Tires: Tires, lexus ls400, lexus dealer

Question
Hi,

I drive a 1998 Lexus LS400 (88,000 miles), and I have four wrong tires on my vehicle that I will replace (all four) next month. Lexus dealer had told me I need to have my tires replaced asap, and then my car will drive a lot better. The tires I purchased none of them match.  Lexus indicated I should not have those tires on my vehicle. My problem is that my car has poor handling, and I want to know is this because of the four tires.  Sometimes, when I am going around a curve, it feels as if I will lose control of my vehicle, and like my car doesn't want to stop.  My tires are completely bald, and I need to know is this the reason why my car is not performing well as it should?  Do tires really matter as far of vehicle performance.  Please advise.

Answer
Christine,

Tires are your only connection with the ground, so if they are up to snuff, then the vehicle won't be up to snuff.

Vehicles tend to pivot around an odd tire when cornering - and your situation seems to point to the fact that ALL the tires are odd.

While I can't tell you for sure if buying new tires will fix the handling issues, if they are bald, you need to replace them anyway.

And be mindful that a 1998 Lexus LS400 came with V speed rated tires, and to put anything less than that doesn't match how the vehicle was designed - especially in the handling department.