dcrx350

I've got a 2007 RX350 with the 17" tires. I have been debating about whether or not to get winter tires

I live in Canda and this winter has been pretty bad so far. The car has been great, I haven't had any problems, but would it be even better with winters on?

Does anyone out there have winter tires and if so how much of a difference does it make? Is it worth the investment??

Sugar3d

Get them.

Winter tires 100% make a difference in driving.

Also, IMHO, the $700 or so you spend on them is well worth the extra control.

dcrx350

Really! Well thanks so much sugar3d! I appreciate it!

salimshah

If you are loosing traction, hard time steering and poor braking , you need winter tires. If all of the above are not a problem your current tires are fine for your use.

Salim

JasDmw

Last weekend I slid right through an intersection. Not pretty, but fortunately the lights had just changed and no one had entered from the other directions. ABS was going crazy but couldn't stop in time. Wasn't going all that fast, but I guess the snow in the turning lane was just too much for these "all season" snowboards to deal with.

Next year, winter tires for certain!

Toptier

I have winter tires and its like the difference between night and day. I'm so glad I have them.

croach

I will post my 2 cents as well - I have 07 350 with 18" wheels and just got some Toyo Observes, and am very pleased. I live up north and we have plenty of snow and ice to try them out on this winter. It was a little hard finding 18" selection, but I did not want to go through getting other alloys and TPMS system costs.

Winter tires make a big difference.

dcrx350

Thanks so much for the advice guys. Looks like I'm investing in some winter tires! : )

salimshah

You may opt for different rims too.

Salim

mandyfig

Yes, keeping a separate set for winter makes sense. If you have the space to store them.

tawm

Well, that makes "me too!" I finally went out driving during a snow storm yesterday here in CT, and even though there was only about an inch of snow, sleet and slush -- the RX 350 braked TERRIBLY! The ABS went on, but the damn car just kept sliding. Fortunately, I was doing these tests in a parking lot -- rather than on the road, where I noticed a number of accidents. But I was shocked at the poor braking and unresponsive steering, so went right to TireRack.com and ordered a set of Blizzak snow tires mounted on some AT Italia Razz rims. I've used Blizzaks on previous cars and found them fine, no idea about the rims -- apparently there are no cheap steel rims compatible with our brakes? So it's over $1k for the set, but I think some additional braking performance is worth it. My wife will kill me making a place to store the tires, but...safety wins.
Anyone familiar with AT Italia Razze rims?

messer

what kind of rims are needed to put winters on the rx350? old ES rims wont work? also what about the tire pressuring monitoring system?

salimshah

Talking about safety, the winter tires will have there limits too. Once you start sliding sideways, the only thing that will work, will be your skill to get the tires rolling.

And finally, your safety depends upon other people on the road.

Salim

tawm

Messer: I don't know about using ES or other rims. TireRack.com offered to sell a package of new snows pre-mounted on new rims, balanced and shipped to me.

Thanks Salim -- I realize that snow tires don't mean one can drive like a fool, but I'd like a bit better braking performance than the stock all season Michelins have.

saintsaens

I'm currently working in Calgary, Alberta, and am grateful to have invested in snow tires.

I highly recommend the Nokian Hakkapelitta 5 tires. They stop incredibly well on ice and you can start on any surface.