What's the biggest tire for RX300, without rubbing/mileage error? Using stock wheels.

[sleepybobcat]

What's the biggest tire for RX300, without rubbing/mileage error? Using the stock wheels. Which tires to get, if ride quality and
quietness are the prime directives?

Thanks for any info!

Bob

[MikeK]

I just put 235/70x16 Michelin Cross Terrains on my '01. The rears clear the strut support by about 1/4". The fronts have much more clearance. If you try to go larger, you'll probably have to use spacers to pull the wheel out away from the strut.

[RXKen]

Mike,
Did you notice that the 235/70's don't have as good of treadwear rating as the 225/70's in the same tire? I thought that was strange. Did you compare both sizes side by side before placing on the car? I was wondering if there was any noticeable difference in the tread pattern, composition, etc. that might lead to that difference. I would think a bigger tire would have a better treadwear rating because it would be going around less often than a smaller tire over the same distance. I was thinking about getting the same tire, but now I want to look at both side by side to see if I can tell any difference.

[malhokc]

The maximum wheel could be 20x8.5 with the tire size of either 245-40-20 or 255-40-20. The max tire width is 255.

I know other people have used 255/55/18 without spacers.

I'm sure there is some impact on the acceleration with bigger tires (>16).


RE: Size 16
I took in to NTB to see if Michelin LTX/MS 255/65/16 would fit on the original 16" rim. Guess what, it did! The RX looked great; a little higher, wider, and more muscular. However, because I have the front brush guard, the tires did rub against the metal of these gurards on sharp corners. I had to go back to the originals. For those of you who don't have these metal guards, I think it should work fine. No need for the spacers. There is approx 1/2" (front) and 1/4" (back) clearance from the struts. If you decide to get them replaced, don't forget to replace the spare also if you have an AWD. Being an all time four wheel drive,the diameter for all tires must be the same. There is approx 0.7" difference between the two. Also regarding the spare, even though it will fit in the back of the trunk, the cover will not close properly. You may need a velcro, or some other means. It shouldn't rattle, since it is carpeted.

[MikeK]

RXKen:
I did not look at both sizes side by side. It took Discount Tire a week to get the 235's. I'm not sure why there is a difference in the treadwear numbers. I do know that they will far exceed the GY's in mileage, look a hell of a lot better, and should perform much better in snow. I drive the RX about 5-6000 miles a year and have a 4 year lease. There should be adequate rubber left at that time.

malhokc:
Be careful with those larger diameter tires. They will really throw your speedometer/odometer off. The 235's throw them off about 2%. The 235 fits the spare compartment w/o any adjustments. With 20"/65 profile wheel/tires, they've got to be sticking outside the body in order to clear the struts and your turning radius deminishes even more!

[ObiDon]

Check out this link for the difference in tire sizes and speedo error. http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

[SkyHigh]

Can someone post some pic's? I'm also trying to decide on tires.

[DJ SprinklesNJO]

i have 255/70 pirellie. they might be 60's ratio im not sure, and im not the best speller as you can see. lol. but they are the biggest that would fit without rubbing, i get great traction, snow driving is a 1000times better, i can go anywhere now with my rx. they cost about $600 though. sorry no pics of them.

[LexRX]

DJ SprinklesNJO, welcome to ClubLexus. You are right, people are very friendly here, helpful too.

-Nick

[ckim61]

Has anyone tried the 235-65-16 on their RX300? I am considering it..... little wider, bit less side wall, but overall little bit smaller tire. Should have no problems with strut clearance .... it should increase. Better handling? With 235-70-16, are we not getting more side wall as well as more width? Do they cancel eachother as far as handling is concerned?

[Lexmex]

Originally Posted by ckim61

Has anyone tried the 235-65-16 on their RX300? I am considering it..... little wider, bit less side wall, but overall little bit smaller tire. Should have no problems with strut clearance .... it should increase. Better handling? With 235-70-16, are we not getting more side wall as well as more width? Do they cancel eachother as far as handling is concerned?

I am actually strongly considering moving down to a 225-60-16, but with tires that are flat (similar to drag tires that don't have corners) for reasons of weight and more revolutions per minute. This is in relation to my turbo idea. Most tires I have seen in this range are no different on treadwear than my 235-70-16 CrossTerrains, but not as good as the 225-70-16 on treadewear.

The shorter sidewalls won't expand as much as they would with a wider one.

The 235-70-16 grabs the road a lot better than a 225-70-16 (I remember very clearly that day in my mind).

Go for it, you should have no problems.

[Lil4X]

On stock rims, the 235-70-16 Cross-Terrain fits well without spacers and seems to fill out the wheel well better. If uprating size on an AWD, be sure to buy 5 tires.

[cjackson24]

hey so if i get the cross terrains and i have a brushguard im going to have to get spacers and there will be rubbing?

[sgv_bum]

wow this is old thread back in 06

[crocair]

actually 01