Maybe where YOU live. Try driving in Sussex County some morning after a snowstorm. (Higher elevations and more twisty roads with inclines)

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I posted my observations regards lug bolts here:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ght=+lug+bolt+

Interesting design. Makes the interface between wheel and their fasteners unique, though.

 

Wheels have different hub thicknesses. When you get your lug bolts, put one through one of your wheel holes and see how far they protrude. You may get lucky and lug bolt protrudes the ideal 18mm. If not, mark the lug bolt where it protrudes 18mm. Then remove the lug bolt and measure the shank length from the base of the cone to the 18mm mark. That measurement is the ideal lug bolt length for that wheel on your RX and the one to reorder if you choose to do that. Alternatively, you could use the 33mm lug bolts, keep an eye on them for corrosion and replace them if and when you see them getting bad. Good luck and thanks for starting this conversation because it resulted in identifying a source for the black lug bolts I was looking for.

 

I mean… spending $50 on new bolts each winter is certainly cheaper than spending $1800 on new tires/wheels 😂

 

I’m in south NJ, outside of Cherry Hill. We are lucky if we get one 6inch dump 😂

 

So figured I'd update this. Finally got the winter tires installed today. No issues at all going down to 18s. Bolts I previously mentioned/ordered work fine. Now... the TPMS sensors do not. I presume because they're generic ones from Discount Tire. Guess I will have to order the Lexus ones.

Edit: just ordered the Lexus OEM sensors from the Scottsdale AZ dealership. $259 for 4 isn't terrible I guess LOL

 

Let us know, @GeneralKlinger and @Den49 - if you also observe better mileage/efficiency with the 18 inch wheels. The ride quality has definitely improved per Den49's report with the 18 inchers - and the fuel efficiency should too. I'm almost ready to go with All-season 18 inch wheels as soon as I wear out the stock 21 inchers. (I don't need snow/winter tires).

 

Costco has a great selection of custom alloy wheels and most higher grade tires. Living in AZ I don't have much use for winter tires. But last year I got top of the line all-season Michelins for $800 installed (balance, sensors, nitrogen all included) for my previous GX. Oh, and lifetime warranty.
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I haven't driven the RX a lot since I put on the 18" wheels and tires, so it will take a while to determine if there is any significant change in MPG.

 

Costco beats everyone on price. They include 5 year road hazard in every sale. And use nitrogen - which in cold climates like Colorado - reduces need to fill up tires when temperatures drop.

 

I have Winters on, so the ride quality is not as good as stock 21's. It's definitely alot noisier, that's for sure. First thing my wife pointed out.

 

Nokian hakka 10's work amazing.

stainless steel studs with shaped carbides.

great traction even on the freezing rain / ice rink days.

 

Hey all, reading through this thread and seeing that gen 5s went with lug bolt instead of a nut. And the lug bore on gen 4s are flat vs cone shape for gen 5s.

Does this mean we can't fit gen 4 winter set with our gen 5? Or maybe find a lug bolt that is flat instead of cone shape?

 

As long as the specs are the same (which I believe that they are ), yes you would need to find flat seat lug bolts.
Can't say that I have ever even heard of them, personally. Or, convert them to studs (which I would never do personally).

 

Yeah, not gonna convert a brand new car to studs. It look like Otis has a ball seat bolt too.
https://otisincla.com/product/14mmx1...th-50mm-black/

 

Yes, but it is the configuration of the lug bores of the wheel that determine which type seat you need for a lug Bolt/Nut. I know that a few Toyota and Nissan's used flat seat (called ) lug nuts on some models but I have never heard of any manufacturer using mag seat lug bolts. There are obvious torque/strength/mounting advantages and disadvantages to each.

I would not use a ball seat bolt on a mag seat spec wheel.