What To Look For When Buying The Best Tires For Lexus RX350?
Here are a few quick points to be aware of when switching out the tires on your RX350.
Warranty
Each tire comes with a different warranty, so be aware of what to expect before checking out by reading the warranty document carefully.
Tread pattern
Tread patterns vary for different types of driving. For example, all-season tires have deep treads and sipes that evacuate water faster when hydroplaning while summer tires have thicker and shallower treads designed for thriving at high speeds.
Runflat/Not run-flat
Runflat tires can be driven on at slower speeds (40 mph and below) while completely deflated. That means you can just drive the car to the shop when you get a flat tire instead of getting your hands dirty switching to the spare.
Price
Price is the first thing every driver looks at before buying tires. Some drivers like to know they purchased the most expensive and highest quality while other drivers are just want something that works for a lower price.
Speed Rating
Some tires have a higher speed rating that makes them suitable for faster highway speeds. For example, the Starfire Solarus tires have a ‘T‘ speed rating that makes them safe for speeds of up to 118 mph, while high-performance tires the Pirelli Scorpions have a ‘W‘ speed rating making them safe for speeds of up to 168 mph.
Tire size
Don’t mess up the tire size when ordering online. Match the exact tire size number to your purchase, and you’ll be all good.
Remember, the 18-inch RX350 wheel size is 235/65/R18 and the 20-inch RX350 size is 235/55/R20.
Responsiveness
The Lexus RX350 is quite a sporty crossover SUV mostly driven on the highway but reliable for dirt roads and gravel. We recommend buying the type of tire that accommodates the needs of sharp cornering and faster speeds.
Promos
It’s never bad to capitalize on a tire sale. Sometimes manufacturers want to get rid of a certain model, and that’s often a great time to buy.
How Much Do Tires For Lexus RX350 Cost?
Tires and installation costs heavily depend on where you buy and have them installed.
You’ll be spending more money at the stealership which is why I recommend you buy your tires from Amazon or Tire Rack, and then take them to your locally owned tire shop for installation.
Four New Tires
You’ll likely spend around $1,000 for four new tires including the installation and balancing costs. You can save money by taking tires you bought online to a less expensive shop, so keep in mind that the dealership usually charges more money for tire installation than your average mom-and-pop tire shop.
Two New Tires
Be prepared to spend around $500 for two new Lexus RX350 tires.
We recommend running all-season tires on your Lexus RX350, so go for tires like the Continental Crosscontact, General Altimax, or Starfire Solarus HT All-Seasons.
Single Tire
You’re looking at around $200 bucks for a new single tire +installation.
Since the Lexus RX350 is AWD or FWD, we don’t recommend replacing just one tire because it can mess with the four-wheel drive system.
The only time you might need a single tire is if you have a tire blowout within a year or so of purchasing a new set of tires (with practically new treads), and in that case, the tire is likely under warranty for replacement.
If you must buy a single tire, match the brands and sizes with what is already on the vehicle.
What Tire Size Is Best For A Lexus RX350?
When switching out your tires, the easiest way is to look at the tire size of the current tires mounted on the vehicle.
Keep in mind, that the first and last numbers (tire width and rim size) need to be exactly the same when buying new tires, and the middle number (tire height or aspect ratio) should be within 5 or 10 of the previous tire.
How Long Should Your Lexus RX350 Tires Last?
On an Lexus Rx350, I‘d expect that you should get at least 70 thousand miles out of a brand-new set of tires. Let’s clarify that summer tires and winter tires typically don’t last much longer than 50 thousand a pop, so you should be looking at buying two new sets of tires every ~100 thousand miles if you like to swap tires out when the season changes (granted the summer tires typically wear out faster).
When To Replace Tires On Your Lexus RX350?
Replace the tires when they get down to 2/32” (two-thirty seconds of an inch) or 1.6 mm. You can measure tire treads with a tread depth measurement tool or take your car for a quick inspection every oil change.
Another easy trick is to stick a penny inside the tread with Abe Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see all of Abraham Lincoln’s head, then it’s time for new tires. Don’t forget to check tire pressures regularly to prevent premature tire wear.