Rough ride on new IS 250

[chef's wife]

I've just got brand new 2006 Lexus IS 250 automatic couple days ago. I
drove about 90 miles so far; and the ride is noticeably rougher than
the demo I test drove. My husband feels the same. I took it back to
the dealership; and they tell me tire pressures are fine and there
should be nothing wrong with it. They haven't checked anything else.
What is the possible cause of it? The demo model is the same exact
model as mine. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

[Ray O]

Post by chef's wife
I've just got brand new 2006 Lexus IS 250 automatic couple days ago. I
drove about 90 miles so far; and the ride is noticeably rougher than
the demo I test drove. My husband feels the same. I took it back to
the dealership; and they tell me tire pressures are fine and there
should be nothing wrong with it. They haven't checked anything else.
What is the possible cause of it? The demo model is the same exact
model as mine. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

If your car has low profile tires, they will give a harsher ride than
conventional tires.

[chef's wife]

Post by Ray O

Post by chef's wife
I've just got brand new 2006 Lexus IS 250 automatic couple days ago. I
drove about 90 miles so far; and the ride is noticeably rougher than
the demo I test drove. My husband feels the same. I took it back to
the dealership; and they tell me tire pressures are fine and there
should be nothing wrong with it. They haven't checked anything else.
What is the possible cause of it? The demo model is the same exact
model as mine. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

If your car has low profile tires, they will give a harsher ride than
conventional tires.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

[chef's wife]

Ray,

I asked the service guy if the demo car has the same tires; and he said
they all had what they call "summer tires" as mine.

Post by Ray O

Post by chef's wife
I've just got brand new 2006 Lexus IS 250 automatic couple days ago. I
drove about 90 miles so far; and the ride is noticeably rougher than
the demo I test drove. My husband feels the same. I took it back to
the dealership; and they tell me tire pressures are fine and there
should be nothing wrong with it. They haven't checked anything else.
What is the possible cause of it? The demo model is the same exact
model as mine. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

If your car has low profile tires, they will give a harsher ride than
conventional tires.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

[Ray O]

Post by chef's wife
Ray,
I asked the service guy if the demo car has the same tires; and he said
they all had what they call "summer tires" as mine.

I checked the Lexus web site, and here are the potential tires installed:

The IS 250 AWD has 225/45 VR 17 all season tires on the front and rear.

For the IS 250 RWD

The standard tires are 225/45 VR 17 in the front and 245/45 VR 17 all season
in the rear.

The optional tires are 225/40 YR 18 in the front and 255/40 YR 18 summer
tires in the rear.

All of the tires listed above are low profile tires, which tend to give a
rough ride. The optional summer tires are lower profile than the all season
tires and they should grip and handle better than the standard tires, at the
expense of an even harsher ride.

I also see there there is an optional sport tuned suspension, which will
give a harsher ride than the standard suspension.

Low profile tires and stiff springs are very much in vogue, and a lot of
people don't seem to mind they tradeoffs from that style, like a harsher
ride and greater likelihood of tire and wheel damage when hitting a curb or
pothole.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Post by chef's wife

Post by Ray O

Post by chef's wife
I've just got brand new 2006 Lexus IS 250 automatic couple days ago. I
drove about 90 miles so far; and the ride is noticeably rougher than
the demo I test drove. My husband feels the same. I took it back to
the dealership; and they tell me tire pressures are fine and there
should be nothing wrong with it. They haven't checked anything else.
What is the possible cause of it? The demo model is the same exact
model as mine. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!

If your car has low profile tires, they will give a harsher ride than
conventional tires.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

[mcbrue]

what do you expect? Kiddie tyres, not for adults. Not for real people.
Sorry.

[John Francis]

Check the tire pressures against what the handbook recommends for your style
of driving and adjust. All IS250's seem to come with tire pressures at
maximum, i.e. they are set for a fully loaded car travelling at high speed.

Oldun

[Road Rage]

Post by John Francis
Check the tire pressures against what the handbook recommends for your style
of driving and adjust. All IS250's seem to come with tire pressures at
maximum, i.e. they are set for a fully loaded car travelling at high speed.
Oldun

Ditto this, my wife's GS300 came with over inflated tires, 5 Lbs over
in each tire. I'm guessing this was done to help seat the bead when
installed. Check on the door jam of the driver side and you should see
a sticker that lists cold tire pressure and the size tire installed.
Make sure they're at the right pressure.

And cold tire pressure is best measured after sitting overnight.

[Ray O]

Post by Road Rage

Post by John Francis
Check the tire pressures against what the handbook recommends for your style
of driving and adjust. All IS250's seem to come with tire pressures at
maximum, i.e. they are set for a fully loaded car travelling at high speed.
Oldun

Ditto this, my wife's GS300 came with over inflated tires, 5 Lbs over
in each tire. I'm guessing this was done to help seat the bead when
installed. Check on the door jam of the driver side and you should see
a sticker that lists cold tire pressure and the size tire installed.
Make sure they're at the right pressure.
And cold tire pressure is best measured after sitting overnight

The cars are shipped with the tires inflated to the tire's capacity so that
they do not develop flat spots when tied down on the ship, trains, and
transporters. The dealership is supposed to set proper tire pressure during
pre-delivery service.

I recommend 4 or 5 psi over the factory recommended tire pressure to prolong
tread life. The ride will be slightly harsher as a result.

[Road Rage]

Post by Ray O
The cars are shipped with the tires inflated to the tire's capacity so that
they do not develop flat spots when tied down on the ship, trains, and
transporters. The dealership is supposed to set proper tire pressure during
pre-delivery service.
I recommend 4 or 5 psi over the factory recommended tire pressure to prolong
tread life. The ride will be slightly harsher as a result.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

That all makes perfect sense but there's no reason a new GS should be
delivered with tires inflated to 41 psi (cold) when the max stamped on
the tire is 40 psi and only for seating the bead. The door sticker
states 33 psi cold. My assumption is the dealership delivered the car
at the wrong pressures, even after I specifically asked if the tires
are at the correct pressures while standing in the customer delivery
stable. I'll bet this is not uncommon.

[Ray O]

Post by Road Rage

Post by Ray O
The cars are shipped with the tires inflated to the tire's capacity so that
they do not develop flat spots when tied down on the ship, trains, and
transporters. The dealership is supposed to set proper tire pressure during
pre-delivery service.
I recommend 4 or 5 psi over the factory recommended tire pressure to prolong
tread life. The ride will be slightly harsher as a result.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

That all makes perfect sense but there's no reason a new GS should be
delivered with tires inflated to 41 psi (cold) when the max stamped on
the tire is 40 psi and only for seating the bead.

As I mentioned before, the cars are shipped with high tire pressures for
reasons other than just seating the bead.

The door sticker

Post by Road Rage
states 33 psi cold. My assumption is the dealership delivered the car
at the wrong pressures, even after I specifically asked if the tires
are at the correct pressures while standing in the customer delivery
stable. I'll bet this is not uncommon.

Your assumption is probably correct; I do not know how common it is for
dealerships to deliver cars with the incorrect tire pressures.

[mcbrue]

the lifetime of the tread a bit while increasing the probability of
fatal blowouts in traffic. If they would only install high profile
tires in the first place, they would not have to risk the lives of the
owners with this overinflation problem. Has anyone talked to their
congressmen and senators about this totaly arrogant and killer like
approach to the American consumer? Where is the concern for safety?

[Ray O]

Post by mcbrue
the lifetime of the tread a bit while increasing the probability of
fatal blowouts in traffic. If they would only install high profile
tires in the first place, they would not have to risk the lives of the
owners with this overinflation problem. Has anyone talked to their
congressmen and senators about this totaly arrogant and killer like
approach to the American consumer? Where is the concern for safety?

Increasing the tire pressure reduces the probability of fatal blowouts in
traffic.

[Jay Somerset >]

On Tue, 13 Jun 2006 16:38:26 -0500, "Ray O"

Post by Ray O

Post by Road Rage

Post by Ray O
The cars are shipped with the tires inflated to the tire's capacity so that
they do not develop flat spots when tied down on the ship, trains, and
transporters. The dealership is supposed to set proper tire pressure during
pre-delivery service.
I recommend 4 or 5 psi over the factory recommended tire pressure to prolong
tread life. The ride will be slightly harsher as a result.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

That all makes perfect sense but there's no reason a new GS should be
delivered with tires inflated to 41 psi (cold) when the max stamped on
the tire is 40 psi and only for seating the bead.

As I mentioned before, the cars are shipped with high tire pressures for
reasons other than just seating the bead.
The door sticker

Post by Road Rage
states 33 psi cold. My assumption is the dealership delivered the car
at the wrong pressures, even after I specifically asked if the tires
are at the correct pressures while standing in the customer delivery
stable. I'll bet this is not uncommon.

Your assumption is probably correct; I do not know how common it is for
dealerships to deliver cars with the incorrect tire pressures.

The dealer set my tires to the correct pressure (33 lb) when I took delivery
of my new GS300, and the ride was noticeably harder than when we test drove
a similar car at the dealer.

I do recall that when "pushed" on the test drive, the car seemed to "mush"
in a hard turn, and I got more tire squeal than I expected from the front
outside tire, so I suspect that they demo cars with lower than specified
tire pressures to give that "soft luxurious feel" that sells cars to anyone
other than a "driver."

As there are more "passengers" than "drivers" out there, this may be good
marketing strategy, but it does not show the car off as well to those of us
who actually like to "drive". :-)

[Derek A. Bill]

Anyone read or personally experience anything along the lines of:

1. Tires getting harder or softer over the first few thousand miles
of use.

2. Springs or shocks having a 'break in' period, i.e., their
character changing over the first few hundred or thousand miles of use,
or after driving over a rough road for the first time?

3. Inflation pressures varying significantly from one side of the
car to the other, depending on which side is in full sun and the other
isn't?

4. The temperature of the pavement affecting the ride?

5. Noticeable changes in ride, handling, acceleration with the
addition of only one additional passenger or having a passenger move
from one seat to another?

I know some of these sound...well, ridiculous or neurotic.... but
anyone who's been into audiophilia will understand that these questions
represent the very tip of the iceberg..........

Post by Ray O

Post by Road Rage

Post by Ray O
The cars are shipped with the tires inflated to the tire's capacity so that
they do not develop flat spots when tied down on the ship, trains, and
transporters. The dealership is supposed to set proper tire pressure during
pre-delivery service.
I recommend 4 or 5 psi over the factory recommended tire pressure to prolong
tread life. The ride will be slightly harsher as a result.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

That all makes perfect sense but there's no reason a new GS should be
delivered with tires inflated to 41 psi (cold) when the max stamped on
the tire is 40 psi and only for seating the bead.

As I mentioned before, the cars are shipped with high tire pressures for
reasons other than just seating the bead.
The door sticker

Post by Road Rage
states 33 psi cold. My assumption is the dealership delivered the car
at the wrong pressures, even after I specifically asked if the tires
are at the correct pressures while standing in the customer delivery
stable. I'll bet this is not uncommon.

Your assumption is probably correct; I do not know how common it is for
dealerships to deliver cars with the incorrect tire pressures.

[j***@hotmail.com]

Given properly inflated tires your #2 "break in period" for suspension
components will be commonly experienced. Hot-rodders also claimed that
with their high performance shocks/struts on the tracks.

The Lexus IS is supposed to much stiffer. But magazine reviews termed
the suspension as harsh (there is a fine line between firm and harsh).
It's also my belief that Toyota's suspension systems aren't very well
designed.

But don't people in most areas (at least in the US) allowed to test
drive the vehicles they will purchase?

Post by Derek A. Bill
1. Tires getting harder or softer over the first few thousand miles
of use.
2. Springs or shocks having a 'break in' period, i.e., their
character changing over the first few hundred or thousand miles of use,
or after driving over a rough road for the first time?
3. Inflation pressures varying significantly from one side of the
car to the other, depending on which side is in full sun and the other
isn't?
4. The temperature of the pavement affecting the ride?
5. Noticeable changes in ride, handling, acceleration with the
addition of only one additional passenger or having a passenger move
from one seat to another?
I know some of these sound...well, ridiculous or neurotic.... but
anyone who's been into audiophilia will understand that these questions
represent the very tip of the iceberg..........

[DaveW]

Post by j***@hotmail.com
Given properly inflated tires your #2 "break in period" for suspension
components will be commonly experienced. Hot-rodders also claimed that
with their high performance shocks/struts on the tracks.
The Lexus IS is supposed to much stiffer. But magazine reviews termed
the suspension as harsh (there is a fine line between firm and harsh).
It's also my belief that Toyota's suspension systems aren't very well
designed.

Is it still your belief that a GS has Macpherson strut suspension, and
that there's a Lexus model based on a Corolla?

Are your beliefs ever based on anything like easily researched facts,
or do you prefer to just go with your gut feeling?

[ACAR]

snip

Post by Derek A. Bill
3. Inflation pressures varying significantly from one side of the
car to the other, depending on which side is in full sun and the other
isn't?

I've measured as much as 3 psi difference in my driveway.

Post by Derek A. Bill
4. The temperature of the pavement affecting the ride?

Are you suggesting that pavement/ambient temperatures are the cause of
a harsh ride in one car vs. another? Maybe if the test drive were done
in summer and the purchase made in winter...

Low profile, high performance tires warm up as you drive and the
pressure will increase.

Post by Derek A. Bill
5. Noticeable changes in ride, handling, acceleration with the
addition of only one additional passenger or having a passenger move
from one seat to another?

Oh, you must be a Honda driver. :-)


The OP's issue is that she bought a sport sedan instead of the entry
level luxury car Lexus sells at about the same price point.

[Rob]

Post by Road Rage

Post by Ray O
The cars are shipped with the tires inflated to the tire's capacity so that
they do not develop flat spots when tied down on the ship, trains, and
transporters. The dealership is supposed to set proper tire pressure during
pre-delivery service.
I recommend 4 or 5 psi over the factory recommended tire pressure to prolong
tread life. The ride will be slightly harsher as a result.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

That all makes perfect sense but there's no reason a new GS should be
delivered with tires inflated to 41 psi (cold) when the max stamped on
the tire is 40 psi and only for seating the bead. The door sticker
states 33 psi cold. My assumption is the dealership delivered the car
at the wrong pressures, even after I specifically asked if the tires
are at the correct pressures while standing in the customer delivery
stable. I'll bet this is not uncommon.

Sue the bastards!

[Road Rage]

Post by Rob
Sue the bastards!

That would be crazy. Unlike most people these days, I actually know
something about cars. Little things like improper tire inflation could be a
problem for those "I just pay someone else to do it" folks. In addition to
drag racing I also drive in many SCCA events so I'm a major do-it-yourselfer
when it comes to my family's personal vehicles. But unfortunately there's a
lot of people that never even check their own tire pressures.

[johnycarlos]

Its a sports sedan, not a luxury vehicle. I have a 350 and its pretty
stiff as well. as far as the demo you drove, it probably has the same
feel, its just your imagination.