How well does RX300(AWD) with stock Bridgestones handle in snow?
 

How well does RX300(AWD) with stock Bridgestones handle in snow?

I got my '01 RX300 last November, but unfortunatelly missed
all the snow storms...

Can't believe winter is only a couple of months away...
My '01 RX300 already has 20,000 miles and I don't want
to be caught off-guard with the Bridgestones if they don't
do well on snow. Most members here recommend the
Michelin Cross-Terrain tires... are they good in snow?
I usually stay away from Michelins because my other car,
a MB, came with MXV4-Plus tires and they are horrible
in just about everything.

This winter I will spend two months in Upstate of NY...
Will snow chains necessary? I can't find anything in my
owner's manual regarding using snow chains on RX300s...

Thanks for any suggestions...

I don't know, we have the Goodyear's and honestly they SUCKED in the snow, even in "Snow" mode. :)

We are probably going to switch here in another month or two to those Michelins everyone seems to like.

SBC, my wife's car is a '99 AWD with limited slip that started life with the Integritys. I replaced them at 26k with the Michelin CrossTerrains which have been great tho no snow experience so far since the replacement was done this past March.

But my snow story: here in Arkansas we don't get just a whole hell of a lot but this past winter we had 2 big ice storms, one at Christmas, the other a week later with the 2nd being followed by a couple inches of snow. Much as I hate to say it, in those particular conditions (which did NOT involve the sort of snow you'll be seeing), the Integritys (much to my surprise) were fine, even with more than 20k miles on them.

Over on the Edmunds board, there are/were a lot of posts a couple weeks back re RXs and snow. No one was hisitant over use of chains. Of course, there's no substitute for prudence and caution. As far as the Michelins, the tread pattern is pretty deep and quite aggressive considering how quiet the tires are......I would think they'd do well.:D

BTW, where did you get your Michelin Cross Terrains? TireRack.Com or someplace else? About how much a tire are they?

Stock size (225/70) from TireRack was $124 each when bought earlier this yr. Some have mounted 235s on the stock rims.....can't go larger without a different rim and can't go to a wider rim w/o spacers (apparently only rear strut clearance is a problem).

They'll drop-ship to anyplace you wish and also have a list of recommended local installers pretty much any place that's local for you!:D

Uh, it does... but it doesn't matter how well a vehicle handles when it's the tires that actually contact the road. Most any FWD car will do well in the snow with a good set of dedicated snow tires and sufficient weight in the rear.

That's why it amazes me that Lexus randomly puts Integri-craps on the 4WD models. Just doesn't make sense.

I took my '01 RX AWD to the mountains last snow season and it handled everything just great... I was even able to go through a closed frozen road without problems and no chains!

http://thejavagod.tripod.com/2.jpg

Did you have the Integritys or the Dueler H/Ts???

I have the duelers
 

II have been very pleased with the Duelers. I just bought 4 new tires @ 38k miles, and that was because of a misalignment problem. Had my RX been aligned properly, I would have waited until Decemember to get new tires.

I would have gone for the Michelin CrossTerrains, but they were quite a bit more expense, and I cannot find anyone in the Northern VA area to service Michelin tire correctly.

They have done just fine with snow, they handle well and are quiet. More important, the Firestone dealers in the NoVA are good, and service has been terrific!

quazi,

Which Firestonr/Bridgeston store do you go to? I've been trying
to find one in No. Va without any luck....

Thanks!


Bob