Comments wanted: What do you want to know about tires?
The good folks at Michelin have brought me out to Greenville, South Carolina, to check out a couple of new performance tires. Michelin puts on events like this in order to get press coverage of their products, but I never quite know how to cover them on this site. I do think that tires are one of the most important -- and most neglected -- parts of the car. Not only are tires critical to safety and fuel economy, but they can make a world of difference in how your car rides and handles. (Most people assume the tires that come from the factory are the best choice for the car, but that's not always the case -- not in this country, where our climates vary from Minnesota winters to Arizona summers.) See, if you are willing to...
Whoops, sorry, I was starting to preach, which is not what I meant to do. What I want to know is what kind of coverage you would like to see about tires. We already have a few tire-related articles, to wit:
I've even tried my hand at a tire test drive, but I'm not sure if it provided the kind of information people really need to help them understand tires. So I'm opening the floor up to you -- what kind of tire coverage would you like to see on About.com Cars? Click the comments link below and tell me what you think. (If you're the shy type, you can email me at cars.guide@about.com, but wouldn't you rather share with the group?) Thanks in advance for shaing your opinions. -- Aaron Gold
Comments
I’m kind of conflicted on this one. On one hand, I am all for more information on topics that would benefit consumers. Moreover, tires are, as you point out, both important, yet woefully neglected in the popular literature. On the other hand, the number of variables that influence tire performance, coupled with the rapid advances in tire technology, make it difficult to do this topic justice on a site that is dedicated to other matters.
My tire knowledge and tire buying habits have benefitted mightily from the people at The Tire Rack. White TTR sells aftermarket components other than tires, tires define their mission. Their testing facilities and customer reviews are a gold mine of information that would be tough to duplicate anywhere.
Thus, I’m not sure what to recommend, but like I said, more information, particularly reliable information like that posted in this column, generally serves a good purpose.
Generally speaking, most tire tests aren’t that helpful. I’ve found the most helpful and informative tests to be those from “Consumer Reports” where they compare lots of different tires and make note of things like suggested retail price along with warranty, traction, stopping distance, road noise, and handling. I’m turning into a crabby old guy and I don’t really care about tires that might be the best to use at a gymkhana anymore. I’m becoming more concerned about a lack of road noise and tires providing a good ride.
I have a set of Michelin tires on my maxima that are 5 years old. The tread is fine but the side walls are getting cracks in them, both sides, it looks like they are drying out, is this normal? I know I will change them have you heard of this before and should michelin pro rate them?
As mentioned, tires are a very important component of every vehicle. With the variety of tire names being sold today, it would be good idea to once again list the manufacturers id numbers as found on each tire. A short article on a specific tire with information concerning pressure versus performance and consumption on occasion would be useful.
Yes, please, more information about tires, which one last longer, which have most comfortable ride, which one are quietest, etc. Also more information about what type of tires are best for the car style and weather conditions. I agree with another commenter that the tire rack is a great source as well.
I agree with Johnster: I don’t care which tires are best for a sports car running through a gynkhana. Most people don’t drive that way. I want a cheap tire that’s quiet, wears well (long life is great but even wear is more important to me) and rides well.
Sometimes reviews praise a certain tire and a certain size but caution that other sizes may not behave similarly. So we’re supposed to take that info and translate it into useful info for our cars? We’re not tire techies; we can’t interrupt the data. And are tire salespeople well trained at this?….hmmm, I doubt it.
I think buying tires is a crap shoot. Sometimes you win and sometimes you throw away a few hundred bucks.
How often should tires be replaced if the tread is still good? How old is a old tire( in years)?
my wifes truck had a set of Michelin tires new from the factory. she only got 21000 miles on them. i had them balanced rotated and check the tire pressure. we tried to get some help on the problem but were told they are a ware item so oh well live with it. we will never buy another michelin tire again !!
Experience 12 years ago with Michelin tires was not a good one. Poor tread life and lousy traction on snow were the chief complaints back then. Ironically,I just bought a ‘08 Accord equipped with 225/50 – 17″ Michelins.
Personally, I don’t like the 50 series tire since it offers little sidewall flex, resulting in a too-firm ride. As to performance on snow, I’m not expecting much come winter in Wisconsin.
Maybe a complete swap with winter tires and wheels will be necessary. Can’t wait!
I agree with your remarks regarding different tires for different applications. Car make and model, geographical location, the type of driving, and the style of driving all play a big part of tire choice. Maybe the best info shared on tires would be the reasons why a tire becomes problematic. For instance, why does a tire wear unevenly when the car is kept in alignment and proper tire pressures are maintained? Why do some tires “Hound” at higher speeds? What causes tread-belt separation? Common and practical info is my vote!
I’d like to see info on tire repairs. When they can and cannot be repaired. What are proper and improper ways to repair them? In the last couple of years I’ve had two tires repaired after running over a nail. One was a quick one from the outside of the tire that continued to leak air. The other was done from the inside with the tire off the wheel. No further leak and it has held up well. Tire repairs are a mystery to me and I suspect to many others.
Which tires stop the quickest in the rain? In the Dry? Which resist aquaplaning best? All weather tires the above plus which are best in snow. I want you to test all the tires with the same car and I would love to see lap times and lane change numbers. I would gladly pay much more for tires that will perform well for 30K rather than mediocre for 50 K.
One more thing. Noise. I put on 25 – 30 K a year mostly highway and a tire that is quiet is really appreciated. No rumbling, no singing. 8 to 10 hours of noise however subliminal can really wear you down.
Do resale tire operations sell tires that are for the area? I purchased a set of four tires in Atlanta one early fall (when my sone was starting at Georgia Tech) and was unable to stop on snow when I got back to Michigan. The store (Sears) replaced them at no charge. If the store sees out of state license plates shouldn’t they alert the driver that the tires are for the region where they are sold?
Another question..when you purchase a new vehicle are the tires manufactured (through licensing agreements or a plant in that country) where the vehicle was built? I have an ‘06 KIA SEDONA with Michelin tires! Is the country of manufacture stamped anywhere on the tires?
My 06 Sonata LX came with 17 inch Michelin tires. In two years I put over 94K (mostly highway) on the car and rotated the tires ONCE at 41K. The tires were excellent and trouble free, as was the car. Back in 1979 when I worked on the assembly line at VW of America in New Stanton PA, none of the Rabbits built for shipment to Canada were permitted Michelin tires. I always wondered why they were prohibited and ONLY Goodyear used on those cars being shipped to Canada ?
BeEn driving for 42 years. Everything from Ford Falcon station wagons to Porsches. Currently have an Acura CL and just replaced the tires last year. I now have Bridgestone Turranza LSH’s. These tires do everything very well. Very quiet (never squeel) smooth ride, don’t get harsh as the tread wears down, good in snow and rain…what’s left? Oh, I drive fairly hard and still get about 65K per set. If you really want to know what will work well on YOUR car, go to the Tire Rack on line or call one of their consultants.
Fantastic tire. Very good quality!