Tire Survey

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Greetings,

I am looking for input from members who have "Real World" experience

which Tire is "The Best" for all season performance (including light snow).

As we all know, what we read about a product and how it actually performs

sometimes (all too often) can be completely different, sometimes unfavorably,

hence the "Real World" stipulation above.

Looking for advice on Stock tire size only (no aftermarket).

Thanks.

[godfather18]

Greetings,

I am looking for input from members who have "Real World" experience

which Tire is "The Best" for all season performance (including light snow).

As we all know, what we read about a product and how it actually performs

sometimes (all too often) can be completely different, sometimes unfavorably,

hence the "Real World" clarification above.

Looking for advice on Stock tire size only (no aftermarket).

Thanks.

Good YEar Assurance

[SW03ES]

It really depends on a lot of different factors. You have to decide where on the ride comfort/traction scale you want to be. Generally the more traction a tire has, the harder and louder it rides. It probably looks something like this.

Ride Comfort-------------------------------------------Traction

Michelin MXV4/Michelin Exalto/Goodyear AssuranceTripletred

One way around this is to go to winter tires...

Read around the wheel and tire forum, TONS of info in there. I'm going to move this thread there.

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Thanks for moving this to the proper forum (rookie mistake, my bad).

OK, let me narrow the field down a bit. What I am looking for is a tire

that is the following in order of priority:

1. Quiet

2. Excellent in rain and light snow

3. Holds the road well (good in turns)

4. Has a "nice ride" and predictable (plenty of warning before slipping)

5. Not concerned about mileage, I'd sacrifice longevity for performance

I have no loyalties as far as brand names, I'm only interested in which tire is

"The Best" overall.

FYI, I had the Goodyear Assurance Tripletred on a previous car and thought it was

"just ok..." but better than the original Contis (would break loose without warning).

My driving style is laid back/occasionally aggresive (normal) and my 2002 ES300

has stock tires and rims.

Any input from members with "real world" experience would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[steviej]

Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S, nuff said.

I didn't stear you wrong with the fog lights, I won't here either.

steviej

[SW03ES]

Steve's probably right. The MXV4s are my choice but they're a very laid back touring tire and not aggressive or grippy at all. I'd look at the Exaltos, maybe the Bridgestone Turanza LS-V.

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Been doing a bit of research and seems like the Exaltos may be just the ticket.

Tirerack seem to hold these in high regard (to be taken with granular salt...)

Think I'll give them a shot. Thanks for the advice, will post my findings later.

[Guest snugglebunnies]

The Bridgestone Turanza LS-V is a symmetrical design meaning I can rotate side to side

thus increasing my mileage (in theory), whereas the Michelin Exalto is a directional tread,

hence can only be swapped front to back.

I am aware of the sacrifices with each design, but how about "real world" results?

The Exalto has been getting a lot of good press, but the Turanza looks good too.

I know Steve...go with the Exaltos...anybody else got two cents worth?

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Thank you.

[steviej]

Directional or not, I have always rotated my radial tires front to back only, so I can't give you any information on real life rotation from side to side.

steviej

[SW03ES]

Lexus also only rotates front to back, so I think really its a non-issue.

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Steve,

I'm curious, why does Lexus only swap front to back?

The tires and rims (stock) are all the same size.

I can understand if they are staggered widths which

my BMW and Mercedes had (bigger rear than front).

[steviej]

Steve,

I'm curious, why does Lexus only swap front to back?

The tires and rims (stock) are all the same size.

I can understand if they are staggered widths which

my BMW and Mercedes had (bigger rear than front).

traditionally, radial tires were not supposed to be swapped side to side I think due to belt seating. Only bias-ply tires did the flip flop to the other side. I guess Lexus likes tradition.

steviej

[SW03ES]

What he said ;)

[Guest snugglebunnies]

Did a little bit of research and seems that you're correct.

The radial belts imbedded in the tires just below the tread

are prone to "shifting" if they are reversed in their rotation

(swapped to opposite sides of car)

So the short answer is...

Whether a tread is symetrical or asymetrical (directional)

should not be a deciding factor in a tire purchase.

Now I gotta decide...

Pilot Sport A/S, Pilot Exalto A/S, Turanza LS-(V/Z)...

[SW03ES]

The LS-Z would be overkill for the car, all that would do is stiffen the ride and shorten the tread life.

Out of those 3, the Exalto or the LS-V are the right tires unless you plan on doing some suspension tweaking.

[Guest snugglebunnies]

OK, seems like the Exalto is becoming the "obvious" choice

(lot of recommedations for this tire).

Thanks.

[Russ0054]

The " front-to-back only" mandate is old school - hasn't been an issue for years. The front-to-back only routine doesn't allow for correction of a radial tire pull (very common) and won't allow tires that are significantly feathered on the edges to be corrected. I have been rotating side-to-side for years without any negative effects at all.

Unless tire manufacturer expressly "prohibits" side-to-side rotation, take advantage of the benefits.

[steviej]

Unless tire manufacturer expressly "prohibits" side-to-side rotation, take advantage of the benefits.

You also cannot rotate side to side if you have directional tires. Many tire manufacturers are adopting more directional treads then unidirectional which makes the old school practice a required practice.

steviej

[VBdenny]

On older Lexus cars the wheels themselves were side specific. The rims on my 90 LS400 are marked L or R so they can not be switched without compromising the already overworked brakes.

[91LexusLS400]

On older Lexus cars the wheels themselves were side specific. The rims on my 90 LS400 are marked L or R so they can not be switched without compromising the already overworked brakes.

Are the wheels marked this way for mechanical reasons or are they marked to insure the correct look of the car? The holes flared toward the rear of the car?

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/images/a...swheel/LE28.jpg

Curious because my driver's side are opposite. I think my spare wheel must be on the car. It just happens to be a right side wheel?