96Q Tire Eater Update

[grunze]

Thanks to all who responded. You guys are great!

I just had the alignment double-checked on an older Hunter but with a recent recalibration. Everything except caster is in range. Caster is about half a degree out and of course not adjustable. All components were rechecked and solid. With no evidence to the contrary I have to conclude that this thing is just hard on tires. The life of the original V's must have really been bad.

Have you all seen the old Bulletin # IBT94-019 dated March 10, 1994, on "Multi Link Front Suspension - Diagnostic Misconceptions"?

Since my wife is now the major driver of my favorite car, I decided to forgo any H model tires in favor of some Michelin Hydroedge T's with a 90k warranty and a Consumer Report claim of very good tread life. Discount Tire had them for $119 each but with the credit on the old Falkens and an additional $40 from the manager my net including lifetime balance is $243.

Thanks again.

[Q45tech]

The Q came with V rated tires not only for speed limits but the enhancements V rated provide.

I wouldn't consider any T rated tire satisfactory for a Q even a Michelin due to inferior wet handling and braking. The temperatures in Houston make the status even worse.

The oem tires on the Q lasted 15-20k max [at best] and this was to make sure tires never stayed on the car beyond 2 years when ambient heat rapidly degrades safety margin.

90k tires? Good Luck...................report back in Aug if you are happy with your selection.

[grunze]

I cant argue against your position and with regular employment I will jump back into your camp. I am just tired of having to go through this exercise after all of my "smart" analysis each time.

This time there were definitely better T Michelins like the X Radial available but only at clubs I don't have access to. The Hydroedge was rated at least good for most categories and maybe I will get lucky on the mileage for once.

As always I appreciate your input and will endeavor to report on the results of this test.

[szh]

Avon M550 and Dunlop Direzza are also low-cost and much better (safer) than the Michelin Hydroedge.

Given the weight of the car, the long-mileage claims of the Hydroedge are not likely to hold up - you may get essentially the same cost per mile in the long run with the Avon or Dunlop.

Z

[StarPD]

Strange.I drove my '94 Q45t VERY hard.I used Yokohama AVS/Db2 V-rated tires in stock size, and they lasted me almost 30k miles. I had two sets in a row.The first ones were the original AVS/DB which I put on after the Michelins I put on it wore out, and they lasted around the same miles.

Something doesn't sound right here.

[qship96]

I agree,as I historically have gotten 36-38k out of numerous sets of michelin xgt pilots in h and v series{now have pilot exalto in 225/60/15 V,and with 29k so far,there seems to be much life left

[szh]

I get about 20k miles on my Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 ... softer compound, with oustanding wet weather braking/handling all the way down to 3/32" to 4/32" of tread.

Everyone remember my admonishment to not get below 3/32" - preferably 4/32"? There is a video I have posted before that clearly shows what happens in wet weather when you let tires stay on too long ... even to the legal 2/32" limit!

Z

[szh]

I agree,as I historically have gotten 36-38k out of numerous sets of michelin xgt pilots in h and v series{now have pilot exalto in 225/60/15 V,and with 29k so far,there seems to be much life left

The recently discontinued "Michelin Pilot XGTV" tire is a very different tire from the OEM "Michelin XGTV" that the first-gen Infiniti Q45's came with!

Z

[szh]

The recently discontinued "Michelin Pilot XGTV" tire is a very different tire from the OEM "Michelin XGTV" that the first-gen Infiniti Q45's came with!

Here is a picture of the tread of the original tire ... I got this on my 1991 Infiniti in March of 1991. I have not found the recent Pilot VGTV tread picture. Click on the image below to see the larger image:



Z

[qship96]

Well aware of that

[elwesso]

It was mentioned earlier but when you put crappy tires on a Q goofy things happen. Results are not guranteed. If your car is aligned properly (havent seen any numbers!!!) then its gotta be the tires.

[maxnix]

Strange.I drove my '94 Q45t VERY hard.I used Yokohama AVS/Db2 V-rated tires in stock size, and they lasted me almost 30k miles. I had two sets in a row.The first ones were the original AVS/DB which I put on after the Michelins I put on it wore out, and they lasted around the same miles.

Something doesn't sound right here.

I also on the earlier dB.

Summer heat will seriously degrade any reserve in the t rated tires. Low pressure and it could be a disaster.

I would recommend the Avon Tech M500 as a cheap performance tire, even over it's euphemistically labled "all-season" M550 brother.

Even running an H rated tire is a compromise. It is not just the speed rating, it is construction materials and quality controls.

If it is a Hunter laser alignment machine, not sure calibration is needed if it was set-up correctly initially.
Modified by maxnix at 9:23 PM 6/7/2007

[grunze]

It was mentioned earlier but when you put crappy tires on a Q goofy things happen. Results are not guranteed. If your car is aligned properly (havent seen any numbers!!!) then its gotta be the tires.

Here are the numbers:

Front Left Front Right Actual Range Actual Range -1.2 -1.6 to -0.1 Camber -1.5 -1.6 to -0.1 4.4 5.8 7.3 Caster 4.7 5.8 7.3 .03 .00 .08 Toe .01 .00 .08

Front Actual Range Cross Camber .3 Cross Caster -.3 Total Toe .04 .00 to .17

Rear Left Rear Right Actual Range Actual Range -1.1 -1.6 to -.6 Camber -1.4 -1.6 to -.6 .15 .00 .18 Toe .16 .00 .18

Rear Actual Range Cross Camber .3 Total Toe .31 .00 to .37 Thrust Angle .00

I will try to get some second or third opinions on the component stability and maybe even another alignment test. In the meantime I have changed my tire order to Michelin Primacy MXV4 H's and 225/60R-15 with 60k warranty.

Thanks again everyone.

[qship96]

might as well move up to the pilot exalto in 225/60/15 V rated with a 50,000 mile wear warranty