Tires

[fax1]

I have a 2010 EX35 AWD Journey purchased new in April 10 with the 18" wheel package, vehicle has 8500 miles on it. I've noticed that all of tires at 5000 were starting to feather out on the outside of the tread. I rotate the tires at 6000. It is getting worse. I can actually hear them whining at speeds from 10 to 25 MPH. The tires are Dunlops. I can feel & see the uneven wear. Anybody else have this issue? If so was taking it back to the dealer a waste of time? Thank you.

[jamesstock]

May want to chk the alignment.

[fax1]

The alignments in, it's happening at all 4 corners and it's feathering on the outside & inside of the tread. There wearing like a set of Goodyear Wranglers when the tread starts to feather & cup.

[jamesstock]

Did you also check the tire pressure? over inflated / under-inflated may also cause uneven wear.

If not get the dealer check on that.

[EXceptional]

Fax, welcome to the Site.

I think Dunlops are crap... but anyways, heres my recent story.

During my last Dealer appointment for scheduled maintenance, the Service Writer said that the Tires were due to be rotated. So I said "go ahead, do it".

On the way Home from the Dealer, I noticed a chop, chop, chop oscillating noise... I called the Dealer back and I was told to give the Tires some time to get used to being in their new positions.

After a couple of Weeks of listening to this noise and my Wife... I made another appointment at the Dealer.

They did an Alignment for free... and now the Noise is gone.

Now, I wonder if the Tires are back in their original positions.

[fax1]

Tire pressures are right on. I'm planning on taking it back to Annapolis Infiniti for the Nav, Comm & Enterainment recall (what ever that's about) and I'll have them look at the tires. I was just wondering if anybody else out there had similar problems. I think the tires are junk and thats just the way they wear. When my wife drives down our street in the EX you know it's her with out looking due to the tire's singing! In all reality you should not hear this vehicle when it's moving at less then 20 MPH.

[kenoshaspirit]

I have a 2008 EX35 with the same tire problems (feathering and noicy). Only have 20,000 miles and the dealers tells me I need new tires. I can afford to replace tires every 15,000 miles. Does anyone know what tires should be put on to avoid these problems or is this a problem with the vehicle not the tire.

[jamesstock]

This may be a silly question. But wondering if it's a 'must' to rotate tires?

[wysguymd]

Dumb question - my tires are filled with nitrogen. The salesguy told me if the pressure is low in one tire, I can't add regular air from the gas station, must use nitrogen. Considering nitrogen is in air, that doesn't make much sense to me. I would think it would just dilute the nitrogen. Anyone know?

[fax1]

Nitrogen is less pron to pressure changes due to the heat & cold, it is drier than air. You can use air to fill nitrogen filled tires with out damaging the tire or wheel. Most aircraft tires are filled with nitrogen along with race cars. If your not driving your vehicle at prolonged speeds greater than 100 MPH, filling auto tires from an air compressor that has an inline dryer on it is fine. I check my tire pressures at least once a month while the tires are cool, usually in the morning and before the sun beats on them. In my case I think the 18" Dunlop tires are faulty due to the way they are wearing. What does the Dealer charge for servicing the tires with nitrogen?

[ANBYOND]

I have a 2010 EX35 AWD Journey purchased new in April 10 with the 18" wheel package, vehicle has 8500 miles on it. I've noticed that all of tires at 5000 were starting to feather out on the outside of the tread. I rotate the tires at 6000. It is getting worse. I can actually hear them whining at speeds from 10 to 25 MPH. The tires are Dunlops. I can feel & see the uneven wear. Anybody else have this issue? If so was taking it back to the dealer a waste of time? Thank you.

It's probably the crappy Dunlop 18's.. the Michelin 17" were and are a better quality tire.

[Jason Tucker]

My sales guy months ago heard me moan..."oh, Dunlaps" when I picked up this brand new car and didn't know why. Now with 27,000 miles on those 18 inch Dunlaps I'm glad I have a great stereo in the EX...got to drown out the tire noise. These tires really suck and can't wait till next year when I get to replace them...I sound like a freakin semi tire going down the road...that whine is SO loud! The tread is fine...rotate them every oil change it has just got to be the compound they chose for these tires...terrible!

[fax1]

Nice to know I'm not the only one! Infiniti should do a pro rate replacement on the 18" Dunlops, as a minimum just to keep the customer happy! Next time I purchase a luxury vehicle the tire manufacturer will now have to also be involved in the decision making process. Replacement tires start at $155 each and thats before mounting & balancing.

[EXceptional]

Ya, it's a shame that we can't pick out the Tires we want... instead of getting stuck with whatever good deal the Manufacturer can swindle.

[Roy22]

Definitely the Tires (Dunlop = worst tires ever?)

Bought the EX last fall, ran it maybe 5-6000 miles and then put winter tires on.

This spring change back to summer tires and after another 3-4000 and gradually, the high pitch whine, thomp thomp type noise all the same things mentioned previously. Had alignment checked - all ok.

Toughed them out but man do we hate them. Last month put winter tires back on all is well. I have more mileage on the winters than summer and still quiet as ever.

You know its the only thing i did not like about the purchase of the EX35, you would think after enough complaints they would not sell them with the Dunlops. Wish the dealer would have done something to, they knew about it.

Roy

[Roy22]

just to add to my reply, i rotated them when putting them on in spring.

Also if i was to purchase another vehicle which came with Dunlops, it would be change them first or no sale .

Query on BMW sites you will see many similar stories and Dunlops as they used to come wtih those but they don't anymore.

Roy

[JRC]

Same problem here; 2009 Ex35 Journey AWD, 22,000Km and I have to replace my Dunlops. (all feathered out on the outside). The dealer contacted Infiniti Reps., and agrees to pay for 2 of my next set of tires (my choice), installation included.
I just hope that this problem is a tire problem and not something more serious.

JRC

[EXceptional]

Welcome to the site...

Post which Dealer this is, please... and who the Dealer talked to at Infiniti.

You say "22,000Km", so your Dealer must have talked to Infiniti Canada.

This request is a long stretch... but if you are able to get the info, it might help out a lot of people.

Did you scream and stomp your feet to get this solution? For a Car Dealer to help out with Tires, seems a bit out of the ordinary.

[JRC]

I should have mentionned, what made the difference in their decision was the fact that when I got the car the alignment was off and I did about 4,000km before anything was done. That sure didn't help.
I don't intend on telling who my dealer is, they went to bat for me and I appreciate that. No screaming & no stomping.
What worries me most is that maybe there is something wrong with the alignment of all EX35's, meaning they can't quite align these cars for some reason which causes problems with the tire wear. Plus I've read about a lot of Ex35 owners complaining about steering annoyances because of road crown or imperfections on roads. It all points to alignment problems.

[nh_ex]

I just got my EX35 and had the dealer install new tires (Unfortunately Dunlops, loong story) and do a 4 wheel alignment. Anyway, I've also noticed the car tends to wander and follow imperfections in the road as well. It just doesn't drive the way I'd expect it to. Is this a common issue with these cars and is there a fix?

Thanks!
-Randy

[jmess]

I have no issues with my 2WD, it tracks fine. I have had cars with worse tires than the Dunlop 18s but also cars with better tires. I will get 30K out of them. Some of the features of the Nissan AWD system seems to be accelerated tire and brake wear along with a tendency to wonder around on less than perfect roads. I noticed the tracking issues on M35 and EX35 AWDs I have driven in the past.

[nh_ex]

Thanks very much for the feedback. It seems like an alignment issue. Has anyone been able to correct it?

Thanks!

[fax1]

Same problem here; 2009 Ex35 Journey AWD, 22,000Km and I have to replace my Dunlops. (all feathered out on the outside). The dealer contacted Infiniti Reps., and agrees to pay for 2 of my next set of tires (my choice), installation included.
I just hope that this problem is a tire problem and not something more serious.

JRC

I hope you got that in writing!

[fax1]

I should have mentionned, what made the difference in their decision was the fact that when I got the car the alignment was off and I did about 4,000km before anything was done. That sure didn't help.
I don't intend on telling who my dealer is, they went to bat for me and I appreciate that. No screaming & no stomping.
What worries me most is that maybe there is something wrong with the alignment of all EX35's, meaning they can't quite align these cars for some reason which causes problems with the tire wear. Plus I've read about a lot of Ex35 owners complaining about steering annoyances because of road crown or imperfections on roads. It all points to alignment problems.

Why not give up the Dealers name and or the Infiniti Rep, that's good customer service, that would make me stay with that Dealer! Infiniti should be passing that deal on to all EX35 owners with the 18" Dunlops. The tires are awful.

[ANBYOND]

It's probably the crappy Dunlop 18's.. the Michelin 17" were and are a better quality tire.[/quote]

No, none of those symptoms really relate back to a larger tire size. Tire quality, probably, but not tire size.[/quote]

Yes, tire quality wise, the Michelin on the 17 is better than the Dunlop on the 18. Unfortunately they don't make the Michelin Lattitude for the 18" EX tire size.

[EXceptional]

We had a big Dump of Snow last week... and for the first time... our EX35 got stuck this weekend.

I was a little disappointed that we had to do the ol' rockin back and forth trick... while 3 people pushed.

If I can make it through this Winter... with these s*** Dunlops... I'll be slappin on some Michelins before next Winter, for sure.

A supposedly AWD Car getting stuck? It doesn't make any sense... well, yes it does... I have s*** Dunlops on.

I saw a real nice set of Gun Metal colored 5-Spoke Rims/Blizzaks on a Nissan Murano. I think a Winter set is in order as well.

[PolarDog]

I've got the Michelin's on (17") and the dealer is telling me I need new tires (near 2/32" tread left...) I've got 39K on the car and so am not complaining (but I think I can stretch it a bit more!) Performance and sound of the Michelins have been excellent, but I think I will be leaning towards the Yokohama AVID ENVigor.

The dealer quoted $240ish/tire for new Michelins (not sure which), with mounting and balancing, $175ish/tire for Yokohamas (again, not sure which), again with M&B, and recommended an alignment ($150).

[Head_Unit]

Tire pressures are right on...

Well, maybe your gauge is off. Or maybe they are right on what the sticker says, but simply not right for your weather/driving style/roads.

If the wear is more-or-less even on the outside and inside of both side tires, it screams "under-inflation" to me.

I'm not at all saying the other posts are wrong. I'm just saying my experience has been to take recommended pressures just as a starting point. Hey-is every tire the same? Of course not! So how can we expect those recommended pressures to be anything but a rough guideline?

[fax1]

I had my EX to the Dealers about 30 days ago, and complained about how the tire tread is wearing like a saw blade. The dealerships mechanic took me aside and did a very good job explaining how Infiniti wants the tires rotated, and he also noted that I have rotated the tires according to Infintit specs. He then went on to say that the tire rotation that is in the owners manual is a generic rotation pattern for the standard 17" wheel & tire package. Since I have the 18" package, the mechanic recommended rotating the tires in a criss cross pattern. He also stated that the EX's 18" package has a toe & camber spec that is tuned in differently than the 17" package, hence the rotation should be different. At this point, I said Infiniti should let the owners be aware of this information, but I was told Infiniti has not received enough complaints about it or by the time a customer does complain the tires are out of warranty. I rotated the tires as per the mechanics request and after 1000 miles there is defiantly a much smother and quieter tire. My EX only has 10000 miles on it and the saw blade wear was noticeable at 5000 miles. The mechanic strongly recommends rotating the tires at 6000 miles and always in criss cross pattern. Hopefully this will work for anyone with the same problem.

[jmess]

It seems like the AWD system eats tires and brakes. With my 2WD I am on track to get 30K out of my 18" Dunlops. All I have done is check pressure, rotate them (left to right and X pattern, based upon tire wear), and I had the alignment checked at 15K (it was out).