Tyre Rotation

[davystokes]

When the 40k mile service came up on my RAV4 I asked my local Toyota dealer about rotating the tyres. They said they did not recommend it since it 'makes the steering light at speed' but nevertheless could do it if I really wanted. I requested that the spare be rotated into the mix. They said that they don't normally do this. I asked what would happen when the road tyres wore down to below 4mm tread depth and if then I had a puncture or a ruined tyre - because of the large difference in wear between the unused spare and the road tyres I would not be able to make use of the spare - and I would have to replace all the tyres. They went quiet, then said they could include the spare in the mix if I wanted.

At the service they rotated the 5 tyres as I requested and charged me just £16. Whilst the wheels were off I asked them to fit the genuine Toyota mudflaps I bought for half price on eBay. They charged me £4 to fit the mudflaps.

At these prices it is not worth doing the job oneself!

PS the steering did not feel at all light at speed on the way home - in fact felt better than before.

Davy

[chatman]

When the 40k mile service came up on my RAV4 I asked my local Toyota dealer about rotating the tyres. They said they did not recommend it since it 'makes the steering light at speed' but nevertheless could do it if I really wanted. I requested that the spare be rotated into the mix. They said that they don't normally do this. I asked what would happen when the road tyres wore down to below 4mm tread depth and if then I had a puncture or a ruined tyre - because of the large difference in wear between the unused spare and the road tyres I would not be able to make use of the spare - and I would have to replace all the tyres. They went quiet, then said they could include the spare in the mix if I wanted.

At the service they rotated the 5 tyres as I requested and charged me just £16. Whilst the wheels were off I asked them to fit the genuine Toyota mudflaps I bought for half price on ebay. They charged me £4 to fit the mudflaps.

At these prices it is not worth doing the job oneself!

PS the steering did not feel at all light at speed on the way home - in fact felt better than before.

Davy

If you search on most 4x4 sites about tyre rotation they say it is a must. It also states this in the manual as well..The spare can be incorporated in this as you dont want to have too much try tread depth difference between axles.

http://www.tyres-online.co.uk/tech.asp see this thread about rotation.

[Steve@Aberdeen]

Has anyone started measuring tyre wear on the newer Rav4 yet? I checked mine today and the road tyres (front and rear) are down about 1mm from the spare (still pristine and unused); the car has done 3500 miles.

The highest rate of wear happens in the first few miles so it's not surprising but the Yokohamas fitted start with less than the Wranglers and Synchrones I had on my previous Freelander - the spare is measuring just under 8mm. If the current rate were to continue (say 1mm per 4000miles) then I could expect just under 25000 miles from this set). As I said, tyres lose most when first run, whilst they're bedding in, so I shoudl expect a bit more - which is why I'm wondering if anyone has monitored this yet.

FYI, both the Wrangers and Synchrones managed around 50000 miles on my Freelander.

[Steve@Aberdeen]

Has anyone started measuring tyre wear on the newer Rav4 yet? I checked mine today and the road tyres (front and rear) are down about 1mm from the spare (still pristine and unused); the car has done 3500 miles.

The highest rate of wear happens in the first few miles so it's not surprising but the Yokohamas fitted start with less than the Wranglers and Synchrones I had on my previous Freelander - the spare is measuring just under 8mm. If the current rate were to continue (say 1mm per 4000miles) then I could expect just under 25000 miles from this set). As I said, tyres lose most when first run, whilst they're bedding in, so I shoudl expect a bit more - which is why I'm wondering if anyone has monitored this yet.

FYI, both the Wrangers and Synchrones managed around 50000 miles on my Freelander.

Postscript: Has anyone yet bought new tyres for their Rav4.3? A comment in another post got me searching online and the size (225/65/17) is proving very troublesome. I've found somebody supplying a Bridgestone (~£95 ea) and another with Geolanders (~£125) - both ex fitting. I suppose Mr T will be able to supply some when needed but the limited replacement options I seem to have are a bit of a surprise - I can't find any tyres this size from Michelin or Goodyear.

[rav man]

Has anyone started measuring tyre wear on the newer Rav4 yet? I checked mine today and the road tyres (front and rear) are down about 1mm from the spare (still pristine and unused); the car has done 3500 miles.

The highest rate of wear happens in the first few miles so it's not surprising but the Yokohamas fitted start with less than the Wranglers and Synchrones I had on my previous Freelander - the spare is measuring just under 8mm. If the current rate were to continue (say 1mm per 4000miles) then I could expect just under 25000 miles from this set). As I said, tyres lose most when first run, whilst they're bedding in, so I shoudl expect a bit more - which is why I'm wondering if anyone has monitored this yet.

FYI, both the Wrangers and Synchrones managed around 50000 miles on my Freelander.

Postscript: Has anyone yet bought new tyres for their Rav4.3? A comment in another post got me searching online and the size (225/65/17) is proving very troublesome. I've found somebody supplying a Bridgestone (~£95 ea) and another with Geolanders (~£125) - both ex fitting. I suppose Mr T will be able to supply some when needed but the limited replacement options I seem to have are a bit of a surprise - I can't find any tyres this size from Michelin or Goodyear.

***********************************

My tyres have now covered 10k and are quite well worn when compared with new, dont know how much life the've got left but dont think theyll get much past 20k. As i stated on the other thread there's a much greater choice if you go up a size to 235/65/17. I put this into a tyre size calculator and it only made a couple of MPH difference. The speedos are normally set on the conservative side so this shouldn't prove a problem. I noticed a new XTR 4.3 at the dealers today and it was shod with Yoko Geolanders, which looked ok but as above are expensive. (The new XTR doesnt have a spare or run flats just a can of foam, you'd need to be very brave on a long run)

Rich.

[Steve@Aberdeen]

***********************************

My tyres have now covered 10k and are quite well worn when compared with new, dont know how much life the've got left but dont think theyll get much past 20k. As i stated on the other thread there's a much greater choice if you go up a size to 235/65/17. I put this into a tyre size calculator and it only made a couple of MPH difference. The speedos are normally set on the conservative side so this shouldn't prove a problem. I noticed a new XTR 4.3 at the dealers today and it was shod with Yoko Geolanders, which looked ok but as above are expensive. (The new XTR doesnt have a spare or run flats just a can of foam, you'd need to be very brave on a long run)

Rich.

Mine are Geolanders.

Has anyone here yet switched up to 235/65/17? I suspect all the 4.3s are still on their originals but somebody will need to be first to try replacements. The extra size should just about make our speedos spot on - but will the extra diameter fit without rubbing or touching? There looks to be plenty of clearance in the wheel arches - I 'm not so sure with the spare wheel cover, though.

[rav man]

***********************************

My tyres have now covered 10k and are quite well worn when compared with new, dont know how much life the've got left but dont think theyll get much past 20k. As i stated on the other thread there's a much greater choice if you go up a size to 235/65/17. I put this into a tyre size calculator and it only made a couple of MPH difference. The speedos are normally set on the conservative side so this shouldn't prove a problem. I noticed a new XTR 4.3 at the dealers today and it was shod with Yoko Geolanders, which looked ok but as above are expensive. (The new XTR doesnt have a spare or run flats just a can of foam, you'd need to be very brave on a long run)

Rich.

Mine are Geolanders.

Has anyone here yet switched up to 235/65/17? I suspect all the 4.3s are still on their originals but somebody will need to be first to try replacements. The extra size should just about make our speedos spot on - but will the extra diameter fit without rubbing or touching? There looks to be plenty of clearance in the wheel arches - I 'm not so sure with the spare wheel cover, though.

*****************************************

Steve ,

I think i will be going to 235's when the time comes, I don't know why Toyota would fit such an odd size in the first place. Or is that obvious so that they can control the sale of more tyres. As i stated earlier, anyone who buys the new XTR will struggle to get a replacement if they get a flat and use the foam. Rich.

[Steve@Aberdeen]

Steve ,

I think i will be going to 235's when the time comes, I don't know why Toyota would fit such an odd size in the first place. Or is that obvious so that they can control the sale of more tyres. As i stated earlier, anyone who buys the new XTR will struggle to get a replacement if they get a flat and use the foam. Rich.

Well, if you get to the change first, let us all know what happens. Meanwhile, I'll try to figure out if a 235/65/17 will fit in the cover!

[rav man]

Steve ,

I think i will be going to 235's when the time comes, I don't know why Toyota would fit such an odd size in the first place. Or is that obvious so that they can control the sale of more tyres. As i stated earlier, anyone who buys the new XTR will struggle to get a replacement if they get a flat and use the foam. Rich.

Well, if you get to the change first, let us all know what happens. Meanwhile, I'll try to figure out if a 235/65/17 will fit in the cover!

***********************************

I will probably keep the spare as 225, as its new. There shouldn't be a problem putting it on temporarily as the 4.3 is only part time 4x4 so its not going to wind up the transmission. Rich.