Hey all

Its time to change the tires on me LX, it has the stock 18's right now. I did a quick search and it seems like some people went 285/60/18 and some went 275/65/18. The selection for 275/60/18 seems to be small and few. The car is never off road. What do you guys recommend? With the wider tread or sidewall, do the optional sized make the truck handle or feel and different? How about gas mileage or loss of power? I'm ready to get rid of the stock dunlops which are really bad.

 

I've got 285/60/18 Toyo Open Country A/Ts on one of my trucks. Tougher tire, handles better too!

 

1loudLX - Did you notice any change in your gas mileage or loss in power?

 

I don't have the 18 rims yet but I would never put any tire on my Lexus' that are smaller than 285's. The truck rides so much better and the tires don't wear as fast (less rotations than smaller tires).

My last tires on my wife's 470 were Michelins from Sam's Club. I got 115K miles on those tires.

 

Bullelk - Can you explain how the truck rides better with a slightly wider tire?? The selection for 285s is much better.

 

I like the 285's because of the taller height without having to go too wide. I am not crazy about being too wide. I just like taller tires. I am not sure why they ride better. It may be just the tire brand as well as the larger footprint with the larger tire. Maybe the larger tire absorbs the ride better than a smaller tire. It seems smaller tires always ride rougher to me. Now I have an aggressive 285 mud tread and Old Man Emu shocks and springs on my LX 450. It rides and controls super de duper.

 

I do remember someone mentioning that they went with a 65 series tire for a larger sidewall and it gave a better ride. I believe going 285/60/18 will give me a half inch larger diameter and 275/65/18 will give me 1 inch larger diameter. I like the idea of going with the 285 because it won't throw off my speedo very much but I'm not sure if the wider tire will decrease my gas mileage, since the truck is already a gas hog.

 

Seriously, 115K miles with the same set of tires?

 

Seriously, without a doubt! 115K miles on the Michelins on my wife's LX 470 and 95K miles on BFG all-terrain on my LX 450. I am 100% sure. I am on top of those type things. I wouldn't make it up.

 

I have changed from stock 285/60R18 to 285/65R18. I like it much better now.

 

No joke I got 112K On my front and 122K on my rears!

 

Good News to me then, it would be a long time before I get a new set of tires.