Winter Tires for 2006 GS300 AWD

[Jay Somerset]

Which is the better choice? 225/50-R17 (standard summer tire size) or
a slightly narrower tire (such as 215/55-R17) as a snow tire?

[Ray O]

Post by Jay Somerset
Which is the better choice? 225/50-R17 (standard summer tire size) or
a slightly narrower tire (such as 215/55-R17) as a snow tire?
--
Jay (remove dashes for legal email address)

A narrower tire will tend to hydroplane less in slush and sink down to the
pavement a little better in snow.

[Jay Somerset]

On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 23:34:29 -0500, "Ray O"

Post by Ray O

Post by Jay Somerset
Which is the better choice? 225/50-R17 (standard summer tire size) or
a slightly narrower tire (such as 215/55-R17) as a snow tire?
--
Jay (remove dashes for legal email address)

A narrower tire will tend to hydroplane less in slush and sink down to the
pavement a little better in snow.

A follow-up question...

A 205/55-R17 will give the same speedometer reading as the OE
225/50-R17 tire, while the 215/55-R17 tire will have a small error.
Can the narrower 205 tire be mounted on the original rims, or do I
have to go with the 215 if I want to be narrower than the 225?

[Ray O]

Post by Jay Somerset
On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 23:34:29 -0500, "Ray O"

Post by Ray O

Post by Jay Somerset
Which is the better choice? 225/50-R17 (standard summer tire size) or
a slightly narrower tire (such as 215/55-R17) as a snow tire?
--
Jay (remove dashes for legal email address)

A narrower tire will tend to hydroplane less in slush and sink down to the
pavement a little better in snow.

A follow-up question...
A 205/55-R17 will give the same speedometer reading as the OE
225/50-R17 tire, while the 215/55-R17 tire will have a small error.
Can the narrower 205 tire be mounted on the original rims, or do I
have to go with the 215 if I want to be narrower than the 225?
--
Jay (remove dashes for legal email address)

It depends on the specific tire you choose. If you go to tirerack.com and
look up 205/55-R17 tires, the tire spec section will who the acceptable rim
widths for the specific tire. Then, look up the rim width for your car to
see if it falls within the range for the tire you choose.

[kitzler]

Post by Ray O
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Hi Ray, I have heard horror stories about Lexus owners replacing their
run flat tires (2006 GS300 AWD) with regular tires, because of the
tire pressure sensors need to be replaced or recalibrated and the
procedure outlined in the owner's manual does not always work. If I
go to the Lexus dealer for tire replacement, it will probably be done
correctly but at a steep prices, otherwise I would just drive the
loaner vehicle until they get it right. If I go to a tire shop, I am
afraid they might not be able to reset the pressure sensors
correctly.

Would appreciate your response to the above comments...

/Nick

[Ray O]

Post by kitzler

Post by Ray O
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Hi Ray, I have heard horror stories about Lexus owners replacing their
run flat tires (2006 GS300 AWD) with regular tires, because of the
tire pressure sensors need to be replaced or recalibrated and the
procedure outlined in the owner's manual does not always work. If I
go to the Lexus dealer for tire replacement, it will probably be done
correctly but at a steep prices, otherwise I would just drive the
loaner vehicle until they get it right. If I go to a tire shop, I am
afraid they might not be able to reset the pressure sensors
correctly.
Would appreciate your response to the above comments...
/Nick

I believe that run-flat tires require special rims to retain the tire bead
when running flat, so I don't know if a conventional tire can be mounted on
wheels designed to be used with run-flat tires. If that is the case, you
would have to purchase different wheels. Calibrating tire pressure sensors
should not be that big a deal.

[kitzler]

On Nov 14, 12:56 am, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom>

Post by Ray O

Post by kitzler

Post by Ray O
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Hi Ray, I have heard horror stories about Lexus owners replacing their
run flat tires (2006 GS300 AWD) with regular tires, because of the
tire pressure sensors need to be replaced or recalibrated and the
procedure outlined in the owner's manual does not always work. If I
go to the Lexus dealer for tire replacement, it will probably be done
correctly but at a steep prices, otherwise I would just drive the
loaner vehicle until they get it right. If I go to a tire shop, I am
afraid they might not be able to reset the pressure sensors
correctly.
Would appreciate your response to the above comments...
/Nick

I believe that run-flat tires require special rims to retain the tire bead
when running flat, so I don't know if a conventional tire can be mounted on
wheels designed to be used with run-flat tires. If that is the case, you
would have to purchase different wheels. Calibrating tire pressure sensors
should not be that big a deal.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Thanks for the prompt response Ray, actually when I had my car
serviced last year, the Lexus rep. indicated it would not be a problem
switching to regular tires, as opposed to run-flats, of course he did
not say whether I would need new rims, so thanks for the warning Ray,
I'll keep that in mind. My biggest worry was actually making sure the
tire pressure sensors would not cause undue warning lights to come on,
but you seem to think "it is no big deal", so I feel better about
it.......... thanks again, Ray!

[Ray O]

Post by kitzler
On Nov 14, 12:56 am, "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom>

Post by Ray O

Post by kitzler

Post by Ray O
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Hi Ray, I have heard horror stories about Lexus owners replacing their
run flat tires (2006 GS300 AWD) with regular tires, because of the
tire pressure sensors need to be replaced or recalibrated and the
procedure outlined in the owner's manual does not always work. If I
go to the Lexus dealer for tire replacement, it will probably be done
correctly but at a steep prices, otherwise I would just drive the
loaner vehicle until they get it right. If I go to a tire shop, I am
afraid they might not be able to reset the pressure sensors
correctly.
Would appreciate your response to the above comments...
/Nick

I believe that run-flat tires require special rims to retain the tire bead
when running flat, so I don't know if a conventional tire can be mounted on
wheels designed to be used with run-flat tires. If that is the case, you
would have to purchase different wheels. Calibrating tire pressure sensors
should not be that big a deal.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Thanks for the prompt response Ray, actually when I had my car
serviced last year, the Lexus rep. indicated it would not be a problem
switching to regular tires, as opposed to run-flats, of course he did
not say whether I would need new rims, so thanks for the warning Ray,
I'll keep that in mind. My biggest worry was actually making sure the
tire pressure sensors would not cause undue warning lights to come on,
but you seem to think "it is no big deal", so I feel better about
it.......... thanks again, Ray!

I do not think it will be a big deal to initialize the tire pressure sensors
because run-flat tires do not run at significantly different pressures than
conventional tires. It shouldn't take more than a minute to set the
sensors.

Good luck with your new tires!

[Jay Somerset]

On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 23:34:29 -0500, "Ray O"

Post by Ray O

Post by Jay Somerset
Which is the better choice? 225/50-R17 (standard summer tire size) or
a slightly narrower tire (such as 215/55-R17) as a snow tire?
--
Jay (remove dashes for legal email address)

A narrower tire will tend to hydroplane less in slush and sink down to the
pavement a little better in snow.

Just put on a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50's -- in size 215/55-17.
Yes, you can still find them in some dealers' stocks, but they are
getting harder to find.

The difference over the OE 225/50-17 Dunlop SP2050s is AMAZING. No
more wandering side to side with each change in road camber. And above
40 mph, they are just as quiet as the Dunlop summer tires.

When the Dunlops came off, after just over 20,000 KM (12,500 miles)
they were worn to within a millimeter of the tread warning bars. Good
for about 3000 more miles, at most. I have _never_ seen such poor
mileage from a tire! I can't believe Lexus would specify these as OE.

I'm open to suggestions for next summer, as to what I brand I should
put on, and whether it might make sense to stick with the slightly
narrower 215/55-17s in a summer or all-season design?

[KG]

Post by Jay Somerset
On Thu, 1 Nov 2007 23:34:29 -0500, "Ray O"

Post by Ray O

Post by Jay Somerset
Which is the better choice? 225/50-R17 (standard summer tire size) or
a slightly narrower tire (such as 215/55-R17) as a snow tire?
--
Jay (remove dashes for legal email address)

A narrower tire will tend to hydroplane less in slush and sink down to the
pavement a little better in snow.

Just put on a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50's -- in size 215/55-17.
Yes, you can still find them in some dealers' stocks, but they are
getting harder to find.
The difference over the OE 225/50-17 Dunlop SP2050s is AMAZING. No
more wandering side to side with each change in road camber. And above
40 mph, they are just as quiet as the Dunlop summer tires.
When the Dunlops came off, after just over 20,000 KM (12,500 miles)
they were worn to within a millimeter of the tread warning bars. Good
for about 3000 more miles, at most. I have _never_ seen such poor
mileage from a tire! I can't believe Lexus would specify these as OE.
I'm open to suggestions for next summer, as to what I brand I should
put on, and whether it might make sense to stick with the slightly
narrower 215/55-17s in a summer or all-season design?

I don't have a recommendation but I do have a nonrecommendation. Michelin Harmony, Destiny. They
may wear well but their traction and handling does not agree whit their ratings with me on a GS 300
and 400.
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