Purchased the car back in October at 10K miles (2015 Lexus IS 250). Dealer is recommending new tires. I have the Bridgestone Turanza tires I believe? ($300 tire ea). I asked the dealer to rotate but they said they can't because it's a staggered set up. I asked dealer why is there a staggered set up on this car and he replied: "because it's a sports car". Don't want to waste money on tires and I want to go for a square set up.

My question is: Should I use the wider size (which are on the back) ALL around? Or should I use the tire size that's in the front currently? (When I go to my car in a few hours I can tell you exact sizes). I was thinking to use the wider size because it'll be more grippy? Let me know what you guys think. Also if someone can explain why staggered set up is good, that would be great.

Also, any recommendations for good tires that will last long would be great as well. One of my friends recommended Pirelli tires?

 

You need to make sure the wider tires will fit in the front, without rubbing. I've heard of cases where the smaller size all around has been used, or a different size altogether, like 235-width.

Also those Turanzas seem overpriced. Are you buying from the dealer? Because... don't.

 

Definitely not going to buy the Turanzas again, I don't think the back tires are wide enough to cause a rub in the front, if anything I'll test fit them. I would definitely go through Sam's Club or something.

 

 

If your car is RWD then typically it is staggered with wider wheels in the back. I would check your wheel width in the front and back. Also if you switch to a squared set up it may effect your stability control.

 

Yeah the stability control thing is an interesting topic. It can cut engine power, but usually it's just going to apply brakes to individual wheels as it sees fit. The main thing about stability control that would be affected is that you would have less grip/traction, therefore causing the system to intervene more often. Unless driving at 10/10ths, that won't be an issue.

 

Just looked more into this, I have no idea why my service advisor at the dealership said the rims are all the same size.. I have the 2015 IS 250 AWD, I checked the tire sizes today
Front: 225 / __ / ___
Back: 255 / __ / ___

Then I checked, the front are 18 x 8
Back: 18 x 8.5

Looks to me like I will have to run the staggered set up

 

AWD are generally squared set up but staggered setup could be an added option

 

I am wondering about this too. 255s on the front won't cause rub? I don't want to narrow the tire either.

 

I believe that the F sport came with the 8.5 in the rears. I'm currently running 225/40/18 on the fronts and back and the rear has a slight stretch look to it.