2010 Insight Dunlop Tires = Terrible

[RH77]

Question/Poll: Before Fall/Winter, the miserable OEM Dunlop tires are going to require replacement on the Insight. Has a particular LRR tire in the 175/65R15 size proven exceptional and/or would "plus or minus" sizing benefit FE?

Background -- Previous Dunlop Experience: First, I'll admit to a previous terrible experience with OEM Dunlop tires on a new 1997 Honda Civic DX Coupe. With that vehicle, the passenger-rear tire's sidewall blew-out and separated the tire into two pieces while the vehicle was traveling at highway speeds -- I narrowly avoided losing control of my new car when the back-end let loose at 65 MPH. Close inspection of the failure and of the 3 other tires displayed a manufacturing fault when one of the others was noted to have started to bubble/deteriorate in the same circular region of the outward-facing sidewall. In the fewer than 10,000 miles of use, there was no improper inflation over the life of the comparator tire and no adversely-traumatic bump / hazard / rub / or broken belt history). This was not a classic under-inflation/heat/blowout situation as was commonly thought.

Dunlop's "Specialist"So then, Dunlop's idea of "customer service" was to be forwarded to one of their "Customer Specialists" -- get this, an Attorney, to speak with via phone instead of Warranty Personnel. They wanted the tire pieces shipped to them for "analysis". I complied with the shipment, took photos for evidence, and never heard from them again despite follow-up and warranty reimbursement demands. The lack of replacement value precluded any further effort on my part. I dumped them, bought another brand that performed much more reliably, and vowed never to buy another Dunlop tire again (and to tell my story).

So, We Got Stuck With Dunlops on a New Vehicle -- Indirect Purchase The extensively-researched decision to purchase a new 2010 Insight EX outweighed the fact they came with Dunlop SP31 A/S treads ...maybe they improved Now, even after reasonable rotation and alignment frequencies, they have worn very quickly. My biggest complaint, however, is with the overall quality. They have frequently suffered punctures from nails (etc), which is typical around here (but these models have a higher "puncture-per-mile experience" than all others we've owned. I repair all non-tearing damage with heavy-duty DIY plugs (I've done this numerous times over the last 20 years with no problems, whatsoever). All other tires have responded to the repair but these. After re-plugging the same nail puncture 3 times, I will be forced to have it professionally patched or to replace it, if repair is not possible. I currently air it up to 50 PSI, it drops to 25 PSI after 3 days, the tire-pressure warning indicator repeatedly illuminates and the resultant drop in FE ensues. Now, a second tire is having the same problem with a slower leak. Sounds too familiar again

Personal Brand Preference: MichelinOver the last 10 years, we resolved to pay the extra cost to purchase Michelin replacements, with great results in each case (well worth it, IMO). We deviated once with another, cheaper brand on the TSX's front treads, and still regret it (completely messed-up the steering response, FE, and road noise). The back set needs replaced, with the Michelin "Green-X" series getting the stamp of approval for purchase for that car soon.

What is your experience with this tire style and/or what would you recommend?

Thanks in Advance!
-RH77

[kingsway]

I can only agree with you re the qualities of Michelin tyres... Very happy with mine and, as you say, well worth the extra expense.

[Daox]

If I had to buy new tires right now I'd probably go for Bridgestone Ecopia EP422s. Good tire, excellent RR. That is what the Nissan Leaf is coming equipped with.

[2000mc]

Michelins by far have the fewest issues of any brand in my experience ( except price ) The only common issue I know of with them is complaints of hydroedges getting choppy or probe lens with wear on the edges. I think every other tire with a simmilar tread design has the same issues, and Michelin is discontinuing that tire anyway. When I mounted more tires I would eventually come across a tire I would reject for excessive road force from all the major brands sold there, goodyears, bridgestones, uniroyals, but I never had a Michelin even marginal. I'm planing on michelins for my next tires. The reason I don't have them now is because I was able to get my sumitomos when I did for about 1/3 the price of the michelins

[Cobb]

Yup, crappy tires. After 30 thousand miles I believe I did a 4 wheel skid on a corner and bought 4 yokohoma avids in the oem size from tire rack for like 74 bucks each with free shipping. Wonderful tires, went through snow and ice and have almost 70 thousand and still going strong. Think mpg took a 2-3 mpg hit, but well worth the traction.

Even with a careful eye to driving and throttle use I was alwas triggering trac control on the dunlops.

[ProDarwin]

I have not once found an all season tire I like

[F8L]

Originally Posted by Daox

If I had to buy new tires right now I'd probably go for Bridgestone Ecopia EP422s. Good tire, excellent RR. That is what the Nissan Leaf is coming equipped with.

I agree with Daox. The Ecopia EP422 is likely the best for mpg and overall cost per mile in that size. The AVID Ascend (T) is another good choice but I expect mpg to be a bit lower, noise higher but handling and traction better. It's too bad the Energy Saver A/S doesn't come in that size.

[RH77]

Good info on the Bridgestones -- I had Potenzas on a vehicle once and quite liked them.

Another issue I'm running into, is the tire size change on 2012's and newer -- they went from 175/50R15 to 185/60R15. The marketing folks claim that it offers better handing/feel. The new profile is slightly "lower", so cornering momentum could be (theoretically) better, but would it have more resistance and hit FE?

Speaking of taller/shorter -- if I start messing with tire sizing, is there a sweet spot to help with gearing, or just stick with OEM?

I came up with these calcs between the 2 OEM choices last night:

2010 OEM: 175/65R15
175mm/25.4 = 6.89" Wide.
Tire Height from Aspect Ratio: .65x6.89= 4.48" tall sidewall
EX Alloy Wheel Width = 5.5"

2012 OEM Comparator: 185/60R15
185mm/25.4 = 7.28" Wide (.39" Wider)
Tire Height from Aspect Ratio: .60x7.28 = 4.37" tall sidewall = .11" shorter sidewall than original, .22" height decrease overall diameter.
Change in Indicated Speed: 0.90% Faster... 60 MPH = 60.54 MPH
...so 1/4" total diameter decrease ~2/5" wider and -1/2 MPH change doesn't seem like much, but the sizing opens more doors...


The tiresizecalculator.info website offers possible combinations based on an initial input. Dragging the "Max Diameter Diff" to +/- 10% shows several sizes. The narrowest tire is:

155/60R15 (-6.82% / Faster Reading) 60MPH = 56.20 MPH
155mm/25.4 = 6.10" Wide -- AR = .60x6.10 = 3.66 tall sidewall ( 0.82" shorter sidewall, 1.64" shorter overall)

The Problem is that there aren't many choices in that size (no LRRs that I can see) I played with the numbers way too long yesterday and just complicated things

RH77

[hyperaccent]

Tires are frustrating me more than any other issue about hypermiling. I want to hypermile as best I can but not at the expense of loosing money. I think I would just go out and buy Goodyear Fuel Max tires, 185 65 14, for my 2011 Accent if I knew that they would get 2-3 mpg better than the 2 Kumho Solus and 2 Yokohama Avid tires I have on there now. Another complicating factor is that I deal with wicked winter weather here in Maine and LRR tires most likely will be dangerous to use in our heavy snow and ice. The world needs a better way to rate tires.

[NeilBlanchard]

If you can raise your FE enough, you can save thousands of dollars, so a little extra on tires is a great investment. Also, good winter tires like Nokian Hakka R or Michelin X-Ice2 will roll with the best of any tires, and they provide amazing grip in the winter. So, yes a second set of tires costs more money, but you have much better traction than any all-season and better fuel economy all year, too.