I just bought a 2008 AWD 400h with 28k miles and decided to dress it up a bit. I put factory chrome exchange wheels on the car and have had a problem with steering vibration ever since. It starts at 5-40mph and you can see the steering wheel move slightly back and forth between 5 to 40 mph. Above that you don't feel it. I have had the wheels rebalanced, road force balanced 5 times and realigned. Took it into a Lexus dealership to help solve the issue and they put on wheels from a used Lexus on the lot and I stopped having problems. They still can't figure out the issue. I've tried everything I know other than buying new/original 400h wheels and putting them back on the car.
Question: Would extra weight on chrome wheels (2-3lbs.) per wheel cause an issue with the hydrid drive, electric motors or the AWD at slow speed? Has anyone put chrome wheels on a 400h??? Can't find any technical info on the issue and the dealership doesn't know. Help!!!!!!!

 

I don't see why chrome coating would be a problem, unless you got a damaged or out of round wheel. Is there a warranty or exchange option on the chrome wheels from where you bought them?

 

is it a tire issue?