[Runswithscissors]

I bought my Highlander Hybrid Limited in march with 2800 miles. I just hit 5K miles and took it to the dealer for the 5K (and also 18 month since it was used and in service that long) service, as well as a service bulletin (see the Hybrid Forum). The service was to be covered under ToyotaCare.

Part of the service is supposed to be a tire rotation. When I picked up the vehicle, I inquired as to whether the spare had been included in the rotation. I was told ToyotaCare does not pay for the spare rotation, and that in fact they do not routinely rotate the spare. I told the service adviser (who is very nice btw) that the owners manual called for the spare to be rotated. He expressed surprise and disbelief. I told him it was in the manual. He clearly did not believe me and got the manual from my car. Sure enough, it advises to rotate the spare. he said they never do because it is a PITA, and they actually charge more for a 5 tire rotation. And he iterated that ToyotaCare only pays for a 4 tire rotation. He then offered to rotate the spare at no charge however, but I would have to bring the car back as he did not have a free tech at the moment. I advised I would think about it, and also call Toyota.

I did call Toyota, and after speaking to a customer service rep, who had to speak to a supervisor, she came back and advised me that ToyotaCare only includes a 4 tire rotation. But if routine maintenance is included, and the owners manual says to do a 5 tire rotation as part of the routine, shouldn't it be covered? So here are my questions:

1) Do you rotate all 5 tires?
2) Has anyone had all 5 rotated under ToyotaCare?

My service adviser told me it is more expensive in the long run to rotate all 5 tires, because when you replace them, you then need to buy 5 tires not 4. 20% more wear but 25% more replacement cost. he has a point there, but I am concerned about the unused spare dry-rotting. Thoughts on this appreciated too...

Darren

 

[dtown40]

Personally, I would prefer that Toyotacare would balance all 4 tires on the ground when they rotate my tires, as to worry about the spare, but they don't do that either.

 

[pinoybmr3]

In my experienced with any other car of mine, they just rotate 4 tires, if you include the spare its gonna be not balance because the 5th tire is new and the other side will be used, my bmw full tire spare haven't use for 10 yrs, discount tire even told me that my spare tire life expired, but it still there. As far as Toyota charges, im not really sure but in my opinion, tech is right, you want to replace only 4 tires rather than 5.

 

[sweeneyp]

I never rotate the spare. That way it will last the life of the vehicle (won't have to buy a new spare when the tires wear out). Also another reason is that my spare is a different size tire (245/55R19 vs 255/55R19), and I don't want different size tires on the same axle on a regular basis.

on a random note, bridgestone only says to rotate the Dueler H/L Alenza's every 7500 miles (my warranty from costo requires I don't rotate before 6k or I void it).... its strange.

 

[Runswithscissors]

I never rotate the spare. That way it will last the life of the vehicle (won't have to buy a new spare when the tires wear out). Also another reason is that my spare is a different size tire (245/55R19 vs 255/55R19), and I don't want different size tires on the same axle on a regular basis.

on a random note, bridgestone only says to rotate the Dueler H/L Alenza's every 7500 miles (my warranty from costo requires I don't rotate before 6k or I void it).... its strange.

Are all the spares a different size? I thought mine was the same...Also, Costco's website says they do not carry tires to fit the Highlander with 19" wheels, how did you get them?

Darren

 

[sweeneyp]

Are all the spares a different size? I thought mine was the same...Also, Costco's website says they do not carry tires to fit the Highlander with 19" wheels, how did you get them?

Darren

I should have been more clear. The spare is the stock tire size (245/55R19), but when I got new tires I changed size to 255/55R19 to get a much better tire, and didn't pay for a new spare as 4 tires were already $1k+.

Costco generally only stocks regular sizes in the store, and the HL tire size is not a common one. But they will order the tire at no cost. If the carry the brand and have it in the warehouse they can deliver it to the store for install. Just talk to the guy in the tire section, they got plenty of stuff for the HL.

 

[JMSinMD]

When I upgraded my tires on Bridgestone's dime I had them upgrade all 5 (including spare). I personally rotate and balance every 5k and align every 10k. A rotate without a balance is asking for a balancing issue down the road.

 

[AVConsult]

The spare may also be on a steel rim--not the high $$ alloys. I've never peeked under there to verify.

 

[JMSinMD]

The spare may also be on a steel rim--not the high $$ alloys. I've never peeked under there to verify.

The spare is the same.

 

[sweeneyp]

When I upgraded my tires on Bridgestone's dime I had them upgrade all 5 (including spare). I personally rotate and balance every 5k and align every 10k. A rotate without a balance is asking for a balancing issue down the road.

You balance it yourself? I thought you had to have a certain machine for that??

The spare may also be on a steel rim--not the high $$ alloys. I've never peeked under there to verify.

its the alloy

 

[JMSinMD]

You balance it yourself? I thought you had to have a certain machine for that??



its the alloy

To clarify, I have a shop do it. When I got the tires I went immediately to my local shop that I deal with which is part of the NTB/Merchant's/Big O/Tire Kingdom/Service Central organization. For $20? per tire I bought a life of time road hazard/rotation/balance package.

 

[AVConsult]

Dang, full size tire on a OEM wheel. Don't than beat all.....now if only the spare matched the other four tires.

 

[JMSinMD]

Dang, full size tire on a OEM wheel. Don't than beat all.....now if only the spare matched the other four tires.

It does on vehicles with OEM tires. Sweenyp changed his 4 on the road to a wider size which is why his spare doesn't match. I did the same except I had the spare done as well. At $50 a tire I couldn't beat doing all 5 :clap:

 

[Guest]

I don't believe there is a reason to rotate your spare if you have the hybrid, which is, i believe front wheel drive. That being said, when buying an AWD vehicle, I was told by a buddy if you have to replace a tire with a larger diameter tire, it would make the cd or a contraption called the viscous coupling work (or engage) more than it would with evenly matched diameter tires, resulting in premature wear. B.S. I thought. But googling it there may be something to it. I'm going to find out how much a viscous coupling costs compared to a new set of tires and go from there. Or not. As far as I can determine, viscous couplings are coolest when all diameters of the tires are the same. So if you have awd would it be better to rotate your spare? to even the wear? Does this apply to Highlanders? FIIK.

 

[sweeneyp]

I don't believe there is a reason to rotate your spare if you have the hybrid, which is, i believe front wheel drive. That being said, when buying an AWD vehicle, I was told by a buddy if you have to replace a tire with a larger diameter tire, it would make the cd or a contraption called the viscous coupling work (or engage) more than it would with evenly matched diameter tires, resulting in premature wear. B.S. I thought. But googling it there may be something to it. I'm going to find out how much a viscous coupling costs compared to a new set of tires and go from there. Or not. As far as I can determine, viscous couplings are coolest when all diameters of the tires are the same. So if you have awd would it be better to rotate your spare? to even the wear? Does this apply to Highlanders? FIIK.

hybrid is awd. the gas motor only powers the front wheel, but there is an electric motor on the rear wheels.

To clarify, because I obviously said something confusing :facepalm:
the spare is the same size tire as the stock tires. I mentioned mine was a different size because I changed tire size, but kept my OEM spare. The spare is identical to the normal tire.

 

[Guest]

I don't know how hybrids distibute torque between tires. I just realize there is a debate on center differential viscous couplings as they relate to different size tires on the vehicle due to wear. So if you rotate the spare, in the future if you really need to use it, the effect on the coupling would be minimal I thought it was an interesting question. As you drive, your tires wear.
[ame]http://askville.amazon.com/replace-tires-AWD-car/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=2651049[/ame]
Whatever. I don't know. How much is a cd compared to a set of tires? if you lose a tire and drive on a larger diameter spare will that overheat your viscous coupling? Tire dealers and some car dealers are advising to replace all 4 tires if you have to replace one. If they ever say it to you, now you know why, and make your decision. Replacing a blown tire with a comparitivly worn spare may shut them up.

 

[Guest]

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Car-Talk-Shortcut-on-tires-will-end-up-being-1238327.php

 

[Guest]

The hybrid is gas front wheel drive and electric rear wheel drive when used for fuel economy. Not fulltime AWD and no center differential as gas only AWD Highlanders. No shaft to the rear wheels as Highlander fulltime AWD.

 

[AXMACD]

My spare has never been on the ground. It is the original A20 so I'd like to keep it for emergencies only because those tires SUCK.

 

[Ralph6410]

I fall into the "never use my spare" camp as well. My rotation is front to back alternating with with winter and summer tires.