2021 Toyota Camry Tire Positioning Procedure TSB

Toyota has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 10198154, addressing the critical importance of proper Toyota Camry tire positioning for various 2021 Toyota models. This bulletin highlights a specific procedure to maintain vehicle stability and prevent issues such as pulling or drifting, particularly when wheels are replaced or refinished prior to vehicle delivery.

Symptoms of Improper Tire Positioning

If the "Tire Positioning Procedure" outlined in TSB 10198154 is not followed, owners of affected 2021 Toyota vehicles, including the Toyota Camry tire positioning can experience symptoms such as:

• Vehicle pulling to one side
• Vehicle drifting
• Uneven tire wear (over time)

These symptoms arise because tires are originally mounted as matched sets during the manufacturing process to optimize vehicle handling characteristics. Disrupting this original setup without proper re-positioning can lead to noticeable driving discomfort and potential safety concerns.

Trigger Conditions for the Tire Positioning Procedure

This TSB specifically applies to situations where wheels are replaced or refinished before vehicle delivery. This could occur due to damage during transit, cosmetic upgrades, or other pre-delivery service. The core condition requiring adherence to this procedure is any instance where the original wheel-tire assembly is disturbed from its factory-set location on the vehicle.

Repair Procedure Summary

The TSB emphasizes a "Tire Positioning Procedure" to ensure that the original tires remain in their correct location and direction of rotation on the vehicle. The key steps, as outlined in the bulletin, involve:

1. Maintaining Original Location: If a wheel is replaced or refinished, the original tire must be re-mounted on the new/refinished wheel and returned to its exact original position on the vehicle (e.g., front-left tire goes back to front-left).
2. Preserving Rotation Direction: For directional tires, it is crucial to ensure they are re-installed so that their rotation direction matches the original factory setup. This is typically indicated by an arrow on the tire sidewall.
3. Matched Sets: The procedure aims to preserve the integrity of the factory-matched tire sets, which are balanced and positioned to reduce conditions like pulling or drifting.

The bulletin serves as a guide for technicians to correctly handle tire and wheel services to prevent adverse driving characteristics.

What Owners Should Know

Owners of 2021 Toyota models, including the Toyota Camry, should be aware of this TSB, especially if they experience any pulling or drifting issues shortly after taking delivery of a new vehicle, or if they had pre-delivery wheel service. While this TSB primarily targets dealer pre-delivery procedures, understanding its content can help owners communicate effectively with service centers. If you notice your vehicle pulling or drifting, especially if it's a new 2021 model, mention this TSB (NHTSA ID 10198154) to your service technician. This procedure is intended to be performed by qualified technicians and should resolve issues related to improper Toyota Camry tire positioning.

Source: NHTSA ID: 10198154