CDN_Drew

I'm receiving lots of suggestions to downsize the stock 215/55R17 tires to 215/60R16 for winter use. The two tires are almost identical in size, but the 16" wheel has more sidewall, more flex, and "should" have better grip? Not to mention they're cheaper even with 16" steelies. Anyone have an opinion on this?

What do you do for your ES350 for winter tires?

jkayca

I re-used my 16" stealies from my previous car.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=385892

I have hub caps now so it looks much better.

jagtoes

I haven't had this car through a winter yet but I suspect it should not be a problem where I live. If it snows to much I'll drive my truck. I'm hoping for global warming to get rid of the winter season. All weather tires will do fine for me.

CDN_Drew

LOL. Same colour combo I have, and man does it ever look like *** without the hubcaps. Looks like I'll have to put my vanity away for the winter or pay the price for alloys.

garsarno

Ran the car for two winters on the OEM Michelin all seasons. Outside of one problem trying to get out of 8" of wet snow (I eventually just shoveled the wet snow away from all of the wheels), no issues here in Northeastern PA.

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

You can pick up a set of oem 16" Camry alloys on eBay for a song. If I needed snows for the ES, that's the route I'd take.

Lou

CDN_Drew

It's not exactly a "song" with some of those asking prices!

What *IS* a good deal is a set of OEM ES350 alloys averaging $250US for a set of 4. That's ridiculous.

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/16-20...es#ht_3176wt_0

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/16-20...es#ht_2962wt_0

$400.00 shipped for brand new OEM alloys is pretty cheap to me

BTW, I know these guys, and their good. 16" is what you want for snows.

One listing is for LE Wheels the other for XLE.

Lou

jkayca

Plus $130 to ship to Canada. Plus GST. Plus PST. Plus the conversion rate. You're now looking at close to $700 CDN. I didn't think it was worth it. But then again I'm cheap

JohnnyT39

garsarno wrote that he/she ran their ES for two winters on the OEM Michelin all seasons. This is my first winter and the first light snow and I can't even get up a small hill on the OEM Michelin all seasons. Do I really need "Winter Tires" or is there some tip for driving the ES in light snow? I live in New Jersey.

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

I used to live in the Northeast, and yes you need dedicated snow tires. 16" wheels and tires are the way to go, IMHO, for winter driving'

Lou

JohnnyT39

Thanks, Lou. Any recommendation as to brand.

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

^^^^Try looking here for recommendations:

http://tires.tirerack.com/tires/Best%20Winter%20Tires

Lou

RobF350

if cosmetics concern you get some $100 a piece alloys to mount your snow tires on.

My 1st SUV

I just ordered 4 Michelin Pilot PA3 tires for winter driving. I was going to install them on my OEM wheels and then switch back next summer.

Is it true that switching between summer and winter tires on the same wheels is bad for the tire? Or is switching so expensive that after several years, you are better off buying new wheels for summer?