vtwheels

I am thinking about purchasing a 2011 350RX AWD. I live in New England on back roads and they are brutal in the winter and during mud season. I really love the look of the 19 inch wheels. Is it okay to use 19 inch wheels in the summer and then switch to 18 inch wheels for my snowtires? I was worried that the speedometer or suspension would be calibrated for 19 inch wheels and this switch would not be possible. I always have a second set of wheels for my snows but I am not sure this switching back and forth with different sizes is a good idea. Thanks for your help.

vtwheels

Thanks! That is something I would have never considered.

yahj

our 2010 rx don't have the tpms reset button, I might ask the dealer why I don't have it on our next service. Sorry for the off topic

larrs

The 2011's come with either 235/60-18 or 235/55-19. I think you can safely use the 18" size in the winter and the 19" size in the summer with no issues with speedometer or suspension.

JimH2

If you compare the 2 OEM tire sizes (235/60-18 vs. 235/55-19), the speedometer difference is only 0.1 MPH at 60 MPH. If you start using different tire profiles (e.g., 235/55-18), then the difference is 2 MPH at 60MPH. So, using 18 or 19 inch rims should work fine in interchanging on a vehicle as long as you choose a similar rim and tire size as the OEM choices. The following calculator will show you the difference in MPH based on rims/tires.

http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCal...?action=submit

vtwheels

Thanks everyone. It sounds like my main problem would be the tpms. I guess I have to decide how important those 19 inch wheels are to me and if I am willing to deal with the issues involved. Maybe I should consider 19 inch snowtires instead of 18 but I thought the 18 inch snows would work better in such a northern climate- especially since I live down long dirt roads that are the last to be plowed and a long really steep driveway. By the way, my RX330 which I have now does great and has made it through the worst unplowed roads, deep mud and steep driveway with no problems ever.

JimH2

I think the main difference (or how well the vehicle motivates thru snow) would pertain moreso to the snow tires themselves (tread design, ratings, etc.) versus having an 18 vs. 19 inch rim size.

vtwheels

I have Bridgestone Blizzaks- I think they're 17's on the 330. They are amazing. I also have a Toyota Tundra that I could have used in case the roads were really bad and I have never had to use it in place of the RX- have always gotten through with no problem over the last five years.

vtwheels

Good to know- thanks! The reliability has been so outstanding with the RX that I may let that be the decision maker. I always have the Tundra if I need it for the mud. But thanks for sharing that information with me- it is something I will have to think about carefully.

JimH2

As a side note, some recent info. on some highly rated snow tires for folks.

http://www.consumersearch.com/snow-tires

pasi

I purchased a set of DM-V1 for my 450h with 18" wheels. They came as a set. Found them through Ebay. Summer tires are 19".

Going back to Finland soon. There it's a standard procedure to swap tires twice a year. Winter tires being smaller (and often narrower too for better grip). "all-season" tires are quite useless and dangerous compared to real winter tires (studless or with studs). You also "have" to take a look at your tires and check the condition at least twise a year.

Pasi

RGSW

I have recently purchased a 2011 RX350 and while reading the "Owner's Manual" could not find the TPMS Reset Button as pictured in the O.M.
I got a mirror and looked under the dash on the right side of the steering column and forward of the light that shines on the foot compartment and found the TPMS Reset Button there. It's very far forward and underneath the dash... good luck, hope you find it.

yahj

Ahh yes thank you lol.....why do they put it that far, it's almost on top of the gas pedal, my rx is not fully loaded there is some more space to put the switch beside the others lol

Brewdog

So I DID buy a second set of wheels for winter, and now am faced with the TPMS changeover cost. the workaround is to not install the TPMS and live with the light being on. OK, I can deal with that BUT can anyone tell me if I also will be exposed to a buzzer or audible warning? A light i can live with, a buzzer or chime every starting cycle i cant. Anyone know?