General AltiMAX RT43 Review

General

General AltiMAX RT43 Reviews

  • Easy handling and decent high-speed performance
  • High stability and excellent traction on dry and wet surfaces
  • Good traction in light snow
  • Smooth and quiet ride
  • High durability
  • Attractive price/quality ratio

Cons

  • It is not always as good on dry and wet surfaces as some premium tire brands
  • The 75,000-mile treadwear warranty is great, but not the longest within the segment

General Information

General AltiMAX RT43 Rebate

The AltiMAX RT43 is an upgrade of the AltiMAX RT. Since 2013, it has demonstrated that it is quite fit to fulfill the manufacturer’s expectations concerning all-season traction, handling, comfort level and treadlife for drivers of sedans, minivans, sporty coupers and crossovers. The tire uses a number of advanced technological solutions and features innovative indicators that allow you to monitor treadwear and replace it on time.
There are good reasons to say that the tire is doing well in the market. It pars with many more expensive tires in traction, handling, dry/wet road performance. Also, it boasts a crisp steering feel, high-speed stability and, most remarkable, very low high-speed noise. The twin cushion compound provides effective shock absorption, so you will enjoy a smooth ride across a somewhat bumpy terrain.
Finally, it shows nice winter performance, as the pattern includes additional sipes and specially designed biting edges that ensure high traction. However, it was not designed to get you through heavily snowed roads and is not really good for driving in extreme winter weather. The AltiMAX RT43 is not an off-road tire either.

  • There were times when premium products were unreachable for budget tires as to effectiveness and lifespan. Therefore, there was a clearer understanding that there was something about premium quality tires, which you couldn’t count on with budget tires. Today, budget-oriented manufacturers have made a leap forward and pretty much blurred the demarcation line. In many ways, budget tires can compete with premium ones.
  • General Tire has made a bang, as it has come up with a kind of tire, which is quite a match for whales like Bridgestone, Goodyear, Continental, Michelin, etc. in quality, yet is more affordable. Particularly, the company offers the AltiMAX RT43 – an all-season touring tire, which appeared in 2013 and replaced these premium brands for medium- and low-income drivers.
  • Low price is an important criterion of choice, but not the only one. AltiMAX RT43 is a portfolio of tires, which includes a broad range of size options and caters to the needs of several categories of drivers. Few grand touring tire makers can boast an ability to cover a range from compact vehicles with 13-inch tires through behemoth sporty vehicles and crossovers with 20-inch tires.
  • As follows from the above, the AltiMAX RT43 boasts but the biggest portfolio of tires with size ranging from 70 to 45 in sidewall height, 13- to 20-inches in diameter, and 185mm to 245mm in width. It appears that the lineup can satisfy the needs of drivers from all walks of life and suits nearly all existing car types. These include cars intended for daily driving, such as Hyundai Sonata, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Mazda 6, Kia Optima, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, etc., as well as minivans, such as the Kia Spectra, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, etc., compact and sub-compact cars like Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Honda Civic, Honda Fit, Mazda 3, Volkswagen Jetta, etc. Simply put, even if your car is far from premium or sporty, there is a good chance that you can find the right tire in the AltiMAX RT43 portfolio for your vehicle.

What is so special about the AltiMAX RT43?

General AltiMAX RT43 1

As General Tire claims, it is not mandatory that a flagship product should go for a flagship price. This is quite so applicable to the AltiMAX RT43v – a grand-touring all-season tire, which is less expensive than many other premium grand-touring tires, yet boasts superb quality. It was designed in such a way as to ensure high traction regardless of season, comfortable and quiet ride, long treadlife and stable treadwear.
General Tire owes the benefit to the Low Surface Abrasion Technology, which implies the use of Twin Cushion Silica Tread Compound. The material combines a high-density compound, which covers the tire and contributes to better traction in any weather and, consequently, during any season. Its firm texture reduces distortion and abrasion and prolongs treadlife. Beneath there is a low-density compound, which absorbs impact and vibrations and ensures a smoother ride.
The two compounds are distributed in such a way as to form a symmetric tread pattern with a solid center rib. Also, the tire features independent tread blocks constructed to suppress sound waves and minimize road noise. Until recently, this technology was typical of premium tires only. The AltiMAX RT43 is one of the few tires that come within this price range.
The tire’s high wet road performance has been achieved thanks to a high number of biting edges. This is part of the Anti-Slip Sipe Design Technology, which improves traction on wet and slightly snowed-up surfaces. This is what actually makes the AltiMAX RT43 an all-season tire.
The tire’s internal structure is generally typical of grand-touring tires: it features twin steel belts wrapped in two layers of polyamide. This increases high-speed stability. Also, the polyester cord coupled with the dual tread compound boost the general ride quality.

Is it easy to maintain?

Another great benefit of the tire and why the manufacturer deserves respect is the use of the Replacement Tire Monitor – General Tire’s proprietary technology. Simply, it is the three “Replacement Tire Monitor” inscriptions placed on the rib of the tire. In new tires, the inscription is clearly visible and does not have any signs of wear. Unlike many competitors, General Tire takes great care to ensure that drivers replace tires on time. Finally, the AltiMAX RT43 is one of the few low-budget tires that boast such a feature: many tires within the category do not have any indicators at all.
The inscription remains visible and readable as long as the tire is usable. As you drive, the tire wears down, and the letters become blurred. The letters protrude differently and fade away optionally, and the wear leaves only the “Replace Tire” phrase visible when it reaches the critical point. Also, the AltiMAX RT43 features the standard indicator bars that are placed inside the grooves.
Apart from the tire replacement and wear indicators, the AltiMAX RT43 features Visual Alignment Indicator, which helps you ensure that your wheels are aligned properly. It consists of two extra 1.6mm-deep sipes on the opposite shoulder blocks, and the sipes should wear off simultaneously. If you discover that after a while they differ in depth, the wheel is inclined sideways, and it is time to attend a car service station. This is another unique feature, which other tires do not have. Keeping track on wheel alignment can help you avoid premature tire wear and resulting incidents.
The AltiMAX RT43 is but the longest-lasting tire within its price segment, so it will keep you driving safely for a good while. General Tire offers 75,000-mile treadwear warranty and superb treadlife. Even though there are longer warranties, this one is comparable to those, and the AltiMAX RT43 is the definitely the best one within its price segment.

What is the off-road performance?

General AltiMAX RT43 2

The AltiMAX RT43 is intended for city and highway riding only. However, it still can handle moderate and careful off-road driving. Particularly, you will be okay with the tire in moderately bumpy terrains without much sand or dirt. Also, the tire does well on gravel roads providing you drive properly. That said, the AltiMAX RT43 is not an off-road or all-terrain tire, although it can give you a start in off-road driving.

Is it good on dry tarmac?

Some users say that this tire is too good on dry tarmac for its price, and there are good reasons to say so. Even though it is not the best in terms of handling, it boasts a high level of responsiveness, which has surprised many drivers. Tires that are better than the AltiMAX RT43 are much more expensive.

The tire demonstrates excellent traction even with bigger cars with more horsepower. The grip is good too, hardly behind some really good grand-touring brands. Last, but not least, is the braking performance: many drivers say it is much better than that of other low-price tires. It can be concluded that the AltiMAX RT43 does very well on dry tarmac and guarantees a safe and smooth driving experience.

What is its wet/slippery road performance?

General AltiMAX RT43 3

Likewise, the AltiMAX RT43 does very well in rain for its price. It has good hydroplaning characteristics and ensures safe driving even when there are large puddles. Also, the tire shows great traction on rainy days, even when it rains heavily. However, it can be a little lower on waterlogged surfaces. Although there are premium tires with better grand-touring and wet-road performance, the RT43 has proved to be safe in heavy and light rain. Finally, it has demonstrated excellent braking performance.

What is its snowy road performance?

General AltiMAX RT43 4

The AltiMAX RT43 tire is one of those that are not intended for driving in heavily snowed areas. Some drivers have expressed disappointment in its snow performance, and, most likely, they had just overestimated its potential. However, the tire does show great traction, grip and braking performance on lightly snowed surfaces. In this respect, it does much better than most tires within its price category. It is advisable to use winter tires in regions with harsh winter.

What is the comfort level?

General AltiMAX RT43 5

This is where the AltiMAX RT43 pars with or even outruns many premium grand-touring tires and therefore offers the best price/quality ratio. It boasts superb ride quality with minimal vibration or shaking, even in slightly bumby terrains. The noise remains low even at high speeds.

Is the General AltiMAX RT43 worth buying?

General AltiMAX RT43 6

If you drive in the city and occasionally in the countryside throughout the year, this is going to be a rational investment. The RT43 is a low-budget all-season grand-touring tire that does better than many of its premium counterparts in many ways. It guarantees 75,000 miles of comfort and safety in a temperate climate with moderately snowy winters.

Price and warranty

General AltiMAX RT43 7

The minimal price for AltiMAX RT43 is around $56. To ensure buying a high quality product, please, be sure that you are buying from an authorized dealer. Stay informed of rebates, coupons, discounts and special offers and save your time and money.
General Tire provides 75,000 miles (6 years) warranty for its tires. Please, be sure that your wheels are aligned properly and use same-size tires on all wheels. Failure to do so may significantly reduce the tires’ life and undermine its performance.
There has been some negative feedback concerning the tire’s warranty: some drivers have reported a twice shorter life of the AltiMAX RT43. This can be due to failure to purchase tires from authorized dealers or its use in climates or terrains, for which it is not designed. When purchasing the tire, please, be sure that you know why you are buying it and follow instructions and recommendations.
General Tire offers a 45-day trial period, during which you can exchange your tire for another General Tire brand in case there is something you do not like about the tire.

Tire Sizes

16″

225/60 R 16 98 T SL
225/60 R 16 98 H SL
225/65 R 16 100 H SL
225/65 R 16 100 T SL
225/70 R 16 103 T SL
235/60 R 16 100 T SL
235/60 R 16 100 H SL
235/65 R 16 103 T SL
205/55 R 16 91 V SL
215/70 R 16 100 T SL

17″

205/45 R 17 88 V XL
205/50 R 17 93 V XL
215/45 R 17 87 V SL
215/50 R 17 95 V XL
215/55 R 17 94 T SL
215/55 R 17 94 V SL
215/60 R 17 96 T SL
215/65 R 17 99 T SL
225/45 R 17 91 H SL
225/45 R 17 94 V XL
225/50 R 17 94 T SL
225/50 R 17 98 V XL
225/55 R 17 97 T SL
225/55 R 17 97 H SL
225/55 R 17 97 V SL
225/60 R 17 99 H SL
225/60 R 17 99 T SL
225/65 R 17 102 T SL
225/65 R 17 102 H SL
235/45 R 17 97 H XL
235/55 R 17 99 T SL
235/55 R 17 99 H SL
235/60 R 17 102 T SL
235/60 R 17 102 H SL
235/65 R 17 104 T SL
245/45 R 17 99 H XL

18″

215/55 R 18 95 T SL
225/45 R 18 95 V XL
225/50 R 18 95 T SL
225/55 R 18 98 H SL
225/60 R 18 100 H SL
235/45 R 18 98 V XL
235/50 R 18 97 V SL
235/50 R 18 97 H SL
235/55 R 18 100 H SL
235/55 R 18 104 V XL
235/60 R 18 107 T XL
235/60 R 18 107 V XL
235/65 R 18 106 T SL
245/40 R 18 97 V XL
245/45 R 18 100 V XL
245/55 R 18 103 T SL

19″

225/55 R 19 99 H SL
235/40 R 19 96 V XL
235/45 R 19 95 H SL
235/55 R 19 105 V XL
245/40 R 19 98 V XL
245/45 R 19 102 V XL
255/45 R 19 104 V XL

20″

245/45 R 20 99 V SL
245/50 R 20 105 H XL