zig@tr

Here's what you need to consider before buying ;

Always consider your driving style and local conditions. If you don't see much snow during the winter, and you like to drive/corner fast on cold dry roads then look into the H-rated or V-rated "high performance" winter tires like the Bridgestone Blizzak LM60 or Dunlop Winter Sport 3D.

If your area gets heavier snow, and/or are often driving on packed snow and ice then look into a more aggressive "Studless Ice and Snow" tire. Among the best of this type are the Blizzak WS-70, Michelin XIce XI2, and Continental Extreme Winter Contact. Winter tires like these will offer the best in snow and ice traction, but will give up some dry road responsiveness over the more performance oriented H/V rated snow tires to get that additional traction.

If deep snow is your only concern and ice is almost never an issue, you can save some money and get the Firestone Winterforce or General Altimax Arctic. These two models have very aggressive tread patterns that make them exceptional in snow, but they lack the specialized rubber compound needed for good ice traction (which makes them less expensive). You can add studs to either model ( $15) to improve traction, but studs have been outlawed in many states and may put the combined price of the tire and studding very close to a Studless Ice and Snow tire......

Choosing between these two categories may be difficult and is mostly a personal preference choice for the trade off between snow traction versus dry road handling. Any dedicated snow tire will do better than a standard "all season" tire in light snow and ice, but keep in mind the worst conditions the tire may see and use that as a frame of reference.


And one last thing;

Don't wait too long. Ordering early when most products are still available lets you choose what you want to buy rather than being forced to settle for what is left over. We have been hit with delays and shortages from our manufacturers already ! Tires and wheels purchased together are mounted and balanced at no charge to make changeover easy.


Here is a direct link to the winter tires area:

Winter Tires & Wheels

More winter tire testing videos and helpful information:

Winter Tire Testing Videos Link

Winter Tire Test Results

darbs242

iTrader: (5)

I have a set of blizzax LP-60s on stock isf wheels for the right price... pm me if interested

mugenh22a4

iTrader: (9)

I just drive my beater when there's snow. But I'm sure there are some members here that consider their F to be a daily beater

Linkseal

iTrader: (5)

Can I use 225/40/19 all around on the stock IS-F wheels? Is the size safe for winter esp, the 9" rear stock wheels?

zig@tr

The 225 will not safely do the 9" wide wheel. However, if you run this in the snow with 19" 's do you really want to reuse you OEM's if you hit any potholes these are pricey $$$ to replace. I have closeout Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 performance winter tire at a great closeout price and 19" winter alloys starting at $167/each. So we could put together a winter tire and wheel package that would allow you to run the 225's front and rear on separate wheels for much less than you would think. Also, this will save your OEM's or nice summer wheels from potential damage as well as give you the convenience of swapping in and out of your winter tires at your leisure from your own garage.

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 Link

Sango

iTrader: (10)

Do you have any good packages for 17" wheels + winters for RWD?

zig@tr

None of the wheels I offer in 17" will go over the front calipers of a Lexus ISF, here is a link to get you started for some 18" pacakges:

18" or 19" Lexus ISF Winter Packages

Sango

iTrader: (10)

Oh opps sorry, I did not realize this was in the IS-F forum. I mean for IS250 RWD.

Nate008

iTrader: (8)

Not tryng to thread jack but...Aww man Zig,

I didn't know Tirerack was on Club Lexus ...where have I been? lol. Do we get special pricing on sutff? This is Nate, called a couple days ago to authorize the special order on the cryo stoptech rotors for the wife's H3. The rear's arrived already! Fast and Great service.

Nathan Moore

zig@tr

Yep, I remember the order and you will be much happier you are getting those cryo treated. Also, there is no special pricing for members The Tire rack does not give discounts of any sorts so every customer gets the same low price. Again, thanks for the order and look forward to working with you in the future.

zig@tr

No problem, if this is a IS250 RWD, then I have packages starting at 16". This link should get you started:

IS250 RWD Winter Tire and Wheel Link

or1

Zig,
I just sent you an email. I have an '07 IS350 and need smaller, narrower tires to get around in the snow in the DC area. I have Blizzaks that are the recommended '18 diameter, but those are too wide for me- I was thinking of the same size '16's all the way around on the car with some "cheaper" alloy wheels.

badvinny

Just like OR1 I also have an 06 IS350 with stock 18s and Blizzaks, I absolutely hate these winter tires on this car, I can get stuck in 3" of snow it seems. What options do I have for rim sizes and tires, I know I need narrower tires and would like the same size all around, can I go to 17" rims, my calipers are stock. It is snowy and icy all winter long here and I dont even feel safe letting my wife drive it out of town in winter! Please reply, thanks!

tgui

Had I realized you sold through this forum, I would have given you business. I picked up a set of winter wheels and tires from Tire Rack, about 2 weeks ago. They may look familiar ;-)


Question, there is a warning label on the inside of the wheel referring to a plastic ring. Can you dumb it down a little, is the ring to remain in place, or be removed. Other than putting them on, I know nothing of wheels.


Also, can I drive about without the TPMS registered for some time without issues other than a warning light in the dash?


Oh, and I already rimmed a wheel. I fumbled and it slipped out of hand an hit the concrete. Ohh well, winter wheels will get beat up no matter what. Upper left hand wheel. :P

tenspeed

iTrader: (1)

That sounds like a hub centric rings. They are used when the center raised portion of the hub on the car is smaller than the hole in the wheel. They fill the gap and keep the wheel centered. They remain in place and be sure to remove them when taking the wheels off. Write down the size so if they break, you can get replacements. You can get them in plastic and metal.

I keep forgetting to remove mine on my daily driver when I put the winter wheels on. I find them crushed on the hub in the spring...