Tire Wear and TPMS Retrofit
 

I've just about burned through my second set of tires in <45k miles. The first set I put on it were Yokohama YK520s, and when they went I sprung for the OEM Michelin MXV4 Pluses.... I can't seem to figure out what is causing my tires to wear so quick. I can only assume a pressure problem. They're all nitrogen-fills, and I rotate and balance fairly regularly. Does anyone have experience retrofitting TPMS?

Are they wearing evenly? A pressure problem might cause accelerated wear, but you said you rotate and check pressures regularly, at least I hope you do.

How recent is your last alignment? Issues can pop up with tire wear if your alignment is out.

20k miles out of tires on an all wheel drive vehicle is low but I'm not sure of the treadwear rating you use.



Lastly, who in their right minds would actually want to retrofit TPMS on their car if it isn't their wife's primary vehicle? First off its a pain in the ass with tires to pay another 200 bucks for new sensors, and I check my pressures every couple weeks anyway so its never been an issue for me. Do you really need to retrofit the I'm sure costly system so that twice in the winter (although in SC you don't get much of a winter) the light can pop on the dash and let you know the cold air has made one tire lose 3 psi?


Don't be offended I'm just making a statement here, and hopefully saving you some money.

Thanks, term.

I've never been in the habit of checking pressures, though I've tried to get better at it, I just can't ever remember to actually do it. Plus, it'll put me one step closer to my ultimate goal of having the full set of buttons on my center console above the ashtray. Will only be missing PDC. Strange aspiration? Yes. :D

Edit: Last alignment was in January, same as rotation. Before that it was August I believe. Fronts are definitely wearing quicker.

Could it have anything to do with how hard you push down on the right hand pedal?

I've got an '06 4.4 Sport with 45K on the odo and still have 7/32 on the Michelins . . .

Zen:wow:

That never checking psi is part/most of your prob, imo...

And, have never 'rotated' tires in 11 yrs of our X.

TPMS: great on our Vette, as we have non-RFTs and no spare, but a gizmo on the CEO's '10 Tuck or on most cars, as in if it alerts, it means I was sleeping on the regular psi check and/or the temp dropped 30 degs F in a day or so.
GL, mD

Haaa.. yeah, remember I have the 3.0, I rarely exceed 80 and never attempt "spirited" take offs. Now if I had the N62 V8 like you, I doubt I'd be able to resist, and there would lie my problem.

I checked pressures this afternoon -- all normal. So maybe I don't need the TPMS, but with pressure being ruled out, I'm scratching my head wondering why it's eating so much rubber.

Are they wearing quicker overall, or in different portions of the front tires? What psi do you run front and rear?

I agreed with this until I had it in my 350Z. It saved me more than once by alerting me the tire was losing air before it was visibly low.

I would love to get it into my X.

I did a retro on the X5 when we bought it using a kit that had sensors that replaced the tire valves and had a display inside the vehicle. PIECE OF JUNK!!! Sensors kept falling off requiring the tires to be removed each time. Finally gave up and sent the kit back for a refund.
Have OEM TPMS on our 4Runner. Same idea as mentioned above but the sensors cost $200 each from Toyota. When the batteries fail you have to replace all the sensors. Then you have to program the new sensors to the TPMS computer to turn off the fault light. Dealer would charge about $1400 for all this but I found a programmer and did it myself.
I would prefer not to have the system and do it all myself as the systems are always a bigger headache than they are worth. Typical nanny state solution with the usual outcome.