General Altimax RT43 vs RT45: Battle of the Altimax Titans

When it comes to choosing the right all-season tires for your passenger car or crossover, the General Altimax RT43 vs RT45 comparison is one that often comes up. Both of these popular tire models from General Tire offer a compelling blend of performance, comfort, and value, making them attractive options for drivers seeking reliable year-round traction.

The Altimax RT43 has long been a favorite among budget-conscious consumers, known for its solid all-around performance and longevity. On the other hand, the newer Altimax RT45 represents a step up in technology and performance, catering to drivers who demand a more refined and responsive driving experience.

In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into the key differences between these two tire models, examining their tread patterns, compound formulations, performance in various weather conditions, and overall ride quality. Whether you’re prioritizing comfort, handling, or all-weather capability, our analysis will help you determine which of these General Tire offerings best suits your driving needs and preferences.

Join us as we explore the nuances of the General Altimax RT43 vs RT45, and discover how these two popular all-season tires stack up against each other in real-world conditions.

Tread Pattern and Design

The Altimax RT43 and RT45 tires boast distinct tread patterns tailored to their intended performance characteristics. The RT43 features a symmetric tread design with a continuous center rib flanked by intermediate and outer shoulder blocks. This pattern enhances straight-line stability and responsiveness, while the siping and grooves facilitate water evacuation for improved wet traction.

In contrast, the RT45 employs an asymmetric tread pattern, with the inboard side optimized for dry grip and the outboard side designed for enhanced wet performance. The center rib is reinforced for high-speed stability, while the variable-pitch tread blocks and lateral grooves effectively resist hydroplaning. Additionally, the RT45’s tread features higher silica content, improving wet grip and braking distances on slick surfaces.

Both tires incorporate advanced design elements to enhance their respective strengths. The RT43’s tread blocks feature a higher number of sipes and biting edges, improving traction on loose surfaces and light snow. Conversely, the RT45’s tread incorporates wider circumferential grooves and a higher void ratio, facilitating superior water evacuation and wet weather performance.

Overall, the tread patterns and design elements of the Altimax RT43 and RT45 cater to different driving needs. The RT43 prioritizes dry road handling and light off-road capability, while the RT45 focuses on delivering exceptional wet weather performance and hydroplaning resistance.

Tire Compounds and Construction

The Altimax RT43 and RT45 tires utilize different rubber compound formulations and construction methods, which contribute to their overall performance and durability characteristics.

The RT43 features a more rigid and long-wearing tread compound designed for enhanced treadwear and longevity. This compound is optimized for high mileage and consistent performance throughout the tire’s lifespan. However, the trade-off is slightly reduced grip and responsiveness compared to the RT45.

On the other hand, the RT45 employs a softer and more pliable tread compound, which provides improved traction and handling, especially in wet conditions. This compound is formulated to maximize grip and responsiveness, but it may sacrifice some treadwear compared to the RT43.

In terms of construction, both tires utilize a symmetric tread pattern with continuous ribs and circumferential grooves for efficient water evacuation. However, the RT45 features a more advanced bead filler and reinforced sidewall construction, enhancing its overall durability and resistance to impacts and punctures.

The RT43’s casing is designed with a focus on optimizing rolling resistance and fuel efficiency, while the RT45 prioritizes high-speed stability and cornering performance with its reinforced internal structure.

Overall, the RT43’s compound and construction are geared towards maximizing treadwear and fuel efficiency, while the RT45 prioritizes grip, handling, and durability, albeit with a potential trade-off in treadlife.

Dry Weather Performance

The General Altimax RT43 and RT45 deliver impressive dry weather performance, thanks to their advanced tread designs and high-quality compounds. Both tires excel in braking distances, with the RT45 having a slight edge due to its more aggressive tread pattern and enhanced grip.

In terms of handling and cornering, the RT45 again takes the lead. Its wider circumferential grooves and increased siping provide exceptional traction and responsiveness, allowing for precise steering inputs and confident maneuvers. The RT43, while still offering capable handling, may exhibit slightly more understeer in aggressive cornering situations.

During high-speed driving, the RT45’s reinforced internal structure and optimized contact patch distribution contribute to improved stability and a planted feel on the road. This can translate to a more reassuring driving experience, particularly on the highway or during spirited driving.

Both tires demonstrate impressive straight-line tracking and minimal wandering, ensuring a stable and predictable ride. However, the RT45’s advanced tread design and construction may provide a slight advantage in maintaining composure over uneven or rough surfaces.

Overall, while the General Altimax RT43 delivers solid dry weather performance, the RT45 takes it a step further, offering superior braking, handling, and high-speed stability, making it the preferred choice for drivers seeking maximum dry road performance.

Wet Weather Performance

The Altimax RT43 and RT45 tires from General Tire demonstrate impressive wet weather capabilities, thanks to their advanced tread designs and specialized rubber compounds. Both models feature circumferential grooves and lateral notches that effectively channel water away from the contact patch, enhancing hydroplaning resistance and maintaining traction on slick surfaces.

In wet conditions, the RT45 holds a slight edge over the RT43 due to its more aggressive tread pattern and enhanced siping configuration. The RT45’s tread blocks are equipped with increased biting edges and higher sipe density, providing improved grip and shorter braking distances on wet roads. Additionally, the RT45’s silica-enriched tread compound offers superior wet traction and better resistance to hydroplaning.

While the RT43 may not match the RT45’s exceptional wet performance, it still delivers reliable wet weather capabilities for its class. Its tread design effectively evacuates water from the contact patch, and the tire’s solid central rib promotes stable handling and responsive steering in rainy conditions.

Both tires undergo rigorous wet testing, including simulated hydroplaning scenarios and wet braking evaluations, to ensure they meet stringent safety standards. The Altimax RT43 and RT45 consistently rank among the top performers in their respective categories, instilling confidence in drivers during inclement weather.

Snow and Ice Performance

The Altimax RT43 and RT45 from General Tire offer capable snow and ice performance for all-season touring tires. While they are not dedicated winter tires, their tread designs and compound formulations provide reasonable traction in light wintry conditions.

The RT43 features a directional tread pattern with deep grooves and biting edges to help evacuate snow and slush. Its silica-enhanced tread compound remains pliable in colder temperatures, allowing the tread blocks to conform to the road surface for better grip. On packed snow, the RT43 provides stable handling and decent acceleration traction. However, its performance starts to diminish on deeper snow or hard-packed ice.

The RT45, being the newer model, builds upon the winter capabilities of the RT43. Its asymmetric tread design incorporates more siping (tiny slits) across the tread blocks, increasing the number of biting edges for improved snow traction. The RT45’s tread compound also has a higher silica content, further enhancing flexibility at low temperatures. As a result, the RT45 exhibits better braking and cornering grip on snow-covered roads compared to the RT43.

Both tires struggle on ice, as is typical for all-season touring tires without dedicated winter rubber compounds. While they offer reasonable ice traction during light freezing conditions, their performance drops significantly on hard-packed or glaze ice. In such extreme winter scenarios, a dedicated winter tire would be a safer choice.

Overall, the Altimax RT45 holds an advantage over the RT43 in terms of snow and ice performance, but both tires are primarily designed for all-season use rather than severe wintry conditions. Drivers in regions with frequent heavy snow or icy roads may want to consider dedicated winter tires for optimal safety and control.

Ride Comfort and Noise

The Altimax RT43 and RT45 tires from General offer a comfortable and relatively quiet ride, making them suitable for daily driving and long road trips. Both models feature an optimized tread pattern and advanced tread compound that help minimize road noise and vibrations.

The RT43 is designed with a computer-optimized pitch sequence that effectively reduces pattern noise, resulting in a smooth and quiet ride on most road surfaces. Its all-season tread compound also contributes to a comfortable driving experience by absorbing minor road imperfections and irregularities.

On the other hand, the RT45 takes noise reduction a step further with its noise-canceling tread pattern technology. This innovative design helps to cancel out the sound waves generated by the tire’s interaction with the road, leading to an even quieter ride compared to the RT43. Additionally, the RT45’s reinforced construction and optimized sidewall design contribute to a smoother and more comfortable ride, particularly on rougher terrain.

Both tires strike a good balance between ride comfort and handling, offering a compliant yet controlled driving experience. However, it’s worth noting that the RT45’s more advanced noise-canceling technology and reinforced construction make it slightly more comfortable and quieter overall, especially at higher speeds or on rougher roads.

Treadwear and Durability

The treadwear and overall durability of a tire are critical factors that determine its longevity and cost-effectiveness in the long run. Both the Altimax RT43 and RT45 are engineered with advanced compounds and construction techniques to deliver excellent treadwear and durability performance.

The Altimax RT43 features a specialized silica-reinforced tread compound that enhances its resistance to abrasion and wear. This compound is designed to maintain its structural integrity even under high temperatures and demanding driving conditions, ensuring consistent performance throughout the tire’s lifespan. Additionally, the RT43’s optimized tread pattern and robust internal construction contribute to its impressive treadwear capabilities.

On the other hand, the Altimax RT45 takes durability to the next level with its advanced tread compound and reinforced casing construction. The RT45’s tread compound incorporates a unique polymer blend that provides exceptional resistance to cuts, chips, and tears, making it an ideal choice for drivers who frequently encounter rough or debris-laden roads. Furthermore, the reinforced casing design enhances the tire’s overall strength and resilience, ensuring that it can withstand the rigors of daily driving without compromising its structural integrity.

Both tires are designed to meet or exceed industry standards for treadwear, with the RT45 offering a slight advantage in terms of overall durability and resistance to external factors. However, it’s important to note that treadwear and durability can also be influenced by driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and environmental conditions.

Proper tire rotation, alignment, and inflation pressure maintenance can significantly extend the lifespan of both the RT43 and RT45, ensuring that you get the most value out of your investment. By adhering to recommended maintenance practices and driving responsibly, you can maximize the treadwear and durability of these high-performance tires, ensuring a safe and cost-effective driving experience for many miles to come.

Fuel Efficiency

One of the key factors that differentiate the Altimax RT43 and RT45 is their impact on fuel efficiency. Both tires are designed with a focus on low rolling resistance, which translates to better gas mileage and lower overall fuel consumption.

The Altimax RT43 features a specialized tread compound that minimizes energy loss as the tire rolls, resulting in reduced rolling resistance. Additionally, the optimized tread pattern and lightweight construction contribute to its impressive fuel efficiency. In real-world driving conditions, the RT43 has demonstrated notable improvements in fuel economy compared to its predecessors.

On the other hand, the Altimax RT45 takes fuel efficiency to an even higher level. Utilizing an advanced silica-based tread compound and a unique tread design, the RT45 achieves remarkably low rolling resistance values. This translates into tangible savings at the gas pump, especially for drivers who rack up significant mileage annually.

Independent tests and consumer reports consistently rank the RT45 among the top performers in its class when it comes to fuel efficiency. The tire’s ability to maintain low rolling resistance across various driving conditions and temperatures further enhances its fuel-saving capabilities.

While both tires offer excellent fuel efficiency, the Altimax RT45 holds a slight edge over the RT43 in this regard. However, it’s important to note that the actual fuel savings may vary depending on factors such as driving habits, vehicle weight, and environmental conditions.

Pricing and Value

When it comes to pricing and value, the General Altimax RT43 and RT45 offer compelling options for budget-conscious drivers. Both models are positioned as affordable all-season touring tires, providing a balance of performance and cost-effectiveness.

The Altimax RT43 is the more economical choice of the two, typically retailing at a lower price point. Its competitive pricing makes it an attractive option for drivers seeking a reliable all-season tire without breaking the bank. While it may not offer the same level of performance as premium tires, the RT43 delivers a solid value proposition for its price range.

On the other hand, the Altimax RT45 commands a slightly higher price tag, reflecting its enhanced performance capabilities. While still considered an affordable option, the RT45 offers improved handling, traction, and overall performance compared to the RT43. This makes it a compelling choice for drivers seeking a more responsive and capable all-season tire without venturing into the premium price territory.

Both tires are designed with cost-effective ownership in mind. Their all-season capabilities and durable construction help extend their usable life, reducing the frequency of tire replacements. Additionally, their fuel-efficient designs can contribute to improved gas mileage, potentially offsetting some of the initial purchase costs over time.

When evaluating the pricing and value of these tires, it’s essential to consider your specific driving needs and budget. If cost is the primary concern, the RT43 offers a compelling value proposition for its price point. However, if you prioritize enhanced performance and are willing to invest a bit more, the RT45 may be the better choice, delivering a higher level of capability while still maintaining an affordable price point.

Recommended Applications

The Altimax RT43 is a versatile all-season tire designed for a wide range of passenger vehicles, from sedans and coupes to small crossovers and SUVs. Its balanced performance across different road conditions makes it a suitable choice for drivers seeking a reliable and comfortable ride in various weather conditions. However, it excels particularly well in dry and wet conditions, delivering responsive handling and excellent traction. If you reside in an area with moderate winter conditions and occasional light snow, the RT43 can handle those situations adequately. However, for drivers facing harsh winters with heavy snowfall and icy roads, a dedicated winter tire would be a better option.

On the other hand, the Altimax RT45 is tailored for drivers seeking enhanced performance and handling characteristics. Its asymmetric tread pattern and advanced compound technology make it an excellent choice for sports cars, sporty sedans, and performance-oriented crossovers or SUVs. The RT45 truly shines on dry roads, providing exceptional grip and responsiveness, allowing you to push your vehicle’s limits safely. While it offers decent wet weather capabilities, its true strength lies in its dry performance and handling prowess. If you prioritize a dynamic driving experience and frequently engage in spirited driving, the RT45 is an ideal companion for your performance-oriented vehicle.

Comparison to Competitors

When it comes to the Altimax RT43 and RT45, General Tire has produced two highly competitive models that hold their own against some of the top tires in their respective categories. The RT43 is a touring all-season tire designed for sedans, coupes, and small crossovers, while the RT45 is a performance all-season tire tailored for sports cars, muscle cars, and high-performance sedans.

In the touring all-season category, the RT43 goes head-to-head with popular models like the Michelin Defender T+H, Goodyear Assurance ComfortRedTour, and Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus. While the RT43 may not quite match the exceptional treadwear and fuel efficiency of the Michelin Defender, it offers a more affordable price point and a smoother, quieter ride quality. Compared to the Goodyear Assurance ComfortRedTour, the RT43 provides better dry and wet grip, albeit with slightly shorter tread life. Against the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus, the RT43 delivers superior handling and a more responsive driving experience, though it may fall slightly behind in terms of fuel economy.

In the performance all-season segment, the RT45 competes directly with heavyweights like the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+, Continental ExtremeContact DWS06, and Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS. While the RT45 may not quite match the outright grip and handling prowess of the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ in dry conditions, it offers a more affordable price point and better treadwear. Compared to the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06, the RT45 provides a smoother, quieter ride quality and better hydroplaning resistance in wet conditions. Against the Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS, the RT45 delivers comparable dry and wet performance, with a slight edge in snow and ice traction.

Overall, both the Altimax RT43 and RT45 hold their own against some of the top competitors in their respective categories, offering a compelling blend of performance, comfort, and value that makes them worthy contenders for drivers seeking well-rounded all-season tires.

Expert Reviews and Ratings

The General Altimax RT43 and RT45 tires have received positive reviews and ratings from various automotive experts and industry publications. Both models have been praised for their well-rounded performance, impressive treadwear, and excellent value proposition.

The RT43 has been recognized for its exceptional dry and wet traction, as well as its comfortable ride quality. Tire Rack, a leading online tire retailer, awarded the RT43 a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on customer reviews. Additionally, the RT43 received a “Recommended” rating from Consumer Reports, citing its impressive performance in various driving conditions.

On the other hand, the RT45 has garnered praise for its impressive all-season capabilities and long treadlife. Car and Driver magazine highlighted the RT45’s excellent performance in both dry and wet conditions, as well as its impressive treadwear rating. The RT45 has also received a “Best Value” award from several automotive publications, acknowledging its exceptional value for the money.

Both the Altimax RT43 and RT45 have consistently scored well in independent tests conducted by organizations such as UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). These tests evaluate tires based on factors such as treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance, ensuring that the tires meet stringent safety and performance standards.

Overall, the positive reviews and ratings from industry experts and consumers alike highlight the impressive performance and value offered by the General Altimax RT43 and RT45 tires, making them popular choices for drivers seeking reliable and affordable all-season tires.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The General Altimax RT43 and RT45 are both capable all-season touring tires that offer a balance of performance and value. However, there are some key differences that set them apart.

The RT43 excels in dry and wet weather performance, providing excellent traction and handling on both dry and slick surfaces. Its tread pattern and compound are optimized for responsive steering and short braking distances. However, its winter traction capabilities are somewhat limited, making it less suitable for areas with frequent snow and ice.

On the other hand, the RT45 is designed with a more aggressive tread pattern and advanced silica-enhanced compound, giving it superior traction in snowy and icy conditions. While it may not quite match the RT43’s dry and wet grip, the RT45 still delivers solid all-season performance and is a better choice for those who regularly encounter winter weather.

In terms of ride comfort and noise, both tires perform well, offering a smooth and quiet ride. However, the RT45 may have a slight edge in this regard due to its more advanced tread design and construction.

When it comes to treadwear and durability, the RT43 has a slight advantage, with a longer expected tread life. However, the RT45 is no slouch in this department and should still provide respectable mileage for an all-season tire.

Ultimately, if you live in an area with milder winters and prioritize dry and wet weather performance, the RT43 is an excellent choice that offers a great balance of handling, traction, and value. However, if you frequently encounter snow and ice, the RT45 is the better option, providing superior winter traction without sacrificing too much in other areas.

Both tires are well-regarded in the industry and offer a compelling combination of performance and affordability. Whichever you choose, you can expect a safe, comfortable, and reliable driving experience.