My IS500 has 19,300 miles and the rear tire lines are already showing. This is the second set of tires. The first sets lines started showing at ~10k on the same inner tire.
I’m going to be getting my third set of tires here before 20k miles. I got an alignment after replacing the tires that first time so I’m unsure if this is normal or if there’s something wrong with the alignment?

Also, should I immediately replace them? Or can I safely wait about a week for the new tires and install to come in?

Also - not doing donuts or burnouts that would excessively wear the tires. I do drive aggressively although I’m not sure if it’s enough to merit this kind of wear in the given time frame.

 

FWIW, I am scared to drive the car with this level of wear. I replaced my stock tire around 12k miles. Maybe consider swapping to some tires with longer life? I am currently running pilot sport 4 all season. Also make sure you have the right tire pressure.

 

You say an alignment was done, but to me that looks like excessive wear from a jacked-up rear toe setting, or something rubbing. Were you provided a printout of the alignment specs after it was done? Also, have you done anything to the car such as lower it?

My IS500 has 9500 miles on it, stock suspension and still on the stock Bridgestones. I just checked them, and the rears are at 6/32 tread depth.The stocks have a depth of 9/32 when new, so I likely have another 9K miles before they get sketchy. Regardless of whether you have the stocks or some other tire, that is some crazy wear you have.

 

I just had swift springs installed a few days ago, so I know it is not the springs.
The alignment was done at a lexus dealership, although I did have to take it back 3 times because the wheel was not centered. It didn’t pull, but it didn’t feel aligned correctly. I think im convinced that they screwed my alignment with possibly a different car? I had a spec sheet but it’s long gone.

 

It could be that the alignment "looks" good according to the alignment machine when the car is stationary, but there is a problem that arises only when the car is in motion. Maybe it could be a bad bushing, ball joint, or loose toe link..I'm not sure what you mean by the wheel was not centered, but the fact you have had this supposedly fixed three times is concerning.

 

In regards to the wheel being off center when it was “aligned” by the dealer, I would be driving straight but the wheel would be ever so slightly turned to the right. It wouldn’t pull per se, but it just was centered while driving. Took it back twice, and only on the third time was it corrected. I’m thinking they could have used the wrong specs? Possibly for an IS350? I’m not sure if we run the same as them or if we are different

 

Something is definitely wrong the suspension, alignment or other. I wouldn't drive too fast on the highway because that tire is seriously compromised. Around the city it may be ok for a week or so.

 

I would suggest not waiting. Those tires could fail at any time. I'm not saying they *will* fail, but one or both very well *could* fail. Fortunately they're in the back so you're unlikely to suffer any major loss of control, but it wouldn't surprise me if one of them failed while turning a corner or on a bend - even at low speed. Definitely don't hit the highway with those.

 

Agree 100% with @HydrantHunter. That is "red alert" territory on those tires, with the cords showing on the inside edge. I would not drive on those tires any more except to the tire shop. I had a similar situation on one of my Benzes, and ended up getting a flat tire because of it.

Recommend when you get your new tires, that you have a Hunter RoadForce balance and an alignment. That kind of wear necessitates some suspension mods (aftermarket/adjustable arms to get your toe back into spec) to get things back into alignment.

 

getting my tires replaced today so these shouldn’t be an issue for too long
in regards to balance and alignment, since I have swift springs lowering springs are the regular factory alignment settings recommended? Or is there generally a different spec sheet to go with?

 

showing cords, means tires need to be replaced asap. the is350 and is500 are known to have some abnormal inner tire wear in rears. to offset, it is highly recc to get adjustable rear camber arms to add some positive camber and get toe dialed in.

 

Exactly what I was trying to say, thank you.

To the OP: if you install an adjustable rear camber arm, you can get your suspension into a better spec -- likely within factory spec. Lowering the car with springs, or adding wider wheels, is only going to bring things out of spec even further.

And yes, you want to get things within the factory alignment spec, even with modifications, as much as possible.

Otherwise, you'll be replacing those rear tires every 5K miles.