General Altimax RT43 Tire Review & Rating
The General Altimax RT43, released in July 2013, is built to replace the current Altimax RT and it looks like they have done a solid job with this upgraded model. This new tire is designed to deliver increased all-season traction and handling with a more comfortable ride and extended tread life for drivers of coupes, sedans, minivans and crossovers.
A high-tech twin cushion silica tread compound and symmetric tread pattern combines with what General calls peak anti-slip sipe design technology that increases dry and wet traction as well as enhanced ride comfort.
We really like what General has done to increase wet performance with this new technology in addition to the four circumferential grooves. The addition of sipes around the tread further increase grip on light snow covered road surfaces.
The tire’s continuous center rib adds to stability and steering response, while unique acoustic modulation sound technology suppress sound waves for lower road noise and better ride quality.
Inside the tread you’ll find two steel belts with a polyester cord body for added strength and durability, as well as additional ride comfort. Treadlife on this tire is among the longest of any tire in this class, and General backs it with a 75,000 mile warranty.
A nice added touch is the Replacement Tire Monitor that features a stamp that visually indicates “replace tire” based on the amount of treadwear. They have also provided Visual Alignment Indicators that extend tread life by letting you see if your vehicle is misaligned. Sizes are available from 13 to 18 inches and speed ratings up to an H.
- Dry and wet traction
- Ride comfort
- Tread life
- 75K mile warranty
Cons
- None that would disappoint
Overall Thoughts
General has a nice tire in this new RT43. They’ve designed it to compete with competitors such as the Continental TrueContact and Michelin Defender T+H among others, and in that regard this tire doesn’t disappoint.
Traction and handling on dry or wet road surfaces is among the best in class. The steering is crisp and responsive and gives you a more confident feeling behind the wheel. Tire stability is excellent throughout the speed range, and the ride is comfortable on all but the worst of road surfaces. Noise is minimal on this tire due in part to the twin cushion tread compound.
Winter traction is very good in light to moderate snow, as well as on lighter amounts of ice. Of course, tread life is another area where this model excels in. With a 75,000 mile tread guarantee you may find yourself trading in your vehicle before ever replacing the tires again. Overall, the Altimax RT43 is among the best all-season tires on the market today.
What Vehicles Will The RT43 Fit?
(This is not a complete list of ALL vehicles this tire will fit)
- Acura RSX
- Chrysler 300, Sebring, PT Cruiser
- Chevrolet Malibu, Cruze, Cavalier, Astro, Impala, Equinox
- Dodge Challenger, Charger, Magnum, Avenger, Caliber
- Ford Focus, Mustang, Escort, Ranger, Taurus, Escape
- Honda Accord, Civic, Odyssey, CR-V
- Jeep Patriot, Liberty, Grand Cherokee
- Kia Optima, Soul, Spectra
- Lexus LS400
- Mazda 3,5,6
- Nissan Altima, Sentra, Versa, Frontier
- Pontiac Grand Prix, G6
- Saturn Aura, SC2, L200
- Scion xA
- Toyota Camry, Corolla, Supra, Sienna
- Volkswagen Passat, Golf, Jetta
Tire Sizes
13″
175/70R13 82T BSW
14″
175/70R14 84T BSW
185/70R14 88T BSW
195/70R14 91T BSW
205/70R14 95T BSW
215/70R14 96T BSW
225/70R14 99T OWL
175/65R14 82T BSW
185/65R14 86T BSW
185/65R14 86H BSW
185/60R14 82H BSW
195/60R14 86H BSW
15″
205/70R15 96T BSW
215/70R15 98T BSW
225/70R15 100T OWL
235/70R15 103T OWL
175/65R15 84H BSW
185/65R15 88T BSW
185/65R15 88H BSW
195/65R15 91T BSW
195/65R15 91H BSW
205/65R15 94T BSW
205/65R15 94H BSW
215/65R15 96T BSW
185/60R15 84T BSW
185/60R15 84H BSW
195/60R15 88T BSW
195/60R15 88H BSW
205/60R15 91H BSW
205/60R15 91T BSW
215/60R15 94T BSW
225/60R15 96H BSW
185/55R15 82H BSW
195/55R15 85V BSW
16″
205/70R16 97T BSW
215/70R16 100H BSW
225/70R16 103T BSW
205/65R16 95T BSW
205/65R16 95H BSW
215/65R16 98T BSW
215/65R16 98H BSW
225/65R16 100H BSW
225/65R16 100T BSW
235/65R16 103T BSW
205/60R16 92T BSW
205/60R16 92H BSW
205/60R16 92V BSW
215/60R16 95T BSW
215/60R16 95H BSW
215/60R16 95V BSW
225/60R16 98T BSW
225/60R16 98H BSW
235/60R16 100T BSW
235/60R16 100H BSW
185/55R16 87H XL BSW
195/55R16 87V BSW
205/55R16 91T BSW
205/55R16 91H BSW
215/55R16 97H XL BSW
225/55R16 95H BSW
195/50R16 84H BSW
205/50R16 87H BSW
17″
215/65R17 99T BSW
225/65R17 102T BSW
225/65R17 102H BSW
235/65R17 104T BSW
215/60R17 96T BSW
225/60R17 99T BSW
225/60R17 99H BSW
235/60R17 102T BSW
215/55R17 94T BSW
215/55R17 94V BSW
225/55R17 97T BSW
225/55R17 97H BSW
225/55R17 97V BSW
235/55R17 99T BSW
235/55R17 99H BSW
205/50R17 93V XL BSW
215/50R17 95V XL BSW
225/50R17 94T BSW
225/50R17 98V XL BSW
205/45R17 88V XL BSW
215/45R17 87V BSW
225/45R17 91H BSW
225/45R17 94V XL BSW
235/45R17 97H XL BSW
245/45R17 99H XL BSW
18″
235/65R18 106T BSW
225/60R18 100H BSW
235/60R18 107T XL BSW
215/55R18 95T BSW
225/55R18 98H BSW
235/55R18 100H BSW
225/50R18 95T BSW
235/50R18 97V BSW
225/45R18 95V XL BSW
235/45R18 98V XL BSW
245/45R18 100V XL BSW
245/40R18 97V XL BSW
19″
225/55R19 99H BSW
255/45R19 104V XL BSW
245/40R19 98V XL BSW
20″
245/50R20 105H XL BSW
Price Range
General Altimax RT43 prices range from approximately $56 and up. You may also find occasional rebates, discount prices, coupons and special offers on this tire.
Warranty
General Tire warrants the RT43 for 6-years or 75,000 miles. Mileage for rear tires is reduced by half if sized differently than the fronts. Tire uniformity is guaranteed for the first year or first 2/32 inch of wear.
Materials and workmanship are warranted for 6-years and include free replacement during the first year or first 2/32 inch of wear. A prorated amount is given for the remaining time period or down to the final 2/32 inch of tread depth.
General also provides a 45-day customer satisfaction trial where you can exchange the tire for another General brand if you are not completely satisfied.
Share this review
I am very pleased with the General altimax rt 43 tires. I just replaced 4 bridgestone acopia tires that were original on my 2019 Honda CRV and at 28,000 miles they were tread bare. I have always kept proper inflation and very easy road use. I am expecting the General to give me many more miles of service. The ride and control is great.
Ultimately ended up with the General Altimax RT43 for my ’20 Chevy Trax, recently got these installed at Discount Tire and so far they blow the original Continentals away. Very quiet and smooth on the local roads and freeways
I have the General Altimax RT43 205/70R14 on my 1979 244DL Volvo. They were installed April 12, 2021. Initially they were very quiet. The car cornered better and rode more comfortably over road irregularities than my previous Hankook Optimo H724 P185/75 R14 89 S. All summer I drove with the windows down. Now that the cooler weather is back (later August and September) and the windows are closed more often, I’m noticing quite a row from the tires, like off-road vehicle tires, or agricultural tires beginning at 40 km/h on up. It’s a high frequency splat, splat type of sound, or an undulating buzz. I can’t put up with this noise over the long-haul, and I plan to repurchase the Hankook Optimo’s again, as they remained quiet throughout 7 years of operation. My gas mileage has also been lower with the General’s by about about 2-3 mpg..
Absolutely the noisiest tires I’ve ever had!!!
Which would you choose for a Phoenix minivan; General Altimax RT43 or Yokohama YK740 GTX? My kids play travel hockey, so about once a year we see snow in Northern Arizona or Colorado. Sounds like both tires are popular, but despite the higher price the consensus seems to be the Yokohamas are not as good in snow.
I recently bought 4 Altimax RT43 215/55R17 tires on 11/1/19 from a local garage. These tires are VERY POOR and I would NOT recommend purchasing them. The performance is less than adequate. I have absolutely no traction or control. I live in Northern New York State and the winter months are lengthy. Luckily we have had a mild winter only having 2 days when the roads were snow covered to which I drove 30 mph the entire trip-both trips to work. Having grown up in this area, I have never been afraid to drive on the roads in winter but am this season. Im hoping my dealer will stand by me although I have my doubts at this time. Bottom line – don’t buy these tires, I certainly will not be again.
Like several other reviewers here, I’ve had a good experience with this tire (on my Hyundai Elantra) as far as handling, winter traction in New England, etc., but also experienced only getting half the 75,000 mile tread life out of them. I also rotated religiously (at my mechanic, though purchased the tires and had them put on at WalMart). When I went to WalMart to see about the lack of mileage I went with my records/receipts from my mechanic showing the proof of maintaining the tires. WalMart personnel said that I’d likely “made up” those receipts (sure, on the garage’s carbon copy forms, preprinted with their name and address).
I may do better with a lower speed rating? T instead of H? But I’m thinking I should have gotten more out of them.
Don’t buy tires at big boxes. They don’t care about you. Shop local pay the 10% extra cost and enjoy a cup
If coffee while you wait. ( some times donuts are available)
Call General directly. They have great customer service. I had a tire that had a vibration at highway speeds but was considered “in spec” by the place I bought them from. I called general directly and in 10 minutes General’s customer service had me a service request number. I went back to the shop and the shop replaced the tire and General covered the cost of the replacement. To anyone having issues I say give their customer service a chance and call them directly.
Altimax RT43s 225/50 18″ have been great on my 2010 Malibu. They were on it when I bought it certified used in 2015 and I chose them again because of the great traction in all conditions (even in WI winter), comfortable and quiet ride, and excellent tread life. These tires give me confidence behind the wheel.
Have two Jeep Patriots (2014 and 2016) and have had two sets of General Altimax Rt 43’s. Similar to other postings, I cannot get beyond 35K-40K miles from these tires despite the 75K warranty. Tires are fine through 20K-25K and ride nice. Just disappointed that the tread wear doesn’t come anywhere near the advertised mileage. I don’t do any off-roading or harsh driving. Live in New England and only experience winter driving, and tires perform well. I’m at 35K miles on my tires for my 2016 Patriot and looking t replace as the road noise is worsening. Sorry to say, that General will not be my choice. Was hoping for a Michelin, but none in my size. Will need to consider Goodyear, Continental, and Firestone based in historical performance of my Generals. In reality, I’m really disappointed that General keeps promoting a 75K tire that barely reaches 50% of that mileage.
We had a tread separation on our ( AltiMax RT 43) GEN M 2356018 XL 107T XL BSW . Select Protect Tire & Wheel warranty company would not cover the tire separation as it was not a road hazard…
This tire was on our 2018 KIA Sedona, mileage was 11338 at time of separation of tread inside the tire, car shook violently speed of 70 miles per hour, tire was purchased on new car 12/27/2018
On my second set love these wouldn’t buy anything else, getting ready to put set on wife’s 2012 VW Tiguan with all wheel drive. Well worth the cost for the safety they provide.
This is my second set of Generals Altimax ST 43, 235R17 and I’ll be buying another set of 4 for my wife’s 2012 VW Tiguan all wheel drive, lo e the quiet ride and great road performance in all weather conditions including dry! Will continue to buy these as they out perform other tires. I researched tires for a month before deciding on these excellent tires. Thanks!
have altimax on hyundai 2012 genesis. great tire. quiet, good traction, wet and dry. smooth riding, and my gas mileage seemd a “touch” better overall.
Hey Alex, really happy to see you are having such a great experience with these tires. Thanks for sharing with us!
I have these tires on a ford Taurus and with only 30,000 miles on them they are shot and need replaced. Sad thing is where I purchased them they said there’s nothing that can be done or no discount that can be given for the next set of tires even though I got 45,000 miles less than the manufacturer said I would… Will never buy them again unless manufacturer does something… I rotated faithfully every 3000 miles and check the air pressure regularly… had my alignment checked and it is fine so that’s not the reason why they wore out so early Very disappointed and would not recommend them
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for sharing details about your experience. This is the first we are hearing something of this sort.
When was the last time you took you vehicle in for an inspection?
I liked them so well on my 1st Hyundai Accent that I am now buying them for my new (2015 Hyundai Accent Hatch). I’m telling you so you can add Hyundai to your list of vehicles.
Hi Robert
We’ll be sure to update this page with Hyundai as a compatible vehicle.
can I get this tire for my 2008 Lincoln mkz?
Hello, can someone tell me the difference between the General Altimax RT43 Tire 205/55R16 91H and the 205/55R16SL 91T. What is the SL mean and difference between 91H and 91T?
Thanks for the help.
Hi Ben
The SL stands for standard load. The letters after the 91 are the tires’ speed rating. The T-speed rating means the tire can be driven at speeds up to 118 mph, while the H-speed rating increases the limit to 130 mph.
I just put a set of these in 225/70-16 on my wife’s Lexus RX300. They replaced a set of Cooper Discoverer HTPs that had 75,000 miles and were excellent tires. With less than 2000 miles on them so far, it’s hard to say how they will be for the long haul, but first impressions are excellent. Light, responsive steering coupled with a smooth, quiet ride and EXCELLENT wet traction. They really inspire confidence.
I recently bought another set of RT43s in 185/65-14 for my son’s Honda Civic. I’m really impressed with these tires, especially with the wet traction. These tires are hard to beat if you just want a comfortable, confidence inspiring tire to put the miles on and don’t need a high performance tire, although they do have pretty impressive grip for a highway tire.
I have these on our Dodge Caravan in 215-65-16 98t. Have had them for just over a year and put just over 20,000 miles on them. I’ve been very happy with how well they have done through the year. Really good in the rain and through the rough winter weve had. Tires never let me down. Not much noise on the highway and can’t complain about the ride. Plenty of tread life still left. Looks like I’ll get another 40000 miles out of them at least.
Good quality tire and I was surprised at the low price. Got these through Discount tire and spent a little over $300 for the set of 4. At this point I would definitely buy them again.