2011 LS tire options
I am thinking if the 245/50-18 by michelin

 

why—options on the new michelins

 

new one is sport all-season/Pilot

 

I just got Vredestein Quatrac Pros a few weeks ago. Very happy with them and wanted the improved snow/cold handling. Had Michelin MXV4s in past and liked them, and they lasted 60k miles. But they are not made and I like the all-weather idea, esp. on RWD. My most recent tires from 2018 were Toyo Celsius and they were decent but not great or too long-lasting (<30k miles, still had some tread but 1 blew out and at 4mm decided time for new). I go for quiet and comfort as priorities. If the Quatracs last (I have them on my Cadillac XTS for some 20k miles and not sure they will make it to 50k), they are a nice blend of comfort and quiet. Bumps feel kind of like muted thumps, a bit different, but very quiet and controlled overall. Can't compare old tires to brand new, but I am pleased so far.

 

Thanks for the reply

 

I just wanted quiet and comfort as well, let’s see what happens when I get them on Friday
I am returning contentials, sport comp.

 

I will have to look into those. Thanks. I have been looking at Bridgestone Weatherpeak AS tires for their superior winter capabilities. They are severe snow service rated, which is rare for AS. Supposed to be quiet and comfortable per TireRack reviews. Did anyone look into those?

 

Are you in the wrong forum or are you just asking our opinion (it's OK, just wondering)...

I have the stock 16" wheels and bought some Vredestein HiTrac tires. I couldn't be happier. When I bought my 2002 almost 8 months ago, it had the Costco exclusive Michelin Tour X tires. The ride seemed a little noisy and I felt the car wandered a bit on the highway. I didn't know if it was the suspension or the tires. But the breaking point came a couple days ago, there was some packed snow on the driveway. I backed out and the car started sliding and I couldn't stop. Car slid about 10 feet and rotated about 20 degrees! When I came home I tested trying to go up the driveway from a stop and couldn't do it. Had to buy new tires.

I considered "3 peak" rated tires but hard to find at a good price this time of year. After research decided on the all season HiTracs because of price ($180 a set cheaper than Weatherpeaks), ratings, a V speed rating (most 225/60/16s are H or T rated) and I live near a Tire Rack warehouse. These tires are much better than the Tour X. Slop in the steering wheel is gone, lower road noise, sharp imperfections in the road are more muted. Got home and tested on the driveway. The tires barely slipped and into the garage without drama.

I'm not sure if it shows how good the Vredesteins are or how bad the Michelins are. But the difference is revealing. I'm a happy camper and would tell any Lexus owner to buy the Vredesteins and not the Michelin Tour X, they are dangerous in freezing weather.

Vredestein has always been a good company and disappeared from here in the 90s. They appear to be making a push into the US market again

 

Another vote for the Vredsteins — they are EXCELLENT. Quiet ride, well composed, perfect highway characteristics. Balanced perfectly, with no wobbles of any kind after road force balance. Also did not experience any flat spotting after the car sat.

 

Thanks for the reply
I like the pilots-245/50-18, they are a ZR tire but the taller seems more road absorbent.
no clearance issue

 

Ironically since I put in the first comments on the Vredesteins, but I have an issue with my car that at 60mph or so I get a wheel shake, ever since the new tires. My old Toyos had the same, very rarely in cold weather that felt like flat-spotting, but this is more regular. It goes away kind-of when car warms up, but highway driving does not feel perfect. This has been since install.

This may not be directly relevant to this thread, as I am pretty sure it is not the tire, but not 100% sure. I had the wheels balanced of course, but no alignment as I a thinking of new struts too. Wondering if it could be suspension wear too that minimizes as the parts warm up (bushings?). Plus a worsening growl from the rear right. I really wish I could find a mechanic who wanted to diagnose and fix... I would certainly pay.

I have chrome wheels that have been a problem time to time, and I read on this forum an old thread that they can actually cause tires to slip on the wheel (sounds crazy, but he proved it with a chalk line).
The tires are fantastic around town but I am want the car to be perfect and feel/be safe o highway as well. I should have gone back to installer on day one, but I kept thinking it was just when brand new, had to wear in, etc... I use the car locally mostly and it gets 90% better warmed up.

Sorry to rant I got new tires because 1 old one rode flat after I missed a slow leak. Love my ultra, but chromes have been problematic sometimes. I do love the car. It rides so well. Anyone able to recomend a great mechanic/shop on Long Island?

 

Q: how did you decide between Quatrac and Hitrac? I called Tirerack and they said that living in Northeast I should go with Quatracs. But I am not sure they could really explain the difference. My best guess is that the Hitracs are newer/sharper/more performance oriented, but Quatracs might be better for snow. Or they could just be an older model... what do you think/know, if I may ask?

 

Quatracs were backordered until the last week of Feb. If they were immediately available I might have bought them.

Quatracs are 3 peak rated, HiTracs are regular all season. I read some reviews that HiTracs were good in light snow so I went with those. The Tour Xs were so poor I wanted to replace them quickly.

 

I really like the pilot sport ZR 245/50-18 it has gone approximately 1000 miles and balance stayed
But as one wrote there could be some worn components in all suspension and gearing as these LS cars age with miles, 95,000 and AWD…..could be gear lash