98023IS250

First, I bought this car for it's AWD as I am tired of slip sliding in snow. I also have always wanted a Lexus. So how does this car handle in snow?

I am in Real Estate (no I do not sell but Appraise). I drive about 20k miles a year easily and am not chasing horsepower. The tire question is this. Has anyone here gone with a tire that has taller sidewalls (making it somewhat like running a 18")? I want to keep the same wheels but put on tires that have a little more meat on the sidewalls.

Your thoughts & comments appreciated....

07-IS350

We are all very sorry but you have to leave now. Never to return!

Just kidden'. I'd call a few reputable tire stores and get a couple of opinions.

98023IS250

LOL! maybe someone can shed light on question #1....though.

I will then bow my head low and leave quietly... LOL!

Clay Easto

I would think you would need to decrease the size of the wheel to offset the increase in tire profile. Otherwise your speedometer (spped plus mileage) will get screwed up.
By the way, I would like to do that too, I don't like the low profile tires since they lead to bent rims.

$lickWilly

Good to see another appraiser on here...

my guess is that some nice Blizzak and your AWD should make for a mighty fine snow car. Obviously the narrower the tire the better it will be in the snow.

I am in Boise so I am going to see how the 350 does in snow at least once this winter.....my guess is that it willl totally totally suck and walking will be faster...lol

TripleL

Hey man I've got your back here!

I kept my 17in OEM wheels and when I needed Tires last January ended up going up a size to 225/50R17 (Michelin Pilot Sport A/S+) and have never been more happy with the car.

The car handles snow (and rain) better, it rides much better due to the extra side wall AND cuz the OEM tires I had were average at best my car actually handles better thru the twisties.

Because of the .44" increase in radius I did do the heat gun mod to the rear of the front wheel wells to avoid rubbing which only took about 15 mins per side max.

Good Luck with your research!!

Larry

EJC

I have an '07 IS250AWD, live in CT.
I put Hankook W300 snows on all 4 corners. Love the handling in the snow.
Actually because of the lower center of gravity I preferred the handling to the jeep Cherokee I had just gotten out of.
The Hankooks give good snow and dry road performance.
Just remember don't blast through snow dams with that low front end.

My summer wheels are the stock 17" wheels, for the snows I went to 16" wheels and taller tires. You shouldbe just fine with the stock wheels though and you may not want to add the expense of extra TPMS for each wheel.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Exiled? Are you kidding? I'm calling you smart and sensible. Great idea and good luck with getting it set up correctly. It shouldn't be hard at all. (I'm also glad I don't live where you do - I'm spoiled and hate living in snow).

98023IS250

well, if I go stock with slightly taller, I cannot imagine it would rub, would it?

98023IS250

an Appraiser with your Username.. Hm, I may have to distant myself from you. LOL!

IS-SV

OEM 17's or equivalent will work fine. Or do what I do and use an older 4wd SUV for infrequent foul weather in sunny CA. (I've never lived in snow, only used it for recreational downhill skiing).

fredw1

I'm still running stock all-seasons, and they've worked well in snow. I've had them out in as much as six inches. Good in-line acceleration and braking, along with predictable cornering.

$lickWilly

Ha! That doesn't really come off too well does it?


I really wish they would have done the 350 in AWD.....I would have been all over it...after having the car for a few months, I would probably do the 250 if I had to do it all over again. I LOVE the power - but dang - its tough to use it.

I've heard great things about the Blizzaks and the Hankooks.

Let us know what you end up doing...

B16da9

iTrader: (7)

I think with modern cars this is something that is sort of a myth. I went from stock 17's to 20's and my speedometer is right on the money. This was also verified with a GPS unit. The same unit was than used on my DA and my fathers toyota pickup and those spedometer where of both those cars/trucks have aftermarket wheels and use a cable to drive the speedometer.