Ziggy716

Hey, just wanted to post in regards to a new set of tires I just got installed. As you know if your running stock 18s the tire size is 245 40 18 which equates to a 25.72 inch tire height. The tires I had installed today on my 2007 GS350 are Hankook Winter iPike w409 w/ studs, the size I ordered are 215 55 18 which are significantly taller than stock. The height on these tires are 27.31 which is little over 1.5 inches taller. I run Michelin Primacy MXV4 245 45 18 as non winter, Their height is also taller than stock at 26.72 inches. All tire sizes I run fit perfect no issues.

I ran my new winter tires today on a 93 mile trip one way through a winter storm (that's why I bought them) with 100pounds of sand in the trunk and I was passing 4x4's, SUV's, Subaru's and anything else I pleased. I was one of the very few cars on the road besides the ones in the ditch. RWD too!!

By the way my Michelin Primacy's were a death trap with RWD. Great tire other than winter.

XxGoKoUxX

Can you take a picture of it? I'd think that the 215 55 18s are a little stretched on your wheels

Ziggy716

Here's my winter setup. Along with my Infiniti M45 Sport.

SLOW4DR

iTrader: (2)

did the 100 lbs in the trunk make a huge difference? I do okay in the snow right now. Pondering the idea of adding sand bags in the trunk for added weight over the rear tires.

vasgs4

Thanks for posting this. I'm running 235/50/17's and I think they are too wide. I am going to order 215/55/17 and see how that is.
My winter set is a set of 17" GS300 wheels.

Ziggy716

Yes, the sand helps quite a bit just don't over do it, you'll have more weight to slow down or control in an unexpected slide. Usually 1 to 2 hundred pounds is all I go.

Also, taller and skinnier tires work the best thus my set up I have posted. The following are benefits I see with this setup are: More ground clearance, Taller tires means less rotational speed which also equates to little more MPG ( But there is more friction tp road surface with winter tires), Skinnier tire is more PSI on ice and your able to cut through snow better, and finally I get my taller sidewalls for comfort.

Drive careful out there.

Ziggy716

That's a great setup, I have that exact size on my Infiniti M45 due to me being a believer of tall and skinny tires for winter.

XxGoKoUxX

so you're telling me you're getting much better MPGs? How do you feel this will pan out in the summer with summer tires? I'm tempted to purchase a cheap set of 18in tires for gas mileage since school is such a long drive everyday . If it saves me a few gallons that'd be nice.

Ziggy716

[QUOTE=XxGoKoUxX;8292921]so you're telling me you're getting much better MPGs? How do you feel this will pan out in the summer with summer tires? I'm tempted to purchase a cheap set of 18in tires for gas mileage since school is such a long drive everyday . If it saves me a few gallons that'd be nice.[/QUOTE

Sorry brotha maybe gallons a year not tank. You can extrapolate by figuring revolutions per mile on different tire sizes and see where you end up at. BTW my speedo is a good 6 to 8% off when cruising 60 looking at my garmin. I brought it along to accurately tell me how fast I was really going cause I knew this would be an issue.