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Toyota Avalon Tires and Wheels

225 messages,  Last post on Mar 03, 2010 at 5:35 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Tires, Wheels, Sedan

Messages Page 15 of 23

#141 of 225 Re: winter tires? [havalongavalon] by abfisch

Jan 25, 2007 (7:10 am)

Replying to: havalongavalon (Jan 19, 2007 9:26 am)
Havavalon:
 
As far as I know, and I am 99.5% sure, Toyota uses the same rotors diameter, caliper, pads etc and there is NO difference in mounting a 16" or 17" wheel on the vehicle. To double and triple check me, call the dealership and go to www.tirerack.com and plus in your spec. for your Avalon. If all the answers are like mine, then I am very sure.
 
Getting the size that comes on the XL would ensure min/neglible speedo error, and very close or exact number of revolutions of the tire per mile.
 
I did the same with mine, as I said in 2002. I run 205/65 H 15" in the winter, and actually the same or a third (have a third set of rims) 215/55 H 16 in the summer. No speedo error. Slight diff. in ride comfort versus handling but miniaml.
 
abfisch

#142 of 225 2000 alloy wheel corrision by jcalson

Jun 06, 2007 (5:15 am)

I have considerable corrision on three of the four alloy wheel. One is extensive, two are moderate and the last one has very little if any. My issue is that on the wheel with the extensive corrision, I am now having trouble keeping the seal on the tire. Have had the tire removed and resealed at least 4 times in trying to stop the slow leak. Has anyone else experienced this extensive corrision on their alloy wheels. By the way this is the only complaint on my car. Going strong with only 73,000 miles on it.

#143 of 225 Avalon wheel and tire size increase by glew

Sep 21, 2007 (10:40 am)

Has anyone had a decent experience increasing the tire size on a 05/06/07 Avalon? Car comes with 215s, 17" wheels, which are so wimpy. I saw an Avalon with 20" wheels and 245 width tires in Oakland, CA, but they couldn't possibly clear the fender wells? Tire Rack will only recommend up to 225s on 17s or 18s, which isn't much of an increase.

#144 of 225 Re: Avalon wheel and tire size increase [glew] by abfisch

Sep 21, 2007 (1:16 pm)

Replying to: glew (Sep 21, 2007 10:40 am)
I got to add to your comments on the opposite side of the fence, just for forum edification, not to start a conflict. Don't take this personally.
 
Increasing wheel and tire size has its limitations, some which are dramatic. Although some may think the 20" or 22" wheels look good, there are many problems that they cause. Bubbling of the side walls is a frequent one. Balance is another. Wet weather traction diminishes as well as ride quality. Cost for replacement is considerably more. Speedometer error is yet another.
 
Consumer Reports did a review along time ago it seems now. The two cars they changed tire and wheel size were a Honda Accord and I believe a BWM 5 series. In summation, increasing the wheel/tire size plus one, or 1" along with lowering the profile, gives the best advantage for handling, response, ride quality, etc. Anything more than that, and the benefits do NOT outweigh the disadvantages.
 
If you are looking for an increase in sportiness, 18" wheels might be the answer, along with the touring model. Otherwise, changing the shocks to sports shocks, and the use of PU bushings will "tighten up" the ride considerably without giving you the inherent disadvantages of going to larger tire/wheel sizes.
 
I have an older Avalon with sport shocks, PU bushings, and stock wheels. You cannot get the tires to squeal under 50MPH in a 90 degrees turn. And this is with OEM size tires although the tires are not the ones that came on the car. Still the ride is quite compliant, the car is quiet, solid, and comfortable. A show car, no. A BMW no. A quality daily reliable driver, yes.
 
abfisch

#145 of 225 Re: Avalon wheel and tire size increase [abfisch] by glew

Sep 26, 2007 (10:06 am)

Replying to: abfisch (Sep 21, 2007 1:16 pm)
Thanks, abfisch; I agree 20 inchers are a little silly. Just that I saw it on a new Avalon, and couldn't believe they got it to work!
 
What are "PU" bushings?

#146 of 225 Re: Avalon wheel and tire size increase [glew] by abfisch

Sep 26, 2007 (12:42 pm)

Replying to: glew (Sep 26, 2007 10:06 am)
Glew:
 
Sorry. PU bushings, stands for polyurethane bushings. Ummm...I am not sure if you work on your car alot, so I will keep this short and simple. I like short and simple for me anyway.
 
Bushings are the rubber round pieces that hold your front and rear suspension pieces together, along with the bolts. They let the pieces fit with one another and provide an interface between the parts to hold them together and keep them from wearing, vibrating, making noise, etc. The ones that come from the factory are usually made of rubber. Like wiper blades, they are exposed to the elements alot, and decompose and compress with time, causing the car's suspension to become less "tight", loss geometry, and create what used to be a new car feel like an old car.
 
While any new bushings are better than old, PU are different than rubber. There are trade offs but it is more positive than negative.
 
go to the "energy suspension" website for a better description than I can provide. They are cheap enough, fit precisely, and renew any old ride into a new ride. You would get much more enjoyment out of a set of PU sway bar bushings for the front and bar, cost no more than $75 and a couple hours of your time, versus new wheels and tires over 1K. And they will last the lifetime of the vehicle, at least 10-15 years worth, more than most people keep there cars.
 
They made them for the Avalon for the sway bars and the control arms. The sway bars you can do yourself if you are mechanically inclined. The control arms better left to a mechanic that has the right equipment.
 
abfisch

#147 of 225 Traction in wet/snow by iamknott

Nov 13, 2007 (1:34 pm)

I leased an '07 Avalon XLS in April of this year. It has stock Michelin "Energy" tires. I have noticed (what I consider to be) excessive slippage on wet roads, particularly from a standing start on upgrades. Has anyone else experienced this? And, as we are heading into winter, what should I expect for traction in snow?

#148 of 225 Re: Traction in wet/snow [iamknott] by 55396

Nov 13, 2007 (1:57 pm)

Replying to: iamknott (Nov 13, 2007 1:34 pm)
"It has stock Michelin "Energy" tires."
 
I had them on our 97 Camry. Seemed to work fine in snow. Didn't have the torque of your Av on start though. Keep a feather foot.

#149 of 225 Re: Traction in wet/snow [iamknott] by fin

Nov 13, 2007 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: iamknott (Nov 13, 2007 1:34 pm)
Our extended family has driven Michelin's best tire for about 500k miles on six different cars since 1995. Yes, there are tires that give better traction under certain conditions (Toyo, for example). But as with most things, there is a trade off for mileage, comfort, etc. No tire is perfect. The Energy will do fine in snow for a general purpose tire.
 
The post above indicates you need to watch the throttle at startup. Definitely. If turning from a start, be even more careful. The wheels will spin, yes. But so do most other FWD cars if you give too much power. Like yours, my '07 Limited will spin the tires in light rain with too much power applied. Adjust to the car.
 
Note: My "snow" driving is only in light snow in TN and GA mountains. Someone from the more snowy states may post a different experience. And if it really gets deep perhaps a set of winter snow tires might be a good idea. Enjoy your Avalon...

#150 of 225 Re: Traction in wet/snow [fin] by iamknott

Nov 14, 2007 (8:40 am)

Replying to: fin (Nov 13, 2007 5:33 pm)
Thanks for the replies. Yes, some of the spinning incidents occurred when turning into traffic and my foot got a little heavy and, now that you mention it, I think my previous car had Toyos.
 
The Avalon really does require a "feather" touch which can be hard to do when wearing winter shoes. I wish the accelerator were not so sensitive. I guess I yearn for the days of mechanical linkage and strong return springs.

Messages Page 15 of 23

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