I want to ask you guys what to look for when shopping for winter tires? I'm currently looking for a set of winter tires for my is250 awd and am stuck as to which one would be the best choice in terms of price/performance. The two types I keep hearing that's good are the Bridgestone Blizzaks and the Dunlop M3's. Also, I am not sure about the size of the tires or the rims that i should use. Should I stay with the "low profile" tires/mounted on 17" rims with the winter setup just like it comes stock? Or go with a smaller rim size (16") and thicker tires? Much thanks for your replies.

 

This page answers your questions: http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/...jsp?techid=126

Size Selection of Winter Tires

Priorities for Sizing Winter Tires Are Different
Does your sports car, coupe, or sedan use wide, low profile tires that are mounted on large diameter wheels? Or does your light truck use large flotation-sized tires? If you're going to drive through lots of snow this year you'll want your winter tires and wheels in sizes that help put the laws of physics on your side.

A wide, low profile or large tire has to "plow" a wide path through snow which causes more resistance. The narrower the tire, the easier you can get through snow. We'll help verify sufficient load capacity and the appropriate diameter for your vehicle when you speak with one of our sales specialists or use Winter Shop by Vehicle.

Winter tire sizes should be based on one of the following:

The Optional Tire and Wheel Size from Your Vehicle's Base Model
This is often the easiest way to select an appropriate, narrow tire for your car or truck. For example, a 2003 Lexus IS300 would store its original 215/45R17 tires in favor of optional 205/55R16 tires on 16" wheels.

A Minus Size Tire and Wheel
Minus Sizing is simply traditional Plus Sizing techniques used backwards. For example, a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLX VR6 would store its original 205/55R16 (or optional 225/45HR17) tires in favor of Minus One or Minus Two size 195/65R15 tires on 15" wheels.

In both of these examples, not only would snow traction be enhanced, but the cost of a Base Model or Minus Size winter tire & wheel package is usually lower than a package maintaining your vehicle's original size tires and wheels.

This page compares winter tires: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...sp?type=W&VT=C

You can't go wrong with either Dunlop M3's or Bridgestone Blizzaks.

 

either tire is great... get the one you can find in stock

 

I personally like the Dunlop Winter Sport M3s! Awesome performance for either summer or winter

Lex

 

We have Blizzaks mounted on steel wheels on our Audi S4 (all S4's are Quattro). Really great performing tires.

 

I guess my final choices are one of these three tires, just depends if i can find a shop that has them in stock. If I go with 16 inch steelies, what are the tire sizes and wheel size that i would need? Sorry to ask such basic questions, but I really have no clue about wheels..
Thanks for your input

 

I was told by one local dealership that Lexus Canada recommends

225/60R16 Rear
215/60R16 Front

for the 2006 IS

It turns out that the above sizes are not okay for IS350 (the front rotors are too big)

On the other hand, the standard 16" rims that come with the IS250 RWD base model in Canada is

205/55R16 (16"x7JJ, offset +45mm) for both front and rear.

For IS250 AWD, the standard size is 225/45/R17 (17x8JJ, offset +45mm) for both front and rear

Hope it helps.

 

You may want to consider tire pressure sensors for those winter wheels/tires as well. I did not install them on my IS350 and it affects the functioning of the "DISP" readout on the dash, by constantly returning back to the low pressure warning message.

 

Have you been able to shut this off?

 

No, haven't had any success turning it off, but if anyone figures it out please let me know. They want CN$800.00 for a set of sensors

 

Clubfoot, you may try the Don Valley North Lexus Toyota. I have the sensors, the fitting kit and the valve stem caps altogether for around Cdn$450 after tax a little while ago as they had the promotion. Not sure if it is still going on. If the deal is not there anymore, you may try to import them from the US since apparently Canadian dealerships have a higher MSRP for the sensors.

I finally have my winter tires and rims put on my car. I have Dunlop M3 on the 2006 Lexus GS300 17" stock rims (17"x7.5", offset +45mm, they are the Post-port option rims from lexus-parts.com) and so far the performance is great. (no highway driving yet)

As soon as I have the winter tires put on, I went to my local dealership to program the sensors.

Since the temperature is above 10C today, I can't really tell much difference between M3 and the stock 18" Dunop SP MAXX summer tires. It's still in the break-in period though and so I can't push the car too much.

I can probably tell more about the snow performance when it is snow again.

Regarding the Michellin Alpin PA2, my tire shop said it is pretty slippery in snow/ice.

Hope it helps..

 

AndyL,

Thanks, will look into it immediately. I used the Tirerack recommended 18s with Pirelli Snow Sport tires and they've been surprising in the winter compared to the Dunlops. The M3s are very good winter tires my buddy has a set of 16s on his GS430.

 

So I've been going back and forth on a lot of tires but I think I've finally settled on the Pirelli's also. Did you go with new rims and swap out the whole set or do you just change the tires?

Also I'm not 100% clear on the sensors, if I just change out the tires, can I use my existing sensors?

 

Yes I went with new rims as well. You can just change out the tires and use your existing sensors. But I would not recommend removing and reinstalling tires every winter, especially on the OEM rims if you want to keep them looking new.

 

Agreed since you may run into more problems with the sensors like moisture if you take them in and out many times.

My tire shop person says these sensors are prone to corrosion since two different types of metals are in contact, while the salt also aggrevates the situation.

On the other hand, a technican from a Lexus dealership says they've never encountered any problems so far (as LX470 and SC430 were the early adopters). As long as the moisture in the air pump is not too much, there shouldn't be any problems with the sensors.