nickaliw19

Hi Jim, I have a 2007 RX400h (only FWD, though) that had those wonderful OEM Michelins that had ~40k on them and were perfectly good for sledding over here in central Illinois winters. After reading your thread, I went ahead to tirerack.com and tried some ExtremeContact DWS tires. (Un)fortunately, after I installed them, the snow stopped, so cannot compare. However, I am confident that they would do much better than my previous tires (or skis). They seem to hold tight to the pavement in dry/wet conditions, and are aggressively styled. My two complaints are: (1) the gas mileage is about 2-3 mpg worse than with the other tires (I understand you can't have the best of both worlds...low rolling resistance and good grip) and (2) I have a subtle, yet annoying vibration in the steering wheel (and even felt in the brakes and gas pedal) when driving. The vibrations seem too small to be an out-of-round tire problem, but I do feel this at all speeds (5 mph up to 75 mph or more). It seems worse right after I start the vehicle up and drive around in the parking lot (you can feel one or more of the tires flip flopping). I've had them over 600 miles, and still have the same vibrations. I've been told they may be a rougher riding tire compared to the Michelins, but who can you trust when they are selling you something. I was thinking of trying either the Yokohama Parada X tires or the Michelin Latitude Tour (Green X) tires. Both have good reviews on tirerack.com. I like the latter because they seem more decent in the snow than the Michelin Energy MXV4 S8 tires and have a 65k treadlife warranty, and have a supposedly smaller rolling resistance. It seems the Parada X's are more aggressive and probably better in ice/snow, and aren't as expensive. It's weird how the Michelin website does not recommend the Latitude Tour tires for my 235/55R18 size, but do for the 225/65R17. Maybe they are trying to sell the Energy MXV4s to Lexus hybrid owners like us with bad treadware history and poor ice/snow capabilities...so we can buy some more sooner...tirerack.com has the Latitudes in my size, so I may go with them. I don't know about you, but there are so many choices out there and a lot of reviewer comments don't match up...gives me the same feeling as being in a grocery store trying to pick a box of cereal out (among hundreds). I hope this helps...and please let me know if you have any input. Best, Nick