Pupule7

• What tire brand/model did you get?
  • Pirelli Scorpion Verdes
• Tire size?
  • 255/50 19"
• Price paid and place of purchase?
  • $206/tire at American Tires
• What tire did they replace and mileage?
  • Original Dunlops which lasted 55,000 miles
• Other tires considered (if applicable)?
  • Same Dunlops - too expensive
• What do you like most/least about your new tires?
  • Pros: love the ride, stability feel, RX stands out due to lower and wider tires
  • Cons: A bit noisy but not annoying
• Updates?
  • After 4,000 miles no complaints

fastnoypi

How many miles do you have now on your Altimax RT43's? I plan to be changing tires in the late spring. If above 40k miles, how is the road noise if any and how comparable is the sidewall stiffness to your stock tires? FWIW, i am also looking at General's HTS60 line as well, they appear to have a similar tread pattern but have not yet compared in detail the treadwear ratings, etc..

RX in NC

fastnoypi,

The 17-inch General Altimax RT43 tires I installed on my 2013 Outback 3.6R in December 2016 now have right at 13,000 miles on them. We have four vehicles so our driving gets spread around as needed. No road noise that I have noticed and the tires have held up very well. Original tread depth was 10/32. Current tread depth is just under 9/32 all the way around. These tires are great in the rain and snow and they are considerably better than the mediocre factory Continental tires that Subaru supplied. They have never hydroplaned on me. My 3.6R is the performance engine for the Outback and I drive this vehicle fast and fairly hard, plus it is full-time AWD.

fastnoypi

I just spoke with Tire Rack, i think i'm settled with the RT43's. The HTS60's have a similar tread pattern but supposedly have a very slight disadvantage in terms of wear and snow traction according to the representative. It literally is like splitting hairs with a 700 vs 660 UTQG rating..with the Altimax RT43 being slightly cheaper as well.

RX in NC

I believe you will be pleased. I did months of research before I decided to go with the H-rated Altimax RT43 tires on my 3.6R. Keep us posted how you like them on your RX.

coachz

Replaced Michelin Premier at 49k (although they are not original, car is new to us) with Continental Cross Contact Sport LX in a larger 255/55/19. Got lucky on Craigslist delivered to my door for $400 . They are new takeoffs from a Mercedes. Also considered Kuhmo Solus and Hankook Ventus in the 235/55/19 on eBay. Had them installed at America's Tire (CA version of Discount Tire) with replacement certificates, first time I do so due to the normal cost of tires on the RX. TPMS were also rebuilt. I like the larger size for added comfort, and had them inflated at 35psi to keep up with mpg. So far I was able to tell they are hugging the road and are more comfortable, this also with noticing having them in the back I may need new shocks.

I read almost every post on this thread to get some insight, and have been very happy with the forum =).

rfmax

Just bought a 2015 RX base, certified with 29,000 miles. The car is equipped with Bridgestone Dueler tires and the ride is dreadfully harsh. Given that these tires are so hard they literally shake the car as it hits
every bump, it's hard to believe that Duelers are indeed one of the tires Lexus specified as "original equipment" tires (!!). After test-driving the car herself, and agreeing about the harshness, the sales manager gave me $1,000 toward a new set of tires as part of the deal. I'm new to Lexus ownership, and I don't want to make a $1,000 mistake. I need suggestions on replacements. My priorities are a smooth ride, minimum noise and at least moderately decent handling. In my research, all of the tires Lexus recommended have terrible reviews. Alternate candidates are the Continental Truecontact Tour, the Continental Crosscontact LX20, the Michelin Defender T+H or the Michelin Premiere LTX (lowest rated of the four I mention here). If anyone has any experience with these tires on a 3rd Gen RX, I'd be much obliged if you'd share your experience. And I'd be much appreciative of other suggestions, too. Thanks very much in advance for your thoughts.

RX in NC

I really like the General Altimax RT43 H-rated tires that I installed on my 2013 Subaru Outback 3.6R in December 2016. I researched replacement tires for more than six months before I decided to go with them. Great warranty, great treadwear, great in the snow, quiet, solid straight-line tracking, and very reasonably priced. When the mediocre-but-new Kumho Solus KL21 tires that came on my wife's 2015 RX350 when we purchased it last October wear out, I plan to install a set of Altimax RT43 tires. They may be the best bang-for-the-buck SUV tire on the market right now. And my Outback 3.6R is much more hazardous-road-conditions capable than any RX so if these tires do well on it, I know they will do equally well on an RX.

xvimalx

I have the Michelin Premier LTX on mine and love them. Not going back to anything else.

User 41924

I replaced Pirelli Scorpions with Michelin Defenders. It was such a big improvement that my wife noticed the difference, and commented at how much more confident she was with them. They handle wet and dry exceptionally well. They're better in the snow, but I have yet to drive a Lexus that didn't prefer going straight in the snow, regardless of how much you want to turn.

EvilBlack

Greetings,

Recently bought a 2013 450h, wanted your advice on what are the "Best All Season Tires" in mountains with snow and ice? Daily commuter. Not sure if we might need a winter set and summer set or what.

Thanks,
Tim

takeshi74

If ice is a concern consider this:

ukrkoz

I'd bite a bullet and have 2 sets of wheels. Thing is, you don't really want to use a spork for winter driving, and that exactly is allseason tire. You want the right tool for the right job, right?
You can find used cheap rims at junk yard tire places. They also mount them rather low cost. You can find sets - spring time - of winter tires, either on craigslist or in same tire places. But then you have luxury of fast switching between the sets.
Keep in mind, you bought hybrid, right? Winter tire will drop mpg due to being very soft rubber. Increased rolling resistance.
Unfortunately, tires for your application are, usually, one time learning experience. You either get caught or, worse, spin out. Both cases it's too late.

EvilBlack

Yeah, I think you are right, just wanted to see what the general opinion best tire is for these. What about just the BEST TIRE period? I used to run Continental DWS on my X5 and they were beast year round.

MellonC00

Michelin Defender LTX. It tends to lean towards wet and snow side. The dry handling and braking is definitely not as good as some other tires. But low noise and good confidence level once any kind of precipitation starts falling from the sky.