skywise

I know this is about 1/2 way around the year from when I need them but I like to plan/order ahead.

My HS has the 18" rims but if I'm grabbing winter tires and rims I can go any size the HS can handle.
Has anyone done the winter tire/rim thing? How was the TPMS handled? (I've noticed Orange sells replacement TPMS sensors that can be cloned to the IDs of your current sensors, easy tire swapping!)
tirerack.com mentions 16" rims but I've never encountered an HS with 16" rims, I'm doubting they'd even fit?
I'm very much leaning towards going 17" over 18", the winter tire selection in 18 is very sad ($200 each vs $110 each for 17)

So, to cap up this ramble, what does everyone do for winter tires/rims/TPMS?

Timothyj

I would think a good tire store like discount tire would give you a answer on this. I have a 04 ES and run winter tires a rims, same size as OEM, no problems, doesn't ride as nice and noisy, but I don't get stuck. Did the 18" rims come with the car?

skywise

The car comes with 18" rims standard as it has the premium package.
But I think it's purely a looks thing, not a make room for bigger brakes thing (like on some Camrys) or something like that.
I contacted Orange regarding TPMS for the HS and they say they don't have one for it, but they have one for all other Lexus/Toyota of recent vintage (which Toyota sells as the same sensor for all recent cars including the HS)
I don't suppose anyone has tried Orange's TPMS sensors on an HS?

Kansas

There is nothing wrong with using a 16" or 17" wheel and winter tires on a car that came with 18" tires as long as they fit. For example, some use 16" wheels or 17" wheels on LS430's that came with optional 18" wheel and tires. Handling might suffer slightly but neither the HS 250h or the Toyota Avensis on which it is based and which is commonly used as a taxi in numerous countries are exactly sports sedans.

I've bought a lot of stuff from Tire Rack - my "record" was 12 tires at once - including the aftermarket wheels I use with Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 winter tires on my LS. If Tire Rack says something will fit then it will fit.

By going down an inch or two in diameter you will have far more and less expensive choices including the WS70 like I use which I think a great tire - incredible traction and very low noice for a true "Mountain/Snowflake" winter tire. The taller sidewall will also give you a more comfortable ride on winter potholed roads and in very cold weather when tire sidewalls don't flex as well.

A word of caution. If you buy aftermarket wheels it can be difficult or impossible to find a replacement if you damage one. Aftermarket wheel styles and models come and go. The wheels I bought for my winter tires in 2003 were out of production and no longer sold by 2005.

skywise

My winter tire search is nearly complete.
My local tire place (West End Tire) ordered in a 16x7 40mm offset steel wheel and the fit was fine so I've ordered a set of Michelin X-ice xi3s. (215-60x16)
My current search is for some simple hubcaps, is there such a thing as a 16" Lexus branded hubcaps?

SirCrush32

All snow tires aren't the same. I am glad your search is almost over, but if your factory wheels aren't forged why would you take them off in the winter.

Does your area get a lot of snow or ice?

Personal I would go with Blizzak tires and stay with factory wheels just a little backwards to me, but hey it's your money and I hope it all works out for you. Like another member said wheel designs discontinue really fast so make sure you don't mess a wheel up.

skywise

The price for factory wheels on my car are ~$650 each, equipping 4 of them for winter tires wouldn't be a cheap project.
the wheels I found are simple steel wheels, like almost everyone in town uses, no big cost or trouble to find them again. (once I know what they are, that is)
I'm up in Winterpeg, Canada. Lots of snow/ice/cold. While winter tires aren't used by everyone, they're a pretty good idea if you don't want to slide into something at least once a winter.

SirCrush32

I would like at the Blizzak LM60