New tires, advise?

[Chris D.]

My factory tire is a 205-75-15

I ditched the 15x6 steelies (25lbs each) for some 16x7's alloys (13.9lbs each)
And wrapped em in 225-60-16..

So when my speedometer reads 60mph, I'm actually at 58.9mph..

Now I'm getting close to needing tires and I wanted to get a tire thats
a little closer to my factory over all diametor and at the
same time get a little skinnier of a tire for a LRR/FE setup..

So far I've come up with a 215-65-16
Not a very common sized tire and a little more pricy compaired to the 225-60-16's

I want a tire that offeres at least a little bit of sidewall protection..

With this size when my speedometer reads 60mph, I'm actually at 59.8mph..

I'd like to get all season non directional tires that can handle all climates..
I'm moving to Minnesota this June and I'd like to think ahead for winter..

Are LRR tires something specific? I didnt see anything mentioned on tires.com or tirerack.com for anything LRR or low rolling resistance (missed something?)

It also gets used as a truck from time to time..

any advise?

thanks

[PaleMelanesian]

Look in the Files section at CleanMPG. There are a couple reports there that list RR numbers. Not the most up-to-date, but the best available right now.

[Figjam74]

If you're anticipating a snow season, get some real winter tires, and a cheap set of steelies to mount them on.

_NO_ all season tire is remotely acceptable for winter driving.

[cerdmier]

I've been looking at the Altimax HP tire. Good reviews, good price. I believe they are LLR tires and about 2lbs lighter than my stock Bridgestones. I'll be needing new tires soon and right now those are the fron runner.

Figjam is right. I have heard all season aren't good for ice/snow driving.

Altimax HP

[PaleMelanesian]

??? He's in California, and it's April. No snow season anywhere in sight!

[Meph]

Originally Posted by Figjam74

If you're anticipating a snow season, get some real winter tires, and a cheap set of steelies to mount them on.

_NO_ all season tire is remotely acceptable for winter driving.

While its a good idea to have the winter tires, its not always a must if you are oen to take risks. As I think this over to myself, yes it would be a very goo didea to get winter tires, but honestly, I just went through my first winter with my Celica, and it was the most snow fall in 50 years here in Barrie Ontario. I had to commute 50 km's a day to work and I ran a new set of all seasons. They were Kumho 732's, good price, i think I palyed 380 for 4 of them installed, and good all season performance. I did some research online to fidn the best tire for snow performance and Kumho had 2 very good ones, I cant rememebr the other but it was more expensive and unable to get it in my size.

the 732 has a little bit of a softer compond, and nice grip in the turns, probably not the best fires for trucks but good for someone wanted one tire set all year


Didnt have any close calls with them in winter, good grip, never got stuck in the snow

[Figjam74]

I used to take risks. I also used to have Ford Ranger 3 years ago with some good all-season tires on it. It never got stuck in the snow either, then on March 17th, the last snow of the year hit just before I started home on my daily commute. The near-zero(Celsius) temperatures and strong wind polished the road. I was about 2 km's from the city limits when the truck caught a gust of wind which pushed it sideways on the highway. We (me and the guy I carpool with) hit the ditch between the divided highway at about a 45 degree angle. The tires dug into the built up snow, causing us to roll sideways once, landing back on our wheels, while we carried on across the oncoming lanes of traffic finally stopping in the opposing ditch.

I luckily only suffered a few cuts on my ear when the drivers side glass shattered during the roll, and we were fortunate that an ambulance happened by a few minutes later and stopped for us to check us out. While we were in the ambulance, the RCMP stopped for the accident report. While we were there, we saw at least 3 more vehicles hit the ditch, and another guy hit the ambulance as it was pulling away.

I got off really lucky. I walked away with some scratches and sore muscles. Insurance wrote off the truck and I got to go home to my wife and my 6-month old son.

I was driving 20kph under the limit when it happened. I thought I was managing the risk well, but a gust of wind turned me sideways in the middle of the highway because my tires were unsuitable for the job.

Anyway, that's my PSA. I run studded winter tires now whenever snow or ice is a concern, and I recommend that anyone who has to deal with snow at least semi-regularly have a set because the risk simply is not worth the couple hundred dollars worth of savings.

[dremd]

I like my Energy +'s I CERTAIN that there are better, but they are decent.

Size wise I just check out either Tire Rack, or the junk tire pile behind our local honda/ BMW/ Mercedes Dealer.

[lovemysan]

I live in Kansas city. I can get by with all seasons. I also don't commute and don't drive in situations were black ice is an issue. To me its not worth the risk. I'm running a michelin harmony. Wonderful tires but I doubt they make them for your size.

For Minnesota I would recommend a set of winter tires also. Its cheap insurance.

[thebrad]

Tirerack sells Sumitomo HTR-200s which are racked third in LRR by Green Seal.
I am running them on my Civic, I bought them because of their great reputation with Miata's in Auto-X and just found out about the LRR last night so kudos to them!
Pretty sure they come in 16s too
The first and second place tires were reserved to 14 if I remember right.