their 1/4 mile time drop off to check out their alignment.

That being said, the machine in question that my place is using is one made by Hunter (albeit the readings are in Spanish). One of the most important things is to make sure who ever does the alignment does the rear alignment, not just the front wheels as most places do. This makes a HUGE difference and can be felt through the acceleration.

However, I agree $250 USD is excessive. Toyota here will charge about $40 USD and the place I use charges just $15 USD.

herbvdh

I had a 2004 Prius with these same pieces of garbage tires 1) when it was windy or behind a truck the front end walked all over. 2) Every time it rained I sat and spun basically I was stuck. 3) These tires wore very fast tires were half gone at 12,000 miles I finally replaced them for safety reasons and filed a complaint with the NHTSA whatever good that did.

NeoNz

$250 for an alignment? are you living on mars? dude go to pep boys they'll do it for $25 or less

joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

you definitely have no clue what an alignment is if you think even pep boys will do it for $25..

NeoNz

$250 for an alignment? what are you smoking? my friend owns a couple pep boys and quoted me $25.

joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

you win.

vulpasin

That explains why you were quoted $25 for alignment.

There may be (and are, for sure) places where you can have the alignment done for less than $250...but even Pep Boys doesn't have such a rate as $25...maybe $25 per...wheel

Check out, page 3 (lower left corner) with the "specials" from Pep Boys:

http://pepboys.shoplocal.com/pepboys...89090458046009

SPECIAL: Computerized Wheel Alignment $69.99

And keep in mind that it says in "small prints"....Price includes parts and labor. See store for details. Most vehicles. A shop supply fee may apply. Actual price may vary depending on vehicle make and model...in other words for SUVs clearly is more, and Lexus owners definitely will be charged a "luxury tax"