Hey guys,

I have about 17,000 miles on my Bridgestone currently and having a issue with the car pulling to the right. I took it to the dealer and they are telling me that my tires are wearing on the inside and this is why it is pulling to the right. Well, hearing this I plan on riding the tires for another couple of thousand miles or as much as possible before it becomes a safety issue, as my tires have approx. a good 7,000 miles left on them.

I also have a m3 with Michelin pilot ps2 on them and the ride is so much better than the F with its Bridgestone. No I know the cars have different suspensions, I am talking about how the cars ride feels with the tires. The michelins absorb the road conditions so much better than the Bridgestone. So I plan on getting the PSS with all its great reviews and they are so much cheaper than the PS2's.

Well my question is I plan on upsizing the tire while I am at it since as we know the 225 fronts and 255 rears are weak in size for how much the car can put down. I plan on doing the usual 245 fronts and 275 rears, my question is do I need to get an alignment after I have them installed?

Also regarding the tpms, do these need to be replaced?

Finally I heard somewhere that when you replace the tires you need to recalibrate something through the navigation system.

Sorry for the long post. Any help is appreciated.

 

Check and make sure the inner tire wear has not reached to the cord.

No change in TPMS.

2008 Nav's manual, page 115: Menu > Setup > Page 3 > Calibration > Tire Change.

Get an alignment done from a competent tech. Just because it's done at the dealer, it's not always done right. Just sayin'

 

If you're going with the PSS, definitely make sure you go bigger than stock. I went with stock size PSS a few months back, and I hate these tires. I got less wheel spin with almost zero tread left on my Potenzas than I am getting with the PSSs even after several thousand miles.

Everyone on here that went with the larger 245/275 set up seems to have had much better results than I have.

 

If a tire swap doesn't help the drifting problem, it isn't your tires. I used to have the stock Potenzas RE050A and even after switching to continental dws all seasons my car still pulls right. If it still pulls right after the tire replacement, get the alignment & subframe adjusted and if that doesn't work, get the camber bracket installed. You can refer your dealership to Lexus of Route 10 (in NJ), they know about the camber brackets... I turned it down cause I didn't want to shell out $300-400 on the install, but I may elect for this option now, since the pulling is annoying me. Also, after replacing tires I didn't have to touch the navi, unless the dealer did something.

 

Pulling to the right (or left) could very well have to do with tires (wear or a construction problem). Tires and alignment are two of the conditions that could lead to a drift in any direction.

Lou

 

I agree with lowrideraz as I had an issue pulling to the right with Hankook Ventus V12's (horrible tire for the ISF.) Changed to PS2's and now PSS's and no more drifting to the right.

Also, as stated by others above, alignment at a good shop is necessary. None of the Lexus dealers I went to wanted to move the subframe, so I took it to an alignment specialist whom moved the subframe and aligned it for maximum tire life instead of "Lexus specifications."

As for tires, 050 were stock and honestly, they are awesome. Harsh "ride," but 08 ISF's will be harsh no matter what tire you put on. Just the 140 rating on the Bridgestones vs price wasn't for me. Replaced Hankook V12's and tire squirm immediately noticed. Replaced with PS2's, felt "softer" and were quieter than the Bridgestones, but grip felt the same. Replaced PS2's with PSS's and no complaints here. Supposedly longer treadlife than PS2, cheaper, and better in wet weather. Others may dislike them, but that's probably due to driving styles. I don't track the ISF, just a daily driver with an occassional spirited run. Stock size for all tires.

 

You are right, I edited my original post. Pulling to the right could very well occur even after changing tires and swapping tires, etc... as it has on many 2008 early F's, as documented here on ClubLexus.

 

Thanks for the great info guys. I have still a bit of tire meat left so I wont be changing the tires anytime soon. But so far I found the PSS in the 245 front and 275 rears shipped to my door in northern California for $1300 at discount tire. Does anyone else have a better price they can get?

And how much does an alignment go for? My dealer quoted me $160.

 

That sounds about right, prices vary from dealer to dealer. Make sure to get the specs. I make the mistake of forgetting to ask every time I get alignment.

 

My dealer has a special through the end of the month for $99 for an alignment.

 

For Southern CA, I take my vehicles to West End Alignment in Gardena. Excellent work, unlike Lexus techs that just print out and set the alignment "within specifications."

Lexus dealers charged me $130 a year ago and couldn't get what I wanted (max tire life + minimize drifting to the right.) West End took car of that + pulling to the right issue by moving the subframe.

 

How can this be? I rarely get wheel spin and I got stock sizes too. Im running a JoeZ exhaust and intake...

 

I work for Costco and last I checked the tireshop quoted me $1270 installed with the michelin rebate for those same tire sizes.

 

That price sounds awesome, as I was thinking about $1400 installed since it is $1300 for just the tires then another $100 max to mount and install the tires from a local shop.


Is the rebate instant or is it mail in?

 

How long does this take? I do notice more tire wear from the right front tire, and would like to know if there are any problems related to moving the subframe ever slightly.