Toyota Tacoma Tires and Wheels

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103 messages, Last post on Jun 01, 2010 at 8:44 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Tacoma, Tires, Truck

#49 of 103 Re: Bought new 2006 Tacoma and having tire issues [ryanhokie2001] by latigo

Sep 22, 2006 (11:31 am)

Replying to: ryanhokie2001 (Sep 13, 2006 10:06 am)

I have a 2003 Tacoma extra cab with 265/70-R16s. The doorjamb states 29F/32R – BUT – stipulates that pressure is for the 225/75-R15 tire size. I suspect you have the same, but I’ve heard that same year/make/model/trim cars can actually have different doorjamb plates with different tire information (regional?). I called up the local Toyota dealership and of course they have absolutely no clue on what the optimal-wear tire pressure should be. I called up a local high-end performance tire place (Stokes Tires, in Santa Monica California) and a guy there suggested I run 32psi all the way around – and regardless if I’m carrying my motorcycle in the back or not. So I’m still left wanting.

Logically, if you carry heavy weight I the bed, you’ll want more air so the tire holds the proper shape (does not balloon). Likewise if you pretty much never carry anything heavy in the bed, you’ll actually want to use less air to maintain proper tire shape, and thus even wear.

All that being said – I’m going to stick with 32psi all the way around and see the wear patterns for myself – then adjust as needed. Traditionally I’ll actually over compensate – if my tire’s middle is wearing thin, I’ll put too little air in the tire to get the use of the outer edge (and vise versa). The main thing is to check the pressure regularly so you can catch them if the pressure starts to go off in one or more tires (valve inconsistency?), thus you get consistent wear feedback for what tire pressures you’ve chosen.

It’s VERY important to measure your pressure under consistent conditions. Just driving the car down to the gas station will heat up the tire (because of carcass flex), and increase the tire pressure. The pressures given above should be flat-cold in the morning or evening, and after many hours of non-use.

Interestingly on my motorcycle, out at a track day, it’s all about tire temperature for grip, not pressure. The front tire is roughly half the volume of the rear, and I use 33psi in the front, and 34 in the rear on an average day. The rule of thumb is to shoot for 10% increase in pressure in the front and 20% increase in the rear (which is an abstract approach to getting the correct TEMPERATURE from tire pressure). So when I come in from a run the tires should be about 36.5 in the front, and 41 in the rear. Starting with less air pressure will make the tire bulge, and cause much more friction in the tire as it roles, heating up the tire more, and increasing the % different between cold/hot.

I kind of went off topic, but maybe this helps with overall knowledge of the processes going on. I am certainly no expert.

#50 of 103 Re: Bought new 2006 Tacoma and having tire issues [ryanhokie2001] by tap562

Sep 26, 2006 (2:59 am)

Replying to: ryanhokie2001 (Sep 13, 2006 10:06 am)

I have a nearly identical problem with an '06 Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab, but with 265/65-17 Dunlops. At speeds above 55 mph the steering wheel shakes and the truck continually wants to pull left. The wheels were balanced several times, tires have been checked, pressures set at recommended 29 lbs, and the truck was aligned twice. The dealer finally contacted Toyota and found there is "a known problem with the proportional valve in the power steering" on this truck. The "fix"(?) essentially dampened the problem, but did not eliminate it. The steering wheel vibration is not as excessive as it once was, but it still exists. And, the truck still pulls left. Has anyone else experienced these problems with an 05/06 Tacoma??

Replies to this message:

kbshadow (Oct 12, 2006 2:50 pm)

#51 of 103 tpms by seraniko

Sep 30, 2006 (9:48 pm)

is the spare on an 06 tacoma equiipped with tpms also. place i had the rims replaced claimed that the steel spare rims did not have tpms.

#52 of 103 2006 Toyota Tacoma Tire Size Upgrade??? by coe

Oct 01, 2006 (3:30 pm)

I have a 2006 Double Cab PreRunner. The tire size on this model is 245/75R16. I want to get new tires that are a little bigger, maybe wider as well, but the sales people at Firestone tell me that going any larger than the factory recommended tire size will cause rubbing on turns. I've seen other Tacomas (although they are a few years older) that have larger tires...265/70R16. Did Toyota put smaller tires on the PreRunner Tacomas this year? How much larger can I go without having to lift the truck and avoiding any rubbing on turns. It seems that the sales people at Firestone are sure of their recommendation but how is it that other Tacomas I've seen have larger tires??
Also, which is a better tire to go with, BF Gooodrich AT or the Firestone Dueler (is the Dueler Revo better than the regular Dueler, what's the difference)?

Any input is greatly appreciated as I don't want to make a dumb purchase I'll regret later.

Thanks!

#53 of 103 BFG rugged trail TA - how did yours wear out? by mjp29

Oct 07, 2006 (6:47 pm)

My 2004 4WD Tacoma SR5 extra cab has these tires from the factory.

Around 30,000 miles, I noticed abnormal wear on the outer part of the tires. A tire dealer told me (for a $20 alignment check) it needed to be shimmied up so wear wouldn't occur on the outside of the tires (even though their alignment system said it was in range of good alignment). Decided to take it to a Toyota dealer. Took it to a Toyota dealer and had it aligned for $90 - even though the print out said it was only off 0.02 on the front (which I suspect it was within factory alignment and didn't need aligned but they didn't offer an alignment check - was told once it's entered into the computer you get an aligment (end of story) but that's another post I suppose.

Now, at the next oil change (asked for rotation also) the tires are abnormally wearing on the inside of the tires. The oil change company asked if I had bad suspension or something and said at 35psi my tires shouldn't be wearing like this on the sides since that's more pressure than Toyota recommends for the tires (something like 26 and 28 psi).

What puzzles me is that I've been running them at 35psi for a while and suspect they should be wearing on the middle of the tires if anywhere.

I'm at 37,000 miles and will buy new tires soon, but I wonder if this truck has a problem and will just chew up the edges of the new tires I have installed.

Replies to this message:

flyguy8 (Nov 18, 2006 6:01 am)
- 2004taco (Nov 20, 2006 6:54 pm)
  - 05tacotrd (Mar 04, 2007 10:41 pm)

#54 of 103 My Lift, Wheels & Tires by pb2themax

Oct 12, 2006 (12:49 am)

Donahoe Racing coilovers and shocks, Boze Alloys Stinger wheels, Wrangler Silent Armor 275/70/17

Replies to this message:

philg87 (Oct 12, 2006 9:01 am)

#55 of 103 Re: My Lift, Wheels & Tires [pb2themax] by philg87

Oct 12, 2006 (9:01 am)

Replying to: pb2themax (Oct 12, 2006 12:49 am)

VERY NICE TACO!

#56 of 103 Re: Bought new 2006 Tacoma and having tire issues [tap562] by kbshadow

Oct 12, 2006 (2:50 pm)

Replying to: tap562 (Sep 26, 2006 2:59 am)

My 05 4 door TRD 2WD does the same thing, not much shake but pulls left and wanders right and left on a streight flat road.
Only have 5000 miles on it and put Mitchlin tires on it when I bought it.

Had it aligned 5 times, 2 at the dealer and 3 at a Hunter alignment shop.
All said its in specks.
Stuck on what to do next, thanks for the info on the valve.
Does yours wander on the freeway????

Thanks

#57 of 103 More Pics by pb2themax

Oct 13, 2006 (3:55 am)

#58 of 103 sealed bearings by mycajah

Oct 16, 2006 (4:51 pm)

I have a 1999 Toyota Tacoma with 140,000 miles. I have been experiencing road noise above 20 mph for quite a while. I thought that it was the tires, but recently bought new tires and still have the noise. It appears to be the bearings which my mechanic tells me are sealed. I jacked the truck up and can not feel any problems, no rough places as I spin the wheel, no play, no wobble. I can't feel any problem on the highway. I will fix this, but the question is how fast? Anyone else know of noisy sealed wheel bearings?

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