Recommendations on tires?
 

My front wheels are going to need replacement in not too long, and my stock size is 195/60-14. I don't mind the circumference being 1-2% different but less is better. I asked a guy at tire kingdom what kind of LRR tires they had and he scratched his head and said that if they're some new-fangled thang, they probably don't have them.

Any recommendations on tires, or at least where to get some information about them?

Also, how wide or narrow can I safely go from stock?

im looking at the kumo eco solus and the ecopia ep100, they are both discontinued (i think ) but some are still around. look at the (when black and round becomes lean and green article. it compares some lrr tires. im finding fewer options for 14 inch tires. the new ecopias are avalible in 15".good luck.

go to tirerack.com you can fine all the info you need.

Tire Rack has two LRR tires listed that aren't Ice/snow, that would fit:

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
And
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes (Bridgestone B381)
185/65-14 = 23.5 dia, = ~1.2% increase

There are several sizes available of Michelin X-Ice Xi2 also available, but I read that winter tires typically give worse FE?

There seem to be a lot of bad customer reviews for the Goodyears, so I'm wary.

if your on the freeway much, going up about 5% can be beneficial. It has been for me.
I would do the 70 series of that tire in a heartbeat. 24.3inches.
If you running a high psi (which you should) thaen the taller sidewall will give a little more 'cushion'.

I've never really shopped for tires before... it seems rather difficult when there are a billion sizes available, and there's no real way to compare except to read reviews on every tire and try to get a "feel" for it.

It seems easier to start with a list of highly rated LRR tires, and then check to see what's available in an appropriate size. Anyone know of any such lists?

EDIT: An old thread here says to get the B381's:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ling-2813.html

However that was in 2008, I'm not sure if it still applies.

Your frustration with tire shopping is why others suggested using Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels they allow you to sort tires by the size you need, then sort them by LRR if you want and even let you check off tires that you want to more easily compare side by side for user reviews, wear life and a hand full of other factors, that is why even if you are buying your tires from a local shop that the tire rack web site is a good tool to use.

Now your Del Sol is based off a civic so I see no reason not to go with narrower, cheaper, lighter weight tires that the civic of that same year tends to use.

Thanks for the input!

The DX/VX used 13" tires, so that rules them out. The Coupes and hatchbacks are 185/60-14, which is both a downsize and also has no LRR options. However, the EX and LX sedans are 175/65-14 and Tire Rack lists the Bridgestone Ecopia EP100 in that size. It would also be a slight downsize and I'm already geared far too short, but the reduced weight might make up for it?

How do you feel about 175/65-14 EP100's, vs 185/70(or 65)-14 B381's?

The B381 is an older tire and IMO not that LRR. I'd go with the EP100s over that. That is what I'm running on my Prius and it seems to be a pretty good tire.

Was the B381 original equipment on the Civic VX?

regards
mech