zorax2

I'm looking to purchase a TX350 Luxury or higher trim level once they arrive. The challenge is that most TX350 Luxury trims and all the TX500h and 550h+ will come with 22" wheels. Based on my research on tires, there are hardly any tire options available from any manufacturer for a good all-season or even a winter tire in 22" 255/45R22 size.

At this point, Tire Rack shows only 3 tire options available for the 255/45R22: 2 Max Performance Summer tires and a Bridgestone Allenza Sport All-Season which has terrible reviews.

I'm #4 in line to choose at our Lexus dealer but depending on limited dealer allocations, I'd like to consider a build with 22" wheels (even though I'd prefer smaller wheels for ride comfort) but I'm concerned about what to do for Minnesota winters if I do get 22" wheels.

Are there any tire experts here that can offer suggestions? Are tire manufacturers planning to introduce more tires in this size? I've heard folks with 23" wheels on other high-performance vehicles can't get replacement tires much less something for the winter.

255/55R20 are the standard equipped wheels / tires on the other TX models.

malba2366

There is a Continental LX20 tire available in that size which is in the press cars.
Also, depending on wheel width you may be able to go to 275 50 22 and there are more available in that size.

gordonyz

Pretty much the same issue with GS350 staggered, we had good all season only from 2 years ago.
the LC 500 21" also get all season option as well finally like 4.5 years later

paroxysym

i think the next closest size with options would be 285/40, which is the same diameter but an inch wider- i see you can get michelin PSAS 4s in that size. i dont think an inch of width would hurt anything

stunt66

Been researching for the last few weeks trying to find winters. The 255/45/22 is super limiting. I think im going to go with 275/45/22 Toyo Observe GSI-6. Its a bit taller and wider but nothing major https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc...5r22-275-45r22

paroxysym

do you have pics of these installed? interesting to see if theres any clearance issues.

zorax2

My TX350 Luxury came with the 22 inch wheels which I did not want. I ended up doing a take-off swapping them with somebody who had a TX350 Premium and I took a $2200 hit with a free trade for the wheels from the Premium.

My reasoning is that we will be using the vehicle for a fair amount of long distance travel vehicle and also we live in pothole country in Minnesota.

Here's the thing with 22 inch tires: They look great. The downside is if you hit a pothole you run a risk of separating a tire ply or perhaps even damaging the rim which will cost you big bucks. If you damage the tire ply, as the TX350 is all-wheel drive in our case, you have to replace all four tires which runs you nearly $2,100 for 22” tires. By comparison, a set of 20” tires might be in the neighborhood of $1,500 to $1,700.

Over the course of 100,000 miles the 22 inch tires will cost at least $3,000 more out of pocket given they’re likely to have less tread life (I’m guessing about 10,000 miles less vs. a 20” tire) as well as the additional cost of mounting balancing disposal and alignment each time they're put on.

The current selection of 22” tires is dismal. If you’re on a trip and not close to a metro area, good luck getting a tire quickly.

Finally, the ride is just not as good with the 22 inch wheels in my opinion and there’s no way in heck you can get sporty performance out of a TX-350 without a hybrid engines vs. the turbo 4.

paroxysym

stock size tire choices are lacking but in other sizes the options are plenty. i have 20s now, the rides still floaty- the 22s will look more proportionate and should firm up the ride- not to mention im planning on going wider. similar to you, this is and will be the family road tripper- currently at 5400mi, we venture up and down the east coast and potholes arent that terrible in our rural area.

stunt66

Yep. No clearance issues at all, no rubbing at full lock.