The Tire Thread

[mafiamike]

Okay, so I'm starting this thread because I just ordered new wheels, and now I'm looking for new tires! I'm looking for 195/50R15s, and don't have much experience with different brands and such, so that's where your opinion comes in. I figured this thread could be helpful for anyone buying tires, so I will include what information I do know and you can go from there.

Here's some basic information that will be useful:

Here are tire/rim size calculators.

Tire Size Calculator (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html)

Tire/Rim Size Calculator (http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp?postId=906 )

Reading Tire Sizes:

We'll look at a stock xB tire, for example:

P185/60R15

P - Passenger tire, as opposed to LT (light truck), etc.
185 - This is the width of the tire from sidewall to sidewall, in mm.
60 - This is the sidewall, as a percentage of the width. (60% of 185 = 111mm)
R - This is for a tire built with Radial construction. Other types of construction are indicated by the letter ?B? for Belted Bias construction, and the letter "D" for Diagonal Bias construction.

Speed Ratings:
Q - 99mph
S - 112mph
T - 118mph
U - 124mph
H - 130mph
V (without service description) - Above 130mph
V (with service description) - 149mph
Z - Above 149mph
| W* - 168mph
| Y* - 186mph
Z - Above 186mph

*W and Y speed ratings are sub-categories of the Z speed rating.


TIRE GRADE
Tire Grades: Uniform Tire Quality Grading System or UTQG
The Department of Transportation requires tire manufacturers to grade passenger car tires based on three performance factors: treadwear, traction and temperature resistance.

Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test track. A tire graded 200 would wear twice as long as one graded 100. Your actual tire mileage depends upon the conditions of use and may vary due to driving habits, service practices, differences in road characteristics and climate.

More Than 100 - Better
100 - Baseline
Less Than 100 - Poorer
Note: Treadwear grades are valid only for comparisons within a manufacturer's product line. They are not valid for comparisons between manufacturers.


Traction
Traction grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. The traction grade is based upon "straight ahead" braking tests. It does not indicate cornering ability.

A - Best
B - Intermediate
C - Acceptable


Temperature
The temperature grade represents the tire's resistance to the generation of heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperatures can cause the materials of the tire to degenerate and reduce the life of the tire. Excessive temperatures can lead to tire failure. Federal law requires that all tires meet the minimal requirement of Grade C.

A - Best.
B - Intermediate
C - Acceptable

Links:

Discount Tire (http://www.discounttire.com)

Edge Racing (http://www.edgeracing.com)

Tire Rack (http://www.tirerack.com)

[mafiamike]

Bump for a totally revised thread!

[dfwaltima]

are you asking or posting tech info?

If you are asking well, i can say that i have been in love with my goodyears F1 GS-D3. By far the best tires i ever ridden on but extremely pricey, so a comparison from that would be the Hankook K104 and 106, stiff sidewall, good dry grip, ok wet grip. Also the Kuhmos ASX feel good, i tested those on a G35 coupe, awesome tires in my opinions, althought a lot of people would say Kuhmo sucks. Falken are OK, th Ziex is good for everyday driving and no abuse. Thats all i can think of right now, im tired, ill post some more tomorrow morning.

[Anonymous]

Well tires definetly depend on how much you want to pay for them.

IMO, the best tire for your size would be the Goodyear F1's, but like dfwaltima said, they're pricey. $88 each on TireRack.

If you want a good inexpensive, yet great handling tire, many of my friends are running Kuhmo ECSTA Supra 712's. They LOVE them! $50 each on TireRack.com

[aZepolyn]

I've heard alot of good about those new Fuzion HRi's, tho I dont think they make HRi for your size, you get ZRi. I dont know the difference, tho I'd suspenct they're just as good. TireRack has em for 53/tire, bout the same as the Kumho ECSTA Supras alex is talkin bout.
I've got my eye on the Fuzions for the tC here before long, might be worth checkin out on the B's. They're an awesome bang for the buck in the 17x7 range tires

[dfwaltima]

Quite honestly the Goodyear F-1 at 88.00 ea is not bad at all, the size that i need to replace the ones on my altima is 205-55-16 and last i checked it was going to run me about 600.00 with no road hazard, so i think that 88.00 is not bad at all. And yeah the Fuzion tires are also good, i have heard a lot of positive about thems, to be honest mike you need to think what the tire is going to be use for and go from there. If you want handling, just cruising, etc.

dang it i just checked tirerack.com and my sizes are not on sale, LOL. they are still 132.00 ea.

[mafiamike]

Well, I'm looking to spend $250 or less shipped. Here are my options that I have found:

Hankook Ventus HRII H405
High performance value. H-speed rating.
195/50R-15 82H DSB
No Mileage Warranty Available
UTQG: 340AA



Nitto NT 450 Extreme Performance
Ultra high performance in all seasons V-speed rated.
P195/50R-15 81V
Mileage Warranty: 45,000 miles
UTQG: 300AA



Falken Ziex ZE-512
All-season performance. H-speed rated. Rated #1 by a leading consumer magazine.
195/50R-15 82H B
No Mileage Warranty Available
UTQG: 360AA



Hankook Radial K106
195/50R15
340 Treadwear
H Rated



Dunlop Sp Sport 5000
195/50R15
18Lbs
340 Treadwear
W Rated




Cooper Zeon Zpt
195/50R15
19Lbs
380 Treadwear
H Rated

[dfwaltima]

Mike what are you looking out of a tire. All those are fairly good options, i do know that the Falken Ziex and the Nitto hydroplane a lil bit. I have had experience with those, now the Falken hydroplanes less than the Nitto. THe Hankook K106, i read that they are good so is the Dunlop.

[FrankenScion]

I stickied this.

My wife and I both roll Nittos, I have the NeoGens and she has the 555 Extremes, we love 'em.

[Anonymous]

Here's another good tire calculator:

http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp?postId=906

Gives a good perspective of size and a lot of stats on over size and fitment. Enter stock size on one side and your desired size on the other. It'll let you compare rolling diameter and such if you're getting new wheels.

[mafiamike]

I'll probably stay away from the Falken Ziex and Nitto then. The Hankook K106 are only $37/tire at Edge Racing. :up:

[dfwaltima]

Git-R-Done

by the way, what wheels did you get?

[mafiamike]

Here's another good tire calculator:

http://www.rims-n-tires.com/rt_specs.jsp?postId=906

Gives a good perspective of size and a lot of stats on over size and fitment. Enter stock size on one side and your desired size on the other. It'll let you compare rolling diameter and such if you're getting new wheels.

Added to first post! Thanks, studmuffin. ;)

[mafiamike]

Git-R-Done

by the way, what wheels did you get?

Drag DR16 15x7

http://upload3.postimage.org/184771/DR16_1.jpg (http://upload3.postimage.org/184771/photo_hosting.html)

[scionara_tC]

i'm in the same boat. Looking for a good tire for my tC that won't break the bank. I'm thinking the ones Jimmy was talking about, the Goodyear F-1. I found some for sale at $95/tire for the 245/40R17's (I think Tire Rack). I read the research on the site and they are suposed to be awesome dry/wet tires. My only worry is that we do get ice and occasional snow and they are not even rated for those. Still looking so I'll post more if I find any good stuff.

BTW, does anyone how big you can go on a stock tC rim? As in, will 245/45R17 fit?

[mafiamike]

How wide is your wheel? Is it 17x7? Cause 245 is a almost 10 inches wide. I wouldn't go much over a 215 with that size rim. I have 215s on my 18s and those rims are 7.5 inches wide. 45 is probable a pretty big sidewall on that width of tire too. What is stock tire size?

[scionara_tC]

i think my stock tires are 215/35R17. I think the stock wheel is 17x7.5.

[JylBish]

Stock tires are 215/45/17
Stock wheel is 17x7 with a 45 offset

[scionara_tC]

Stock tires are 215/45/17
Stock wheel is 17x7 with a 45 offset

i keep seing that, but mine are 215/35. weird i guess. the othere thing that i found odd is that my tC came with Yokohama tires, not the [i think] Bridgestone that they were discussing in SL *shrug*

Anyway, so on a 17x7 wheel, what's the widest I can go with?

[aZepolyn]

The Goodyear f-1 and the Fuzion HRi were recommended to me, but reading up on both, they have some less than impressive ice/snow reviews. I'm starting to think that's ok tho cus I should be able to save up and afford a set of winter tires come end of the year. that's at least my plan. Sorry Mike, these tires are a little too big for you, I'm pseudo-hijacking the thread to answer tC tires! WOOOOO

and yea, ditto Jyl 215/45-17

Fuzion HRi, tirerack
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Fuzion&tireModel=HRi&partnum=145HR7HRI&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=3

Kumho ECSTA ASX - tirerack
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=ECSTA+ASX&partnum=145WR7EASX&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=5

I personally like Nitto, Yokohama, and Pirelli, but they'll generally run you a bit more

[aZepolyn]

Stock tires are 215/45/17
Stock wheel is 17x7 with a 45 offset

i keep seing that, but mine are 215/35. weird i guess. the othere thing that i found odd is that my tC came with Yokohama tires, not the [i think] Bridgestone that they were discussing in SL *shrug*

Anyway, so on a 17x7 wheel, what's the widest I can go with?

the '05s I think were goodyears, '06 were bridgestones ... or maybe other way around. I don't know about the 05, but the '06 had the option for yokohama's and was generally chosen for you by dealership or port. Mine are the yokohama's, but they're the 215/45's, w/ bridgestone donut

[scionara_tC]

cool. but again, what's the widest i could go? 225? 235? i gues 245 is out if they are that much wider than the wheel itself. anyone?

[Anonymous]

The tire brand depends on the location and region of the country.

I don't think there were any Goodyears on any Scions, unless you got it used and someone else put them on. Or the dealer swapped them as soon as it arrived.

Factory tires were the Potenzas or Yokohamas - both should be 215/45/17 from the factory, but possibly not as I'm reading. The optional 18" wheels and RS1s came with Pirelli PZero Nero M&S in 225/40/18.

If you're changing tires on the OEM wheel, I wouldn't suggest much wider than 225... MAYBE a 235, but I don't know. Keep in mind that if you're increasing the width and keeping the same sidewall %, then it's going to be a taller tire.

Like a 225/45/17 is going to be taller (and a larger rolling diameter) than a 215/45/17.

[scionara_tC]

thanks ack, that gives me a place to start.

[Anonymous]

If you do the Kumho ECSTA Supra 712, with shipping it's around $235

[mafiamike]

The 215, 225, 235 is the width in mm. Just divide by 25.4 to figure out how many inches.

[dfwaltima]

Jorge, get the Goodyears F-1, im telling you they will handle anything you throw at them, i love them, if you want to get wider i would get them with a smaller side wall just that it doesnt look like a monster tire, like 225/40 would be good, i used to run 225/40/18 on my altima. As far as the ice and the goodyears, well i drove on the ice with them and it was not any difference than any other tire. but then again i do enjoy crazy ass shit like skidding, pulling ebrakes, etc.

[mafiamike]

Okay, so I'm about to order my tires soon. Which should I get?

Hankook Radial K106
Treadwear: 340
Traction: A
Temperature: A
Speed Rating: H
$199.76 Shipped

Falken Ziex Ze 512
Treadwear: 360
Traction: A
Temperature: A
Speed Rating: H
16.8 pounds/tire
30,000 mile warranty
$221.12 Shipped

Nitto NT 450 Extreme Performance
Treadwear: 300
Traction: A
Temperature: A
Speed Rating: VR
45,000 mile warranty
With Certificate for Replacement: "In the event one or more of your tires fail due to defect, or incurs damage that cannot be repaired, Discount Tire Direct will replace it absolutely FREE, (this includes freight to you). Regardless of the number of miles you put on the tires, you will be covered for the life of the original tread down to 3/32" remaining, or 3 years from the date of purchase. We have been offering this warranty for over 30 years. This Certificate for Free Replacement is unbeatable in the tire industry!"
$236 Shipped

[J_R_Ceja]

Okay, so I'm about to order my tires soon. Which should I get?


Nitto NT 450 Extreme Performance
Treadwear: 300
Traction: A
Temperature: A
Speed Rating: VR
45,000 mile warranty
With Certificate for Replacement: "In the event one or more of your tires fail due to defect, or incurs damage that cannot be repaired, Discount Tire Direct will replace it absolutely FREE, (this includes freight to you). Regardless of the number of miles you put on the tires, you will be covered for the life of the original tread down to 3/32" remaining, or 3 years from the date of purchase. We have been offering this warranty for over 30 years. This Certificate for Free Replacement is unbeatable in the tire industry!"
$236 Shipped

This one sounds good Mike. Got to love the Certificate for Replacement. :up:

[mafiamike]

Does anyone know how wide a tire can be SAFELY installed on stock rims? I run my steelies with moons/racing discs because i like the look but wouldn't mind a little more tire.


thanks

Steve.

[1672]

Hi guys I was thinking about getting these wheels(konig - theory) for my RS3 they are 17".. tell me what you think. They are about 160 from discount tire, so if you know of anywhere cheeper that would help too... also i wsa thinking of Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S tires P215/40ZR-17...
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/4599/konigtheory1bx.jpg

[mrmcnuggett]

Does anyone know what brand tire is the best for road noise, the ones i got now make a loud humming noise and i can't even hear my radio its so loud. My rim size is 18's. Not wanting to spend a fortune either, I know the more i pay the better they get but just something reasonable.

[ntwrkguru]

I had some Pirrelli P-Zero Nero's that were pretty quiet up until I replaced them. Now I have Riken Raptor's which aren't near as quiet, but they do ok. The sidewalls on the Riken's aren't as stiff as the Pirrelli's, but they were substantially cheaper.

[ShadowBox]

http://www.michelinman.com/
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/bfgapp/index.jsp

Buy BFG or Michelin Tires. You'll spend more but you get what you pay for.

Disclaimer: I'm employed by Michelin so my POV is slightly skewed. :smile:

[mrmcnuggett]

I found why i have road noise, my tires are dipped on the inside edge of the tread thus making the humming noise i hear and it drives me crazy. This is the second set of tires i have had that have done this. Don't know why they do it, i have had an alignment and everything before i got the second set, and they still dipped a little. It is not too bad but still enough to make the noise. I need a tire that won't dip out like that, man this tire searching thing is crazy. Everyone has their own opinion on tires, so I can't make up my mind.

[ShadowBox]

A lot of noise is caused by the harmonics of the tread. If you look at your tread lugs, the size and shape shouldn't be the same throughout. Instead, some lugs are larger and some are smaller, while the same goes for gaps between the tread lugs. If they are all the same, you get an annoying hum coming from the tire. Some manufacturers spend more time designing noise out of tires than others. Regardless of this, some tires are going to be noisier due to the overall tread design (All Terrain and Mud Terrain Type Tires) and rubber compound used. Not sure if this helps . . .

[mrmcnuggett]

I guess i will do a lot of looking to find one with less road noise, and one that does not dip out so easily, these tires are not cheap, gotta make em last as long as possible. Ya know what i mean.

[bB2NER]

I guess i will do a lot of looking to find one with less road noise, and one that does not dip out so easily, these tires are not cheap, gotta make em last as long as possible. Ya know what i mean.Try and get them flipped around so the inside will be on the outside. Over time they should flatten back out for awhile. Gotta be cheaper than replacements again. Also, maybe get the alignment done somewhere else. Camber or toe must be off from the air ride. Strange thing is, mine has never been aligned even with several spring changes and my tires are wearing fine.:oopsp:

[mrmcnuggett]

They are directional tires so can't turn them around. I can't find any 18s that arent directional. I had it aligned before i got these tires. I don't know why they do it.

[bB2NER]

They are directional tires so can't turn them around. I can't find any 18s that aren't directional. I had it aligned before i got these tires. I don't know why they do it.You didn't understand what I meant when I said flip them around. I meant having them taken OFF the rims and switched from side to side so they still rotate properly. Unless they are labeled left side only and right side only they can be flipped it just costs more with directionals but is cheaper than new tires.

I wonder if this is a common problem with air ride xB's or just a lousy alignment? I'd take it somewhere else and have the alignment double checked. They may also be able to tell what's wrong with the alignment by the way the tire wear patterns look. You may never be able to get a proper alignment with the air ride set up tho.

[mrmcnuggett]

I will do that i never thought of doing that. It should not be messed up on the alignment cause on our front ends the tires don't go in and out when you raise and lower, they stay straight up and down.

[moonray]

Are you running an air ride system now? If so what brand? When was the last time you had the alignment checked? The alignment settings can change ever so slightly when you "air out" and reset the driveable ride height.Every shop has told me that can't guarrenty(sp) the alignment because I'm on air. And regular tire rotations are a must as well. About every 5k is a good interval.

[mrmcnuggett]

My alignment is good, just think i am getting bad tires. I rotate every 3k miles.

[TunerTrifecta]

19x8 wheel-what size tires would you say width wise?

Tire rack is reccommending a 215/35-19. **Al Borland voice**"I don't think so, Tim"

I'm thinking 245/40-19's? For a tC by the way. Any input is helpful! Thanks guys!

[revvintc]

My TC also came with yokohama, They are okay but I am about to drop it 2.5 in. and I was told that the Nitto Neogen if mounted right are made for negitive camber. I know some ppl that are useing them so for the price and tread wear I think I will go with those.

[falseidolsfall]

yokohama s drives FTW

[slapstikz199]

yokohama s drives FTW
hell ya got em on my xd

[oldvet53]

i have a 2009 scion xb that has been updated with a tannabe front strut tie brace, tannabe df-210's, a TRD new type rear sway bar and MB Boost wheels in 16"x7". i am currently running the stock Goodyear Eagle RSA tires in 205/55/16 and am wanting to go to either 225/50/16 or 245/45/16''''s and want a good high performance tire as i love to drive agressive on twisty backroads, anyone have any idea's, i am also concerned about issues of rubbing and clearence. any help would be appreciated. thanks:toast:

[bryan62005]

ok i got an 08 xb with tannabes going on it and got 18x 7.5 rims..

i need to figure out what size would look best and not rub brand dont matter really