Choosing the "right" tires (again)

5 mpg drop off from Michelin Defenders. Otherwise, very good.

 

I like your philosophy towards tire selection, have done similar.

I put a set of General Altimax RT43 on our other car, a Hyundai Accent. It’s still turning in 35-45MPG, and I think that's great for an old gasser that can be replaced for peanuts. The Generals made that car a lot more enjoyable to drive- quieter and smoother. Much more comfortable for all-day highway runs. They are on my shortlist for when the factory Goodyears eventually come off the Prius.

Personally I think the LRR/green tire designation is a scam. Yes, those tires can save a bit of fuel but it’s mostly a marketing device to blind buyers to a big chunk of the market.

 

Local shop was nervous about the new Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack (little real world experience) and the high price $125. each for them (I can get them via the Internet $106. after mail-in rebate). They suggested the following: BF Goodrich Advantage TA Sport 70k warranty $95. each, Goodyear Assurance Touring 80k warranty $115. each, Continental Pro Contact 80k warranty $118. each, and General Tire Altimax RT43 75k warranty $91. each. I just read the good review, above, for the Generals. Any thoughts about the others, please?

 

I enjoy researching purchases. Including tires. To me, it's fun. And today with the internet, you can research everything usually from multiple sources.

I respect difference in tire quality, capabilities and cost. So researching is IMO important. BUT...

I would also say, I find a lot of manufacturers claims about tires, to be at near the traveling snake oil salesman level.

I mean, the manufacturers would have you believe buying their tires will do EVERYTHING, from returning and improving your gas mileage, to reducing road noise, to improving handling, and lasting for many years.

Gas Guzzlers become economy cars.
Average cars become "Sports Cars".
And utilitarian vehicles will suddenly ride as smooth and quietly as a luxury vehicle.

My opinion?
Take it all with a grain of salt...or maybe two.

I read what the manufacturer says about their own tires, BUT I seek out real owner reviews, and beyond that, I try to find reviews from owners that may of had the tires for multiple years. ( Almost everyone will claim to love their tires, right after they buy them ).

 

R743? Mine are T.

Our Prius c (14 months old) showed up with those Goodgear Assurance tires. They aren’t overly noisy and they are wearing well. The handling and steering feel is fantastic. I like them overall. We have a separate set of winter tires for that car so each set is seeing about 12k/year. I anticipate that the General RT43 would ride a little softer than the Goodyear on our Prius, so I view them as a step up- but maybe not a huge step.

And just to toss it in… I was very impressed with what a new set of Contis did for a family member’s Cherokee. I don’t believe you can infer much from one model of tire to another across a manufacturer’s range, so take that one for what it’s worth.

 

Right tire for me means safety, traction and longevity...in that order. No one has convinced me yet that Michelin Defenders can be beat.

 

Thanks for the helpful feedback.
I'll give the General Tire Altimax RT43 with 75k warranty at $91. each a try and report back.

 

There is NO right tire. Only, what is the right tire for YOU!
As you can see everyone thinks the one they bought is the right and best tire.
What you could do is buy ONE tire of each brand and try 4 at a time and see which one
works best for you.

Continental Pro Contact were the best deal for me. $345 for all for with installation, lifetime balance/rotation
and road hazard. They seems noisy, but not as bad as the worn out ones, I forget the brand.
But after replacing the front bearings, they were much quieter.
I have just over 56,000 miles on they and they just showing signs of wear. They are gripping great in the dry and rain.
I'm certain they will easily go the 80,000 miles, and probably more.

I hope the ones you chose work great for YOU!

 

You mean 4 different tires on one car?

 

Sure! Why Not? They you can get quicker results on 4 different tires!

 

And you'd have to rotate the tires so that each one occupied the same position for the same number of miles -- and preferably during the same weather conditions and on the same road surfaces!

I think I'll stick to the reviews - based on both track testing and user reports -- at TireRack.com, even though they aren't testing on my specific vehicle model.

 

That's easy! Gives you something to do!

"And you'd have to rotate the tires so that each one occupied the same position for the same number of miles -- and preferably during the same weather conditions and on the same road surfaces!"

 

I'm very curious how the Bridgestone's Turanza Quiettrack performs. I may be a few months away from getting new tires and I think I'll wait until Costco has Bridgestone sale again in a few months (I know they have one now but I don't need new tires just yet).

 

Put Michelin Defenders on my 1993 Sentra and saw 8mpg drop (29-21mpg). Couldn't believe a "LRR" would have done that! But after repairs and sensors over 20k miles, I can for sure say it was the tires. And they are 2/32" and I'm happy to be rid of them. Waste of money and treadlife rating was a total lie.

 

I have those on my 2010, they were on there when I purchased it. I'm getting around 49mph with mixed interstate and highway use. They do really well in the rain from my experience so far. I'll probably get more whenever it's ready.

 

I get v rated a a 500s w a 50 profile on closeout for $32 each. Stickiest tires ever. Mount em myself w the tire machine in our shop.

 

Another opinion heard from...

I have Altimax 43's on a Prius. I got them for the positive reviews, especially on snow. Turns out that's the only area where I've been mildly disappointed with their limitations.

I had a different set of Turanzas (Serenity Plus), bought at Costco, on a different car. I was underwhelmed. Being a less price-sensitive customer as you are, that cured me of the whole "whatever Costco's got on sale" thing. The Serenity Plus was downright inferior in snow or even heavy rain. I came to mistrust them. Of course, the new Turanza you're referencing is a whole different and apparently better tire. I'd go more by Tire Rack and less by what your local guy says, since some of his alternative reco's are definitely NOT best in class.

I notice you're in Iowa. I'm also a Midwesterner, so as you can note from my comments, foul weather performance is high on my priority list. Michelin Cross Climate+ is well reco'd by both Consumer Reports and Tire Rack. My brother has also had really excellent results in performance driving and the slop with the more obscure brand Vredestein (local shops may not have it, but Tire Rack will ship it to them; yes, their system of member installers does work). Their site is a good reference generally.

 

I had a set of the "Green X" Defenders and got over 80,000 miles out of them. I was very happy with them and they fit my style of driving i guess because they did last very near the stated mileage warranty. I decided against the T+H on the next set and opted for a brand unknown to me (and since forgotten). They were worn out at 40,000 miles and very noisy for half of that time. Current set is Michelin defender T+H and I am very happy with them.
See if you can find a tire dealer website that can compare all the tires on your list. That was helpful for me the last time I went through decision time buying tires.

 

I have michelin energy a/s. Purchased on google checkout for $290 after rebate.as of now it has little over 10,000 miles and they are between 8-9/32nd

 

So your withholding tire feedback and performance?