Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Original post: I own an 08 Sport with the 19" wheels. Although they were hard to locate for a price I was willing to pay, I finally found a set of 17" base wheels on ebay and they were delivered yesterday. I just had Michelin Latitude X-Ice mounted on them and tested them on the Highlander for fit. (I always prep for winter and for years have bought my snow times in the late spring for very low prices - I got these for 45% off). I'm pleased to say there is no problem with fit on the Sport as many have claimed. The hubs, calipers, rotors and everything else that would matter are the same part number except for the strut on the Sport so I had marginal concern. BOTTOM LINE: if you want to put OEM Highlander Base 17" wheels on a vehicle with 19" factory wheels GO FOR IT AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT A FIT PROBLEM.
But on this HiHy, we have been through tire after goodyear tire and are (honestly) just tired of being their (un-compensated) test bed for their wear issues. Now, the latest variant HAS lasted 40K miles and could (probably get another 3-4K out of them) which some might say is good but these are a 65K mile tire. GY might even be willing to give us some type of credit for the 2/3rds wear but at this point we are simply ready to PUNT.
I will come back on here and provide our opinions of the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia's once we've had a chance to put them through their paces.
Thank you
It is common for folks to mis-understand the LRR (Low Rolling Resistance) designation It means the tire has low rolling resistance relative to other tires of the same type - meaning the same treadwear and traction ratings.
There is a technology triangle between Treadwear, Traction (especially wet traction), and Rolling Resistance. In order to get good values for one of those properties, one or the other (or both) of the other properties has to be sacrificed.
Improvements in tread compounding can change that a little bit - which is what LRR means - but the overall relationship between those 3 things still applies.
Put another way, you should expect tires with high UTQG treadwear ratings to have worse fuel economy - and tires that give good fuel economy to have low treadwear ratings..
I went with the Continental CCLX20 - 70k. I have nearly 5000 miles on them after a spring break trip to Florida. They feel very nice on the road, great handling, grip, quiet, and I have seen improved gas mileage even in the city.
We previously had the low rolling resistance Goodyear Assurance tires and were averaging around 25.5MPG but those were actually the ones designed for a car instead of the truck because they did not make any "truck" tires back when we had bought those some 3 years ago.
Ours is a 4x4 Hybrid Limited with every option and we were fairly well loaded with luggage so I'd say that was about as good as expected. This truck has NEVER made the 31MPG that was advertised but has ALWAYS averaged above 25MPG in city or on the interstate with very little difference in fuel economy.
Note note however: I took it out after the long trip and "played around" with the economy by driving a mix of "under 55MPH" city-type traffic as I do with each set of tires I put on. I was actually quite surprised that by using hyper mile-ing techniques at these speeds that I was able to get the FE up to 32MPG (on the NAVI screen anyway). Whereas with prior tires, I could never get it anywhere over 29MPG so my bottom line is that these appear to be a pretty good choice.
Oh, one more thing. These are probably the quietest tires that have EVER been on this truck including the prior set of "car tires" that were specifically design to deaden the sound to there is a positive there as well.
I always got around 23 miles per gallon and most of my commute is local.
I also have not seen a lot of others with bearing problems on other forums or on this thread but perhaps I missed a post or two.
Fuel max tires did not change mpg.
Thanks in advance!
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+ENVigor- +(H%26V)&partnum=455HR9ENV&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes
Much better on both counts from the factory Toyo A20s.
Stick with tires that are the same size as the factory tires (245/55-19).
My tire options for my 2008 Highlander Limited are: 245/55/19
Firestone Destination LE2 $174.00 or
Bridgestone, or Yokohama for $254.00 or
Goodyear Assurance for $205.00
Any opinions or suggestions ?
Thanks !!!
Firestone Destination LE2 $174.00 or
Bridgestone, or Yokohama for $254.00 or
Goodyear Assurance for $205.00
Did you read posts 248 and 249 (and others), re: Toyo H/T tires?
These have great snow traction and treadwear - nothing like the stock Toyo ATs.
Toyo H/T tires seem good, but I am having trouble finding them in Louisiana.
Don't really need them for snow and ice here...
May have found one dealer...still trying...Thanks again !
I got my Yokohamas at Discount Tire for right around $200, so you may want to shop around for those.
I see from other postings Goodyear has an Assurance model in 19 inch. I may go with these in the Fall before Michigan winter strikes and also watching for good rebate deals from manufacturer and/or tire stores. I had these tires on my wife's Pontiac Bonneville and was very happy with them for quiet ride - good fuel economy - good tread life - and good handling on wet and snowy roads.
Other brands I have read about are Hankook.
Watch the sales and read within this thread other opinions. I for sure, would NOT go back with Toyo Tires.
Stay away from those construction sites where they are putting up new roofs... and happy shopping. You will soon part with approximately $1,000 for 19 inch tires.
On another topic, do you or anyone here know if the 2011 Highlander Limited's TPMS is a tricky thing for non-dealers to work with if they put on the tires instead of Toyota. The owners manual makes me think it could be an issue in itself the thing about the computer recongnizing the TP valves by number. Maybe they could use the same valves in the new replacement tires?????
I talked with the sales guy two different days and he knows more about Toyota TPMS than I do. Of course, this is a suburban store in a high rent location, so they probably see a steady stream of newer Toyotas. The written estimate listed 4 new valve stems for a total of $20 or so, and I asked about this charge vs. the much higher cost of new Toyota TPMS valves. This is their way of charging for dealing with the TPMS hassle.
Fwiw, I started out looking at the Goodyear Assurance CS Fuel Max model, but the TripleTred was rated a little higher and only cost a few dollars more.
We will see.
beachfish, aka john
Finally, a 19 inch tire that will hopefully provide trouble-free driving instead of those darn TOYO tires. Never again, but back then... "nobody" had a decent 19 inch tire being offered in correct size for Highlander Ltd.
Thank you!
I personally have had good luck with Toyo H/T tires.
I have had good luck with Goodyear Assurance tires on other vehicles on wet roads, snow roads and it appears they have favorable reviews. One past poster indicated he too was putting them on his Highlander. Stay away from Bridgestone Duelers -- too noisy, etc.
Another good way to "review" tires, is go to local library and read the condensed version of Consumers Report Magazine, the 5x7 review book and make some informed decisions that way too. My Goodyear tires will be mounted on vehicle in early November and will let you know how they handle in the snow and rain. Might be too late for you though. Appears you need tires NOW versus later... Happy Shopping. Tire websites often have reviews of owners of various tires too. I've heard good stories about Michelin tires too, but not Hankook or Bridgestone or TOYO.
Leaving the suburban Goodyear store's location just off the Interstate required me to pull out into a right-turn lane on a major road, merge after the turn and then accelerate uphill while moving across 3 lanes to get over into the left-turn lane at the top of the hill and then make a u-turn at the light to go back down the hill to take the left at the light to get back to the looping righthand onto I-64 back to the interchange at I-95 where I get off. The paving blocks on Monument Avenue present a different sort of test when it comes to ride and handling, but the tires are very good.
The original tires had some tread left after 27k miles, but only in the center. The edges were rounded off somehow.
So far so good on the new ones all the way around. And the black coffee was good and so was the magazine selection.
John
What Goodyear did you use and can you tell me what you paid? Im in Chesterfield and I have the EXACT same issue (Duellers wearing on the outside but center is still good)
I am looking to replace ASAP as my wife just saw thread on one of the back tires.
I like the reviews of the goodyear tripetreads and really want a longer lasting tire that is quiet! I dont get down to monument often but when I do I dont want to have it loud and to bumpy!
Chris
I have no complaints at all about the tires or how the car handles. I drove back from Harrisonburg with the sunroof open and a couple of windows partially open and didn't notice any objectionable tire noise even with the stereo off, but I was doing 72 to 79 because 80 is reckless driving in VA.
I used the store at Gaskins and Broad. Four tires cost me $1020.43 plus $69 for the 4-wheel alignment I agreed to even though the free alignment check said it was borderline just within spec. I consider it insurance, and I don't mean road hazard. That figure includes everything from mounting, balancing and tax to disposal fees. And $4.90 for shop supplies, but that would be there no matter who you pay to put them on.
An on line place I checked would have been $948 plus $51 shipping for 4 tires. Of course, it can all change if there are rebates involved. There wasn't one on the TripleTreds when I bought my tires, but one on line dealer is now showing a $20/tire mail in rebate.
The local dealers know what the net stores are charging. I even went in with printouts.
John
215/45-17
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeCo- ntact+DWS&partnum=145WR7ECDWSXL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Kia- &autoYear=2011&autoModel=Forte%20Koup&autoModClar=&wtpackage=true
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Toyo&tireModel=Proxes+A20&partn- um=145VR7PXA20&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Kia&autoYear=2011&au- toModel=Forte%20Koup&autoModClar=&wtpackage=true
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+Fu- el+Max&partnum=145VR7AFM&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Kia&autoYe- ar=2011&autoModel=Forte%20Koup&autoModClar=&wtpackage=true
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Hankook&tireModel=Ventus+V4+ES+- H105&partnum=145WR7H105XL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Kia&autoY- ear=2011&autoModel=Forte%20Koup&autoModClar=&wtpackage=true
Feel free to add your own if you think you know a better tire than about list.
Thanks!
Next would be these questions -- Do you drive in snow? How much longer do you plan to keep this vehicle?
If you plan to keep vehicle, I would consider the tires to be a long-time investment in my a). safety b). handling and fuel efficiency (rolling resistance) and c). quiet ride. Other poster put the Goodyear tires on his Highlander and believe he too, has experienced same results. I have the Goodyears installed for about one month and so far, very satisfied. No snow driving yet, but plenty of RAIN in Michigan. So, consider the tires to be an investment in your driving enjoyment and safety...
Happy motoring.
When I took the car to an independent mechanic his gauge read 4/32 - big difference. I am going back to the dealer tomorrow, and need a strong argument. Please, help. Thank you.
BTW, how much does it matter to measure the tread in the middle of the tire versus to the side? The sides are pretty low. :confuse:
"According to most states' laws, tires are legally worn out when they have worn down to 2/32" of remaining tread depth." (TireRack)
TireRack also says "If rain and wet roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires when they reach approximately 4/32" of remaining tread depth." That link also shows you how to measure the tread depth.
If the dealer still balks, then you may want to write the owner a letter outlining your safety concerns.
Any experience on these 3 choices would be appreciated. I am buying a new set soon. Live in Mid Texas region, so no snow.
Thanks