1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Michelin Premier--Very Noisy After Rotation?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Starship16, Jun 8, 2018.

  1. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2016
    3,709
    5,184
    0
    Location:
    Cornwall
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It's true, I am hiding out down here on the UK's south west peninsula and yes, it's great when the sun is shining. (BTW, the latest series of "Poldark" started airing on BBC within the past seven days, so those VPN inter-web surfers might chance riding the iPlayer for a fix).
    Of course, being exposed to the full might of the North Atlantic ocean, we do we occasional see gales, severe gales and storms. Horizontal rain is not unusual here. It's not as hot and humid as Florida, but is comparable for the influx of emits, (like your snowbirds) every major holiday in the summer months. Prices increase in direct proportion to population, so as our incomers more than double the head count....... sigh!
     
    padroo, bisco and Starship16 like this.
  2. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,454
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    IMG_0153.JPG
    Wine tasting? I'm more of a grilled Brat & beer man. :)
     
    RCO, bisco and Raytheeagle like this.
  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,257
    15,491
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    There are plenty of micro breweries up here, so a beer tour can also work:).

    Or time your trip when the NASCAR event is at Sonoma (2 weekends from now) and there are plenty of those out and about;).

    The state fair in July is another possibility to get those tasty treats as well(y).
     
  4. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,454
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I can't even recall the last time we had significant rain here in Southern California. Good hearing from you RCO.

    I am enroute to the dealer to get the alignment checked on my Prius. I will ask them to check the wheel balance again. Two different tire shops just can't get it right. Maybe I have a bent wheel? Bent suspension? Many streets in my area keep sprouting potholes.
     
    RCO likes this.
  5. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,390
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    On a dynamic balance machine a bent wheel would be obvious. Bent suspension? maybe so, but unlikely and should have shown up in your alignment attempts.
    And it seems that the only time it rains here in the Southland is when I play golf or wash the wife's car...
     
    Starship16 likes this.
  6. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,454
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    IMG_0777.jpg

    Final Update: (not that anyone cares:ROFLMAO:)
    Went to Longo Toyota, in El Monte, California. The largest Toyota Dealer in the world. "50 consecutive years of being number 1 in sales", says the sign. Click on photo to get an idea how huge this place is. (But half is Lexus.) The 5-story parking structure at the top of the picture, holds 2500 new vehicles. Only about 5% of their new Toyotas are parked in an open lot, out front. (There is also underground additional vehicle storage). I've bought 3 cars from this place, going back to 1995. Only had one questionable service repair, about 8 yrs ago. Service dept is very big too. Overall, very good service.

    Long story short :LOL:, My Starship is now operating in (nearly) silent warp drive. Ok, I'm exaggerating. NO CAR is totally quiet, but my Michelin tires are now about 50% quieter. And the vibration I felt thru the floor pan and steering wheel is gone. The ride is no longer harsh. That's good enough! Longo did an alignment and re-balance. Those two tire shops were awful. Free balance & rotation? It just messed up my car. I guess you get what you pay for.

    (Starship16 is my new username. All those Hybrid sounds remind me of a spaceship. I'm still a big kid. :ROFLMAO: Thank you TidelandPrius. Thank you RCO. ("Coast Cruiser"' has officially been sent out to pasture. Or maybe he jumped off the pier?)
     
    #106 Starship16, Jun 14, 2018
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2018
    RCO, Raytheeagle, kithmo and 2 others like this.
  7. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,390
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Great News! I mostly use Longo Toyota as a "price competitor" when I buy my Toyotas closer to home - they are very competitive...
     
    Starship16 likes this.
  8. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,454
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Hi Kevin, the alignment I just had is the first one. And I lost count of how many rotations and balancing. :ROFLMAO:
    I am never touching it again! :cool:
     
    RCO, kithmo and krmcg like this.
  9. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,390
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Did they give you a "before" and "after" printout of the alignment specifications?
     
    Starship16 likes this.
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,133
    50,050
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    glad you added the disclaimer, i was wondering who starship was. just the same space cadet.:p
     
    Starship16 likes this.
  11. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,454
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Please keep me in line, bisco. The Chairman of Priuschat!!:D God help me if I screw up again. I will blame it on the Ambien... sleepwalking and typing? :confused: You guys keep up the good job.

    I'm off to another galaxy..........
     
    RCO and bisco like this.
  12. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,454
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    No, I didn't even think of it. The service advisor just said it checked ok, right at spec. Suspension was ok. But the damn tire balance was off. Again. :mad: I put the psi back to factory specs, I'm done. The car rides much better.
     
    #112 Starship16, Jun 14, 2018
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2018
    RCO likes this.
  13. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2010
    2,404
    2,773
    47
    Location:
    South Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Glad you got it sorted (y)
     
    Starship16 likes this.
  14. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,454
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Kevin, I called the advisor back. I misunderstood at first. He clarified that the car was slightly out of alignment, and now checks ok and now is within spec. He also said the tires were "moderately" out of balance. The dealer's balancing machine must be much better than the tire shops I went to.
     
    #114 Starship16, Jun 14, 2018
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2018
    RCO and krmcg like this.
  15. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,390
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    The "before" and "after" computer reports are great to have. Some of the four-wheel specifications are NOT adjustable with a simple alignment. Camber, caster, and toe-in. readings should have been documented for all four wheels even if the shop could not bring them into OEM specifications. This information would tell a whole other level of data.
    But, since the issue was mostly resolve then it's probably best to leave that sleeping dog alone...
     
    RCO and Starship16 like this.
  16. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,454
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Interesting. Thanks. So what would have to be done if they can't get a car back into OEM specs? I wonder if a dealer would even be honest enough, and admit "they can't fix it."
     
    #116 Starship16, Jun 14, 2018
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2018
    RCO likes this.
  17. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,390
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Sometimes they can "shim" or even bend certain parts to bring them into spec, but will not do that as part of a general alignment. Most shops are satisfied getting the car as close as possible using the easily adjustable standard alignment methods.
    If it ain't broke, don't fix it...
     
    RCO and Starship16 like this.
  18. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,454
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    Agreed. Thanks. Just turn up the radio. :cool:
     
  19. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2008
    2,763
    2,251
    13
    Location:
    Chesterton, Indiana Another third world country.
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I went to Tire Rack in South Bend Indiana and had my new tires mounted on my new aftermarket wheels and they don't care if you hang around while the do the mounting and balancing.

    The one guy put one of the new wheels on the balancing machine without a tire on it and I was curious and asked what he was doing. He said he was checking it for runout, I was surprised.
     
    RCO and Starship16 like this.
  20. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2018
    1,348
    1,454
    0
    Location:
    Beach Christmas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I saw something unusual at the tire shop. On the car next to mine, the guy was using what appeared to be a rotating wire brush attached to a drill, and he was running it all over the surface of the brake rotors. They don't do brake work there, what could that be? The lady was there just for a tire rotation. If he did it to hers, then he probably did it to mine.
     
    #120 Starship16, Jun 14, 2018
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2018