peatsadie

I have a 2005 RX330 and need tires Help! Not sure what to purchase and there doesn't seem to be anything recommended but Michelin can anyone help me, Thanks petesadie

jfelbab

I'd recommend Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza tires.

FWIW, the Alenza has 12/32 of tread depth when new. Compare that to the 9/32 or 10/32 of the Michelin and Goodyear, respectively. Also of note is the tread width of the contact patch. The Alenza has a 1.2" wider contact patch than the Goodyear. Michelin data was not published.

Follow-up:
I replaced my OEM Goodyears at 35,000 miles with Bridgestone Dueler Alenzas. I since have put 5k on the Alenzas and think an update of my impressions is in order. I've driven the 235/55/18 Alenzas in some very bad weather conditions as well as a lot of high speed highway travel and the bottom line is I love the tires.

Treadwear as measured with a tread depth gauge:
New 12/32
After 5,000 miles 12/32
No wear showing at this point.

I've had the opportunity to drive with these tires in pretty deep snow (6-8") and they were great. Much more pulling power than the Goodyears and they just grip better in snow and icy conditions.

I've driven at high speed (75-80 mph) during torrential downpours and never felt any hydroplaning. Confident road handling performance in wet conditions. Again much better than the OEMs.

Dry traction and and handling are excellent. As I previously posted, the contact patch of these Alenza's is a full 1.2 inches wider than the Goodyear tire. This results in much better cornering. The sidewalls seem stiffer than the Goodyear as well, which means less lean in hard cornering and much less effect to the attitude of the vehicle in strong gusty crosswinds.

The tires also remain very quiet. I have found the tires to like 30-32 psi for the best blend of comfort and handling.

MPG seems slightly better but I had the transmission TSIB flash done at the same time as I replaced the tires so I can't conclusively say the tires caused better mileage. I am seeing higher MPG results in the city and suburban driving and the freeway MPG is about the same. Tires or transmission? Impossible to say with certainty.

vwynn

iTrader: (4)

Nitto 420S.
Provides ride comfort, sporty handling wet and dry, and stylish pattern u cant find anywhere else.

Grumpa72

I echo that. My Michelins are still on the car at 42000 but will be replaced within the next month or two. I have been reading reports about the Dueler H/L tires for months now and haven't read a bad thing about them yet. When my wife had a flat, I pulled my spare out and bought a Dueler for the spare. Now I need to buy three more for the main tires and then hold back the best Michelin for my spare.

Fwiw, I have no objections to the Michelins since the mileage, ride quality and noise level are are very good. They are just VERY pricey, especially when compared to the Bridgestones.

Gary

LBCDan

Don't get the Dueler Alenzas! They get bad gas mileage. My gas mileage went down by 2 mpg after I put them on because they are too heavy. I am going to swap them out for a set of Yokohama Avid V4s. The Avid's weigh only 29.5 lbs. vs. 33 for the Duelers (the OE Goodyear's weigh 29lbs.) and they have a 8 inch tread width vs. 7.7 for the Duelers. Tread depth is only slightly less, 12 for the Duelers vs. 11 for the Avid V4s's.

DrGP

Hope this helps Jan. How about the Goodyears? Had a pretty good rating on Tire Rack

cdnewton

No gas mileage hit on our 2004 RX330. We have 21,000 miles on the Alenza and they are wearing exceptionally well.

From what I have read on the Avid V4, it doesn't do well in the snow, so it was a no-go for me.

billy44bo

I had to replaced the Michelins that were on my 2005 fwd rx at 45k and put on a set of Dueler Alenzas. I have over 5k miles on them now the ride just as good if not better than the Michelins and gas mileage is up but I am at 40psi.
They do great in our 1"+ down pours here and in the hot weather but I will never be able to tell you how well they work in snow. We just dont see that much of it here the last big snow fall was in 1973 and it was 2" closed to whole town down until it was gone though.

billy44bo

You can also do a search here about this and see what other did in the past about this.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

thats what i have on mine. plus it has a higher load rating and longer tread life compared to stock.

dhamaka127

I got the Bridgestone Dueler H/T Alenza and they are great!

and it will be good for 60 K ....

check out tirerack.com ....they have good things about them!

Gibster

Another vote for the Alenza's. My OEM Michelins lasted about 36k. I found no gas mileage difference after installing the Alenza's.

jfelbab

When I switched to Alenza's I got better mileage than I did with the Goodyears, especially in city and suburban driving. They were both about the same on the expressway.

The TireRack.com is the best place to search out what hundreds of others think of their various tire choices. Last I looked the Alenza's were the highest rated 18" tire for our RX.