I have a 2009 Highlander Limited with 19" wheels but am dumbfounded as to why Toyota put a wheel with such limited tire options on such a nice vehicle. I would like to put a 20" Venza wheels on but am having troubles finding the offsets for the Venza wheels and need to figure my own out as well. Has anyone tried doing this or at least researched it? Any insight or input would be helpful.
you could you see if the offsets are comparable by using a tirerack or discount tire site. besides offsets you would also need to check the center bore for the hub itself. OEM wheels tend not to use hubcentric rings so the wheels are specifically built for the vehicle in question. The HL hubs could be larger (will not work) or small (will work with adpator ring). Find out everything first or you might be wasting money.
It seems like the more expensive the car, the worse the tires are. Same deal with a 4Runner Limited - not only are the OEM tires really bad, but there is only one or two others available, and at a high cost. There is obviously a relationship with the tire/wheel makers there. I'll be taking delivery of both a Limited 4Runner and Limited Highlander in the next few weeks and will have to replace all the tires and wheels on them. It's just something you mentally have to add to the final price of the car I guess. I've heard some good dealers are willing to make a swap before you take delivery, but I've never run across a dealer in my area like that.
I haven't had any troubles with the tires, yet, however, I was looking for something with more options when I do need new tires. What tires are you planning on going with? Tire rack only has two Bridgestones available but I would guess there's probably a couple others, but not too many.
Bridgestone is really the only player out there making the 19" size for the HL. As far as why some dealers won't swap wheels and tires is due to liability. I once worked for a dealer that swapped a set of factory tires for a different set of factory tires (different manufacturers). Customer got a blowout and totalled his new car. Lawyers got involved, we lost, no more switching tires.
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Jeff Balcer
Pauly Toyota
Crystal Lake, IL
Yup, those lawyers always find a way to win no matter what the circumstance - they always make money.
I'll have to buy new wheels for both of my new rigs (going from 20 down to 17 with the 4Runner and from 19 down to 17 with the Highlander), which will open up a vast number of great tires available, and they are a LOT cheaper too. Since I go through a lot of tires I will make up the cost in tire savings within a year or two. Just wish that Toyota, and the dealers (sorry, the lawyers), would not force us into this, but I guess it does happen with other car companies too (lawyers are not brand specific, ha!)...
Yup, those lawyers always find a way to win no matter what the circumstance - they always make money.
I'll have to buy new wheels for both of my new rigs (going from 20 down to 17 with the 4Runner and from 19 down to 17 with the Highlander), which will open up a vast number of great tires available, and they are a LOT cheaper too. Since I go through a lot of tires I will make up the cost in tire savings within a year or two. Just wish that Toyota, and the dealers (sorry, the lawyers), would not force us into this, but I guess it does happen with other car companies too (lawyers are not brand specific, ha!)...
Stick with the 19" Highlander wheel and get a 255/55/19 tire, either the Bridgestone Dueler Alenza's or Pirelli Scorpion ATR if you want a long lasting, great all season tire.
Going to a 255/55/20 on the 4 Runner will yield you the Bridgestone Dueler Alenza's as well. That way you're not stuck with extra wheels.
Thanks for the info JMS. Not really that many more options with either of those tire sizes, and mostly just more road tires - I need something with more aggressive tread - I live way back in the woods and travel 18 miles of rough roads just to get anywhere. The Pirellis might work for the Highlander but they are really expensive and also seem to be in short supply at the moment. I'm hoping to be able to trade the new wheels/tires to someone for 17s so would not have anything left over, other than the original crummy tires that came with the 17s. Even if I am unable to make the trades, I would save enough buying the cheaper 17s in just a year to pay for the switch (those 19s and 20s are way more expensive than the 17s per tire). I go through a couple sets of tires each year so the savings add up in a hurry. I'm looking at the Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10s on the 17s for both and they look about right for my situation. If could just find someone who wants to upgrade to the larger feet...
20" inch Venza wheels are 1 choice.
18" RX350/330 wheels are another worth investigating. Extra sidewall should help with the rougher roads.
17" OE rims, although bland, are probably the cheapest route.
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