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2007 Camry LE tire cupping

 
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alao alao
New User | Posts: 1 | Joined: 07/07
Posted: 07/30/07
10:50 AM

My 07 Camry LE tires are cupping at 11,000 miles.  I brought it to the dealership, the told me that it's normal and that I "Have To" rotate the tires every 10,000 miles.  I suspecting that it's my strut is causing it.  I check my strut, 3 out of 4 have oily film.  The dealer told me that the oily film is normal.  They will not replace the strut or tires.  Have anyone experience these issue before?  If you have, please advise me how to get it fix or what I have to do to get it fix.  

 
CapriRacer CapriRacer
User | Posts: 189 | Joined: 02/07
Posted: 07/31/07
05:12 AM

"Cupping" is a term that is used to describe some types of tire wear that are caused by misalignment.  In either case (strut or misalignment), insufficient inflation pressure and insufficient rotation aggravate the situation.  

I'm not sure of this, but I'll bet your owners manual says to rotate in the 5,000 to 8,000 miles range - which means the dealer is off the hook.

First I suggest you rotate your tires, then get an alignment.  I think you ought to avoid the dealer since you obviously have a poor working relationship with him.  

 
gmtech10 gmtech10
New User | Posts: 36 | Joined: 03/07
Posted: 09/12/07
08:04 PM

I work at a Chevy/Toyota dealership, and I see a lot of vehicles with tires that are totally worn out at 25000 miles because they have not been rotated enough. Suggested alignment angles are not typically 0 degrees, meaning that even if your alignment is perfect, your tires will wear unevenly if they are not rotated. You cannot over rotate your tires. Toyota would suggest you rotate your tires every oil change, which toyota recommends to be every 5000 miles. Also, the oily film on your struts is normal, it is called weepage and will not effect the performance of your struts. The dealership cannot replace the weeping struts because every part that is replaced under warranty, has to be returned to Toyota for inspection and then if it is approved, the dealership gets reinbursed for the cost of the part and the labor.

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but i see it every day. the good thing is that you only have 11000 miles on the tires, so with proper rotation, they will straighten out. Oh, and dont drop the dealership just because of their limitations set by the manufacturer, dealership service is better... you get what you pay for. Just the same as everything else.  

 
toyownerincincy toyownerincincy
New User | Posts: 2 | Joined: 02/08
Posted: 02/03/08
02:07 PM

I too have had the same problem with the Bridgestone tires on my 2007 Camry.  I got a blasé attitude from the dealer, a run around from Toyota and a CYA response from a Firestone tire dealer.

Really, the reason that I joined this forum is that the message needs to get out about Toyota.  I feel certain that Toyota could care less about their customers and they really care less that you or I or any owner gets ripped off for hundreds of dollars.  Toyota has turned out to be a big and rich corporation just like the phone company of old.  I'm sure that Toyota knows of the problems with Bridgestone tires and Toyota is merely dumping on its customers.

When it comes to purchasing a new vehicle in the future I think that a person would be crazy to consider purchasing from Toyota.  It's time for people to consider other manufacturers.  

 
jswwish jswwish
New User | Posts: 1 | Joined: 02/08
Posted: 02/25/08
11:52 AM

I have had an exactly same problem with you guys
They call it as "Feathering" on the tire. It was developed under 5000 miles. Right now it is 16000 on the vehicle.
I have searched a lot for this issue. It is normally caused by misalignment or bad shock or strut.
I had to keep bring it back to the both Toyota and Bridgestone. They have imputed the responsibility to each other.
I have done four times alignment at all different Toyota dealer shop. The funny thing is that whenever I did, alignment was off. Finally, they have found TSB for "Shock" and applied it and alignment was redone.
the tire condition is getting better but I still have that.
Actually I have followed Lemon-law and got the compensation for that.
Guys, There is [bold]TSB for front Shock or a Spring, whatever they call it.  

 
toyownerincincy toyownerincincy
New User | Posts: 2 | Joined: 02/08
Posted: 04/02/08
03:34 PM

Here's a follow up to my previous post regarding worn tires.

I took the car to another dealer for the 20K servicing.  I told the service rep about the bad tires on the car and the failure by the original dealer on PSI and rotation.  

Guess what?  The service rep at the second dealership tells me that they won't rotate the tires on the car unless you tell them to.  They've got to be kidding.  I told the rep that I requested normal servicing at each service period and pointed out that the owners manual calls for tire rotation at each servicing.  

I also said if that were the case then why did the original dealer decide to rotate my tires at 15K when I didn't tell them too.  I noted that they didn't rotate the tires at the other service intervals when they should have.  

The rep tells me that it was probably part of the service package and that each dealership has their own package of what they do as a standard servicing.  

I was absolutely flabbergasted.  I'm wondering why the manufacturer would go to the trouble to print a manual that says rotate the tires every 5000 miles but have dealerships ignore the standard.  If the dealerships aren't rotating tires as they should then what else are they not servicing?

I agree with you.  Clearly the tire dealer, dealership and Toyota are imputing one another and screwing the public.

I'm planning on replacing the tires soon so does anyone have any advice on which tires to purchase??  

 
latinchica1978 latinchica1978
New User | Posts: 1 | Joined: 05/08
Posted: 05/08/08
05:23 AM

I also am looking for information on what tires are recommended.  I definately am not going to get another set of bridgestones.  

 
dkatnik dkatnik
User | Posts: 70 | Joined: 10/08
Posted: 01/19/09
01:37 PM

I for one applaud the response of GMTECH10. The driver of a vehicle who is dis-satisified with tire wear (feathered, cupped, scalloped, heal and toe) never fail to mention their car is, and has always been, aligned to factory specs.  Unfortunatly, factory alignment specs are not concieved for the sole purpose of providing even tire wear. The factory alignment spec is designed to facilitate the steering wheel returning to center after a turn has been completed, giving the car added stability when driving down the road, as well as minimizing wander. With that said, a vehicle out of alignment can certainly lead to worn out tires so a "good" alignment is important, but no more important than tire rotation and proper inflation.  The first rotation is the most important and should be done within the first 3-5 thousand miles.  After that, as the vehicle manufacturer recomneds.  Inflation should be set to the vehicle spec which may or may not be what is printed on the sidwall of the tire.  Remember, that same size tire can be found on many different models of vehicles none of which weigh exactally the same as yours.  Bottom line, there is no problem specific to Toyota or Bridgestone as mentioned in some of the posts. It comes down assuming the responsibility of properly  maintaining your equipment.  

 
gboates gboates
New User | Posts: 4 | Joined: 11/09
Posted: 11/14/09
02:00 PM

2007 Camry LE Tires?
I was told by the dealer's staff, both sales and service, that (in Canada) they all come (the toyota vehicles that is) with OEM tires. What this means is that Toyota and the tire company, in my case Michelin, agree to a tire spec for the new vehicle. The OEM tire is usually lighter due to a better 'test ride by prospective buyers' and less expense for the Company. My Camry LE nearly wore out (nearly I say as keeping them to put on the car when I return it after lease expires) Michelin MX4s at 17,000 miles or 23,000km. I was not impressed as this has happened to me before, many times actually, all with new Toyotas. So I bought Bridgestone GO19s, Potenza G019 Grid is Bridgestone's High Performance All-Season tire,  nice with a very heavy and robust tread. I took the Michelin OEM carcasses to a tire shop and compared them to new consumer available Michelin MX4s - WOW, night and day - not even close to the same tire. Confirmation of one of the many automotive 'conspiracy theories'!

My kick in the pants? The Bridgestone tires SCALLOPED, CUPPED - whatever you want to call it, and are you sitting down?? at 5,000 km. The alignment was checked at my expense of course - nothing wrong - although every realignment comes with an explanation as to how it was out a bit here or there - take the sheet around to the experts and you will get the same analysis of the numbers - nothing too wrong that it will hurt, within the + or - spec etc etc

I have read in other forums (just google Camry tire problem and you will be amazed) that the strut bushings may be too soft of the negative camber in the rear suspension is too strong and under load (driving at speed) sets up a dangerous harmonic. Bottom line in my opinion? Toyota cars are not what they used to be - even the seat materials (foams) are thinner then just a few years ago - when will they realize that they are going to lose customers. After my first Corolla in 1979 and always a Toyota in the driveway since... well I have 14 months to wait to shed this 2007 Camry and never again!  

 
06bimm3r 06bimm3r
New User | Posts: 2 | Joined: 02/10
Posted: 02/04/10
09:48 AM

What do do? Sell the piece of **** ASAP! You will continue to have problems as you put more miles on it, and the car's resale will drop like a lowrider. I am stuck with my 08 camry that is my daily beater. At just under 50k miles, I'm on my third set of front axles, annoying CD player (which has a mind of its own and the toyota service manager blamed on my imagination until bumper to bumper ran out), and third set of tires which cupped within 2 months of me getting them. I have free balancing and rotations at discount tire (which I take advantage of) and it actually needs to be done every 3-5 K miles, not 10K like the moron told you. same as you, they told me it is my fault and they cant fix it. I paid $21K for the car, now not even 2 years or 50K later, I'm being offered 13-14 grand for it. THAT IS GM/CHRYSLER LEVED DEPRICIATION, NOT TOYOTA! With the amount of recalls and problems, GM and ChryCo come to mind again. Toyota has fumbled away the reliability ball to have Ford and zee Gremans pick it up. I bought my 06 BMW M3 less than a year and a half ago with 29K for just under $40K. I put about 15K miles on it, have had no issues (knock on wood), and am constantly getting offered over forty grand for it. Why? Apart from its rarity and the "last true BMW" mantra, 2 words: quality control. Know what it means when a Bimmer has better reliability and resale than toyota? i WILL NEVER BUY A FREAKIN' TOYOTA EVER AGAIN!!!  

 
09camryowner 09camryowner
New User | Posts: 2 | Joined: 03/10
Posted: 03/21/10
11:17 AM

my 09 camry with 20k has had several dealer alignments (4 to 5 ) and they allways have an excuse that it is the road I'm driving and soforth. My 2000 Camry drove the same road and NEVER needed an alignment. I took the 09 to a independant shop an they got the car close. Still tends to go left. After a few months, no potholes, and the pull to the left is getting worse.
I've had it, like the car except for the problem. I've spend over $500 on this issue and the dealer(s) don't care.
Looks like I'm going to trade in this car for a Honda.  

 
Bert2003 Bert2003
New User | Posts: 5 | Joined: 04/11
Posted: 04/07/11
12:31 PM

I have a 2009 Taylor the Camry LE 3.5 and I have notice of the a cupping problems on long sustained highway driving.  Local driving this does not appear to be a problem.
I had a factory rep look at the car and he claims that he is simply driving too fast?  Really.
I have learned from my tire dealer that this is a common problem with Camry the suspension is simply too soft and does not hold the road at sustained highway speed producing cupping.

The only solution is put in stiffer struts but you obviously lose the soft ride.  I have basically copped the tires and 3000 miles.

In general I cannot really say much abot Camrys.  

 
Bert2003 Bert2003
New User | Posts: 5 | Joined: 04/11
Posted: 04/07/11
12:34 PM

Rotating tires will not help you very much if the problem is caused by struts that simply do not hold the road at highway speeds.  Toyota will not admit this problem because they put in struts specially in the Camrys that are purely for a soft ride on local roads.  At highway speeds and sustain highway driving the tires woke up and as little as 3000 miles.  You can rotate the tires as much as you want you will have cupped tires front and back.  The rear tires seemed to be the main problem due to the likeness of the car.  Really nothing honest about Toyota.  

 
Bert2003 Bert2003
New User | Posts: 5 | Joined: 04/11
Posted: 04/07/11
12:39 PM

As most Japanese companies Toyota cares about money and since you purchase their car they obviously have your money.

I that more problems on my 2009 Camry 3.5 than I care to mention and initially purchased the Camry because I thought Toyota was a good car.

Tire cupping has become a major problem.

On sustained high-speed driving involving considerable distances the tires woke up in as little as 1500 miles which is typically what I made to go down to my second house in Myrtle Beach.  Rotating the tires does not really help you simply end up with cupping front and back due to the fact that the back tires woke up very quickly.  The struts are simply too soft made for a nice ride which is okay on local roads but the tires bouncing up and down at highway speed.

Toyota is fully aware of the problem, but they are not going to admit that.  Most customers drive locally and this problem does not occur a local driving.

One good highway trip in your tires are gone.  

 
Bert2003 Bert2003
New User | Posts: 5 | Joined: 04/11
Posted: 04/07/11
12:43 PM

Cupping problems on Toyota Camry is as well known to Toyota.

I basically ruined a set of tires in as little as 15,000 miles and the dealer tells me actually the factory rep that I was driving too fast really I guess I should drive 35 in a 65 mile zone that will solve the problem.

The problem really is that the struts are too soft and do not hold the road.

Toyota knows that customers like a soft ride and that is the primary objective.  They are hoping you do not do excessive fiber driving and cupping will appear.

Also the original OEM tires which are now Bridgestone are complete junk.  

 
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