2003 ES300 Tire Noise

Discussion:

(too old to reply)

GT LexTex

2006-10-29 10:44:56 UTC

My wife has a 2003 ES300 with 15k miles, hardly driven at all since new... I
followed the routine maintenance by the dealer... oil change, tire rotation
etc...

The Toyo tires that came with the car has lots of treads left. Since last
year, around 11-12k, I started to notice some whining noise as the car is
warmed up and is doing 40+ mph. Took it to the dealer to check a couple of
times. The verdict is : the tires have been worn unevenly. I have not done
any alignment on this car before. The dealer suggests to replace the tires
and to do alignment. The dealers have confirmed that the car is mechanically
sound... suspension, steering...

An experienced mechanic thinks that the car has been sitting in the garage
for too long and the tires have developed "square" spots on the wheels...
hence the noise. Otherwise the noise is harmless.

I think the noise problem could be something mechanical... drive axle, wheel
bearing etc...

I want to get rid of the noise... should I replace these Toyo tires?
I have a lot of luck using Michelins and is thinking of the Hydroedge for the
claimed comfort, quietness, dry/wet traction and long mileage warranty. but
it does not come with the 94V speed rating (onloy 94T). Frankly my wife and I
are unlikely to be driving the ES300 like a race car, even on freeway. The
most we would do is about 80mph.

I have done some research on the Tirerack.com... a lot of their customers
like this Hydroedge but of the 2 Lexus users' comments... they both complain
excessive road noise.

Can anyone offer some suggestions? will replacing the tires fix this problem?

Ray O

2006-10-29 15:59:43 UTC

Permalink

Post by GT LexTex
My wife has a 2003 ES300 with 15k miles, hardly driven at all since new... I
followed the routine maintenance by the dealer... oil change, tire rotation
etc...
The Toyo tires that came with the car has lots of treads left. Since last
year, around 11-12k, I started to notice some whining noise as the car is
warmed up and is doing 40+ mph. Took it to the dealer to check a couple of
times. The verdict is : the tires have been worn unevenly. I have not done
any alignment on this car before. The dealer suggests to replace the tires
and to do alignment. The dealers have confirmed that the car is mechanically
sound... suspension, steering...
An experienced mechanic thinks that the car has been sitting in the garage
for too long and the tires have developed "square" spots on the wheels...
hence the noise. Otherwise the noise is harmless.
I think the noise problem could be something mechanical... drive axle, wheel
bearing etc...
I want to get rid of the noise... should I replace these Toyo tires?
I have a lot of luck using Michelins and is thinking of the Hydroedge for the
claimed comfort, quietness, dry/wet traction and long mileage warranty. but
it does not come with the 94V speed rating (onloy 94T). Frankly my wife and I
are unlikely to be driving the ES300 like a race car, even on freeway. The
most we would do is about 80mph.
I have done some research on the Tirerack.com... a lot of their customers
like this Hydroedge but of the 2 Lexus users' comments... they both complain
excessive road noise.
Can anyone offer some suggestions? will replacing the tires fix this problem?

One of the disadvantages of having such a quiet car is that when something
does make noise, it tends to be very noticeable.

Other possible causes of uneven tread wear besides the vehicle being out of
alignment are improper tire inflation and uneven or over-loading the car.

I have never heard of "square spots" on a tire but they can theoretically
develop flat spots, either from skidding a long distance or sitting for a
long time while under-inflated. Since your car has antilock brakes, the
long distance skid is unlikely. If the car is driven at least once a week,
then the tires are unlikely to develop flat spots. If you are going to park
the car for a month or more without driving it, I would inflate the tires to
the maximum listed on the side of the tires, and then let the air out to the
proper inflation when you are going to start driving again. Automakers
inflate the tires to the maximum when they leave the factory so that they
will not develop flat spots while in transit or in storage, and the dealer
is supposed to adjust air pressure as part of the pre delivery service.

If you are willing to give up a little ride quality in exchange for longer
tread life, then inflate the tires about 4 PSI over the automaker's
recommended tire inflation for normal driving so that the treads at the
inner and outer edges of the tire will last a little longer.

Tire noise is generally different from noise caused by a mechanical problem
because a tire noise will change in volume or pitch on different road
surfaces like asphalt or concrete, while this will not happen with a
mechanical problem.

If 2 out of 2 Lexus users complain of road noise with a particular tire, I
would look for a different tire.

--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Mike Piacente

2006-11-04 14:17:59 UTC

Permalink

Tires that sit too long in one spot will develop a flat spot where they are
in contact with the ground, but when driven, they don't 'whine,' there is a
very noticeable 'thumping' sound not to mention shaking of the steering
column (if flat spots are on front tires) or the thumping is felt through
the seats (if flat spots on rear tires).

Post by Ray O

One of the disadvantages of having such a quiet car is that when something
does make noise, it tends to be very noticeable.
Other possible causes of uneven tread wear besides the vehicle being out
of alignment are improper tire inflation and uneven or over-loading the
car.
I have never heard of "square spots" on a tire but they can theoretically
develop flat spots, either from skidding a long distance or sitting for a
long time while under-inflated. Since your car has antilock brakes, the
long distance skid is unlikely. If the car is driven at least once a
week, then the tires are unlikely to develop flat spots. If you are going
to park the car for a month or more without driving it, I would inflate
the tires to the maximum listed on the side of the tires, and then let the
air out to the proper inflation when you are going to start driving again.
Automakers inflate the tires to the maximum when they leave the factory so
that they will not develop flat spots while in transit or in storage, and
the dealer is supposed to adjust air pressure as part of the pre delivery
service.
If you are willing to give up a little ride quality in exchange for
longer tread life, then inflate the tires about 4 PSI over the automaker's
recommended tire inflation for normal driving so that the treads at the
inner and outer edges of the tire will last a little longer.
Tire noise is generally different from noise caused by a mechanical
problem because a tire noise will change in volume or pitch on different
road surfaces like asphalt or concrete, while this will not happen with a
mechanical problem.
If 2 out of 2 Lexus users complain of road noise with a particular tire, I
would look for a different tire.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)