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Tires, tires, tires

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Comments

  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Anyone familiar with them?

    Any model recommendations for a 1996 Jetta in 196/60R14?

    Either that, or I am going to look at Coopers locally, or get a tirerack price and see if anyone locally will match or come close.
  • fxsfxs Member Posts: 50
    Skip the pep boys futuras and go for the Sumitomo HTR 200 for $38 per tire from the tirerack. Or checkout the Dunlop SP Sport A2 at $51 if you want an A/S HR tire with good treadwear. I like the the Yokohama AVS Intermediates at the closeout price of $52 if you want VR bliss for a year or so. I used to have the AVS on my '85 CRX Si around 1990- they were lots of fun in the dry.
  • lmn908lmn908 Member Posts: 34
    We're about to replace the OEM tires on our MY 2000 MPV at 36,000 miles. After research (including all the helpful comments on this board), I was leaning towards Michelin X-ones. However, the OEM Dunlop's (16") are H speed rated, whereas the X-ones are S rated, and the guys at the local tire shop said that we should stick with H rated tires if that's what's on the van now. Is this really necessary, or can I go to the lower speed rating?
  • beachnutbeachnut Member Posts: 291
    Is there a particular machine(s) that I should look for at my local Tire Kingdom? Every time I go there and ask, they give me blank stares.
  • fxsfxs Member Posts: 50
    Some tire shops will not put on a lower speed rated tire than the OEM for legal reasons. A higher speed rated tire usually has higher temp and traction ratings and might be stronger. If you put the X-Ones on your MPV make sure it can handle your OEM load rating and don't drive over 100mph to be extra safe.
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    For those who are members of Costco and need new tires, they are running a special on Michelin and Bridgestone: Buy or special order a set of 4 and get a $60 instant discount.

    I was told that the special ends Sunday, June 30.
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    Most people tend to focus only on the "speed" part of speed ratings. There's alot more to speed ratings that just being able to drive fast.

    Generally speaking, the higher the speed rating, the more robust the construction and the higher quality of materials. Now, I know that stands to reason but it does affect how well your tires perform and how long they can last.

    Some cars are notorious tire eaters. One that comes to mind is the Infiniti Q45, 1st generation. OE tire size is a wimpy 215/65-15. The suspension design of this car was one of most advanced ever on a Japanese car. The car was designed from the outset to drive and feel like a true high performance sport sedan. This design put an incredible strain on the tires, fronts especially. To get any tire life at all owners needed to run a V rated tire, regardless of how fast they drove. A lower rated tire would simply get eaten up in 15,000 miles. Cheapo V rated tires wouldn't last much longer. Durability came only from top quality V rated tires.

    Even if you're not driving a car like that, higher speed ratings provide a larger safety margin. Tires run cooler, sidewalls are stiffer so they handle emergency situations much better, driving at interstate speeds is not stressful for a speed rated tire providing a larger safety margin. This is one area that played a role in the Explorer/Firestone tragedy a few years ago. The Firestones on Exploders had a speed rating that was quite low. Many of the problems arose when vehicles were being driven at high interstate speeds; 70+ MPH. At those speeds the tires were at or above 80% of their max speed rating - little room for error. Add to this high surface temps on the roads, owner negligence, and a tire whose quality was shoddy right out of the mold and you have a perfect recipe for disaster.

    Now, I'm not saying a low speed rated tire is gonna cause accidents so don't infer that. What I am saying is that higher speed ratings provide a safety cushion that is invisible until you really need it. It's up to each of you to decide whether that cushion has any value.

    Hope this helps.
  • hengheng Member Posts: 411
    That cushion is not quantifiable. Thus it is totally judgement. And for Imn908 to make that call becomes purely emotional. So you just told Imn908 to pass up an excellent tire and find an H rated one or, is a V rated tire a must based on your discussion.

    What you said has merit but not very helpful to Imn908 in making a decision. (too open ended)

    The X-ones are a good choice. I've run them on a mini-van and a sporty sedan. Two very different vehicles but the quality of the X-ones is evident in each application in terms of wear, handling and ride quality. Even my wife can tell the difference between the X-ones (or Plus's) and lesser tires.

    If you are constantly hot footing it, the X-ones are not for you.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    I don't recall reading about speed ratings anywhere involved in the whole Firestone/Exploder thing. I only read about how the inflation pressures were off.

    Of course, either of the above could lead to overheating a tire. But they are for two VERY different reasons.
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    There was an article in Kiplinger Magazine about the Explorer tires problem.

    The tires were rated "C" concerning heat resistance. It is the minimal rating for tires which can be legally used on public roads. The requrements were explained in the article. I remember very well that these requrements are surprisingly low. Something like the car can be driven 2 hours at 75 mph, after this 1/2 hour at 80 mph, and finally 1/2 hour at 85 mph, without tire damage. Am not sure if I used the precise numbers, but something in this kind.

    This is with properly inflated tires and properly loaded vehicle.

    Speed rating of tires was not discussed specifically in this article, but, as you can see, the heat rating is directly related to speed. A typical touring tire, rated "T" or "S" for speed (112 - 118 mph), has heat resistance rate "B". Performance tires, rated "H" (130+ mph) have heat rating "A".
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Kiplinger's Personal Finance - Living Dangerously, page 2: What to Do? - December 2000

    Steve
    Host
    SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    ...a poor heat rating is not the same thing as a lower speed rating.

    You could probably get a tire with a good heat rating and low speed rating; and, less likely, but still possible, a higher speed rating and poor heat rating. It might be temperature, not heat rating, BTW.
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    Thank you so much for the link!

    Turned to be, the requirements for "C" tires are even lower, than I remember. If tires (properly maintained, inflated and loaded) endure only 1.5 hour driving on highway speed, after initial 2 hour warming on rural roads, they are passing the legal standards.

    Take a 2-3 hour trip, on highway, and you are on risk even with perfectly legal "C" tires.
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    The two, while not the same, go hand-in-hand. It's smart to consider both when deciding on a tire.

    At high speeds internal components in a tire deform. This deformation results in heat build up. A high speed rated tire means the tire components will not deform as much at a certain speed. Less deformation, less heat build up, less chances for tire failure.

    Here's a comment I snagged from a tire website:

    Contrary to the assumption made by many consumers, the speed rating does not pertain to the tire's performance capabilities at high speeds. Rather, it is solely a measure of the tire's ability to withstand the heat generated by driving at high speeds. Tires with lower speed ratings will deteriorate faster as a result of heat if the vehicle on which they are used is frequently driven at high speeds

    And here's a link to a short article from ABC news:
    http://www.abcnews.go.com/onair/CloserLook/wnt000921_CL_tireabuse_feature.html

    Most of the tires I saw on Explorers when all the problems were occuring had speed ratings of Q (99mph) and R (106mph). If drivers were speeding along at 80+mph then they were pushing their tires to over 80% of their rated maximum. So while Congress or the media has not made a direct correlation of speed ratings and tire failure, IMO it's pretty hard to ignore when you look at all the info. Again, speed ratings are just one aspect to consider when deciding on a tire. My only goal here is to encourge lurkers and members to pay attention to the ratings and make a more informed decision.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    How many truck tires are speed rated?

    How many trucks do you see on the highway going over the speed limit, say, 75 mph?

    This could refer to pickup trucks with D or E load rated tires pulling a motor home or boat to family vacation, or to a semi tractor trailer. Are those also rated for H speed?
  • pemarshpemarsh Member Posts: 68
    I have a 2002 Toyota Sequoia, with an OEM tire of Dunlop Grandteks...I really can not find any information on them at all.

    I was considering replacing them with the Michelin Cross Terrain SUV Tire. Has anyone had any experience/thoughts/opinions on this tire?? Would I even see a difference?? Please...all opinions welcome!!!
  • pemarshpemarsh Member Posts: 68
    Has anyone also heard anything regarding the Goodyear Fortera?? How does this compare to Michelin's Cross Terrain??
  • porknbeansporknbeans Member Posts: 465
    I do know that there is quite a bit of information on the Cross Terrains at the Tirerack website. Goodyear just came out with the Fortera to compete directly with the X-Terrain within the last 6 months. I do know that reports here long ago said favorable things about the X-Terrains, but haven't heard anything regarding the Fortera. My Durango is due for some new sneakers and I would like to put the Michelins on it, but they don't come that large. :( Personally, I've been disappointed with my OE Goodyear Wranglers so I'm not considering the Forteras. Sorry for the lack of info and I hope somebody else can give you more.
    Porknbeans

    Grand High Poobah
    The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Why not put BFG AT KO's on the Durango?

    Those are pretty much the agreed upon best all purpose truck tire you can get with good road manners, decent off road ability, long life, and not too loud running.

    They have an EXCELLENT reputation across all brands and makes of trucks and SUV's.
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    Just a quick search on Tirerack for tires for pre-scandal 1999 Explorer 4wd. Turned to be, two models of "Explorer Size" all-terrain tires are available. The both are rated "S" for speed, "B" for heat.

    24 models total of the size, rated S or a bit higher (T). I checked for a half-dosen of them: all had the heat rating B.

    By the way, Tirerack recommends for Explorer only tires with speed rating S and higher.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Like maybe 265/85LT16.5??

    Or SEMI truck tires?
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 10,236
    And BF Goodrich is owned by Michelin, so the quality control should be similar to that of the Michelin Cross Terrains.
  • porknbeansporknbeans Member Posts: 465
    I really appreciate the suggestions. I use my truck for mild off-roading (hunting trips and going to job sites). The rest, and majority of the time, is hauling clients, friends and family around on city streets and highways. I want the look of an A/T tire but not necessarily as much howl as my Goodyears have. I read what Tirerack had to say, but do you know if the BFG's are good on the highway?
    Porknbeans

    Grand High Poobah
    The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Do you want "looks" or do you want an AT tire?

    If you want something that looks that way, with a good highway ride, you want to see if it has a connected tread, meaning not separate blocks, at least down the middle.

    The BFG AT KO is not bad on the street, not bad off the street; a compromise overall.

    Good luck.
  • fxsfxs Member Posts: 50
    Checkout the Yokohama Geolander A/T+II. It's a new on/off road tire good for 40,000 miles without the howl of the goodyears with smooth on-road manners.
  • porknbeansporknbeans Member Posts: 465
    That is great information. I kind of thought that was the case, but wasn't sure. Yes, I do more on road than off road driving. However, here in Wisconsin even the on road driving is sometimes off road. :) BTW, I'm not going into the looks thing again. :)

    Thank you for the recommendation. ywilson from the Durango thread is putting them on his 2000 DD (similar to mine) in the fall. If I can wait that long I'll also see what he has to say about them.

    You have all been very informative and helpful. Thanks again
    Porknbeans

    Grand High Poobah
    The Fraternal Order of Procrastinators
  • kansankansan Member Posts: 115
    For your money the Yokohama's are the best in my opinion. The Yokohama Geolander A/T+II is rated real well on tire rack, in fact it is rated better than the Michelin all terrain tire, and its price is much less than the Michelin. I have the Geolander H/T Y816 (a highway/all-season like the Michelin Cross Terrain) and have been very happy with them, Tire rack rates them number 2, just behind the Michelin, but the price is also much less. When you buy Michelin, Goodyear, or BFG your paying for the name and a lot of advertising.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    I always thought the General Grabbers looked like a good tire.


    I don't know much about them, but there is one which has the solid tread, with "grippy looking" "outsoles" or lugs on the outside.


    Here, I found some:


    Grabber AP: http://www.generaltire.com/tire_detail.cfm?tire_name=GRABBER%20AP

    Grabber AW: http://www.generaltire.com/tire_detail.cfm?tire_name=GRABBER%20AW


    Ameri*660AS : http://www.generaltire.com/tire_detail.cfm?tire_name=AMERI*660%20AS


    Maybe that will help you.

  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    I'd guess the AW might be best for what you described.

    good luck!
  • kansankansan Member Posts: 115
    I'd look at the surveys on Tirerack. General tires are consistently at the bottom of the ratings. I don't remember seeing any General tires with favorable ratings.
    Good Luck.
  • pemarshpemarsh Member Posts: 68
    Does anyone have any informaton how good the OEM Dunlop Grandtek AT21 tire is??? Is this a top of the line tire?? Midline?? Bottom of the line?? It is on my 2002 Toyota Sequoia.

    Do you think Michilin Cross Terrains would be a big improvement????

    All opinions wanted!
  • wenbwenb Member Posts: 45
    I was viewing some safety test data on a goverment site. They did a test of tires under differnt loads and speeds. They also tracked speed ratings.When inflated to 35 psi I belive all tires passed under max conditions. Under lower inflation. the S rated tires failed under max conditions loads. To be safer,Keep your tires properly inflated. The faster you go the closer you want tobe to 35psi. Also in the heat carrying heavy loads keep speed down. Under less than ideal conditions speed ratings of H or above seem to give added protection from failure.I don't remember seeing a reference to temp. rating in the test.
  • yurakmyurakm Member Posts: 1,345
    may I ask you, please, to post a link to the goverment site?
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    Most of the Grandtrek series of tires are designed as OEM for various car mfrs (Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes Benz ML). The mfr developed a spec and Dunlop designed a tire to meet it. I don't think there's anything wrong with them and would not say the Cross Terrain is a "big" improvement. If you have specific needs or demands from a tire then its easy to find one to meet them. If not I say stick with them. Just my two pennies.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Do these come with speed ratings?

    If not, why not?

    4.00X 8 (?) maybe

    What is a good tire in this (or close) size for a trailer for 1700# boat?

    If enough room, is there a bigger tire which could be mounted on the same rim to get more safety margin?
  • fishing1000fishing1000 Member Posts: 38
    I wonder if someone can give me suggestions on tires for a 5-speed ford escort 95.
    Thanks
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    With a little more info I think we can make some good suggestions. Here's what we need:

    *Tire size on the car now
    *how many miles per year you drive
    *where you live regionally (get alot of snow? or alot of rain?)
    *type of driving you do (city, long distance, commuting, etc)
    *kind of driver you are (aggressive, mellow, crazy ;)

    Help us with a little more info and we can help you.
  • fishing1000fishing1000 Member Posts: 38
    current tire size p175 65 r14
    millage per year 7000 miles
    in san antonio, tx where it rains a lot (50 inches)
    i drive mostly to school and back home (houston)
    normal type driver.
    Thanks
  • mcginn1mcginn1 Member Posts: 3
    Would welcme any informed advice on which tires to get for my Benz E320. It has 22K and the tread on the Michelin Energy MXV4's (215/55/R16) that were in front (just rotated to the back at the 20K service) is almost gone (other two tires are still fine and now in front). Most of the driving is around town and cruising on highway at 70 mph. Live in California, and don't go skiing, so no snow encountered. Would any of you venture strong opinions on Michelin Energy MXV4Plus, Bridgestone Potenza RE 950, and Continental CH95 ? I don't like loud tires and don't drive very "hard". Should I look at anything by Dunlop or Pirelli? Have already looked at tire.com Many thanks,
    Robert
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    OK, lots of tires to choose from. I did a search at http://www.tirerack.com and found several good choices.


    The Pirelli P400 Touring is a terrific deal right now. TR has them on special for $38 each and that's a very good tire for that price. If you want a little more sportiness the Pirelli P6000 Sport Veloce at $52 each is also a great deal.


    Yokohama makes some excellent tires for the price. I like the Avid series so look for the T4 or H4.


    If you want a tire that's great in the wet look at the Goodyear Aquatread 3. That tire should be about $50-60 each locally.


    If you are a member of Sams Club or Costco they offer great prices on tires. One of the best all season radial tires you can buy is the Michelin X-One aka X Radial Plus. Sams and Costco will have it for about $70/tire which is expensive but worth it if you want an excellent tire. The X-One was top rated by Consumer Reports in their last tire test.


    Any of these tires will work well on your car. All are made by quality mfr's and would be much better choices than some no-name cheapo tire. You might want to take some of this info and shop locally to see if anyone can meet their prices. Good luck.

  • fxsfxs Member Posts: 50
    Go for the RE950 or Dunlop SP Sport A2 for $10 less.
    Also buy 4 new tires if you can afford it instead of just 2.
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    Well, I'd be happy to offer a strong opinion or two ;-)

    I have the exact same tire on my car as you do: Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus in 215/55-16 on a Saab 9-5. I like these tires alot and feel they perform exactly as designed. They are a luxury touring tire that's meant to provide a smooth, quiet ride while giving drivers a little bit of sportiness. I've found that most people who criticise this tire are expecting it to act like its not. I've also found that it is rather sensitive to air pressure and frequent rotations. I rotate and balance mine every 6k-7k and check the pressures weekly, sometimes more often. I feel its a tire that can give you a good 30K, maybe even 40K, of tread wear if its taken care of properly. For an E-class I think its an excellent choice.

    I've driven cars with the Contis on them, in particular an E320 with that tire. I think the Conti is a direct competitor to the Michelin and will do most of the same things the Michelin can do. Since MBz uses the Conti as OE on E and C class it seems it would be a good choice. I found the Conti to be a little noisier on asphalt than the Michelin but that might be just my impression.

    The Bridgestone is a much sportier, performance-oriented tire. It'll provide more steering response and grippier handling compared to the other two. But I imagine its a bit noisier and may not offer quite the tread life. So its a trade off to a certain extent.

    As much as I like the Michelin, when it comes time to replace my tires I'll probably go with the Bridgestones. Personally, I'm willing to trade some luxury and smoothness for added performance and I don't really care about tread life.

    So it all depends on your preferences and driving needs. I hope these comments help.
  • fxsfxs Member Posts: 50
    How do you like your Saab? I might get the wife the Aero s-w version before I lose my GM discount in Dec 2003. (She really doesn't need the Aero but I fill up all of our cars and Tahoe.)
  • bretfrazbretfraz Member Posts: 2,021
    I love the 9-5. It's a great car and I imagine with GMO/GMS it would be even greater.

    I recall my salesperson telling me how good the deals were for GMS buyers. I wished I were a GM employee or supplier just to get that deal. It's certainly worth looking into.
  • microrepairmicrorepair Member Posts: 508
    McGinn1,

    I've never had Michelins or Conti's on my E320; when I bought it they dealer had put Goodyear Eagle LS tires on it. THey weren't bad but when they wore out I tried the Yokohama AVS db and they got to be VERY noisy by 10-12 K miles (sounded and felt like snow tires!) so I complained enough that Yoko allowed me to trade them towards their Avid V4 rated tires. I've got about 7K on them so far and I am very happy with them. They are quiet and excellent on wet roads. And the ride and handling are very good. I suggest you take a look at them.
  • almaggalmagg Member Posts: 15
    Went to have the tires rotated and balanced and the guy pointed out they weren't in too good shape, so I got new ones. The standard is P195/70SR14.
    Well the wheelbase is 1" less than the average car and it has a bit of a roll on the highway, like curved ramps and is sensitive to crosswinds.
    Anyway I did feel a difference on the street, but the highway performance is about the same.
    If that's the way it is so be it. But I don't want to bug the guy for no reason.
    What about getting a wider tire? Any recommendations?
    Oh yeah, he said Cooper is right up there in quality. Any comments?
    FTR the car runs great, people like the design, and the V6 feels good on the highway.
  • almaggalmagg Member Posts: 15
    Maybe knowing just a little bit makes things more complicated.
    Now I've learned that a lower aspect ratio provides better lateral stability, which is what I want.
    Current tires are P195/70R14.
    I' ve seen specs for P205(and 215)/70R14 and P195/65R14.
    Soooooo will these two be similar in performance? The first is wiiiiiider, but for the width to increase and the aspect ratio to remain the same then the height has to increase(basic math).

    From the first one I can get a 10mm or 20mm width increase and from the second the same width but a 5 pt decrease in aspect ratio, which would affect lateral stability - how much?

    Know what I mean?
  • mcginn1mcginn1 Member Posts: 3
    Well, after reading all the good advice that you folks were kind enough to offer, I finally bit the bullet and went with the Bridgestone Potenza RE950's for my 2000 E320. I had an alignment done which was needed and now have the two Bridgestones on the back and the two remaining Michelin Energy MXV4's on the front. When they bite the dust I intend to replace them with two more of the Bridgestones. I can say this: the Potenzas ride beautifully and they are NOT noisy. I urge you guys to check out the ratings that people who've bought these Bridgestones have given it on www.tirerack.com. Compare its ratings with those for the Michelin Energy MXV4Plus and with those for the Continental CH95. The Bridgestone's seem to be preferred by quite a deal as far as how highly they are rated and the percent of owners who would go for them again. I urge those in the market for new tires for an E320 to give those Bridgestone Potenzas a close look. They've won me over (so far).
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Now, I'm no expert, but I figure to upsize P195/70R14 you would want to go to something like 205/65R14 or 225/60R14 if the wheels can take that width. The first should be doable, the second not so sure. Not sure if anything is available in that size, of course. Good luck, and let us know how you make out and what you choose to do.
  • anonymous02anonymous02 Member Posts: 1,538
    Who can steer me towards the best trailer tire?

    I have 4.00X8.

    Is it possible to go up a size? I would like to maximize safety and ride quality.

    Any online sources for these?

    I am not sure if current ones are bias ply or radial. I am thinking bias.

    Thanks in advance.
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