Genesis G70 Tire Maintenance: A Comprehensive Guide by MotorVero

Introduction

This summer, MotorVero's long-term test car, the Genesis G70—recipient of our Best of 2019 award—developed a gouge in the passenger-side front tire. The cause remains a mystery, as multiple editors share the car to document their experiences over a year of ownership. To address the issue, we sent the vehicle for service to get a closer inspection.

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Identifying the Issue

On September 16, we emailed a photo of the damaged tire to the service advisor, who confirmed it needed replacement. Two days later, the dealership sent a service valet—a perk with every Genesis purchase—to swap our car for a loaner G80. Upon receiving our G70, the service department measured the remaining tread depths of the other three Michelin Primacy MXM4 P225/45R18 tires, reporting depths of 6/32nd to 7/32nd of an inch.

Tire tread is measured in 32nds of an inch, and tires typically need replacement before reaching 2/32nds. Our tires began with 9.5/32nd of an inch, as confirmed by a Michelin representative. The dealership’s service technician noted that the difference in tread between the new tire and the semi-worn counterparts could cause traction issues and undue driveline stress, especially since our car has all-wheel drive (AWD).

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Cost Considerations

The service advisor quoted $256 for the new tire plus $35 to mount and balance it. We found the same tire from Tire Rack for $220, including tax, a price the dealership offered to match. However, the advisor mentioned that the dealership could not shave the tread down to match the other three tires—a common recommendation for AWD vehicles. Our options were limited to buying one new tire or a whole set.

A Third Option

Faced with the choice of spending over $1,000 on four new tires or having a significant tread difference with one tire, we opted to buy a single tire—but not from the dealership. We contacted Tire Rack and requested to have the new tire shaved down to match the others, a service they provide. Tire Rack shaved the replacement tire to 6/32nds and shipped it to a nearby facility, where we scheduled an installation for September 20.

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Complimentary Maintenance Program

In the meantime, we called our service advisor and requested the G70 back. He asked if we wanted additional servicing since the car was already there, as it was nearing its 12,000-mile service. We agreed, and the dealership changed the oil and filter, along with the cabin air filter, before returning the car later that afternoon. All services were covered under Genesis’ complimentary maintenance program, which runs for the first three years or 36,000 miles.

This marked the G70’s second regularly scheduled service appointment. Our first service was delayed—occurring at 7,500 miles instead of the recommended 6,000 miles due to an issue with Genesis’ maintenance-reminder system. This latest service effectively brought our car back on schedule for every 6,000 miles.

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Service Records

Genesis’ owner portal has yet to display any online service records for our G70, despite claiming to offer this capability. However, unlike previous visits, we received paper records this time. After reporting missing records in July, Genesis officials informed us they were addressing technical hurdles to posting online records. Shortly after, our dealership provided paper records for all visits.

Finalizing the Tire Replacement

We also received our new, shaved tire. Tire Rack shaved and shipped it to a local shop, which installed it on September 20 as planned. Including taxes and fees, we paid $205 for the tire, $30 for shaving, $17 in taxes and fees, and $22 for installation, totaling $274. While this significantly increased our maintenance-and-repair costs, it was a necessary expense.

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Post-Installation Experience

Following the installation, we drove approximately 600 miles, mostly on the highway, to break in the new tire. The G70’s new tire performed well without excessive noise or harshness, though we noticed slight chatter from AWD binding during low-speed turns. We will monitor whether this persists or resolves over time.

Conclusion

Managing tire maintenance for an AWD vehicle like the Genesis G70 requires careful consideration of tread depth and driveline stress. By opting to shave the new tire to match the existing ones, we avoided unnecessary expenses while ensuring optimal performance. Genesis’ complimentary maintenance program further alleviated costs, highlighting the brand’s commitment to customer satisfaction. Stay tuned for more updates on our long-term experience with the Genesis G70.

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