Tire noise

[TheWifesEX]

Thanks for all of the information (and forum welcome) Steve.

Interesting thread progression indeed - and it's very interesting that you mention a collision as being one of the few causes of caster misalignment. In the interest of full disclosure, I offer this bit of history:

I mentioned that we bought the car with about 12k miles on it (and less than 1 year old). You can never be 100% sure when you buy used, but the car seemed fine when we first checked it out (clean CarFax, although they're nearly useless). Turns out, there was light paint work done, although the selling dealership denied any work had been done (I know, never believe a thing they say).

After a little hand-wringing, we bought the car. During the next week, I took the car to two separate Infiniti dealers, who put the car in the air, checked it from top to bottom, and declared that it was fine and did not appear to have any frame or (major) body work done to it (original VIN tag on all panels). I was under the car both times, and it looked OK to me.

Using some very neurotic research skills, I was able to determine that the car was driven by a Nissan exec in MI before being sold through auction to the Infiniti dealer we bought it from. It turns out it was almost certainly THE auto show (and likely road test?) car that you see in all of the pictures of the EX35 display at the US auto shows (rare Scarlet Silver/Chestnut w/all options). A celebrity I guess?!?! Pretty sure this [http://blogs.motortrend.com/6221234/car ... index.html] is the car in my driveway....not happy about that, but at least now I know what happens to all those cars I see at the shows and in the magazines I read every month...

But I couldn't stop there, so I tracked down the Nissan exec (did I mention I could be a bit neurotic?) - and after I calmed down her very agitated husband - I was told that the car was terrific, but she had hit a bird on the highway that took out the mirror and required a new mirror and light paint work. So....I figured not great, but no big deal, that was it. Maybe, maybe not, huh?

All that given...I still think it's unlikely some previous collision is the cause of my tire woes.

Glad to hear that it is not likely/impossible that the AWD system is the culprit.

To answer your alignment reading question, the alignment done 6 months ago wasn't very severe. And interestingly, now that I'm looking at it VERY closely....it's a little disconcerting that the heading at the top says Infiniti: FX35 : 4X2: 2003-08. I seriously hope the FX and EX specs are the same....

Anyway, the camber and caster, front and rear, were fine "before" - so not adjusted. Toe front and rear were both in the red, although not outside the range, so they were adjusted a few minutes and brought back to the center of the range. Fronts were set to +0.05 left and +0.06 right, rears were set to +0.10 left and +0.11 right. Seems like the alignment wasn't (still isn't??) the problem....

Dealer couldn't take the car today, so it'll go in early next week.

[mapplay]

I currently have my second set of Dunlops on my EX35, same problem as before with wearing and tire noise. P225 55R18 97V. I am looking at Michelin Primacy MXV4 for my next set. They only come in 60R vs 55R. Are these ok to use.....Any comments on michelins?????Thanks.

[EXcitement]

just checking back in on the tire noise...since first posting this topic. While it is reassuring to see that my problem was not unique...and underscores the my concerns with the Dunlops...I still haven't broken down and purchased new tires yet. Thanks to StevetheTech for all the suggestions and info. I am thinking I will follow his suggestion and purchase Michelins...so if there is anyone out there that has already done this...let us know how they sound.

[kullenberg]

Regarding the fitment of other than stock sizes; see the following link which provides the result of changing tires: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

As regards Michelin tires, I have them on my 08 EX, AWD, with 24k miles. They were OEM, and I have noticed no unusual wear, however I'm going to have to replace them before I go back east in Feb. They have slowly become noisier over time, which is to be expected. After some research, I've narrowed in on the Goodyear Triple Tread, which is very similar to the Nokian WR, which I would favor, but can't find. Tire Rack rates them very highly, in all conditions of driving.

[SteveTheTech]

I personally think the Triple treads area great tires for a camber neutral car which the EX really isn't. The tread compound and design are aggressive enough to cause some noise over the life of the tire.

Long term noise levels are going be the best with the Primacies. Before your post I did not know that cell phone companies made tires. Although I only recently learned of Vredstien tires so apparently I am behind the curve. Having the ability to cross rotate the tires is really important with these cars especially with the awd models.

I really have to be honest with you guys. Now that EXs are starting to get some miles we are all learning how the tires are going to wear. One definite PRO to the Dunlops is that if you run your open palm over the tread from front to back and feel some resistance you can mount the front tires on the opposite sides rear wheels to curb any longterm wear. I have been doing this with many of the M owners I work with for a while and it really helps noise and tread wear over the life of the tire.

To TheWifesEX- Impressive borderline creepy level of dedication to finding the original owner. It sounds like you have a decent rarely abused EX. The interior color is very unique and I personally think I could grow to really love it on a day to day basis. Looks like you made the right choice.

[ecosse]

After some research, I've narrowed in on the Goodyear Triple Tread, which is very similar to the Nokian WR, which I would favor, but can't find. Tire Rack rates them very highly, in all conditions of driving.

Any concern that TripleTred is 97H vs 97V on the Dunlops? Also, I note that the TripleTreds are 'directional' tires (front to back rotation only, not what Steve the Tech has recommended above).

Like you, I'm trying to narrow in on the best "all conditions" replacement.

[kullenberg]

What ever the speed rating, I am not driving above about 85 MPH, so the speed rating is of no consequence. As to the directional point, it was never a problem on the Nokians I had on a Toyota Highlander. You just have to remind the tech. Also, much as I like this car, I don't think I'm going to keep it beyond warranty!! I'm afraid it could become very expensive to maintain. (can't they all?)
Modified by kullenberg at 10:34 PM 10/20/2009

[bosh]

...which is very similar to the Nokian WR, which I would favor, but can't find... .

Little off topic, but...

http://www.tiresbyweb.com/m-10...99999

https://www.tiresavings.com/nokian.php

http://www.best-price.com/prod...ivVyQ

etc...

[ecosse]

I am looking at Michelin Primacy MXV4 for my next set. They only come in 60R vs 55R. Are these ok to use.....Any comments on michelins????? Thanks.

I got a recommendation today to go with the Primacy. Looking at the Michelin website, it seems there is a 225 55 R18 in the MXV4

[dick]

Re the 18 in. Dunlops, I just replaced mine at 11k miles due to "cupping and feathering" on the edges which made them very noisy and rough. My dealer did a wheel alignment at 7k and 11k both at no charge and said the alignment was out both times and that was why the tires were wearing like they were. The tires were also cross rotated at 7k. I dive the car like a baby and knew I was not hitting anything , and placed a claim with Infiniti Consumer Affairs - which they denied and advised me that the EX35 was not "an off road vehicle". I'm sure they know of the Dunlop issue, but are not about to replace the tires at their expenseYesterday I purchased 4 Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires 225/55R18 from Merchants and had a wheel alignment done which was within specs. I was given a copy of the alignment report and I purchased a five year alignment program and will get it checked at every oil change and will cross rotate every other oil change (7.5k miles)I have only driven 30 miles on the Michelins, but the difference was night and day once the Dunlops were gone!PS, I love the EX in spite of the tire issue and the response by Infiniti to it!

[EXceptional]

I did the "X" rotation (myself) and it cured all the Road Noise problems.

Nothing pisses me off more than Tires expiring before their Time. Unfortunatly, these Dunlops will expire sooner, than later.

I'm a Michelin man... so as soon as these Dunlops lose their edge, off they come and after a visit to COSTCO, I'll have my new Michelins on.

[jmess]

I think the Dunlop 18" tires are directional so you aren't supposed to X them. I doubt you have to worry about a tire failure but the tire performance won't be as good.

[dick]

No the Dunlop 18" tires are not directional. Except in the direction of the trash.

[EXceptional]

Yea, the Manual says Front's-to-Back and Back's-to-Front... but for non-directional Tires and mine that were feathering/cupping really bad, I did the "X" and now all the funny road noise went away.

[Pinspector]

Mine is a 2010 EX35 with 18,000 miles on it. I've been complaining of tire noise since the second oil change (at purchasing dealer) at about 8,000 miles. At that time they did a tire rotation and alignment. At about 15,000 miles I again brought the car in and this time took a drive with a technician. He said he heard what I was talking about. They didn't have a clue.
Sound I'm still getting is like I have old time heavy duty snow tires on it. OEM tires are the 18-inch Dunlops.
I am visiting in Florida where they have some really smooth roads and the noise is a lot more than I head in New Jersey (some of the worst roads in the USA!). The whole Florida family hears the road/tire noise.
Upon return to NJ I plan to use my paltry negotiating skills to get a new set of tires from the dealer. I'm hoping for the Michelin Primary which I have on our M35x and are great.

[EXceptional]

I wish somebody from Dunlop would read all the negative reviews of the Dunlop 7000 A/S in the Tirerack site.

I'm surprised anybody buys them as an after-OEM tire.

[SteveTheTech]

No the Dunlop 18" tires are not directional. Except in the direction of the trash.

The Dunlops are junk. not as bad of a match as the Michelins used on the earliest G sport coupes.

Upon return to NJ I plan to use my paltry negotiating skills to get a new set of tires from the dealer. I'm hoping for the Michelin Primary which I have on our M35x and are great.

Good Luck with that. You might have better luck going through Infiniti consumer affairs. Those tires are indeed noisy but the dealers is less likely to offer to pay for new tires for you. The old G coupes were 100 times worse than so the dealers should not to too new to this complaint. But the dealers were not buying people tires back then so I would not think they would be too willing. Not to say that they may not bend over.

I also find setting the front wheel toe works on the slightly negative side of zero (+-0.02) will help save the next set of tires for the same fate. The specs in the alignment machine are a little wider than they should be for the ideal tire life and wear.

I don't know if anyone has noticed but they have started using Primacies on the non sport M37/56s, as well as improving the tires used on many of the other models. It seems like they are learning the cheapest tire isn't always the best over the long term.

[Trhartigan]

The Dunlops are terrible. Have had similar complaints to the dealer as Pinspector and was told the tires have cupped, but they were only willing and able to rotate the tires which did nothing to quell the noise. These tires really detract from the car as every time I drive my '08 EX35 I am annoyed. Shame in Infinti for putting such a crappy tire on an otherwise worthy vehicle.

[TimGinCentralNJ]

The Dunlops are terrible. Have had similar complaints to the dealer as Pinspector and was told the tires have cupped, but they were only willing and able to rotate the tires which did nothing to quell the noise. These tires really detract from the car as every time I drive my '08 EX35 I am annoyed. Shame in Infinti for putting such a crappy tire on an otherwise worthy vehicle.

Unfortunately, In my experience this has been a pretty common "crime" committed by most auto manufacturers. After all, a car is nothing but 10,000 individual pieces all sourced from the lowest bidder Most of the new cars I've ever purchased began by leaving the car dealership and heading right to the local tire dealer to replace the stock rubber. My new 2001 Ford Expedition had Goodyear RT-S (abominable), my 2005 Subaru XT came with Bridgestone RE92A's (world renown for being death traps on wet and even worse in winter conditions), my 1999 Jeep Cherokee (Goodyear RS-A's....terrible on all surfaces). I could go on, but will spare you.

To date, the ONLY new car I've ever bought which came with good tires has been my 2011 Ford Explorer....it came with Michelin Latitude HP's (same tire which came on my 2008 EX -- just replaced them at 53k miles) and they're fantastic...although I haven't had them in the snow yet. I can't say that I've ever been swayed from buying a vehicle because of the tires which came on it, but it sure is refreshing to spend all that money on a new car and NOT feel compelled to immediately drop another grand on new tires for fear of the stock ones ruining your new investment or--worse yet--your life.

Cheers,
Tim

[EXceptional]

Tim, how come your EX35 came with Michelins?

Did you buy it used, or were they swapped at the Dealer?

[good2all]

The original dunlop tires sucks. I have 50K km on it, very very noisy since about 40K km, and the tread life is bad too. Won't be good for lease return in a year and half, so replacing it with a set of Yokohama next week.....

[TimGinCentralNJ]

Tim, how come your EX35 came with Michelins?

Did you buy it used, or were they swapped at the Dealer?

Hey Dean-

To my knowledge (and based on all the service/parts records which the dealer and orig owner provided me), the Michelin Lats originally came on my EX. I have been assuming I'm the only one which had been running them since I also seem to be about the only one here who's EX is AWD and has the 17" rims option.

Not the case "up North"?

Tim

[EXceptional]

Our Journey AWD's came with 18's and Duncrap's.

[dbobex35]

Just changed out the OEM Dunlops on my new 2012 EX35 with Michelin Primacy MXV4's, 225-55 R18. The Dunlop SP7000's were noisy at low speeds and didn't ride well when new.......the Michelins are very quiet and exceptionally smooth.

[Pinspector]

My 2010 EX is 19 years old with 21,xxx miles on it. Bought brand new. At 20,000 mile mark I hauled the car back to dealer (for the third time!). Issue was front end out of alignment from day 1. Dealer did a full alignment, but the damage to the OEM Dunlops was already done. Front tires were cupped enough so you could see it. After a few back and forths with the service manager, he decided to do another alignment and a new set of tires. He gave me Yokohama Avids. This solved the problem. I now have new tires (better than OEM Dunlops, IMHO), but in a premium brand of vehicle, this should not have happened.
I hate to say it, but unless you can convince service manager to give you a new set of tires, you will probably have that tire noise until you replace them.
I consider myself very fortunate to have the dealer replace the tires. (As info, I also have a 2008 M35 that also had to have the OEM tires replaced at 5,000 miles due to tramlining. New tires, by dealer, were Michelin Primacy and totally solved the issue).

[EXceptional]

TireRack won't have our size of 18" Michelin Defenders until September/2012

I need to see more reviews on them, before I rush out to get new Tires for our 08 EX35.

[gkdyeung]

add me to the MXV4 list... just replaced my dunlops and none too soon... they made it 36230km, down to 2/32 tread... it got the the point that i was paranoid on the highways...