texas008

2009 LS460 RWD, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3 with 4/32 tire tread depth,
when driving ~60 mph on highway today, with moderate rain and some water puddles on highway, felt tires slipping almost every few seconds,
VSC was not triggered, slipping distance maybe around 1 inch,
before the rain on dry road the same tires had perfect traction.

while lots of other trucks, SUVs & cars had no problems in the rain passing by quickly.

guess the contributing reasons:
* 4/32 tread depth
* RWD
* heavy curb weight of LS460

mckellyb

The primary reason is tread depth, or rather, the lack of tread depth.

I've been at or below 1/8" on the front Pirellis for a couple of months, now, and admittedly, the VSC computer gets a workout on certain roads.

To be honest, the generally accepted wear limit of 2/32 is absurdly 'thin'. I know, I know...pot...kettle.... It's been summer in Texas, tread is optional, most days.

Driven wheels and weight have nothing to do with it. If anything, added weight should make it slightly less-prone to hydroplaning, which is what's happening.

I'm ordering up some Continental DW tires in the OEM size, five of them, today, maybe this weekend, because the past couple of rain storms have been, um, interesting. Supposed to rain today/tonight/tomorrow, which I'm not looking forward to.

Also, just because it appeared nobody else had a problem doesn't mean they didn't. 99% of the driving public is brain-dead when it comes to vehicle behavior.

texas008

thanks a lot for the information, answered many of my questions.
yes seems heavy rain coming to Houston this weekend, not very friendly to the LS.

SW17LS

Has nothing to do with the LS, your tires are just worn out. Nothing to do with AWD or weight, an AWD LS would have been the same way. I always replace tires at 4/32nds because thats when I start to feel the sorts of things you describe.

Take this as a nudging that you need to replace the tires.

And I'm sure to people out there seeing you, you weren't having a problem either.

mjeds

Over inflation of the tires will also make them prone to slippage. What are your cold tire pressures (cold meaning the car has been sitting for at least 6-8 hours).

But it I agree with the others, the tires are due. Fresh rain, oil slick road, low tread = spin out.

texas008

thanks for the info,
its getting cooler in Houston,
so I just inflated all 4 tires 2 days ago, to cold pressure 35~36 psi.
will soon get a new set of tires at Discount Tires, either Pirelli P7 or Pilot sport AS 3+.

texas008

Thanks a lot for the info.
Yes its time to get a new set of tires (27k miles on the current set of Michelin Pilot sport AS3)
I'm always amazed that my GX460, with original bridgestone tires and ~ 5/32 of tread depth, can go through puddles of water with all 4 wheels firmly planted on the ground. Guess the GX must have a much better 4wd system than the LS, and different type of tires.

SW17LS

Has nothing to do with 4WD. 4WD isn’t helping you at all in that situation. The GX has more SUV oriented tires with more siping, beefier tread.

And as you said above, your LS is RWD, so how could it have anything to do with the GX having a better 4WD system than the LS?!

texas008

That's based on comparing my GX460 driving experience with your LS awd driving experience

Htony

GX460 is real 4WD.

mjeds

truck tires vs. car tires. Harder rubber, taller sidewalls, different tread pattern designed for rain, mud, snow. Vs. low profile, soft rubber tires designed for dry asphalt or cement surfaces.

Apples and oranges.

Put the same tires on your LS and you’ll experience the same behavior as the GX. But the ride will be crap,

SW17LS

My AWD LS is very stable in heavy rain, on good tires. As were my RWD LS430 and LS400.

Your GX would hydroplane too on tires below a certain type.

Again, drive type has nothing to do with hydroplaning resistance

Nospinzone

For performance on wet roads, I've found the Pirellis to be the best hands down. They may be noisier, they may wear out faster, but nothing performs better on wet roads, imo.

SW17LS

Actually the P7s have a great reputation for quietness and Long treadwear, certainly not down to 4/32nds after only 27k miles.

mckellyb

BTW, I put five BFG A/T KO2 tires on Princess, my wife's AWD 2002 RX300.

She lived with the noise for two years. I found a Jeep ZJ I'd been searching for for years, and it needed tires. Oh, look, OEM is identical to the RX. Wife's car now has five Contis, the ZJ (named Hodor) has the on/off-road tires.

It was fun while it lasted, though.