General AltiMAX RT45 Review: A Comfortable All-Season Tire With Strong Everyday Value

Home > Tire Reviews > General AltiMAX RT45 Review: A Comfortable All-Season Tire With Strong Everyday Value
May 21, 2026
Rated:
★★★★★
★★★★★
8.7/10
General AltiMAX RT45 Tire

The General AltiMAX RT45 is a practical Grand Touring All-Season tire for drivers who want a smooth ride, dependable wet and dry grip, and long tread life without moving into a premium-priced tire. I reviewed this tire as an everyday touring option for people who care about comfort, mileage, predictable handling, and simple year-round usability.

This General AltiMAX RT45 review looks at the areas that matter most when choosing a tire for real-world driving: wet traction, dry grip, light snow ability, comfort, road noise, treadwear, warranty value, vehicle fit, and how it compares with similar touring tires. Based on the ratings provided, the AltiMAX RT45 stands out as one of the better balanced choices in the Grand Touring All-Season category.

It fits drivers of sedans, coupes, crossovers, wagons, and minivans who want a tire that feels calm, stable, and easy to live with. It is not aimed at aggressive performance driving or severe winter use. Its value comes from being comfortable, long-lasting, and confident in normal conditions.

General AltiMAX RT45 Review: Why This Tire Works for Everyday Driving

The AltiMAX RT45 belongs in the Grand Touring All-Season category, which means it is designed to blend comfort, tread life, wet traction, dry stability, and light snow usefulness. This is the type of tire many drivers choose when they want one dependable set for commuting, errands, highway travel, and family driving.

What I like about the AltiMAX RT45 is its balanced purpose. It does not focus only on one area. It gives drivers strong dry-road performance, very good wet grip, a comfortable ride, and a high treadwear score. That combination makes it a smart fit for shoppers who want a tire that feels reliable without needing a specialized tire for every season.

The expected driving feel is smooth, stable, and controlled. Steering should feel predictable rather than sporty. Road noise should be manageable. Braking and cornering should feel secure in normal traffic. That is exactly what most people want from a touring tire.

Wet Traction and Rainy-Road Confidence

The AltiMAX RT45 earns a wet traction rating of 8.8/10, which is strong for a Grand Touring All-Season tire. This matters because wet braking and hydroplaning control are two of the most important safety-related areas for daily driving.

The tread pattern uses channels and siping to help move water away from the contact patch. That helps the tire maintain grip when roads are damp, soaked, or covered with highway spray. In normal rain, the AltiMAX RT45 should feel steady and controlled when braking, changing lanes, or driving through standing water.

I would not treat it like a high-performance rain tire, but that is not the point here. The AltiMAX RT45 is designed to give everyday drivers confident wet-road traction without making the ride harsh or noisy.

General Altimax RT45 tread
Closeup look at the tire tread pattern, showing the groove design, siping, and contact area that influence wet grip, comfort, and everyday touring performance.

Dry Roads, Braking Feel, and Highway Stability

Dry traction is the AltiMAX RT45’s highest score, with a dry traction rating of 9.2/10. That gives the tire a strong foundation for normal driving because most miles are still driven on dry pavement.

On dry roads, I would expect this tire to feel composed during braking, cornering, and lane changes. It should give the vehicle a stable touring feel rather than a sharp performance feel. That makes it a good match for drivers who want confidence without sacrificing comfort.

The AltiMAX RT45 should also feel secure at highway speeds. A tire in this category needs to track smoothly and avoid feeling nervous when the road surface changes. With its high dry traction rating, this tire should work well for commuting, longer trips, and everyday family use.

Light Snow Performance and Cold-Weather Limits

The AltiMAX RT45 has a winter/snow traction rating of 7.7/10, which is useful but not its main strength. It can handle light snow and cold-weather driving better than some basic all-season tires, but it is not as winter-focused as all-weather tires with stronger snow credentials.

For drivers in areas with mild winters, occasional snow, and mostly plowed roads, the AltiMAX RT45 can work as a year-round tire. It should help with light snow starts, cold pavement, and slushy streets when driven with care.

General Altimax RT45 confidence wet traction and stable all-season touring performance
A sedan driving on a wet highway during steady rain, where the General AltiMAX RT45’s wet traction and touring stability matter most.

Drivers who regularly deal with deep snow, packed snow, icy roads, or mountain travel should look at a tire with stronger winter capability. The AltiMAX RT45 is a touring tire first. Its snow performance is helpful, but it should not be mistaken for a dedicated winter solution.

Comfort, Road Noise, and Ride Refinement

The AltiMAX RT45 earns a comfort and road noise rating of 8.8/10, which is one of the best reasons to consider it. This tire is designed for drivers who want the vehicle to feel smoother, quieter, and more relaxed during normal driving.

Ride comfort should be strong over rough pavement, expansion joints, and worn city roads. It should help reduce the sharpness that can make longer drives feel tiring. Road noise should also stay controlled, especially compared with tires that use more aggressive weather-focused tread designs.

This is where the AltiMAX RT45 feels different from some severe-weather-focused competitors. It leans more toward touring comfort and everyday refinement. If you spend a lot of time commuting or driving on the highway, that matters.

Treadwear, Warranty Value, and Maintenance Features

Treadwear is another strong area. The AltiMAX RT45 earns a treadwear rating of 8.8/10, which supports its reputation as a long-lasting touring tire. Depending on size and speed rating, the tire is commonly backed by a 65,000-mile to 75,000-mile limited treadwear warranty.

General also includes useful ownership features on the AltiMAX RT45. The Replacement Tire Monitor helps indicate when replacement should be considered, while Visual Alignment Indicators can help show signs of uneven wear. Those details are useful because tread life is not only about the tire compound. It also depends on alignment, rotation habits, tire pressure, driving style, and road conditions.

For drivers who want good mileage value, the AltiMAX RT45 makes a strong case. It is not only comfortable and stable. It also gives shoppers practical tools and warranty support that can help with long-term ownership.

General AltiMAX RT45 Review Rating Breakdown

The General AltiMAX RT45 earns an overall rating of 8.6/10, which is a strong score for a Grand Touring All-Season tire focused on comfort, tread life, and daily road confidence.

CategoryRating
Wet Traction8.8/10
Dry Traction9.2/10
Winter/Snow Traction7.7/10
Comfort and Road Noise8.8/10
Treadwear8.8/10
Overall Rating8.6/10

The rating pattern shows a tire with excellent dry-road control, strong wet traction, strong comfort, and impressive treadwear. The lower winter/snow score is the one area where shoppers should be realistic.

That makes the AltiMAX RT45 best for drivers who spend most of their time on dry and wet roads, want a quiet and smooth ride, and care about tread life. It can handle lighter winter use, but snow traction is not the main reason to buy it.

How the AltiMAX RT45 Compares With Similar Grand Touring All-Season Tires

The Falken Aklimate, Firestone WeatherGrip, and Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 were all checked as same-category Grand Touring All-Season tires, so they are fair comparisons. The difference is that each tire leans toward a different type of driver.

TireCategoryBest StrengthPossible DrawbackBest For
General AltiMAX RT45Grand Touring All-SeasonComfort, treadwear, dry grip, and everyday valueSnow traction is not as strong as more weather-focused optionsDrivers who want a smooth, long-lasting touring tire
Falken AklimateGrand Touring All-SeasonStrong all-weather balance with better snow confidenceMay not feel as traditional or comfort-focused as the GeneralDrivers who want rain, snow, treadwear, and value in one tire
Firestone WeatherGripGrand Touring All-SeasonWet and winter traction for changing weatherMay produce more road noise than comfort-first touring tiresDrivers who face rain, slush, and light to moderate snow
Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2Grand Touring All-SeasonSevere-weather confidence, wet control, and snow-focused designShorter treadwear warranty than some touring competitorsDrivers who want a premium all-weather touring tire

The General AltiMAX RT45 is the comfort-and-value choice in this group. It is the tire I would consider first if treadwear, ride comfort, road noise, and dry-road stability matter more than maximum winter capability.

The Falken Aklimate is stronger if the driver wants more all-weather traction. It gives up some of the traditional touring feel, but it offers better snow confidence and a more weather-ready profile.

The Firestone WeatherGrip is also more focused on poor-weather performance. It is a good choice for drivers who see more rain, cold roads, slush, and occasional snow. Compared with the AltiMAX RT45, it is less about quiet long-distance touring and more about year-round traction support.

The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 is the most premium weather-focused option in this comparison. It is a better fit for drivers who want added confidence in rain and snow, along with a modern all-weather tread design. The AltiMAX RT45 counters with stronger value, comfort, and longer warranty potential.

Best Vehicle Types and Driving Situations

The General AltiMAX RT45 is a good fit for sedans, coupes, crossovers, wagons, and minivans used on paved roads. It works best for drivers who want predictable performance without needing a tire that feels aggressive or overly specialized.

It fits these driving situations well:

Daily commuting on paved roads

Highway driving and longer trips

Rainy weather and wet-road braking

Comfort-focused family driving

Mild winter areas with occasional light snow

Drivers who value treadwear and warranty support

Vehicles where low road noise matters

It is not the best choice for off-road use, sporty driving, severe snow, or frequent icy conditions. Its best environment is normal road use with a mix of dry pavement, rain, and mild seasonal changes.

General AltiMAX RT45 Sizes and Available Fitments

The General AltiMAX RT45 is a practical touring tire, so matching the right size matters for comfort, treadwear, road noise, and everyday driving feel. Use the options below to compare available AltiMAX RT45 sizes, price ranges, and fitment details before deciding which version works best for your vehicle.

Use the **Keyword Search** field to search by tire size and speed rating. You can enter a full size like 275/40ZR20, or search by part of the size, such as 275, 40, ZR, R20, or 20. This helps narrow the results when you are looking for tires by specific size and speed rating details.

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142 tires found

General AltiMAX RT45 225/70R14 99T Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15576530000

General AltiMAX RT45 225/70R14 99T Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15576530000

Brand: General

Price: 139.99 USD

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General AltiMAX RT45 245/50R20 XL 105V Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577810000

General AltiMAX RT45 245/50R20 XL 105V Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577810000

Brand: General

Price: 207.99 USD

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General AltiMAX RT45 225/65R17 102H Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15576520000

General AltiMAX RT45 225/65R17 102H Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15576520000

Brand: General

Price: 165.99 USD

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General AltiMAX RT45 235/45R18 XL 98V Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577500000

General AltiMAX RT45 235/45R18 XL 98V Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577500000

Brand: General

Price: 183.99 USD

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General AltiMAX RT45 215/60R15 94T Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577380000

General AltiMAX RT45 215/60R15 94T Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577380000

Brand: General

Price: 125.99 USD

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General AltiMAX RT45 205/45R17 XL 88V Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577270000

General AltiMAX RT45 205/45R17 XL 88V Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577270000

Brand: General

Price: 148.99 USD

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General AltiMAX RT45 215/65R15 96T Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577400000

General AltiMAX RT45 215/65R15 96T Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577400000

Brand: General

Price: 126.99 USD

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General AltiMAX RT45 245/40R18 XL 97V Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577620000

General AltiMAX RT45 245/40R18 XL 97V Grand Touring All-Season Tire 15577620000

Brand: General

Price: 189.99 USD

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Who Should Consider the General AltiMAX RT45?

The AltiMAX RT45 is worth considering if you want a tire that feels practical from the first drive through the final miles of ownership. It is a strong option for drivers who want comfort, wet grip, dry-road confidence, long tread life, and good overall value.

It is especially appealing if you do not need the strongest snow traction in the category. Many drivers spend far more time on dry and wet roads than snowy roads. For that kind of use, the AltiMAX RT45 has the right strengths.

I would put it on the shortlist for commuters, families, and drivers who want a dependable touring tire that does not feel overly complicated.

Who May Want a Different Tire?

Some drivers should compare carefully before choosing the AltiMAX RT45. If snow traction is near the top of your list, the Falken Aklimate, Firestone WeatherGrip, or Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady2 may be better choices. Those tires put more focus on cold-weather grip and all-weather confidence.

If you want the most refined premium touring feel, you may also want to compare the AltiMAX RT45 against higher-end comfort-focused tires. The General is strong in comfort, but its biggest advantage is the way it blends comfort, mileage, and value.

If your driving includes mountain roads, deep snow, repeated ice, or harsh winters, a dedicated winter tire remains the better choice. The AltiMAX RT45 is useful in light snow, but its best work happens on dry and wet pavement.

Final Verdict on the General AltiMAX RT45

The General AltiMAX RT45 is a strong Grand Touring All-Season tire for drivers who want comfort, treadwear, wet traction, dry stability, and practical value in one package. Its 8.6/10 overall rating reflects a tire that performs very well in the areas most drivers use every day.

The highest score, 9.2/10 dry traction, shows how confident it should feel on clear roads. The 8.8/10 wet traction, 8.8/10 comfort, and 8.8/10 treadwear ratings make it even more appealing for normal ownership. The 7.7/10 winter/snow rating is useful, but shoppers in harsher winter areas should choose something more snow-focused.

My final take is that the AltiMAX RT45 is a smart buy for drivers who want a smooth, quiet, long-lasting touring tire with strong wet and dry performance. It is not the most winter-capable tire in this comparison, but for everyday roads, commuting, and long-term value, it is easy to recommend.

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