Alignment and tire recommendations for a 1995 Q45

[brx]

Alignment and tire recommendations for a 1995 Q45

I have a 1995 Q45, bought used in November 1998, about 5 years ago. I have driven it only about 10,000 miles since purchase. About 66k total now. I drive about 3-4 miles round-trip to work, 10 miles total if I go to the gym. I rarely drive over an hour anymore. I love driving the car, but as a denizen of the French Quarter of New Orleans, most things are nearby. Current tires are Yokohama A-509's. 215 65r 15 v95, Ratings on tire walls: 160 A A, max load 1565 lbs at 44 psi.

One of the tires is getting quite worn (vs the other 3) and all have small cracks at the edges. Not sure how to measure tread wear otherwise. I assume the heat of the Gulf south (Houston, New Orleans, Biloxi) over the past 5 years has finally gotten the best of the tires. I do not have the papers on the tires, but assume not much replacement value would be left anyway (after 5 years).

The former owner replaced the tires (I think at a Discount Tire sore in Houston) and had an alignment done at an Infiniti dealer in Houston. He cautioned me that the alignment process was too complex to do elsewhere.

Is a Q45 alignment too complex, or require special tools, etc., such that a local and otherwise trustworthy repair shop should NOT be trusted for this purpose? Dealer alignment would be pricier too. I assume the uneven wear at the outer edge of 1 front tire is pot hole damage to the alignment. I live in New Orleans, which has many potholes, some are true car killers.

The balancing job done on my Yokohama's was wonderful. Virtually no additional noise between 40-95 mph and no rattles.

One concern is getting top quality tire balancing. Whether acquired through a local store/shop or if ordered on-line, what kind of machine is needed for first class balancing? Or is it something that is almost idiot proof via most any tire shop or machine?

I do not anticipate a move away from the south anytime soon. So winter tire specs are of no importance. It only freezes a few nights per year. I would like high speed rated tires. As I have never driven the car on any other tires, I have no idea how much "tire noise" -as described by others, as the tires wear down- would affect me. I am a bit purturbed by the 10k weardown of the tires I currently have, but heat, stop and go driving, and the parking deck ballet could easily explain the wear over 5 years. I have also noted some rust washing out from the front wheel-well, but not the one with the suspect mis-alignment, when I clean the car. So I assume new brakes are in order too.

So far the Q has been a sheer delight. Over 5 years, I have had a bulb in the dash go out, a broken AC belt, a couple of external lights go out -- and that's it!!!

Any suggestions on a "best fit" tire for my purpose appreciated. For whatever it is worth, I would gladly spend extra bucks for tires that make my Q feel like a Ferrari at Monza for the whole (1) mile I drive on the highway each day. Who knows, I might even move again.

Cheers

BrianNew Orleans--Come visit us, and vote often--

[szh]

Five years for any tire is too long - no matter what tread is left! Tire rubber deteriorates over time, and your tires are an accident looking for a place to happen! Please be safe and change them out asap. There is no replacement value in these tires anymore! If you look in between the treads, you will probably see many micro-fractures and cracks in the rubber (where it has not met the road!)

So, if you have the stock 15" rims, then the tire for you is the Firestone Firehawk SZ50EP in a 225/60-15 size. From http://www.tirerack.com, they will not be too pricey. This tire handles very well in wet weather, and from what I remember of being/driving in New Orleans many years ago, good handling in wet weather is an excellent thing to have!

Any good, reputable tire place ought to have a Hunter 9700 balancing machine. Ask for that and ask for a static balance ("push the S button").

Any good, reputable tire place also ought to be able to do a good alignment. If you feel more comfortable with going to an Infiniti dealer, then do so, but it is not strictly necessary. (In 1992, when I drove my Q there, New Orleans did not have an Infiniti dealer, but that should have changed by now!)

Z

[Q45tech]

Most experts [tire engineers] think 2 years from mounting is long enough, as many tires may be a year old or older [sitting in various warehouses...............always check the born on date molded in the sidewall.

The hotter the ambient the faster the tires degrade.Almost all non puncture failures occur after 20,000 miles [some just after].