How many 32nds are left on the tires? Did you ever have them rotated? What does the wear pattern look like? Are all 4 tires worn out? Im sure there's a way to wear out tires in 4700 miles but you'd have chunks of rubber missing and obvious signs of abuse. If all you do is drive on highways then I'd say you have a shot at arguing the tires are bad. Make a not of the mfg date, if the tire is old, it might be drying up and wearing out faster since the rubber is old. Snap some pics and post them up.

 

Thank you TN member eddiefromcali, in response to your questions...
What are 32nds? Sorry I'm a noob. What does this mean?
Did you ever have them rotated? So early? Dealer didn't recommend doing this until the 10,000 miles service.
What does the wear pattern look like? Uniformed across the width of the tire. On all four tires.
Snap some pics and post them up. New to the site how do I post pics? Can I email them to you?

 

Hi DrVtec, and :welcome: to Toyota Nation!

Based on what you'd said so far I'd start out by saying that the dealer is full of crap, IMHO, suggesting rotation at 10,000 miles. That's way too long between rotations, and 5,000 miles should be your maximum. Not only will the tires wear improperly, but you'll start running into "cupping" which will damage the tires permanently and increase wear and noise. Take a look at the How To Post Pictures sticky in order to find out how to do that.

Back to the tires, low profile tires like those on the Sport trim are a performance-type tire, and they typically have lower tread life than standard tires. I'm not a fan of plus-size/performance tires so I can't give you exact numbers, but I'm sure some of the other forum members will chime in with some estimates for you.

If at all possible I'd try another dealership/service center and find someone more knowledgeable (if at all possible), because just their suggestion alone regarding tire rotation leaves me wary of them.

TrailDust

 

Back to the tires, low profile tires like those on the Sport trim are a performance-type tire, and they typically have lower tread life than standard tires. I'm not a fan of plus-size/performance tires so I can't give you exact numbers, but I'm sure some of the other forum members will chime in with some estimates for you.

To clarify, the Sport and Limited have the same type/size of tires. They are neither low profile nor performance tires. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) tires typically last between 20-25k, for most drivers this would be about 2 years.

I rotate and balance every 5k and align every 10k. If the tire wear is uniform than it doesn't sound like an alignment problem and I can't imagine a dealership not working with you and having Toyota cover the replacement.

If you have any problem with the Toyota dealership don't be afraid to contact the "Toyota Experience" to get the problem rectified.

 

I would like to know if there's any evidence or arguement that I can make in order to prove that the wear & tear on the tires are not the results of abuse on my behalf.

I would think if an alignment check showed the HL is clearly out of spec it would be enough for Toyota to 1) do a four wheel alignment under warranty and 2) replace the tires

If you get into a finger pointing contest with the dealer get the Regional Toyota rep involved. Unless they can show damage to the rims (running into a curb or something) I would think it would fall under not typical wear and the tires would be covered under the basic warranty.

Last stand would be to ask for Customer Good Will on the tires and split the tire cost in half.

Let us know how it turns out.

 

Thanks to both TrailDust & summerwind as well as eddiefromcali for your help. In response to TrailDust do you happen to know generally what the life of these sport tires are? I feel that 5,000 miles is too short of a life for these tires. In response to summerwind do you feel that they will try to use an excuse along the line of what type of tires they are to deny responsibilty in honoring a warranty?

 

The amount of wear you'll get off of that type of tire varies considerably between the different brands and specific tire. Some of these tires (not saying the ones you have) have extremely poor wear because they are very similar to racing tires that are tacky to the touch in order to increase traction. For your tires I'd do a Google search and see what info turns up...what kind of mileage are others seeing. But again the type of tires is only one factor, and like mentioned before bad alignment, lack of rotation, etc., can shave lots of miles off a tire's life. Hopefully more Sport trim owners will offer you their observations.

 

My Sport is currently 1 & 1/2 years old with 22,9xx miles. While I wish I had more tread, I am neither at the replacement indicators or below the 32nd mark. City driving in the DC Metro area is hard on the toughest of tires, so I would definately cry foul over tires needing replacement at your mileage.

DeWat

 

Thank you DeWat I knew I was forgetting a good TN member. Just to verify the replacement indicators are the lines that appear on the tires where the treads are? TrailDust thanks for the photobucket link but that website is not allowing me to create a name if anyone is comfortable with me directly emailing them the tire photos please give me your email and I will send asap in non-downloadable format.

 

...
Just to verify the replacement indicators are the lines that appear on the tires where the treads are?
...

Yes, the replacement indicators are low rubber bars that run across the straight grooves (channels) in the tire tread. These bars will normally form straight lines across the width of the tire when the tread has worn down to their level, indicating that it's time to replace the tire. I italicized the word normally because, while preparing this reply, I ran down to the garage to make sure that the Sport's stock tires had them (didn't want to give bad advice). Well to my surprise, I discovered that my bars actually ran on like a 45 degree angle, and not straight across the tire like I'm used to seeing. This is just a guess, but maybe it's because the tire make can claim that all off the channels are not interrupted at the same point if someone where to say that they contributed to hydroplaning. Again, just a guess at why my bars were at an angle.

DeWat

 

Thank you DeWat. I currently do not see low tread indicators but visually to me the tread just doesn't look correct. I've owned several aftermarket rims with high performance tires and when they have gotten to the look that I currently see with the Highlander it's time to change them. I'm really worried about the tires seeing as my wife and 5 weeks old infant primarily use the vehicle when I'm at work. I just don't want an accident to result out of insufficient tire grip.

 

Warning

I'm really worried about the tires seeing as my wife and 5 weeks old infant primarily use the vehicle when I'm at work.

I'd be more concerned about a 5 week old using the vehicle.

 

OEM Toyo's

Hi,
My Toyo Open Country A20s were worn out at 18,300 miles. This is a tire made for Toyota and to thier specs. The tire is garbage. I contacted Toyo which sent me to a local dealer and he inspected the tires and contacted the Toyo Customer service rep. Toyo took 40% off the cost of the new tires. My tires were rotated every 5000 miles by the dealer, pressure checked every two weeks. The tires wore out evenly with normal driving almost 90% of which was highway miles. I replaced the tires with Toyo Open Country HTs size 255/55R19. These tires seem much better and have a 60,000 mile warranty. I am also in New Jersey. I plan to contact Toyota and see what they will do about the $600.00 I had to pay out of my pocket. My dealer says they have had alot of tire complaints. Toyo makes this tire for Toyota only. Contact Toyo, the girls name is Candice and she will help you out. Number is in your tire brochure 1-800-678-3250

 

I've had my HL for only a week so my knowledge of the Toyo's is limited to what others have posted on TN. However, I had some aftermarket Falken perf tires on my Subaru Outback, and they were essentially worn out after about 5,000 miles. I had an alignment just prior to install (with invoice from dealer to prove), so that wasn't the problem. Anyway after some some heated discussions with Falken distributor, Falken paid for 60% of the cost of a new set. Point being, 5000 mile wear out is not acceptable for any tire unless your doing some ocassional laps on a track or driving like a total maniac. Don't back down from the dealer or Toyo....stand firm and you will be compensated. Also don't hesitate to casually slip in the advice and feedback you're receiving online...generally, companies recognize the power of internet and don't want their name being trashed on-line.

Best of luck and do let us know how you make out. :thumbsup:

 

Just curious, what is the air pressure in your tires? A very low pressure can contribute towards excessive wear, but still not at your level of less than 5K.

 

Hopefully, the OP will be able to post pics, which will help with a possible diagnosis. Could be tire scrub too. Lots of possibilities.

-

 

Thanks to all the TN members that responded to my post. I came back from the dealership today. In return for my silence, they have agreed to change all five tires including the spare. I guess the tires were defective I didn't even have to argue. Just in case any member that has bridgestone tires should check on them regularly.

 

Great news :thumbsup:

Did they check the alignment as well or just decide the tires were defective?

 

To TN member JMSinMD LOL. Correction to that statement my wife primarily uses the highlander but she's always taking our daughter with her.

 

In response to both summerwind & TrailDust. The dealership replaced all the tires on my highlander on the sole principle that I had my motor oil changed at 2,500 miles. The technicians are required by dealership policy to visually inspect all the cars that they service ie tires. Since the tires were so worn down at 4,7xx and it was serviced at 2,500 miles the conclusion was made that the tires must be defective. I know it sounds confusing however they did balance and align the vehicle with the installation of the new tires. Honestly I feel the dealership was so nice because they didn't want me to tarnish there reputation which might cost them customers. Since the economy is so bad right now I guess they are just barely getting by... It's kind of sad when you really anaylze it. Rep +1 for Englewood Cliff Toyota dealership.

 

Sounds like you have found a winner for a dealer :thumbsup:

 

AnthonyF,

I will soon be in the market for new tires as well and have considered the Open Country H/Ts. What's your take on those tires especially since you have them in the 255 size? I was looking for the 245s, but the my local tire shop said they were backordered, but the did have the 255s in stock.

I'm in a agreement with everyone else that the OEM tires are junk. Winter was downright scary here this year!

 

Toyo 255/55R19

AnthonyF,

I will soon be in the market for new tires as well and have considered the Open Country H/Ts. What's your take on those tires especially since you have them in the 255 size? I was looking for the 245s, but the my local tire shop said they were backordered, but the did have the 255s in stock.

I'm in a agreement with everyone else that the OEM tires are junk. Winter was downright scary here this year!

The 255s are a great tire and have made a big differance. I told the dealer to do an alignment during my service and they stated it wasn't needed and I would just be wasting my money. The tires are good and have a 60,000 mile warranty.

 

My Toyo tires were warn out around 16k inside cuped all 4. My front end while backing up would pop when turning either way. This poping started around 6k. Dealer could not fined anything. Showed them how the tires were permaturely wearing out. Ask if the was any campaigns other than 3rd seat seat belts. Showed that it was not out of alinement. ?

 

I just measured my A20s and after 3,200 miles I'm down to Front: 8/32nds and Rear: 9/32nds. I'll be going to the dealer tomorrow for the complementary oil change and to raise hell on why the tires are wearing down so fast. At this rate I'll be down to 2/32nds at 13K miles. I have NEVER taken my HL offroad or towed anything either. I don't see why the tires would be wearing down so fast. Anyone know what these tires are rated for? 25K 35K or 5K miles?

 

I don't see why the tires would be wearing down so fast. Anyone know what these tires are rated for? 25K 35K or 5K miles?

I agree with that as I can't see why so many tires are performing so poorly. Even the s***iest tires should still get 25,000 miles till replacement is needed. I think many of the problems are alignment related, like wildcat's cupping problem, which is the fault of the service center. But in other cases drivers are just tough on tires and don't realize it. IMO, and for what it's worth.

 

It's amazing that tires can possibly go that fast....I would think things would have been so defective or out of alignment that you could almost pick up on it visually...without an alignment machine.
I've been on this earth driving cars for 40 years and can tell you any decent tire.....properly inflated....on proper alignment DOES NOT need to be rotated any faster than 10 k miles.

 

I got 22k out of my 17" Toyos. They were down to 4/32 and that was all the further I was willing to risk riding on them. I replaced them with Conti LX's. If you think it's worth taking them to 2/32", go to Tire Rack's video on braking with tires that are 10/32", 4/32" and 2/32". You will never take a tire down to the wear marks again.