RXREY

Great new suggestion, I'll keep an eye on these this next year. Also, it comes in the size that I think looks and feels better for our 400h...255/55/18". Keep the suggestions coming everyone! Rey

I have an 06 RX 400h...hold down the button on the key pod that reads "PWR DOOR" ,it's the lower right of the three. You might have been given the key that doesn't have that...like the type that you would give a valet and didn't have this button...but all of the second gen RXs have the auto door...I am pretty sure...anyway, I love it...it doesn't pop the hatch, it opens it. On the inside you have the power door button to open it from the drivers seat. Oh, if you do have the power button on the pod, you have to hold it for a couple of seconds until you hear a couple of beeps. Let us know....Rey

See my post...General Grabber HTS

Two months of researching later and this is still the best tire for me here in L.A.. I am still looking but this is a tire that is going to be tough to beat and any price, any make...I'll keep looking....Rey

General Grabber HTS 255/55/18". So far it's by far the best tire that I have researched...by far. It's listed at under $140...Look at my post on this tire. RXREY

Is it just me or is the new format annoying? Maybe it's simply because it's new but I thought the old format was easier to see all of the posts. Me don't like change! I don't like change when the old "thing" wasn't broken. Maybe I'll get used to it in time but I haven't felt like looking at the site as I used to. It all seems to blend together and the page looks bland and hard to discern from one post to the next. Rey in L.A.

Well, three years later the tires just feel better and look better in the 255/55 size. I know it's only a half of an inch bigger but they just seem to look better and feel better a wee bit wider and that 1/2" bigger all around. You make them sound like they are a lot bigger. You can see from my profile picture that they look "normal". No rubbing, nothing. Less Revs Per Mile but not by a lot. Anyway,of all of the tires that I have been researching, and I still have about a year in these Toyos, I haven't seen a better tire in all of the criteria mentioned earlier in this post than that of the General Grabber HTS. The only things that really didn't mean much to me were the ice and snow specs since I have never driven in snow nor do I go to the snow, nor do I watch movies with snow...you get the idea....I didn't like the feel of the Alenzas compared to the Toyos that I have now and I thought that I might get one of the Michelins but the price and mixed reviews on some of the types of Michelins made me want to search for other brands that I hadn't considered. It was in this forum that I found out about the General Grabber HTS tires and was surprised at the overwhelming praise that I have found all over the internet about them. that's all...I have no allegiance to any tire company...I just want to get something that is best for me here in L.A.. The Generals will last long enough. As I said, one of the reviewers had them for 71K and are warranted to 60 K which is fine for a less than $150 tire and of this high quality. The grabber comes in 255/55/18" and not in the OEM size anyway so I will stick with the size that I have had on my car for three years and the size that I like on my car. It's no big woop. I don't think I'm the only one that has the 255/55 size and likes them better. I will look at the other Generals that you mentioned... Happy trails, Rey in sunny L.A. Well, so far the General Grabber UHP got bad reviews.....let me research the other, exclaim uhp.... I'm confused..the Exclaim UHP is a sports tire for sports cars and sedans...doesn't seem to me to be a better tire than the great ride,quiet , SUV and truck specific Grabber HTS.... I'll keep reading....

I don't get the "Years it takes" to get the economic benefit of having a hybrid. To me it means less times going to the pump, not idling(burning gas) in L.A. traffic, having the amazing CVT tranny....there really is no comparison between the 350 and our amazing 400h...at least as far as I am concerned. The times that I have been given the 350 as a loaner I have always looked forward to getting my 400h back. The 350 is a fine automobile but it isn't the equal of the 400h. I do like the initial pep of the ICE engine but the shifting of gears is now irritating to me even when I get in a smooth ES350.The other nice thing about our 400h is how much better it is on the highway as far as power goes. I am now spoiled. So do not think of the 9+ years to recoop...you are already in the plus with a superior auto. Rey in L.A..

All of this is so weird and interesting....cosmic rays? Wow, who'da thunk it? By the way, I am called "Cosmic Rey" at times! I do hope that all of this gets straightened out. I have always talked up Toyota through the years and this has been so hard to take in. I hope the company recovers its amazing reputation. "Cosmic" Rey in L.A.

I keep looking but I haven't found a better tire yet than this General Grabber HTS....and in the size that I like for my RX,255/55/18". I'll keep reading and searching.

Yes, thanks for the concern...this has been fun for me to research..... Well, there are a few people with well over 60K on them (General Grabber HTS) and they are apparently very quiet even in their later miles. The most miles I have seen that someone had on them was 71 K. I was warned about loudness issues with Toyo tires, some of them. Mine have been fine. After 35K miles I can tell that I have to put the radio a little louder but they are really nice as far as the overall ride. I no longer have an interest in Alenzas. I think there are at least the three tires (Kumho Road Venture APT KL51, Nitto NT420S and my current fave,the General HTS) that I mentioned that are better for me. FOR ME, my opinion. Even the Toyo Proxes II, the new version of my current tire, would be my choices before the Alenzas or the Michelins. I am still getting opinions from all of you and in a year, I should be pretty happy with whatever I pick..I better be. I didn't want to mention this before but I didn't like the Alenzas compared to my Toyos. I drove a friends' 06 RX 400h with relatively new Alenzas and my car was definitely smoother than hers. My RX just felt better and I have the same car, same year. I have the Toyo Proxes S/Ts and they are approaching 37K. I was warned that they would be impossible to deal with as far as noise. I know that they aren't silent but it goes to show...sometimes you just have to go with your own feelings. They have been great but I know that I can do better. Thanks for the input. The countdown continues for me. Rey in sunny L.A.

I have been researching my next set of tires for a while now. I have gotten great input reading the posts here in our little forum....I kept going from the Kumho APTk51s to the Nitto NT420S and then I read a post on the General Grabber HTS. I currently have Toyo Proxes S/Ts in my preferred 255/55-18" size. This is the size that I will get now and as long as I have my 06 400h. The Toyos have been great but I know I can do even better. So far with 35K miles the Toyos have a lot more life left, they still look new, so researching tires has been fun since I am in no hurry. I am not considering the Alenzas, not as good as what I have now, or any Michelins ( more than likely, they are just so over priced!) so just keep that in mind. Here are the numbers on the General Grabbers HTS: 255/55/18" 29" diameter 35lb per tire 10.4" width (like my Toyos) "H" rated 640 AB (warranty to 60K miles) 109 H XL load/ (2271 lb) low road resistance, supposed to be great on MPGs, this tire is perfect for hybrid SUVs. Great ride and very,very quiet from all accounts that I have read in many sites and forums even after many miles. Cars ranging from pick ups to SUVs. Suvs that included the Ford Escape hybrid, Toureg, Range Rover, Equinox, Enclave, etc. Price: I have seen them priced from $138.43 (255/55/18") This is the ONLY tire I really haven't heard anything bad about. The only luke warm thing that I heard/read about this tire was its "OK" performance on ice, which I couldn't care less about. I live in the Los Angeles area so please keep this in mind. Tires are a personal decision and where you live has a lot to do with what tire you get and how you drive and your typical weather conditions. It's March here in L.A. and it is 85 degrees, so besides the few rain showers we get a year, there is very little in the way of "Weather" here. Here is an interesting comparison between tires, namely the Alenza and Scorpion: http://ezinearticles.com/?General-Grabber-...&id=2708007 Please, if you have anything to add please do. I still have about a year to decide. So far this tire seems best for me. Warmly, Rey in sunny L.A.

I keep running across more and more great reviews on the General Grabber HTS tires. I found this to be interesting: http://ezinearticles.com/?General-Grabber-...&id=2708007

Great info, thanks, Rey

The speed rating for the General Grabbers HTS is "T". I just saw these on another site and they say they are "H" rated They have a warranty of 60,000 miles. These other numbers I don't understand and don't know what they mean: 640 AB 109 H XL These I do understand: 2271 weight limit, tire weight is 35lb (for my size, 255/55/18"), 29" diameter, just like my current Toyo Proxes S/Ts Honestly, these German made tires have the best reviews that I have read about ANY tires thus far. Please tell me if there is something that I am not understanding. By next year I will have decided and unless someone tells me otherwise, I can't see why these aren't the best tires for me. The only luke warm thing that I could find was about their performance in icy conditions... Which I have NEVER encountered here in L.A. nor do I drive to the snow or anything like that. Rey

The General Grabbers do get high marks, but their tread life is worse than average (about the same as the Alenza's tread life). That doesn't bother me. I haven't read ANYTHING negative about the General Grabber HTSs so even though I still have about a year to decide, these tires sound like everything that I have been looking for. They are consistantly described as very quiet and a great feel on the road. I did hear that they last a LONG time so I don't know where you heard otherwise...but everything else sounds so great that I put them at the top of my list followed by the Nitto NT420S and the Kumho APT k51, all come in the 255/55/18" size that I prefer.

Rey, I'm with you, that doesn't make much sense. I guess they can market it as whatever they want to, but the higher speed rated tire should be by definition the performance tire compared to the H rated tire. Oh good, it's not just me. Rey

General Grabber HTS tires seem to be the best. I am getting more confused the more I read tire posts. I live in L.A. so weather is no issue. I want quiet. The Grabber is getting to the top of my list along with the Nitto NT420S. Both come in 255/55 which is really the size that looks best on my 2006 400H. Anyone actually have the General Grabber HTS? Please don't tell me how it's not right to have 255/55....I have had my Toyos for three years and there is absolutely no issue with having a tire that is 1/2" bigger around its circumference...none. The 235s just look small in that big wheel well, in my opinion,....anyway, I would appreciate any comments on the Generals,especially if you have them on your 400h. Thanks, Rey in Sunny L.A.

Wow, thanks for this post. I didn't know much about Nitto but these particular tires, NT420S , have ntohing but great reviews. I am confused though...they have two tires called the same, or almost the same: NT420S 255/55/18" (Like I already have) but one is an H rated "performance" tire and the other is a V rated "Touring" tire. What I am asking is...wouldn't the "touring" tire be the H rated and the "performance" tire be the V? Does this make sense? Rey in L.A.

No the 555s are very different. So far these (Nitto NT 420S) seem to be very good tires...still researching. I am hoping to hear from "pinggolf" as to how they ride. I hear they are quiet and give a great smooth ride.

These tires look great. Have you noticed if your MPGs changed? I read great reviews on these and they are thought to be very quiet which I am looking for. Rey in L.A. Update 9 /2011....as you may be able to see from my new avatar...I got the 235/55/18 Yokohama Parada Spec X tires and after a few thousand miles, they are fabulous...quiet, nice looking and very smooth. Rey on LA

I agree about the load rating. The narrower width may look odd, especially if you currently have 255s. Still, there's no doubt in my mind that those are excellent tires. The stock 235's barely look wide enough for the RX. Going from 255's to 225's, I don't think you'll be happy with the looks. Check out the ratings at Tirerack for the various sizes that can be put on the RX. I can just go back to putting the Kumho Road Venture APT KL51s back on top of the list and get the 255/55 again. No big woop.

Yes, they are narrower but by about a half an inch to maybe 3/4". It doesn't seem to be too much different. This is OK, isn't it? It is almost a full inch narrower than the 10" Toyos that I have now...255/55. I really don't think that it will be very noticeable but if this is a concern, please let me know and why. Thanks a million. You are correct, even up here in L.A. we had a "wet" season...for us. It was more in the foothill areas like La Canada...but then they also had the terrible fires last summer and that is why the rains devastated that area so badly. I am in an upscale area like they are but not with the problems that they have living up against the mountains. Thanks for the help. Rey in very warm and sunny L.A..

Yes, that's the one that I really want! You are also correct about the size....I checked with the tire calculator and the 225/60 is very close to OEM...Smaller than my 255/55 and a wee bit bigger (1/4" all around) than the OEM 235/55. I didn't think that I was going to even consider Michelin, so pricy, but the Primacy MXV4 just has such great reviews no matter where I look, I just had to take a closer look and research. I have to reiterate once again, that I NEVER have driven in snow, ever, and being in L.A. I don't know about weather conditions other than mild. I have never gone off road, never think I will need to so please take all of this into consideration. Our rainy season is minimal so I think this tire sounds perfect...for me.