When I took my RX8 in for an oil change last week, I also had the tires rotated. Since then I'm getting terrible road noise from the rear. I've had the car a little over 2 years but it only has ~12,000 miles on it. Took it back and was told by my friendly write-up guy that the tires were "chopped". Then he explained that "all these cars, especially with the Potenzas, make a lot of tire noise". He offered to put the tires back the way they were but that would defeat the purpose of rotating them....right???

So, my question is; what the hell are "chopped" tires? And, was he just blowing smoke about the comment that all 8's have a lot of tire noise? I had never noticed any noise til I got the tires rotated. Is there anything I can do, short of putting the tires back the way they were, to get rid of the noise?

 

stock potenzas suck. they are noisy.. especially when they wear. they all will drastically loose their wet traction with even slight wear. just wear them out and get a good replacements. in fact the cheapest tire on tirerack.com, the kumho's are one of the best.

 

 

Most tires get noisier with wear, some more so than others. It is also possible that your tires have not worn evenly due to improper tire pressure or poor alignment. When rotated, the uneven wear pattern produces noise because the tire sits on the road slightly differently because it is in a different position.

 

I experienced the same thing when rotating them at 6K & 11K miles. Unbelieveable change in road roar. POS they are, never again to buy Bridgestone. They grip OK, but other characteristics blow.

Live a little get yourself some good rubber. Me I got Falken RT-615s in 235-40/18. Night and day.

 

When you get your new tires don't wait until 12,000 miles to rotate them. You should rotate every 5,000 miles regardless of time.

 

Get a Tred-Depth guage and see how they have worn from one edge to the other. Then let us know where the tire was on your car for that 12k with the mileage and pressure . I'm sure everyone here will be glad to advise you. Allso run your hands over the tred and tell us what you feel wear wise, cuping,flat spot, what ever. I agree about geting them rotated every 5k, its your best aid in preventing this. The noise will not go away now unless you put them back right away. You will probably notice that the one that was on the right rear has the most wear and if you can put up with the noise they will last longer. We have seen everything from just a few thousand miles to people that got 30k or more. That all depends on how agressive a driver you are. Let us know what you do.

 

over the weekend i traded out my potenza's for the Kumhos...yes because they were cheap and well-reviewed. the difference is ridiculous. i can hear the great sounds of my engine much clearer, and im able to play my stereo at 2 or 3 points lower. i know im repeating whats been said, but i recently realized just hw loud the potenza's were, especially with a lot of wear.

 

I just got mine rotated at 5000 miles last week, but I don't have any increased noise or anything, so they must still be wearing pretty evenly. My car came with the Dunlops.

 

its hard to notice an increase in noise because of the gradual wear. if you didn't hear a change in road noise, then you're probably good on tire pressure & alignment.

 

^ That too!

 

 

If it's any consolation, the Potenzas on my 8 are noisey and getting louder by the mile. And, they only have 9100 miles on them. Yes, the Potenzas handle real well, but I can't wait for them to wear out so I can replace them with something a bit quieter.

1.3L

 

Thanks for all the advice, I think I'm just gonna put up with the noise for now; I didn't mention that the ride is still fine, just a lot noisier. I can wait til next spring then put some new tires on the car.

 

my potenzas lasted all of 8000 miles before they were bald (they are pieces of crap and im a maniac), i got Eagle F1's since...they are louder but performance tires are loud and they've lasted 15000 miles since (add another 10k in winter tires) and still have good treadlife remaining. One of those things i guess.

 

Yea mine came with Dunlops as well