Wheels/tires

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by LeSabreT

Calibration might not be so simple on a car with a spring driven speedometer... ;-) I'm not sure what system the odometer uses...

Your ODO technology is not the issue. Simply plot a route precisely on a good GPS or mapping service that will take elevation changes into account as distance (not totally sure google maps does so, but it might). I use Map Bike Rides with Elevation Profiles, Analyze Cycling Performance, Train Better. Ride With GPS. Plot a good route, carefully checking that you have not accidentally added turns or switchbacks, and then drive it. COmpare the GPS mapped distance with your ODO and you can derive a multiplier for your odometer readings at each fill up. Longer routes are better for this. Multiple runs are better too.

Originally Posted by SentraSE-R

Tall tire test.

That's the one. Still the best.

Originally Posted by Sean.Heihn

A tire's only job is traction, so that's the first thing I look at when shopping for tires, tread wear, noise, comfort and LRR come second. I'd rather avoid an accident than squeeze a few more miles out of a tank.

Agreed. But I avoid the accidents and squeeze a few more miles out of each gallon. I'm speeding ticket free, moving violation-less, and completely accident free for decades now. Careful and defensive driving--and luck--save the day. New tires will not make anyone luckier. But I agree in spirit... safety first but we each must judge our driving conditions, our car, and our level of comfort ourselves. In the end, we're responsible for ourselves.

[mcrews]

Originally Posted by Sean.Heihn

You could almost think of a wheel as a radial lever working against you, the longer the lever (ie the bigger the diameter) the more the force is multiplied.

I've heard good things about Michelin Defenders. A tire's only job is traction, so that's the first thing I look at when shopping for tires, tread wear, noise, comfort and LRR come second. I'd rather avoid an accident than squeeze a few more miles out of a tank.

That really doesnt make any sense.
Then you should buy the stickiest tire out there.

by the way, what tire are you running?

And for being so accident adverse....looks like you 'settled' on the yaris.

If there is not room for 'other variables' in your thought process, then your current car fails.

or where you concidering mileage????? (also)

[mcrews]

lesabre,
you can certainly run the larger wheel if it is the better option for you.
But if you run the same diameter tire, then you have missed the opprotunity to increase mpg at no extra cost.
cant just replace them tomorrow if they dont work out.

[Sean.Heihn]

Originally Posted by mcrews

That really doesnt make any sense.
Then you should buy the stickiest tire out there.

by the way, what tire are you running?

And for being so accident adverse....looks like you 'settled' on the yaris.

If there is not room for 'other variables' in your thought process, then your current car fails.

or where you concidering mileage????? (also)

Um... Your post makes no sense. Where did I say ONLY traction matters when buying a tire? I said it's the most important attribute but I never said it's the only attribute. And how does the Yaris fail accident avoidance? It's one of the most nimble cars I've ever driven, has ABS, traction control, electronic brakes and steering. Mileage did go into my criteria for a car (it was actually a main one) but it was never the only criteria. If the Yaris had been lacking in some other category, I would have kept shopping.