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Toyota Highlander Tires and Wheels

788 messages,  Last post on Apr 28, 2013 at 4:42 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, Tires, SUV

Messages Page 56 of 79

#548 of 788 Re: 2008 Toyota Highlander Sport TOYO 19" tires [TekinFamily] by jer_wag

Mar 04, 2010 (10:24 am)

Replying to: TekinFamily (Jan 22, 2009 8:18 am)
I'm so angry at Toyota right now and these junk Toyo A20's. It's March 2010 and still no good tires in 245/55 19's. I have 19,500 miles and they are seriously worn. With minimal snowfall I slid about 200 yards down a hill and almost wrecked with my wife and 18 month old along for the ride. I consider myself a cautious snow driver, but these tires break lose with minimal snowfall. I got AWD so I could go in the snow. The wife's Odyssey preforms better than the Highlander in the snow. So here are my options as I see them:
 
1) Get a new tire size (255/55-19). I don't want to do this. Computers on these vehicles are so sophisticated, I'm worried about what it will do to the gas mileage and overall performace of the vehicle. Toyota and many tire shops are leary of this as well.
 
2) Get the newer expensive Toyo HT's which are rare. How is the snow performance for these? I'm leary of Toyos in general now.
 
3) Downgrade to the 17" as you mentioned. Is this the wheel you used? Are you still having good luck doing this? At least I could have an OEM size tire in 245/65-17 with a little more rubber on the road.
 
Any input is greatly appreciated.

#549 of 788 Re: 2008 Toyota Highlander Sport TOYO 19" tires [jer_wag] by hlander

Mar 04, 2010 (1:15 pm)

Replying to: jer_wag (Mar 04, 2010 10:24 am)
Dear "jer wag"
 
I changed my tire at 18500 miles. I already called Toyo Tires and Toyota so many times and I didn't get any response except Toyo Tires agent sent me out to 3 different dealers and the claimed their self that they are not Toyo Tire dealer anymore.
 
The winter was very near at that time and I have baby girl whose enjoy the ride a lot. So I changed the tire for my family safety.
 
I report complaint to 3 websites including bbb.org and finally I got partial credit from Toyo Tire via bbb.org about 40% of my new tire purchase.
 
I have no idea about Highlander Sport.
But for me, Highlander Hybrid, have no choice rather than to stick with 245/55 19" due to computer calculation input. I already discussed with 2 mechanics and they told me to stick with original tire size.

#550 of 788 Re: 2008 Toyota Highlander Sport TOYO 19" tires [jer_wag] by damifinomike

Mar 04, 2010 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: jer_wag (Mar 04, 2010 10:24 am)
Greetings:
Understand your frustration. I am in same boat. Maybe not quite as bad, but close.
My experience is:
If you switch to different tire size either rims or tire size, I have been told by Toyota dealership and mechanics that Toyota will void warranty if/when you experience any front end, transmission, or AWD issues. The likelihood of this happening might be "rare", but if it ever did and dealership noticed non-OEM tire size, you are OUT of LUCK for warranty repairs.
 
Next is computer recalculation: Might not seem like a big deal, but I also have been told the transmission is computer controlled and many other issues. In short, be prepared for weird shifting, poor gas mileage, and potential other issues if you go to 17 inch rims.
 
My tires (Toyo A20) lasted about 25k with frequent rotations and air pressure monitoring. I did replace them with another set of A20 because the HT were not available "anywhere" in early November 2009. Now for interesting part...
 
Very unhappy with A20 tires with 5,000 miles on them. Called TOYO about this issue and they told my tire shop to call them directly once I got to tire store where purchased. Tire manager discussed issue with TOYO and they offered to replace my tires with HT tires shipping from California. I too, experienced very terrible traction, poor snow conditions in Michigan with AWD, overall safety issues with spin out, etc. I will be paying for dismouting of tires and remounting of new HT tires on 03/06/2010 of original size.
Also call and send letter to the National Highway Safety council as noted in this thread about the TOYO tires. Interesting item: TOYO is almost the same as TOYOTA.... go figure.
IF you call TOYO, be patient but firm and tell them you are elevating the issue to Washington DC, just like the many other TOYOTA issues at present time. This is what I did and got some partial relief.. I hope.
Good luck in your tire search.
MICHIGAN MIKE.

#551 of 788 Re: suitable non snow tires, any thoughts? [stripeman] by damifinomike

Mar 04, 2010 (2:49 pm)

Replying to: stripeman (Jan 30, 2010 3:45 pm)
Bad overall even on wet pavement. I imagine you do get some rain... Luck you ! No snow to contend with, but the A20 tires do not perform well on wet road either.
MICHIGAN MIKE

#552 of 788 Re: Toyota Service Bulletin - 18 Wheels [tventre] by bri719

Mar 11, 2010 (11:54 am)

Replying to: tventre (Feb 13, 2010 6:05 pm)
I didn't initially understand what you're saying, as my fiancee has the exact same car (2008 Highlander Sport) and just wanted to be sure which tires you're talking about that were original.
 
on hers, they've only lasted about 26k and then started to wear unevenly to boot, so I also had the car aligned after only that many miles which also seems strange. we previously had her tires rotated and I think they were also rebalanced at one point.
 
so are you saying the "Open Country" (A20) were terrible and only lasted 14k? so I should check out the "HT" instead? not impressed with what I've read about the Bridgestones, most people seem to hate them especially in snow (which we drive through for a few months out of the year).

#553 of 788 followup with Toyo on our '08 Highlander Sport by bri719

Mar 11, 2010 (1:52 pm)

called Toyo today. in addition to the premature wear, lower grip than previous under wet / snowy conditions, etc, seems like our uneven wear that the non-Toyo dealer pointed out is due more to the faulty tires than bad alignment or anything else.
 
had the car in for the 15,000 mi dealer service (18k) which was 8k ago, and they never mentioned one thing about premature tire wear or bad alignment. also, the car never pulls or exhibits other signs of possible alignment.
 
have an appointment to take the car to Toyo dealer in the next two days from now for inspection per their recommendation. car won't be driven much until then, we just have other committments to deal with. the woman already conceded to me that there could be something wrong with the tires and if so, they would offer some concession ($) on replacing them, without even much goading. I will definitely insist on the HT, and that they don't just replace them with another set of junky A20 or some other tire (unlikely, being that the only other is Bridgestone).

#554 of 788 Re: followup with Toyo on our '08 Highlander Sport [bri719] by shotcalla

Mar 13, 2010 (9:47 am)

Replying to: bri719 (Mar 11, 2010 1:52 pm)
The OEM Toyo's on my 08 HL Limited were toast at 20k, replaced them with Nokian WRG2 255/55-19, I believe they are quieter and track better. Much, much better handling in the snowy, slushy weather we have been having. Cost about 1,100 all in including taxes and front end alignment.
 
I was a bit worried about switching sizes but so far I am very happy and glad I made the switch.

#555 of 788 Re: followup with Toyo on our '08 Highlander Sport [bri719] by topdawg

Mar 14, 2010 (5:04 pm)

Replying to: bri719 (Mar 11, 2010 1:52 pm)
Watch here for followup post. I have negotiated deal with Toyo for discount on replacement HT 19" tires. Am waiting for tires to arrive at tire store to make sure it really happens the way it is supposed to. Have your TOYO DEALER call 800-442-8696 and ask for Debbie or Candice (6:30 - 5:00 PST). You can get HT's even though they are in short supply if you go this route.

#556 of 788 Re: followup with Toyo on our '08 Highlander Sport [topdawg] by damifinomike

Mar 15, 2010 (7:10 am)

Replying to: topdawg (Mar 14, 2010 5:04 pm)
Greetings:
To add to this message -- I agree and did the same process. I called TOYO and spoke with Candice. She in turn advised me to have my tire store call her directly and she provided a PO number and instructions for tire store to obtain tires (TOYO - HT). Tire store had them shipped in from California destined for Michigan. Got them installed last Friday and all is ok. Only thing I had to pay for was dismount and remount of new TOYO ---HT tires. So far,all is good and even have seen a modest improvement in MPG and quiet ride on vehicle. Hope these tires will last much longer with proper rotation and pressure checks...
Good luck !

#557 of 788 Re: followup with Toyo on our '08 Highlander Sport [damifinomike] by gnowak

Mar 15, 2010 (4:37 pm)

Replying to: damifinomike (Mar 15, 2010 7:10 am)
Hankook will have 245/55/19 tires in 2 months. Discount tire found this out for me. I think they are Ventus AS and they are on the Hankook site.

Messages Page 56 of 79

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