Steel rims and snow tires....
09-30-14, 12:38 PM
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Steel rims and snow tires....
I am needing an opinion on what to buy for my new to me 2011 RX 350. From what I have read in this forum snow tires are necessary for this suv especially if I drive through the mountains from here to Vancouver.
I am considering either 17 X 6.5 steel wheels or 18 X 7.5 steel wheels. I am considering Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 tires.
Anybody else go with steel wheels? Are 17 inch rims okay? Or should I go with the 18 inch steel wheels?
Anybody else have the Bridgestone Blizzaks? The whole package works out to about a $1000 less than going with Lexus installed. The latter does not do steel wheels but the local shop does.
Thanks in advance,
Guy
I am considering either 17 X 6.5 steel wheels or 18 X 7.5 steel wheels. I am considering Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 tires.
Anybody else go with steel wheels? Are 17 inch rims okay? Or should I go with the 18 inch steel wheels?
Anybody else have the Bridgestone Blizzaks? The whole package works out to about a $1000 less than going with Lexus installed. The latter does not do steel wheels but the local shop does.
Thanks in advance,
Guy
09-30-14, 01:10 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
Hi Guy,
The 17s may be a very close fit. Using 18s would be the best.
I would not put steel rims on the RX. Do they even come in 35mm offset?
I bought my winter set directly from Tirerack, rims and tires already mounted.
They will do mounting and balancing for free, latter is road-force balanced, so expect exceptional results.
I used Advanti 18x8 rims, as they were the most economical at the time.
These are $175 each, so $700 for 4. They have rims as low as $129 each, which would be comparable to steel rims.
Add in tires. I am not a fan of Bridgestones. I used to run LM22s and having them last only 2 seasons on my IS became a very expensive proposition. They will perform very well during the initial use, however, the silica compound is only mixed in into the top half of the tread. Once it has worn out, they become all-seasons.
I have had very good success with Michelin X-Ice Xi2. I have bought 3 sets of these so far for different vehicles.
For the RX, I went wider and cheaper, using 255-55R18. They are $191 each, or $764 for the set.
So, overall cost was about $1,600 shipped to my door.
P.S.
The pricing has changed in the last 2 years. 235s are now cheaper than 255s, at $173 each.
The 17s may be a very close fit. Using 18s would be the best.
I would not put steel rims on the RX. Do they even come in 35mm offset?
I bought my winter set directly from Tirerack, rims and tires already mounted.
They will do mounting and balancing for free, latter is road-force balanced, so expect exceptional results.
I used Advanti 18x8 rims, as they were the most economical at the time.
These are $175 each, so $700 for 4. They have rims as low as $129 each, which would be comparable to steel rims.
Add in tires. I am not a fan of Bridgestones. I used to run LM22s and having them last only 2 seasons on my IS became a very expensive proposition. They will perform very well during the initial use, however, the silica compound is only mixed in into the top half of the tread. Once it has worn out, they become all-seasons.
I have had very good success with Michelin X-Ice Xi2. I have bought 3 sets of these so far for different vehicles.
For the RX, I went wider and cheaper, using 255-55R18. They are $191 each, or $764 for the set.
So, overall cost was about $1,600 shipped to my door.
P.S.
The pricing has changed in the last 2 years. 235s are now cheaper than 255s, at $173 each.
Last edited by vlad_a; 09-30-14 at 01:18 PM.
10-01-14, 12:05 PM
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For a 2011 RX350, a 17" wheel is a little too small. 
An 18" wheel and a 235/60/18 tire is really the only option I can recommend.
As for tire selection, the Bridgestone Blizzak DMV1 is a great option for a studless ice and snow tire. Studless ice and snow tires are designed for maximum traction in the worst of worst conditions and typically the level of winter traction most drivers are looking for. There is more information found here.
A tire like the LM22 vlad_a is referring to is a performance winter tire more-so designed for the driver who isn't necessarily looking for maximum traction but rather to get the summer tires off the vehicle for the cold weather and light snow. Today, the current generation tire is the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32.
Bridgestone (and the other manufactures as well) have gone away from the 'dual compound' tires. There was a time when the top layer was designed for winter use, and the thought was that as the top layer wore out, the consumer could then leave the tire on for the remaining summer months. The technology in winter tires and consumer feedback has pushed that design to the wayside. Any winter tire today (that we offer) will have a winter compound completely down to the wear bar indicators, or 4/32".
The Michelin Xice being referred to is a good winter tire as is the Yokohama iceGUARD iG51v.
Search for a winter package here
An 18" wheel and a 235/60/18 tire is really the only option I can recommend.
As for tire selection, the Bridgestone Blizzak DMV1 is a great option for a studless ice and snow tire. Studless ice and snow tires are designed for maximum traction in the worst of worst conditions and typically the level of winter traction most drivers are looking for. There is more information found here.
A tire like the LM22 vlad_a is referring to is a performance winter tire more-so designed for the driver who isn't necessarily looking for maximum traction but rather to get the summer tires off the vehicle for the cold weather and light snow. Today, the current generation tire is the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32.
Bridgestone (and the other manufactures as well) have gone away from the 'dual compound' tires. There was a time when the top layer was designed for winter use, and the thought was that as the top layer wore out, the consumer could then leave the tire on for the remaining summer months. The technology in winter tires and consumer feedback has pushed that design to the wayside. Any winter tire today (that we offer) will have a winter compound completely down to the wear bar indicators, or 4/32".
The Michelin Xice being referred to is a good winter tire as is the Yokohama iceGUARD iG51v.
Search for a winter package here
Last edited by AJ@TireRack.com; 10-01-14 at 12:41 PM.
10-03-14, 11:55 AM
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recycled, I'm running the Blizzaks and cannot say enough good about them. They are great for Alberta winters. But, I also have a separate set of 19" wheels. Please don't put steelies on the RX. There are other economical options if you want to go 18's.
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10-14-14, 10:30 AM
#8
If you plan to drive the Coq in a snow storm the best advice is to stop in Kamloops and wait it out. Large amounts of heavy wet snow will overwhelm any snow tire.
All weather tires with a good set of chains/cables are a reasonable alternative.
All weather tires with a good set of chains/cables are a reasonable alternative.
10-14-14, 11:13 AM
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I would highly disagree with this. I've been in Jeeps with a entry level Firestone Winterforce tire and been through snow 3' deep without issue. Last year when it was deemed a state of emergency due to winter weather, my FWD Jetta with Blizzak WS70's made it without issue.
A proper winter tire is nothing short of amazing. Not because I sell them but because the factual data proves it
A proper winter tire is nothing short of amazing. Not because I sell them but because the factual data proves it
10-14-14, 12:42 PM
#10
Respectfully, I disagree.
My point is when that happens it is best not to travel that is why I recommend staying in Kamloops until it passes regardless of tires.
The thread starter claimed to be driving to Vancouver. I suspect the driver will travel on the more typical route of Hwy #1 and end up in Kamloops where one can either travel the Canyon or the Coq. The Coq can be subject to rapid accumulations of large amounts of heavy wet snow greater than 8 inches (called sever winter conditions) and the Canyon can have rain/snow and lots of slush. Regardless of the route the driver will end up in Vancouver: no snow, bare roads and rain.
Consumer Reports gives the Nokian WR G3 a top choice in the performance winter category and that is why I recommend All Weather Tires.
My point is when that happens it is best not to travel that is why I recommend staying in Kamloops until it passes regardless of tires.
The thread starter claimed to be driving to Vancouver. I suspect the driver will travel on the more typical route of Hwy #1 and end up in Kamloops where one can either travel the Canyon or the Coq. The Coq can be subject to rapid accumulations of large amounts of heavy wet snow greater than 8 inches (called sever winter conditions) and the Canyon can have rain/snow and lots of slush. Regardless of the route the driver will end up in Vancouver: no snow, bare roads and rain.
Consumer Reports gives the Nokian WR G3 a top choice in the performance winter category and that is why I recommend All Weather Tires.
10-25-14, 08:17 AM
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We're coming up to 1yr ownership of a 2014 rx350 and have been very satisfied with the tirerack 18" Sport Edition F5 rims and Toyo GSi-5 in last winters uncommon very heavy snowfall season. Car really stuck to the road and felt no restrictions on our travels. A little on the noisy side, but what winters aren't.. We'll see what mother nature brings this year.
10-25-14, 03:25 PM
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Thanks for all the replies everybody. I ended up buying Michelin Xice snow tires and Lexus rims.
Probably paid too much but got the car and then a few days later took the drive to Victoria from Edmonton. Went via the Coquihalla Hiway and from Oct 1 to the spring snow tires or chains are mandatory. Of course not a snow flake either to Victoria or back.
The car was very smooth even with snow tires on. The car was great.
Cheers, Guy
Probably paid too much but got the car and then a few days later took the drive to Victoria from Edmonton. Went via the Coquihalla Hiway and from Oct 1 to the spring snow tires or chains are mandatory. Of course not a snow flake either to Victoria or back.
The car was very smooth even with snow tires on. The car was great.
Cheers, Guy
10-27-14, 07:31 AM
#13
Lexus Champion
Great choice of going with Michelin XIce. I swapped the winter set on my IS300 last night, also Xi2. Even after 2 seasons, they still have most of tread left. The ride is great, even as the temps are in the 50s. It is softer and quieter than then summer tires I have. The RX will wait for the winter tires until the first snowfall.
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