Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires wear well for us

The extended tread life test on CR’s Sienna AWD continues. And so far, so good. But let’s recap…

Toyota Sienna all-wheel-drive owners clearly have a beef with the short tread life of the standard run-flat tires and continue to share complaints in letters and Cars forums posts, especially in Tire Talk, the online-subscriber-only tire forum at ConsumerReports.org. We've also covered the frustration of Sienna owners regarding fast-wearing tires here in the Cars blog: "Toyota extends run-flat tire warranty" and "Toyota Sienna run-flat tires? Spare us."

As we’ve said before, most owners were pleased with the overall performance of their AWD Sienna--one of the top-rated models in Consumer Reports tests--but few are satisfied with the run-flat tire tread life, cost of replacement, and limited models from which to choose (two OE suppliers). Some even have psychological fears about not having a spare tire on board. To recap, many owners have complained that the run-flat tires wear out much quicker than expected or unevenly--often within 15,000 to 20,000 miles. Some owners found themselves facing an aggravating annual tire replacement, costing $700 or more. Toyota finally addressed the issue last year with an extended warranty on 2004 to some 2006 model-year vehicles, mostly addressing the irregular wear condition. Later-model vehicles came with a revised tire intended to eliminate the wear condition.

Our AWD Sienna
We purchased a new 2007 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD (ratings available to online subscribers) with the Dunlop SP Sport 4000 Self-Supporting Technology tires (DSST). After the road test was completed, we purchased a new set of Dunlop SP Sport 4000 DSST tires for a tread life evaluation on the Sienna AWD. The evaluation started at the end of March and at this point in July, we have a little more than 11,200 miles on the tires. We’ve been checking inflation pressures religiously, aligning the wheels, rotating the tires, and measuring the average tread depth in no less than16 test points around each tire every 2,000 miles. Now, most consumers are not likely to follow our frequent alignment and rotation schedule, but we’re giving the tires the best opportunity to wear optimally. 

So what have we found up to now? In short, not much yet--the tires are less than 20 percent worn-out to the tread wear indicators, the wear is relatively even across the tread width, and we’re not observing any abnormal wear condition.  At this early stage, the tires appear to be able to last more than 45,000 miles, even exceeding Toyota’s estimate of 40,000 miles noted in their Tire Information booklet. Still, we recognize that to get a more accurate picture of projected tread life, we’ll need more miles. We plan on doing just that with the hopes of reaching 20,000 or more miles by the end of summer. That shouldn’t be a problem, with many of our colleagues taking the minivan on extensive summer trips.

 

NOTE: An updated has been posted: "Update: Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires"

--Gene Petersen

Related blog posts:
Update: Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires
Toyota Sienna AWD run-flat tires wear well for us
Toyota Sienna AWD tires - patience wearing thin
Toyota extends run-flat tire warranty
Toyota Sienna run-flat tires? Spare us.
Run-flat tires go flat with our readers  

Comments

[mark]

You also should've realized that OEM/Factory model tires can be different from what you can purchase from a tire dealer! I've seen the differences myself in a so-called "factory tire" and a retail model. That might also be why your tires are lasting longer. You have a retail version on your Sienna!

[David]

Most owners don't care for tires as much as CR has done. Short of the sports car fanatics, I can't see anyone aligning their wheels prior to a replacement. I don't even align my wheels after replacing the tires. So, actual life experience for most owners will likely be shorter.

Some winter tires have a different compound since certain wear or miles has been reached. How about these test tires? How abut running it until 2/32 in tread left?

[Eugene Petersen]

The tires we bought were original equipment tires. We also aligned the vehicle wheels approximately every 2000 miles to be sure that the tires were run optimally. We realize that most people would not do so. For the record, the alignment was checked but needed no adjustment tweaking during the test to this point in time.

[Kathy]

My 2005 Sienna AWD had run-flat tires replaced at mid-20,000 miles just before the recall notice came in our mailbox. Now, at just over 39,000 miles, I have a new problem with the replacement run-flat tires. Have been to Toyota dealer twice this week trying to eliminate the strange rubbing noises coming from the tires. Toyota told us to put Armorall on the tires to stop the rubbing sounds! Anybody heard of this before??

[Marc]

My dealer replaced the tires (Bridgestone model)with new ones (Dunlop model)at 16,000 miles on my 2004 XLE AWD because it sounded like I had snow tires on it while driving. It started again around 36,000 miles. Does anyone know if this a AWD Design "problem" or a tire "problem"? I can't see replacing them every 16-20,000 miles. Does anyone know the offical "word" from toyota on this?

[Jim Kelly]

I have a 2006 Toyota Sienna LE AWD, purchased Jan2006 with Dunlop runflat tires. By 6000 miles, the tires were very noisy while driving, especially noticeable on the highway where yuo expect to have a nice quiet ride. (If someone has a radio on, they might not notice it). The ride also became increasingly rough, with slight shimmer in the steering wheel and vibrations in the seats. Toyota replaced tires around 8000 miles with new Dunlop tires they said were re-engineered. By 14000 miles, we had the same exact symptions (very noisy tires, shimmer and vibrations). At this time, we opened a new case with Toyota and waiting for them to replace them again.

[Jim Kelly]

This is a second post because I forgot to mention in the first one that 3 other people we know have 2005 or 2006 Toyota Sienna AWD vans and they have all had the same problem. Very loud road noise and shimmer , vibration in the vehicle and we found out they have also all had the tires replaced by Toyota. This appears to be a widespread problem.

[Rob B.]

Worn Dunlop run-flat on my 2005 Sienna XLE Limited replaced with Bridgestone run-flat tires -- at no cost. Dealer said they were out of Dunlop, and that the Bridgestone tires were better and more expensive. Is this right?

[Connie Crowe]

I purchased a 2006 Sienna AWD in Nov. of 2006. Since then, I have had 2 flat tires. The first had a puncture made by a VERY small rock and the tire had to be replaced with a 2 day wait for a replacement to delivered. The second flat (2 months later) split all the way down the side. It took 8 days to get a replacement. The road hazard warranty only paid partially due to excessive wear at 11,000 miles!

[Derek Brown]

I purchased a "demo" 2005 Sienna AWD in July of 2005. Tires and wheels were replaced Aug 18, 2005 at 12,500 km (7767 mi) (paint had failed on the alloy wheels) and a third set of tires was installed under warranty at 42,661 km (26,508 mi). I checked wear at 56,000 km (~35,000 mi) and still had 6 mm (8/32") tread left. I now have 70,000 km (43,500 mi) on the vehicle, the tires are very noisy due cupping of the inner shoulder on all 4 tires, a bump in one of them and a wierd "schunching" noise in the left front tire. They are very much more expensive here in Canada. $450 each + $53 each to install + 14% tax = $2300 to replace. This represents an operating cost of nearly 14 cents/mile for tires alone. Its time to abandon run-flats, I'm planning to replace them with a set of Goodyear Assurance ComforTred s which are available in P255/60R17's plus buy a spare which will probably stay in the garage unless I stay too far from home. Also paint has failed big time on the second set of alloy wheels! Toyota needs to stop "Stonewalling" and do something about the problem which I believe may be related to some sort of resonance within the tire or suspension which does not occur while tires are new, but occurs when tires are partially worn and accelerates wear as wear occurs.

[tom w]

Was wondering if this problem has been addressed yet. Availability--live in northern Wisc and travel to Northern Mn a lot. After purchasing Sienna, with RFT stopped at a RFT dealer as all Bridgestone dealers are not. Was told on a good day could have in two to three days. Northern Minn. longer yet, my Toyota worked with me a traded for a 2006 front wheel drive Sienna. Big deal so you can drive 50 miles on flat then get a motel room and wait. Just vending on a expensive experience

[Bob Erickson]

I have a 2004 Toyota Sienna XLE Limited which has worn out four sets of the Dunlop Run Flat tires in 100,000 miles. On the last set at 21,000 mi a front tire went flat. When trying to run at zero pressure for only 10 miles at 40 mph, the front end was shaking so badly, the tire was smoking and opened a 12in split at the point where the thread meets the side wall. I could not drive any further and had to be towed on a flat bed. Dunlop now indicates that these tires are only rated at 25,000 mi. thread life.

[Kevin Murphy]

Please, please, please, PLEASE do a more "real-world" test of these tires! Rotate them every 5,000 miles, and only align the wheels once a year, like it says in the manual! I'm about to go in to the dealer for a second set of tires in 40,000 miles, and I'm extremely unhappy about it. This vehicle is fundamentally flawed because of this issue, and somebody needs to catch Toyota at the game they're playing with their consumers. Most of us purchased this vehicle in good faith that it was a modern vehicle and would put up with modern driving conditions. We shouldn't have to walk around a late model car every morning with a tire pressure gague, or pay big bucks every 5,000 miles to keep the tires aligned!

Please, CR, do a real-world test, and treat these tires like a normal consumer would, instead of like a bunch of scientists.

Thanks.

-Kevin

[Carol Brand]

We have a 2005 Sienna with all of the tire issues mentioned above. We are about to replace our tires again. We got 25,000 miles on the 1st ones, but less than 20,000 on our second set. I'm embarrassed to admit that the belt is actually showing through on one tire. I didn't realize that it had gotten so bad.

We too have had a wierd rubbing sound and shimmying.

[Steve in the sticks]

I live near Death Valley. Nearest replacement run-flat tire is at least 100 miles away and is closed on weekends. You mention that some have "psychological fears about not having a spare tire on board." You bet. I feel sorry for any travelers stranded here on a Saturday or Sunday due to flat without a spare.

[Rod Bunker]

We chose to not continue with RFT and instead purchased a set of Michlin TripleTred. These are more quiet tires. We had 18000 on RFT and in the last 6 months experienced 6 flats, 3 in the final 3 weeks. It was less expensive to replace tires than pay $22 for each flat repair.

Has anyone purchased a temporary spare and where do you store it on a 2006 Seinna AWD?

[Sarah W.]

Are there any updates on the performance of the run-flats on the Toyota Sienna? My husband and I would like to purchase a 2008 Sienna AWD but with everything that we have read, it looks like the run-flats would be too expensive to maintain.

[chrissy in nh]

We were sick and tired of replacing the run flat tires on our 2005 AWD LE, so we opted for some nice Michelins (much quieter) and a donut spare. I keep it in the back well behind the 3rd row seat. It fits perfectly flat and quite tight in the well. I had checked with the dealer to see if they had a bracket to hold it, and they quoted me $450 to put a bracket in. The bracket would preclude me from ever putting the seat down, so I opted against. The spare is heavy, but I can shift it around if I need to put one or the other side of the seat down.

[Pete]

My Sienna has a build date 2 months after the class action suit limit. Tires are worn out at 20k miles. We shall see how Toyota handles this.
They do a good job (replace the tires without giving me haddle), I'll be buying Toyota again.
Badly handled and I am gone.

[AJ in Pensylvania]

I have a 2006 Sienna AWD and have experienced poor tire wear with the OEM Dunlop 4000 run flat tires. I have rotated the tires every 4000 miles since new and checked the tire pressure once per week since new. All 4 tires are wearing on the inside edges and cupping on the inside edges. Noise started at about 5000-6000 miles and is noticeable constantly. I am switching to Yokohama AVID TRZ tires (not run flat). I purchased a matching Toyota alloy wheel (reconditioned - from a vendor on E-Bay) and will be buying 5 new tires. No more run flats for me. The "spare" wheel and tire will be carried in the well behind the wide portion of the split 3rd row seat. This is discussed at length at http://www.siennaclub.org/forum/.

[DR in KS]

We have a 2006 Sienna XLE ltd AWD with the same issues as everyone else with the Dunlap RF tires. We bought the vehicle new August 2006 and the dealership has rotated the tires every 5000 miles. At around 10000 miles my wife was complaining about the rubbing sounds and vibration. On the third trip to the dealership at 15700 miles, they validated the problem was cupping of the tires.
Initially, the dealership wanted us to split the cost of tires with them 50-50 and we said no. Two days later when I went to pick the vehicle up they had replaced all 4 RF dunlap tires with new ones. I was very impressed by the service manager going to bat with Toyota to replace the tires (although he didn't mention there have been issues with the tires on the 2004-2006 Toyotas).
What he did state to Toyota was that the customer couldn't have prevented the tire cupping (rotated the tires at every 5K service, checked tire pressure regularly).
I picked up the vehicle with the new tires this morning and am considering dismounting the tires, selling them on Ebay, and getting reliable tires that aren't runflats.

[ms in usa]

check your wheelbearings. My toyota sienna xle 2004 van had very serious wheel bearing wear. This could of caused a fatal accident. My van would hum and floor board would vibrate going only at 60 mph. The first time I brought it in they could not find anything and the second my gut insticts told me this is not right. The wheel bearing problem was corrected. My van has only 60,000 miles.

[Vincent from CT]

We bought a 2006 Toyota Sienna new. After three sets of run flats and only getting 6,000 miles per tire and three flat tires, we replaced them with Goodyear. The dealership was not helpful and they seem to be ignoring the problem. We religously checked the tire pressure and rotated them. I'd rethink this car. I bought it so my family would be safe with AWD. I love the vehicle, but these tires affect the steering when they drop in pressure, and my wife has become so preoccupied with the tire problem, it's not worth it.

[Melissa]

I loved by AWD 2006 Toyota Sienna until the problem with the run flats. The dealer has not been helpful at all and was actually quite rude. I brought the car twice before I had even hit 10,000 miles because of a rubbing sound. They never were able to diagnose the problem! My mechanic took one look at the tires and knew that they were dangerous and needed to be replaced! Of course, after we replaced the tires, the sound has disappeared. Then, we found out about the class action law suit covering some Sienna's from 2004 - 2006. We were told that our vehicle was not included and is not covered because our VIN is later than the vehicles covered in the suit. You would think that they are aware of the problem, so they would want to cover all Siennas having the same problems. WRONG! Don't bother buying a Sienna with run flats. As a matter of fact, because of the poor customer service, you would do yourself a favor to stay far away from Toyota!

[Bob]

We have an '04 AWD Sienna with now 45k on it. I've realized the tire issues but remain hopeful of the RFTs. Yes, I replaced 1 tire due to tire deflation (inadvertantly drove highway speed for 10+ miles with a 1/4" hole in the sidewall!). Another I fixed until all were replaced at 45k.

My tips to longer life and ease of mind are:

These are Run-flats.... They allow you to drive to a safe place!
Carry a tire repair kit with pump, learn to use them, and pull-over "asap", meaning safely, when the low-pressure warning lights. When replacing tires, keep the best of 4 as a spare or order 5 (1 as spare). Carry demounted tire on the roof for long travels and to prevent long delays at service centers should a tire change be needed. And of course, follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions.

Just curious, how many of these low tread-life tires are due to towing?