Tire suggestions?

[Goose]

I've been reading old threads on tires, and wanted to collect opinions/suggestions on what to get.

I think my car's highway behavior will be improved by new tires. The way my car tramlines and seems to "wallow on its tires" drives me nuts. Rather than mess with my car's suspension (yet), I'm going to replace the crappy OEM Goodyears. I'm going to stick with the stock steelies and keep the same 185/60 R15 size.

My primary interest is getting crisp steering response, followed by good all-weather (ie snow) performance. I don't necessarily need super-long tread life. I'm trying to avoid a tire with soft sidewalls, since I think this would cause the wallowing/tramlining I'm getting with the Goodyear's (does this sound right?).

I assume that Michelin Harmony's are still the favorite all-around choice. The TireRack reviews are also good for the General Altimax HP's, Pirelli P4's and Yokohama AVID touring's.

Those that have experience with these tires, can you share your experiences?

[UTVitz]

It's too bad your car did not come with the Bridgestone Potenza RE92-I've put about 40K on them and they are quiet, never wallow, nor follow rain grooves. They are stiffer in the sidewall and give a good turn-in and maintained perfect balance. All that said and now I'm sitting on the fence wondering what to try next in my OEM size. Looks like the Harmony-but I am nervous about the turn-in as these are not performance tires like the Potenzas. With all the bad reviews you'll read about the Potenzas I actually liked them quite a lot and still think-well, I liked the way they drove and handled enought when new to buy the whole car they were put on. Several people have liked the Yokahama TRZ's-but I don't like the styling of the sidewall.

[severous01]

if you want a good 'crisp' feel, get runflats. the sidewall is super stiff and wont flex under turning loads. otherwise, step up to a 195 series for a much better pick of different tires. 185 is an econobox tire only.

[Goose]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I went to my local Sears and bought a set of Bridgestone HP550's in the 195/60 R15 size. The HP550's appear to have a good tread and seem to be more performance-oriented than the OEM Goodyear's.

After driving a few miles on a winding country road with the new tires... I'm not sure if I didn't just waste money. I'll wait for a while before drawing my final conclusions, but here are the first impressions:

1) Straight-line tracking may have improved slightly.
2) There is now an faint oscillating sound between tires and engine @60MPH (may go away as the tires break-in).
3) The car handles badly through sweeping turns. It feels like the sidewalls want to fold under the wheels in the turn. Hopefully this will also improve as the tires break-in.
4) I knew that the diameter would be greater with the new size, but now it looks like I've got dune-buggy tires (high sidewalls) compared to what I had. Not good.

This isn't fun...

[ddongbap]

195/60R15 seems like its the wrong size. They're kinda big.

Get these:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+Sport+Z1+Star+Spec&partnum=055VR5Z1SS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

or

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+XS&partnum=05WR5EXS&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

or

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza+RE-11

or

http://www.vulcantire.com/azenis_rt615k_t.htm

And I'm sure you wont have any other issues.

The side wall bending wont get better btw. It'll end up getting worse.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=S.drive&partnum=05VR5S&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+DZ101&partnum=05VR5DZ101&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Those are a little bit less.

[Goose]

Thank you for the links.

I'm sure those tires are great (they certainly look cool), but I'm trying to stay with one set of all-seasons. I know that more specialized tires perform better than all-seasons, but I don't need super-high grip. Snow traction is important, too.

[ozmdd]

Biggest problem you have is sidewall height. 60-series tires are going to flex A LOT. Run your tire pressure a little higher, and maybe get a performance alignment, but don't expect too much from them.

[Goose]

Well, I took advantage of the 30-day trial period and dumped the HP550's. Couldn't get past the weird handling on these bigger tires. For an extra ninety bucks, I've ordered some General Altimax HP's (H-rated) in the stock 185/60 size. I'm hoping that, by conceding a little snow performance, the General's will be an improvement over the OEM tires. Hopefully my car won't be sliding all over the place this winter.

I'm also looking at rear bars... :smile: Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be sure to share my experience with the new tires once I get 'em installed.

[ddongbap]

Biggest problem you have is sidewall height. 60-series tires are going to flex A LOT. Run your tire pressure a little higher, and maybe get a performance alignment, but don't expect too much from them.

I don't think that the sidewalls on crappier tires is gonna really matter. If its crappy, its gonna be crappy even if they're 45s, IMO.

[trx73]

Have 16 x 7 rims with a 38 offset, which tires do you recommend???? 195 50 16 or 205 45 16 or 205 50 16. I am not lowering the car this year but I need tires. I am worried about too much gap or rubbing if I go the bigger tire??

[ddongbap]

Have 16 x 7 rims with a 38 offset, which tires do you recommend???? 195 50 16 or 205 45 16 or 205 50 16. I am not lowering the car this year but I need tires. I am worried about too much gap or rubbing if I go the bigger tire??

Is the gap the only thing you're worried about? Do you want grip? Or a stiff side wall that doesn't go limp during a turn? I hate limp noodles.

[trx73]

Obviously I want both, but also care about the appearance.

[ddongbap]

Are you lowered?

[trx73]

no, probably won't for some time

[ddongbap]

IMO, just deal with the wheel gap. Unless you're going to lower. You're going to have to deal with other crap otherwise.

[trx73]

205 45 16 will fit best with a 38 offset on my car

[trx73]

sorry just want to make sure before I buy tires. Have you heard anything about a brand called "Achilles"??

[kimona]

Have 16 x 7 rims with a 38 offset, which tires do you recommend???? 195 50 16 or 205 45 16 or 205 50 16. I am not lowering the car this year but I need tires. I am worried about too much gap or rubbing if I go the bigger tire??

With 16x7, ET38-40, I would recommend 195/50/16, which is OEM size.

[ddongbap]

sorry just want to make sure before I buy tires. Have you heard anything about a brand called "Achilles"??

I have not, but the 205s should fit fine, esp since you're stock height.

[ddongbap]

With 16x7, ET38-40, I would recommend 195/50/16, which is OEM size.

Where is that standard size?

[Goose]

My guess is that 195/60 R16's are an OEM option in other countries. I think the only "big" OEM option beyond the standard 14's or 15's is the 18" TRD wheel/tire combo.

For the record, I've been driving on the General Altimax HP's (185/60R15's) for a while - they're no better than the OEM Goodyear's. Sigh... :frown:

[kimona]

Where is that standard size?

195/50/16 is JDM OEM for the Vitz and Belta.

[ddongbap]

195/50/16 is JDM OEM for the Vitz and Belta.

Oh snap.

[swidd]

so....which tire is the best choice for non-lowered?

[UTVitz]

cost no object-Michelin Harmony in the OEM 185-60/15. cost considered-I've heard the Yokohama TRZ's are pretty good on this car. And no they didn't last really long, but I liked my Bridgestone Potenza RE92's, unfortunately, they cost almost what the Michelin's do.

[why?]

cost no object-Michelin Harmony in the OEM 185-60/15. cost considered-I've heard the Yokohama TRZ's are pretty good on this car. And no they didn't last really long, but I liked my Bridgestone Potenza RE92's, unfortunately, they cost almost what the Michelin's do.

i definitely disagree. What tires are the best completely depends on what you are looking for. Are you looking for the most traction? The longest life? The best gas mileage?

All 3 questions have a different answer.

[127.0.0.1]

try all the tires you want.

you need to get a rear sway bar.

get a sway bar for the cost of one tire,
slap it on, and then even OEM tires will seem like performance tires.

[swidd]

Okay, for best gas milage + quiet ride/ride comfort? I suppose that's the two main opposites = compromise needed.

[Goose]

Based on the priorities you've described, in my experience, for stock size, I'd stay with an OEM tire. I know it's not an interesting choice, but Toyota wasn't stupid when they picked the OEM tire. The OEM Goodyear Eagle LS tires that I had were comfortable, predictable and handled the foul weather well.

I do like my new General Altimax HP's (stock 185/60R15's) but they are a bit louder and there's no improvement in dry grip over the Eagles. Even though the General's are H-rated, their sidewalls are no stiffer than the T-rated Goodyear's so highway performance is the same.

I admit that my opinion of the General's is based on two things: I'm stuck with 'em & they have a cool-looking tread. The General's were also cheaper than the Goodyear's...

[ddongbap]

Based on my experience, for stock size, I'd stay with an OEM tire. I know it's not an interesting choice, but Toyota wasn't stupid when they picked the OEM tire. The OEM Goodyear Eagle LS tires that I had were comfortable, predictable and handled the foul weather well.

I do like my new General Altimax HP's (stock 185/60R15's) but they are a bit louder and there's no improvement in dry grip over the Eagles. Even though the General's are H-rated, their sidewalls are no stiffer than the T-rated Goodyear's so highway performance is the same.

I admit that my opinion of the General's is based on two things: I'm stuck with 'em & they have a cool-looking tread. The General's were also cheaper than the Goodyear's...

That doesn't mean that what Toyota does is the right choice for everybody.