winter tires
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 707
Likes: 1
From: ON
I actually have the 2IS RWD. I went to the dealership and the parts guy told me that I can run 225/45/17s on all fours but Lexus apparently recommends the staggered set up for the RWD.
The sales rep at Costco is only following what the computer is telling him. Price wise the dealer and Costco is only 50 bucks a part which is not bad. The only problem is that the dealer ran out of 245/45/17s. Costco was out of stock until today. I have yet to make my decision, but should make it soon, as snow will come soon.
I asked whether I should have steel rims or alloys and was told there are both pros and cons. I went ahead and bought the steel rims since it will be heavier and more resistant to heavy road salt that they use here in Canada.
I am encouraged that so many of you have positive experiences with your set ups. But you all have AWD. It is the first time that I will be driving RWD in snow. Been reading the forums and watching some videos on youtube. It will be interesting so see how the snow mode works on my car.
Will give an update on my set up when I buy my tires later on this week.
The sales rep at Costco is only following what the computer is telling him. Price wise the dealer and Costco is only 50 bucks a part which is not bad. The only problem is that the dealer ran out of 245/45/17s. Costco was out of stock until today. I have yet to make my decision, but should make it soon, as snow will come soon.
I asked whether I should have steel rims or alloys and was told there are both pros and cons. I went ahead and bought the steel rims since it will be heavier and more resistant to heavy road salt that they use here in Canada.
I am encouraged that so many of you have positive experiences with your set ups. But you all have AWD. It is the first time that I will be driving RWD in snow. Been reading the forums and watching some videos on youtube. It will be interesting so see how the snow mode works on my car.
Will give an update on my set up when I buy my tires later on this week.
what year is your IS? You'll prob need to turn off traction control or risk losing power when you need it most at an intersection. Snow mode starts you in second so there is less of a chance that you spin the tires and lose traction but I don't like how the car feels so sluggish so I rarely use it. I only got stuck once last year and it was backing into my garage through a laneway that doesn't get plowed. There was probably about 10 inches of snow on the ground and the RWD just couldn't pull the front once the tires were angled (it wasn't a straight back in). So I circled the block and drove in head first and problem solved. I'd run non-staggered on all four corners. The thinner the better. I think I read that the stock wheels went as thin as 215 in the first model year. You prob don't want to go any thinner than that as the car is pretty heavy.
Again, I'm running 225/45/17 on my RWD. This will be my third winter with the car.
Snip:
My plan is to run 215/50-17 all the way around. As far as a load rating you have to check your manufacturers specs. For the popular Blizzak WS-70 the max load rating is 1,521lb for a 215/50-17 and 1,356lbs for a 225/45-17. Since the 2IS is in the 900lb per corner range I think either tire gives plenty of margin.
My plan is to run 215/50-17 all the way around. As far as a load rating you have to check your manufacturers specs. For the popular Blizzak WS-70 the max load rating is 1,521lb for a 215/50-17 and 1,356lbs for a 225/45-17. Since the 2IS is in the 900lb per corner range I think either tire gives plenty of margin.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Thanks for the info guys. I will definitely be careful in the winter. I have scheduled an appointment with a local Toyota dealer that had the 245/45/17s in stock for Xice Xi 3. I will be running the staggered configuration as it is recommended by Lexus.
Although I understand that running 4 225/45/17 is better in snow, but once they clear the road, having a thicker back tire will actually have benefits. I had a hard time finding Lexus dealerships that had the 245/45/17 in stock. I guess some of them must get it off Costco as Costco was out of stock as well. It's bizarre how they can sell out so fast. I guess not Micheline must not make the 245s on regular basis. The only place that had it in stock was Toyota dealership that was 40 mins away.
I bought steel rims for the winter tires and no tpms. Would alloys be better? Do I need to have TPMS? Thanks
Last question, nitrogen or compressed air?
Although I understand that running 4 225/45/17 is better in snow, but once they clear the road, having a thicker back tire will actually have benefits. I had a hard time finding Lexus dealerships that had the 245/45/17 in stock. I guess some of them must get it off Costco as Costco was out of stock as well. It's bizarre how they can sell out so fast. I guess not Micheline must not make the 245s on regular basis. The only place that had it in stock was Toyota dealership that was 40 mins away.
I bought steel rims for the winter tires and no tpms. Would alloys be better? Do I need to have TPMS? Thanks
Last question, nitrogen or compressed air?
Thanks for the info guys. I will definitely be careful in the winter. I have scheduled an appointment with a local Toyota dealer that had the 245/45/17s in stock for Xice Xi 3. I will be running the staggered configuration as it is recommended by Lexus.
Although I understand that running 4 225/45/17 is better in snow, but once they clear the road, having a thicker back tire will actually have benefits. I had a hard time finding Lexus dealerships that had the 245/45/17 in stock. I guess some of them must get it off Costco as Costco was out of stock as well. It's bizarre how they can sell out so fast. I guess not Micheline must not make the 245s on regular basis. The only place that had it in stock was Toyota dealership that was 40 mins away.
I bought steel rims for the winter tires and no tpms. Would alloys be better? Do I need to have TPMS? Thanks
Last question, nitrogen or compressed air?
Although I understand that running 4 225/45/17 is better in snow, but once they clear the road, having a thicker back tire will actually have benefits. I had a hard time finding Lexus dealerships that had the 245/45/17 in stock. I guess some of them must get it off Costco as Costco was out of stock as well. It's bizarre how they can sell out so fast. I guess not Micheline must not make the 245s on regular basis. The only place that had it in stock was Toyota dealership that was 40 mins away.
I bought steel rims for the winter tires and no tpms. Would alloys be better? Do I need to have TPMS? Thanks
Last question, nitrogen or compressed air?
I like alloys over steel wheels because they are significantly lighter and less prone to rusting over time. Plus they look a lot better. When I ordered my winter wheels, I got the Xice3's mounted on some cheap 5-spoke "Sport Edition" wheels from tirerack.com.
I'd go with compressed air, its usually much more easily available in comparison to nitrogen. Plus nitrogen won't make a huge difference anyway.
No TPMS is fine if you don't mind the light on the dash. Just make a habit of doing a quick tire check every time you go to your car.. you don't wanna get caught with a flat tire in the dead of winter.
I'd go with compressed air, its usually much more easily available in comparison to nitrogen. Plus nitrogen won't make a huge difference anyway.
No TPMS is fine if you don't mind the light on the dash. Just make a habit of doing a quick tire check every time you go to your car.. you don't wanna get caught with a flat tire in the dead of winter.
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 707
Likes: 1
From: ON
you'll also periodically get a chime from the TPMS system. If you store your tires with TPMS in the garage, then the light will sometimes go off again. Then, if your trips are less than 30 min at a time, the light won't even go on. I used to make a game of it. My light only came on 3 times last year... haha
you'll also periodically get a chime from the TPMS system. If you store your tires with TPMS in the garage, then the light will sometimes go off again. Then, if your trips are less than 30 min at a time, the light won't even go on. I used to make a game of it. My light only came on 3 times last year... haha
I guess I should get around to programming and installing my other set of TPMS haha
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Thanks guys. Will be getting the winter tires installed tomorrow.
Your replies have been very informative.
Bought my self a pressure checker yesterday for 2.99 from crappy tire.
Will see how much that amber light will bother me without the TPMS. Maybe I'll store my all seasons in the garage like you guys and not have to worry about the light coming on.
Your replies have been very informative.
Bought my self a pressure checker yesterday for 2.99 from crappy tire.
Will see how much that amber light will bother me without the TPMS. Maybe I'll store my all seasons in the garage like you guys and not have to worry about the light coming on.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
