New Tires!

[marcusa]

I finally got new tires to replace the Discount Tire POS ones (and two Michelins that were slicks at this poin) that the previous owner had put in. Both of them were coming undone at the belt, and all wore out on the sides too much due to a weak sidewall.

 

I was stuck between Goodyear Assurance TripleTred and Sumitomo H's. Due to price I went with the Sumitomo's. Bought 4 at Tire Rack for $59/ea. plus ~$10 shipping ea. Got them 12 hours later...impressive!

 

They've been in for a week and so far definitely no regrets. I had some HTR 200's put in my Saturn and the H4's are even better, particularly in loose dirt, mud, and gravel. They're all season so I expect you cold climate folks will find them better then the HTR 200's which are summer tires.

 

It's still the first 500 miles and I'll be able to better test them once they wear in a little. I also need new struts, which is more apparent now that I have decent tires on. But so far I'm impressed. Grip is outstanding, they're really quiet, even on the freeway, and they look pretty

 

It also solved the problem of tire spin when I punched the throttle, so 0-60 times are up. They're lighter and supposedly have a low rolling resistance. My fuel economy improved over 3 MPG so I believe it.

 

Here in Houston I have had the opportunity to drive them in everything but snow and ice. I no longer fear big puddles, and the tire never felt like it was even thinking about hydroplaning.

 

If you want some good performance tires at an excellent price these are for you. Just a recommendation: Inflate them higher than the 30-36PSI most cars call for. I got mine at 48PSI (max is 51).

[SigEpCutlass]

Um why the hell are you running them at 48psi? That is really high considering you're 3psi from the max. You are going to lower the lifespan of the tires!!! I'd highly suggest you lower the psi below 40 IMMEDIATELY!

[19Cutlass94]

You really shouldnt be running your tires at such a high PSI. I have all of mine about 36-37PSI which ir probabaly where you want to be. Maybe around 40ish PSI.

 

After a certian point in PSI, your not going to gain all that much MPG and the rate of tread wear will cost your more ( buying new tires ) than youll save with the MPG.

[Crazy K]

I run my tires at 36. you are overinflating your tires and makeing them balloon. this means you are getting less rolling resistance becasue the tires contact patch is reduced! It will effect brake performance in an emegerncy as well!!!

 

I tested rode a set out at 45psi once and my car was high balling it. It was almost floating! nice feel, but bad for your tires and safety! less road patch =less traction and control.

 

You did get some really good tires, i looked at those myself, but acquired a good set of used yokohomas cheap.

 

 

[marcusa]

I meant to type 42 PSI, but went up and not down on the Num Pad. On my Satty I started 5 below max and slowly let it out until I found the optimum at 42. After I gave it to my gf (and whenever I'd hit the freeway for a trip) I lowered it to 36 (Saturn calls for 32 if I'm not mistaken) to soften the ride a bit but now they're wearing out a bit more on the outside edges in the front. I also noticed at the lower pressure cornering isn't quite as good. Haven't tried different pressures on the Olds yet though, I'm waiting to get shocks first.

 

I never considered it from a braking and wet driving point of view, I really just tested cornering. Most "pedestrian" tires max out at 42ish, so I figured I'd over-inflate past the recommended pressure a bit.

 

And a note on rolling resistance: these tires were made to have a very low rolling resistance to begin with, som I'm not trying to improve fuel economy any more, just improve handling.