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Replacing Tires
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Comments
For those interested, I am pulling a 7,500 - 8,000 LBS RV travel trailer w/a 1989 Chevy conversion Van. I have added a Modine engine oil cooler (increased oil capacity by nearly 2 quarts, replaced the stock 700R4 transmission pan with a Derale (not sure of the spelling) pan that added about 2 add'l quarts and has 8 cooling tubes running through it for added cooling plus I have two transmission oil coolers in front of the radiator. Pulling this past weekend in Florida's 94 degree temps, the tranny oil temp never exceeded 190 degree's even in stop and go town traffic, and engine ran 195. I replaced the origional 10 bolt rear end w/a 12 bolt (a little larger axles) and put in a 3:73 gear with limited slip, gas air shocks and rear spring boosters. This old 350 motor and van really does a great job handling this load, and we enjoy the van for the added space for others plus the TV/VCR while on the road.
John
Thanks
as far as the smaller diameter, yes, it does get better traction. apparently it has to do with the smaller contact patch, but danged if i know the physics behind it. probably someone here does though.
On a differnet topic. when test driving the new Accord EX even my wife noticed excessive road noise. The dealer suggested that we could change tires and reduce the noise. I do remember in the old days of my Pinto that the snow tires were noisier than the summer tires, but is there that much of a differnce among al weather radials? Are there any rules of thumb like "thinner tires are quieter? Or is the Honda dealer just trying to sell us a noisy car?
Thanks
I have stock Michelin XGTV4 P195/55R15 on my Integra and all four seems to have reached its end ( pretty soon, anyway :-)). I was wondering if I could replace these tires with a size of P205/50R15. Is this change okay as long as the load handling/temperature of the new tires are the same or better than the stock tires?
Please post your responses.
Thanks,
jsalanga
However, there are other things you should check with a shop that specializes in performance modifications on the Integra; most tire dealers are not likely to have this information:
* Will the additional tire width clear suspension and fenders in all types of turns, bumps, and maneuvers?
* Will this tire cause poorer directional stability on the Integra? (The very low profile tires do cause directional stability problems on some vehicles.)
* Are your present wheels the proper width for this tire? (Tire and wheel-width mismatch can cause handling problems and rapid tire wear.)
Sienna LE. Has anybody driven these in rainy
weather? They do not get good ratings in the
survey at www.tirerack.com. However, we haven't
had any significant rains here since I got the van
(June 30). I am thinking about replacing them
before winter sets in.
I'm looking for the BEST all season tire available. Price not being an issue. I will be maintaining the same tire size 205/55 R16.
I've done some research and came up with a couple of choices.
1) Michelin Pilot XGT Z4
2) Perilli/P7000 Supersport
I'm leaning towards the michelins, their 30 bucks more a tire compared to the perilli. I don't really care I just want the best tire out there.
There are better tires out there, but I just can't find them in my size.
Can anyone recommend any other tires, or tell about the experience with the tires above?
Thanks...
Rob
Thanks for your thoughts on this topic.
As you indicate, front tire wear is usually much greater that rear tire wear on FWD vehicles. However, with proper alignment and inflation, the wear on each tire should be uniform across the surface.
See tirerack.com. This is probably the highest rated tire for custormer satisfaction in their survey.
Just put a set of Sumitomo HTR4 on my '00 BMW 323 sport because the Dunlops are summer tires.
I expected the Sumitomos to be a noticable compromise. WRONG! These tires have very good grip, no noticable tire noise at speeds well in excess of 100mph, and they are all season to boot.
I might just sell the OEM Dunlop SP2000's and leave the cheap Sumitomos on year round.
The added bonus is, that when I abuse these tires they are only $80 apiece to replace versus $140 apiece for the Dunlops.
I'm thinking of using P205/50R15...Can I do that?
How about P195/60R15
Also, what's the difference in performance?
Thanks for your help
Banzi
I'm looking for good wet weather tires. (I'm currently using Goodyear Eagle GA's).
Check out www.tirerack.com for more info on tires-they have ratings and the X-One does well. Anybody got any experience with Michelin Pilots.
Thanx, David
I wanted to share with you a problem and it's solution. Tall tires look great on trucks/SUVs and have a functional calling to some drivers. But they can throw off your speedometer readings.
When choosing a new "custom-look" tire for your vehicle, try to keep to the truck manufacturer's specs. If you go to a taller or shorter tire, then the speedometer readings will be affected. Why? The speedometer gets its readings from a gear or sensor on the transmission output shaft. The auto maker calibrated the speedo (speedometer) to read relative to the revolution rate ("angular velocity" for you physics cognicenti) of the transmission output shaft and an expected tire height. If you change the diameter of your tire, then you affect the revolution rate.
To understand this, compare an amusement park ferris wheel to the wheel of the child's tricycle wheel. One revolution of a rolling ferris wheel in 1 hour would cover more distance than 1 revolution of the tricycle wheel. Yet both did 1 revolution in one hour. Without my going into the high-school-level math, this means that the taller (larger diameter) tire covers more distance per revolution. Bottom line: Taller "custom" tires cause lower speedo readings.
Speeding ticket while paced?
Before I go further, let me emphasize that I do not condone speeding where against the law. As I said, the taller tire could cause your speedo to show a legal speed when, in actuality, your car was traveling faster. If you are pulled over for speeding and the law officer claims to have "paced" you (traveled behind you and watched his/her own speedo) as above the speed limit, then it's still remotely possible that the officer is in error, as well. (Questioning this is probably best left for "Trial by Judge" than "Trial by Roadside Jury.")
Here's why. Tire diameter is affected by air pressure as well. On cold days, the tire pressure is lower (remember the Ideal Gas Law from Chemistry and Physics?). If the tires' pressure is lower. then the diameter of the tire is shorter (roughly akin to a slightly flat tire). This, in turn, causes the law officer's speedo to read higher than the actual MPH that you might have been traveling. Tread wear on the tire has a less dramatic effect on this diameter problem, but exacerbates the problem nonetheless. I should also note that driving warms up tires.
Solution to speedo error.
Try to keep to the manufacturer's recommended tire height (don't mistake this "tire height" to mean the "height of the sidewall"). Keep the tires properly inflated. If you go to a taller/shorter diameter tire for your car or truck, then consult the tire shop or your local "speed shop" for a solution to correct the speedo reading. Usually, the solution involves reconnecting the speedo cable first through a little (after-market) drive-gear assembly. This assembly changes/corrects the cable's rotational-speed ratio to the speedo. If you've got an electronic sensor on your transmission that informs your electronic speedo then you've got more expensive problems that I can't help.
Have fun! Be courteous out there! :-)
I am new to Edmunds Town hall and I'd greatly appreciate your assistance.I have found that the original tires on my hundyai accent don't function well in heavy rain, slick and snow
covered roads. I am talking about a few inches of
snow. Has anyone else had this experience and what type of snow tires do you recommend? Also, can I go back to the dealer with this problem since the car is only six months old or do I have to remedy the situation on my own.
The sad fact is that most manufacturers put crummy tires on their new vehicles. They make a deal with one of the tire companies and the overriding concern is PRICE, not QUALITY. My VW Golf came with Goodyear Eagle GA tires. This is a very popular OEM tire with several car companies. They are so-called "premium" tires; if you go to a tire dealer and try to buy them, you will pay a lot. That doesn't make them good, I think it is just a marketing ploy. Goodyear made deals with the car companies and gave them cut-rate prices knowing that many people will take their car to get replacement tires and ask the tire dealer to replace them with the same tires it came with. That works if they are good tires, I wonder how it has worked for Goodyear. I sure didn't ask for them when it came time to replace my tires. I bought a better tire at a cheaper price.
You are definitely "on your own" if you want to upgrade the tires. It is still a good idea, tires are a good investment IMHO.
your host, Bruce
Actually treadwear rating would not translate to wet-weather traction. It can certainly seem that way, though, since summer tires are usually ultra-performance tires that have low treadwear numbers. Still, "Treadwear" is only a measure of how well the tire compares to another tire in a mileage wearing test. The "Traction" rating on the side of the tire defines wet traction. One would want an "A" or "AA" at best. Keep in mind a Michelin XGTV4 is a 220 treadwear...and absolutely horrible in the rain due to the fact that it's an all-season rated tire (M&S). Most ultra performance summer tires now carry a AA traction rating...because their compounds do not have the additives needed to keep flexibility when cold, so they are great in the rain
However, the rest of your explanation is first rate.
Regarding the earlier post on the GS-R tires. 205mm 50 aspect ratio tires are a legitimate plus1 sixe increase, which is easily accommodated on the 6.0 inch wide rim, and requires no speedometer calibration as it maintains almost the exact diameter.
-Brian
-Brian
It is my understanding that the traction rating (AA or A) is still derived from a dry sled friction measurement. To my knowledge only the tire rack test show any info about wet performance.
Luckily the XGTV4 (a 10 year old design) has been replaced with the Pilot H4 (A,A,400)which is better in rain but better still the new Dunlop Sport 5000 W rated (AA,A,360) if you must have a M+S tire.
http://www.toyo.com/tire_basics/utqg.html
-Brian
Tire retailers will give you an allowance toward new tires if your OEMs are in very good shape? Didn't know that was possible.
All an A traction rating means is the tire stopped in a relatively equal distance on both Concrete and Asphalt surfaces wet or dry individually, it does not mean the tire stopped in the same distance wet or dry. There is only a straight line deceleration measurement. Turning grip (wet cornering is not tested).
Thus even an AA rating only means that this a better straight line stopping tire tire than others in the line. (Which may be very bad compared to other manufacturers).
The point being that without wet handling numbers (accident avoidance)you are blindly plowing ahead.
Compare tire by wet roadcourse time is the only safe way. Different size tires of the same model may have different tread patterns the same UTQG, but perform quite differently under exactly same conditions.
-Steve
-Brian S.
We are using this tire on Q45 (we service over 2,000) as a general replacement for those that want good mileage and decent wet handling. If a tire will hold up here it will hold up anywhere.
The trick is to find a tire that stays in balance longer to minimize rotating and rebalance costs) A2 and Pir P6 seem lacking in many long term attributes but again your car weighs less.
Remember that an H rating only means that a tire will not destroy itself at 130 mph @60F for 10 minutes. When the road temp goes up to 120F the tire may reach a critical temp reducing its tread life by 30% or more and reducing the safety margin to 100 mph. Those who drive long distances on freeways at 80 mph in hot climates need H or better rating tires.
here's a good bet (and i have no experience with pep boy tires).
they will ride like crap (hard rubber).
they will handle like crap (cheap hard rubber).
as far as quality, don't know, but with most things in life, brand name vs. non-brand (and brand name sold at the brand name store vs. brand name sold at walmart) can be a large difference in quality.
how much longer/how many more miles do you plan on putting on the car? if you aren't planning on getting past another 40k, you'd be better off with less treadwear warrantee, better tire.
my 2 cents, anyway.
-Chris