How I Got My WOW! Factor

[cashweek]

In '09 I bought my '08 Avy Touring used, from Hayward Toyota. First I noticed all 4 wheels sporting curb rash. Next all the tires were replaced with Primewell PZ900. The road test immediately revealed extremely noisy, squirmy tires at all speeds. Unfortunately the car was previously owned by a car rental company (Avis), thus the curb rash damage on all the wheels. The negotiated selling price convinced me to buy the Avy against my better judgment.

I performed a proper full detail inside and out. Got rid of all the spider webs and swirls that automated car washes create and restored the paint finish to all of it's original glory. WOW! Way better than what the dealer calls a detail. It never even looked that good when it came fresh off the assembly line I'm sure.

On 3/29/11, I took the car to Wheel Works and replaced all 4 tires with Bridgestone Turanza Serenity. The spare still has the original Michelin it came with from the factory. It hasn't even seen the road yet! I made sure to get the Wheel Works road hazard warranty on top of the Bridgestone limited waranty. Wheel Works performed a 4 wheel alignment. The LF toe was off a few degrees and the RR camber was also off a couple of degrees. Took the Avy for a nice long round trip ride today 3/31/11 from Newark, CA to Monterey, CA to break in and test the new tires on Route 17. Again, WOW! My Avy rides like it's on a cloud. I was taking all the 35 mph hairpin curves at well over 70 mph leaving all the tailgaters in the dust while keeping a sharp eye out for the CHP. Not so much as even the tiniest complaint from the Bridgstones. They track spot-on... like I'm on rails. Taking both hands off the steering wheel, my Avy tracks straight and true. Barely any tire noise at all speeds. Just a very soothing, barely audible Shhhh, sound. I swear, my Avy rides exactly as it was designed to ride. Smooth & quiet. Again, like riding on a cloud. I love these new tires and I'm so glad I bought them instead of the OEM Michelins.

If you are thinking about tires for your Avy, seriously consider the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity. You won't be sorry.

Next project? Replacing all four wheels with OEM wheels. I can get them from wheel collision @ $190 each with exchange of course. It's $225 without exchange.

Finally, replace all brake pads and have the rotors machined of course. No I won't consider the slotted, vented or cross drilled after market rotors. I just don't trust them from a safety standpoint.

Got lots of riding to do this summer.

Cashweek

[Robert1820]

Nice choice of tire! I work in the tire and service bizz and have a suggestion for you. Avalons are tough on tires. Rotation is critical to even wear and long life. Rotate by moving the front tires straight back and crossing the rears on the way to the front. Over several rotations, this allows each tire to fun in all four positions on the car. This will also greatly reduce if not eliminate cupping and irregular wear.

[cashweek]

Wheel Works, (where I bought the tires) rewarded me with lifetime rotation and balance. They suggest tire rotation every 5,000 miles. I was considering getting the Toyota nitrogen tire service but.... I think it's a scam. I don't believe nitrogen will make any difference since oxygen is comprised of 74% nitrogen anyway.

Cashweek

[Robert1820]

5,000 miles is a good rotation interval. Nitrogen fill for car tires is a little overkill. If it was free I'd go for it. Mainly for it's clean, moisture free properties. Nitrogen has some real advantages in commercial and military jet/heavy aircraft. Having a pure gas greatly simplifies the calculations for accurate temperature/pressure tables for aircraft where 10% underinflation can fail a tire right quick. Some years ago a Saudi airline DC8 took off heavily loaded on a hot day with some of the left main gear tires about 10% low. Those tires failed on take-off, two caught fire. The crew raised the gear after take-off, unknowingly bringing the flaming tires into the gear well, just under a fuel tank with predictable horrific results.

[cashweek]

Interesting bit of info. from Robert1820, that's for sure. I'm glad my '08 Avy doesn't have flight capabilities. Fremont Toyota sent me an email with a link to a site they have me registered with. It state I have enough earned credits (6000) to get the nitrogen tire service. It's unclear to me if they mean I can get it for free or if it's a coupon to get it at a discounted price. I'll have to check with the dealer when I visit with them this Saturday.

Cashweek

[Doobiewah]

Originally Posted by cashweek

Interesting bit of info. from Robert1820, that's for sure. I'm glad my '08 Avy doesn't have flight capabilities. Fremont Toyota sent me an email with a link to a site they have me registered with. It state I have enough earned credits (6000) to get the nitrogen tire service. It's unclear to me if they mean I can get it for free or if it's a coupon to get it at a discounted price. I'll have to check with the dealer when I visit with them this Saturday.

Cashweek

If the service is free, give it a go, for sure! I had problems with my wife's tire lights coming on all the time in the winter and then switched to the Nitro fill and it hasn't come on once since. Checked the tires the other day and one was 1/2 lb off. It used to be a couple of pounds on at least one tire. For me, at least, the nitro fill has prevented the dreaded "my tire light is on again" call!

[grandpapa]

another nice found.
Good pick on your 08. Imagine if the seller has the car in "current" condition, you probably would have paid more, way more

Why you need to look for OEM wheels? It's not stock? If because of curb rash, you know it can be recondition. Save $

[cashweek]

grandpapa, OEM wheels, stock whatever. I am a stickler about keeping my cars in the exact condition it was in when it came of the assembly line. There aren't too many reconditioners around here where I am. I did check out a couple of them and they ain't cheap. Also, I would have to leave the car for a couple of days.
I did find wheelcollision.com and they have the exact reconditioned wheels I am seeking for $190 each with exchange of course. $225 without exchange. That's real close to the quotes I obtained from the wheel reconditioning shops.

Cashweek

[cashweek]

Originally Posted by Doobiewah

If the service is free, give it a go, for sure! I had problems with my wife's tire lights coming on all the time in the winter and then switched to the Nitro fill and it hasn't come on once since. Checked the tires the other day and one was 1/2 lb off. It used to be a couple of pounds on at least one tire. For me, at least, the nitro fill has prevented the dreaded "my tire light is on again" call!

Agreed! If the nitrogen tire service is free, I will surely have it done tomorrow since I am getting the front and rear brake pads replaced and all the rotors machined.

It seems pretty unusual that the low tire pressure warning light comes on when using normal compressed air in your wife's car but not when using nirogen. I suspect a sensor problem. I have purposely dropped the air pressure on my tires by at least 5psi and the warning lights never came on at all. I wonder what the threshold is for the warning light to come on.

Cashweek

[lexsc4]

I am going to need tires soon on my 08 touring. Got a new set of Yoko Avid V4S 20K miles ago when I bought this CPO and now they are down to 4/32. I think I will go with the Michelin Primacy MXV4 at $129 each from Tirerack, plus $70 rebate when you buy four. I know a guy who does mobile installation and have it installed for $15.00 each plus $2.00 each disposal fee. He serves the entire SF bay area.

BTW, my father got a set of Turanza Serenity for his Mercedes E350 too and it is quiet.
BTW, I never go to the Fremont stealership except warranty work, which has been none.

Lexsc4
Fremont, CA.

[lexsc4]

BTW, those Bridgestones are uni-directional. You can only rotate front to back without dismount and remount. That's why I am going with the Michelins.

Lexsc4