art2010

Hey everyone, I'm new here and was hoping someone can advise me. I have a 2010 Lexus ES 350 with stock tires 215/55/17. I have winter tires from a previous car size 215/50/17. Can someone tell me if I can use these winter tires on my stock ES rims? Thanks!

rhkII

The tires are the most IMPORTANT thing on your car. If it is within your budget, buy 4 new snow tires in the 215/55-17 size. I recommend Tire Rack. Price should be $600 or slighly less for a set of 4. Never use 2 unless you want to see your rear end break loose and send you into a spin on a slippery surface. The smaller snows you have will cause the odometer to rack up more miles than you are actually driving. The load rating, or tire strength, is almost certainly less than O.E. size. Unless money is a factor, there is NO UPSIDE to using up the snow tires you have now. If you figure you will have the ES for at least 3 winters, the actual cost per year including the remounting and balancing 2 times per year, I would strongly consider buying a Tire Rack wheel with mounted and balanced snows package shipped to your door. The savings on 2 mounting-balancing services per year will pay for the wheels over 3 years. I would think you could get a wheel-snow tire package for $800-$1000 dollars. If it keeps you out of one accident, it will be the best money you ever spent. Let us know what you choose to do.

glepera

Art2010: I commute from NJ to CT every day for the last three years and granted we didn't much snow last year, year before was brutal and I did it all with no snows on I95!. the real answer is more that 8 inches on the ground telecommute. I think it;s a waste of the money. but I would never out you at risk for my opinion. if you feel safer, then go for it. but stay home--- everyone else does.

garsarno

My old 2007 and new 2011 ran Northeast PA winters on the OEM all season tires without a problem except once: trying to scale a driveway entrance in deep wet snow that the snow plow filled up the entrance. I got hung up on the height of the plowed snow. Motorist stopped and gave me a push back. That was it. If it snows a bunch, then I wait it out until the roads are plowed.

RickC5

Yeah, those tires should fit your stock ES rims OK, but be advised that they will be a bit shorter (less radius/diameter) than the 215/55/17 stock tires. This will cause your speedometer to read a bit high and will also reduce your ground clearance a bit too. Go for it if these things don't bug you.

art2010

Thanks everyone for your responses.

jkayca

If you do decide to buy new tires I would get a set of 16" steel rims and snow tires to match. This will save some wear and tear on the stock rims. Also, it's simpler to put them on and take them off again.

The only drawbacks are that they don't look as nice and usually lack the TPMS sensors.

Just my 2 cents.

glepera

definnitely right jkayca, steel rims all the way, never spend an extra penny on snows, they are ugly to begin with oh and by the way when its not snowing, you will hear hella noise off um so be prepared Art2010!

art2010

Thanks jkayca and glepera for the advice. I decided I won't use this size winter tires and will definitely go with stock size. I think I will sell these winter tires on ebay. I used them last winter on my honda accord V6, which I sold. They are Continental Extreme Contact V Rated tires and I must say they were extremely quiet on my accord. So when I do decide to buy new winter tires I will definitely get the same ones. I don't think I would put 16" steel rims on my ES. Thanks again.