Tyre Compatibility Problem on RAV4

[Stuart Thompson]

I have a major steering problem on my RAV4. I had Firestones all round but, due to poor alignment, replaced the back wheels yesterday with Sumitomo and sorted the tracking issue.  The tyre depot moved the slightly worn Firestones from the front wheels to the rear and put the new Sumitomos on the front. The effect has been to create a bad 'rear snaking' sensation and the whole back end seems to be moving left and right even when driving in a straight line.  On downhill bends it feels as if `I am on ice.

Has anyone had similar experience or know if the two types of tyre and not compatible`?

[FROSTYBALLS]

Welcome to Toyota Owners Club.

Moved to the Rav4 club.

[JOSCYN]

Hi

I experienced similar when purchased pair of Dunlop Grantrac. and fitted to front axle

Totally unsafe

Swap them back and see if problem/Caravan/trailer/feeling goes away.

If so do not buy them again.

Some tires just do not suit on opposite axles.

I could stretch to Vredestein 5 All season tires and they are well good.

Ta

Mark

[roadster-rav]

But before blaming the tyres get the tracking checked again by a specialist. Also double check tyre pressures. Tyre depots don't necessarily have the expertise and what you are experiencing could be due to insufficient toe in due to poor adjustment. Poor alignment is often cited as the cause of tyre wear when uneven wear is actually a normal result of driving condition etc. It is also possible that, given how serious your symptoms seem to be, there is a much bigger problem than alignment such as failed suspension bushes etc.

[Tomfromfife]

I don’t know how different tyres affect the RAV4 4x4 system but it was a big no no on my BMW X3s

The 4x4 system detected different grip characteristics on the different tyres front and rear and would hesitate and shudder on acceleration. Could the 4x4 system on a RAV4 do something similar.?

[Stuart Thompson]

On 11/29/2019 at 8:20 PM, JOSCYN said:

Hi

I experienced similar when purchased pair of Dunlop Grantrac. and fitted to front axle

Totally unsafe

Swap them back and see if problem/Caravan/trailer/feeling goes away.

If so do not buy them again.

Some tires just do not suit on opposite axles.

I could stretch to Vredestein 5 All season tires and they are well good.

Ta

Mark

Thank you Mark, Roadster-Rav and Tomfromfife,

First of all, as a new member of the Toyota/Rav4 club I am impressed by the way other owners rally to help, so thank you all.

I have now swapped the tyres back and it reduces the 'caravan' effect dramatically. I think that there is still a little movement, but by now I am probably super-sensitive and imagining things!  I will get the suspension bushes checked and see if that is the cause. If so, I will report back as it may help other RAV4 owners.

Stuart

[Scottydog007]

Some years ago, some smart ***** suggested different tyres to the standard Bridgestone on my Honda CRV 4x4. I had wheels aligned and balanced, but the car had terrible vibration when tyres were on the front. When on the rear they were ok. Tyre profile if very important, and often the car characteristics are designed for one manufacturers tyre. I have now learned, certainly on 4x4's to get the original manufacturers tyres.

Alas My RAV4 2019 has Dunlop and I absolutely hate Dunlop. They do not come anywhere near to giving the handling of Bridgestone's that I had on CRV and Freelander.
My Freelander had 'mud & snow' Bridgestones and they were fantastic for normal everyday driving even at high speed, and were superb in mud and snow. I have a feeling these RAV4 2019 Dunlops will be disappointing when we get on snow, ice and mud, and leaves etc.