Well it's official, the RX400h AWD system is a joke and it totally sucks in snowy/icy conditions. Had it out yesterday in a fairly bad storm (at least for NoVA). A light/fluffy snow but it quickly became compacted in very cold weather and conditions got very bad. The traction control light came on many times and I wasn't pushing it. When making a turn while slowing with LIGHT braking, the ABS would kick in and the car would plow straight forward with the traction light blinking and a few beeps.
This is the 4th AWD vehicle I've owned after a Jeep Grand Cherokee and 3 Audi wagons. The Jeep was traded last year on a Prius in C4C. The Jeep and Audis would handle anything with ease. I always had confidence in them. Yesterday, I was actually fearful driving the RX. It is NOT an AWD vehicle.
Another part of this equation is the tires. The OEM Michelins suck in the snow both for traction and braking. We get relatively little snow in NoVA and "good" all seasons are all that is needed. I had good A/S tires on the Audis and A/T tires on the Jeep.
I went on Tirerack today to research possible tires. The OEM Michelins have absolute crap ratings (15th in their category). From the ratings in various categories, the new Continental ExtremeContact DWS appears to be the best A/S tire for the RX. They are rated #1 in the Ultra High Performance All Season category (including very good to excellent ratings for snow). Another possibility is the Yokohama Parada Spec-X, rated #1 in the Street/Sport Truck category. The Bridgestone Alenzas that many of you like were also highly rated in the Crossover/SUV All Season category.
I believe the ExtremeContact DWS replaced the ContiExtremes I had on my Audis and have on my BMW. That is/was a really good all-around tire and probably the best A/S for snow.
Anyone have experience with the ExtremeContact DWS or the Yokohama Parada Spec-X?
After yesterday's experience, I want to replace the Michelins.
BTW, winter tires are not an option here.
Any input appreciated.
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.
Snow Performance Of Rx400h And Tires.
in 04 - 09 Lexus RX330 / RX350 / RX400h
Posted
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