General AltiMAX 365 AW Tire Review and Ratings
Dry Conditions – 80%
Wet Conditions – 70%
Snow – 70%
Comfort – 80%
Noise Reduction – 80%
Durability – 80%
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If you pay some attention to the tires you’ll see on cars on the road, you’ll notice that most of them are touring models and with good reason. These are the kind of tires that can combine dependable performance with excellent refinement and longevity, which is what the average driver needs. Furthermore, you won’t see plenty of summer tires, mainly because the all-season are more popular.
Combining all of this means that people can get a single set and be set for the entire year, right? Yes, but not in every situation. Even though all-season models are good in most conditions, winter performance isn’t their forte. This is where all-weather tires come into play.
These are the kinds of tires that will deliver better performance in these conditions. They’re still behind dedicated winter tires, but are better than the M+S rated ones. Having this in mind, today’s model covers all the aspects I mentioned so far.
The tire in question is the General AltiMAX 365 AW, which is a grand touring all-season model. Looking at the name, you have an idea what the manufacturer wanted to advertise – an All-Weather tire that you can use 365 days a year. Is this true, or is it just another tire that cannot deliver on its promises?
Pros
- Dry performance is pretty good for a mid-range model
- Deals with snow surprisingly well
- The handling is decently dynamic considering it’s a touring tire
- Despite being slightly firm, the comfort levels are pretty good
Cons
- There are some noticeable noises in multiple conditions
- Traction on damp roads needs more work to compete with its rivals
The Features of the General AltiMAX 365 AW
General is a mid-range brand, but that doesn’t mean that its tires lack features. The AltiMAX 365 AW is one that covers all the necessary aspects to deliver the promised performance, at least in theory.
To be considered as an all-weather model, the tire comes with the 3PMSF rating. Unlike M+S rated models, this one should offer improved snow performance, which is clear from the tread pattern.
The tire’s pattern features a sinusoidal siping design featuring high density sipes. Their goal is to help improve traction on packed snow and damp roads. The interlocking blocks, on the other hand, are there to help with handling. Down the middle, the tire’s central rib doesn’t have as many sipes and is responsible for additionally improving the handling characteristics.
For unpacked snow and slush, the tire is designed with traction teeth. They sit in the grooves and help the tire with traction in these conditions and prevent stones from getting lodged in. This is similar to what we see in off-road capable tires.
Speaking of grooves, the waved longitudinal grooves are designed to channel water efficiently, which should result in excellent aquaplaning resistance. As a bonus, they provide added help in snowy conditions.
General AltiMAX 365 AW in Dry Conditions
The AltiMAX 365 AW is a grand touring tire, and despite being a mid-range model, the performance is surprisingly good.
Most people will find the grip and traction levels more than enough for daily driving, which is what the tire is intended to do. The braking distances are rather good for the category, which falls just a bit behind the Quatrac Pro.
Aggressiveness isn’t something that the tire is primarily intended for, but it doesn’t mean it won’t handle it. You can push it and not experience too many issues. Like with most tires in this category, the limits aren’t as high as what UHP tires can offer, so don’t expect wonders.
The handling is good for a grand touring tire, but it’s not the most impressive of the bunch. Its responsiveness is solid and even though it’s not the most communicative of the bunch, I’ve seen some number tires.
General AltiMAX 365 AW on Wet or Slippery Roads
I was hoping to see the AltiMAX 365 AW perform excellently in wet conditions, but that wasn’t the case.
The tire’s performance on damp roads is good and will cover most people’s needs. You need to be aware that I’m talking about the average driver that rarely pushes its vehicle, which is something that this tire will handle. The braking distances and overall performance isn’t on par with the best in the mid-range class. This model is quite close to the WeatherGrip, which is another tire that won’t impress an enthusiast.
One thing the tire did great was the handling. It remained responsive and dynamic in these conditions. While it is a good thing, the problem here is that the performance doesn’t match the handling characteristics.
General’s tread pattern does a good job of evacuation water, allowing the tire to remain stable in harsh rain.
General AltiMAX 365 AW in Snow
Since we’re talking about a 3PMSF rated tire, you can expect the winter performance to be pretty good, and the AltiMAX 365 AW doesn’t disappoint.
Sure, it’s not exactly comparable to a proper winter tire, but in this segment it does pretty well. The performance on packed and unpacked snow is solid, and the tire delivers excellent results. With short braking distances and the ability to handle well at the limit, I don’t have too many complaints. Yes, there are better tires out there, but that doesn’t make this a poor choice.
The tire seems to deal with ice surprisingly well. It won’t drive as well as a studded model, but in the all-weather segment, it does a pretty good job in terms of traction and braking distances.
General AltiMAX 365 AW Off-Roading
I mentioned that the AltiMAX 365 AW has a feature that we see in off-road tires, but that doesn’t mean it’s a tire capable of tackling non-paced terrains. It’s a touring tire and as such, it won’t do a phenomenal job on mud or rocks. You may get some performance on dirt roads and be happy with it, if you don’t start comparing it to an all-terrain tire.
General AltiMAX 365 AW for Sporty Driving
Touring tires aren’t performance-oriented models, and the AltiMAX 365 AW falls in the same category. The tire’s performance is excellent for daily driving, but not for having a lot of fun on a twisty road. It handles well, but if you’ve driven a performance tire in the past, this one won’t thrill you.
Does the General AltiMAX 365 AW Ride Comfortably?
People expect compromises with mid-range models, and with the AltiMAX 365 AW, it comes in terms of refinement.
The ride quality is pretty solid, and I’d categorize it as a solidly comfortable tire. It goes over bumps well and despite having a slightly firm nature, it’s far from harsh or uncomfortable.
It’s more or less a similar story with the noise levels. They are solid, and the tire isn’t loud, even when compared to other mid-range models. The thing that is worth mentioning is that there are some tones that can be noticeable.
General AltiMAX 365 AW Warranty
When it comes to warranty, the AltiMAX 365 AW does relatively well. With a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, it’s better than the Majesty 9 Solus TA91, but behind the Kinergy GT.
General AltiMAX 365 AW Pricing: Is It Worth the Price?
Pricewise, General positioned the AltiMAX 365 AW to be close to its competitors. A 17-inch model is only a few dollars off its main rivals like the AVID Ascend GT or the Celsius Sport.
Should I Buy the General AltiMAX 365 AW?
Aiming for a tire in the mid-range segment means that you’ll be making some sacrifices, and the AltiMAX 365 AW is no different.
The tire’s performance is pretty good for daily driving, regardless of if we’re talking about dry or wet conditions. It struggles in the wet ones a bit when pushed hard, so as long as you’re not overly aggressive, you won’t have any issues. Surprisingly, the winter performance is on par with the rest of its rivals, so no complaints there.
In the warranty department, the tire is decent and even though it’s not the best, there are worst options on the market. The refinement is solid, but I feel like the tire could use a bit more work to be excellent. A good thing is that it’s not the most expensive option in the mid-range segment, so it offers a nice balance between price and performance.
The AltiMAX 365 AW is a tire that no one will say excels as a whole. It blends all aspects nicely for a price that’s noticeably more attractive than the premium options. As long as you’re aware of this, it’s a tire that you’ll be happy with.
What Vehicles Will the General AltiMAX 365 AW Fit?
Here’s a sample list of cars that the General AltiMAX 365 AW will fit:
- BMW 3 Series
- Buick Park Avenue
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- Ford Fusion
- Honda Accord
- Hyundai Kona
- Kia Rio
- Lexus IS
- Mazda CX-5
- Mini Clubman
- Subaru Outback
Tire Sizes of the General AltiMAX 365 AW
15″
- 175/65R15 84H
- 185/55R15 82H
- 185/60R15 84H
- 185/65R15 88H
- 195/60R15 88H
- 195/65R15 91H
16″
- 205/55R16 91H
- 205/60R16 92V
- 205/65R16 95H
- 215/55R16 97H XL
- 215/60R16 95H
- 215/65R16 98H
- 215/70R16 100H
- 225/60R16 98H
- 225/65R16 100H
17″
- 205/50R17 93V XL
- 215/45R17 87V
- 215/50R17 95V XL
- 215/55R17 94V
- 215/60R17 96H
- 215/65R17 99H
- 225/45R17 94V XL
- 225/50R17 94V
- 225/55R17 97V
- 225/60R17 99H
- 225/65R17 102H
- 235/45R17 97V XL
- 235/55R17 99H
- 235/60R17 102H
- 235/65R17 104H
18″
- 225/40R18 92V XL
- 225/45R18 95V XL
- 225/50R18 95H
- 225/55R18 98H
- 225/60R18 100H
- 235/45R18 98V XL
- 235/50R18 97V
- 235/55R18 100V
- 235/60R18 107H XL
- 235/65R18 106H
- 245/40R18 97V XL
- 245/45R18 100V XL
- 245/55R18 103V
- 245/60R18 105H
- 255/55R18 109V XL
19″
- 225/55R19 99H
- 235/55R19 105H XL
- 245/45R19 102V XL
- 245/55R19 103H
- 255/50R19 107V XL
20″
- 235/55R20 102V
- 245/50R20 105V XL
