Which tires do I pick?

[swidd]

Hi,

got a list from a local tire shop. Price is not really a deciding factor; its a lot of money either way, but I want the best possible tires for all seasons (I don't have storage for separate winter tires).

Do any of the tires in the selection below stand out as better for good fuel economy or silent ride?

I want to hear if anyone have good or bad experiences specific for the Yaris - otherwise I'm going to go with the General Altimax HP. It can be pumped up to 51 psi, which I assume will give a nice and stiff ride with good MPG?

Btw. the prices are out-the-door, and includes installation. Thanks for input!!

[MUSKOKA800]

Not sure what your winter is like but I don't see any 4-season tires on your list.
'All-season' is a misnomer. All-seasons in Mexico or similar climates perhaps where temps don't drop below +7C (+45F).

[swidd]

NEPA: occasional snow, patches of ice, mostly just cold but dry. A lot of rain. +25 to -10C.

[severous01]

radar...nice...pick those.

ooooh even better...get nexen


just pick something that you like. they're all about the same unless you're a serious racer or street racer. they're all eco-tires in that size so they're all designed to be quiet, light duty, miles and cheap.

but, if you go with a 195 series tire you'll open a can of worms you dont want to and you'll be really confused.

to be honest, pick one that has a decent treadwear rating and dont worry about the rest. the alignment of these cars is not aggressive at all and tires wont chop or make too much noise no matter what you get.

[swidd]

195? Is there any benefit?

[33OH]

In the summer yes, larger contact patch for more traction (195 means the tire is 10mm wider than 185). In the winter no, you want a smaller contact patch to push through the snow/ice easier (rather than glide over it).

Hankook makes some killer all-seasons in the ice/snow. We're testing the Optimo H727's now and they are incredible. And with a 100,000 mile warranty to boot.

http://discounttires.com/product_detail.php?c=OTlkODJjMmZlZjdkZjMyMWRlMWIwZ jJlNTNlMTZjMWE=&prodID=9571

I'd recommend sticking with the 185/60/15 for all-season applications.

[swidd]

last tires I bought came with 80,000 mile warranty and are pretty much down to the thread wear at 42,000. And I drive like a granny. So I don't put too much faith in that number.. I'll look at hanKOCK. :)

[33OH]

To level with you, my dad is one of those "America only" type guys, and he picked the Hankooks (made in Korea) over Goodyear Triple Treads this year because of the performance and value. The tires are insanely grippy in the ice/snow/rain and still offer excellent dry performance.

Google "Optimo H727 reviews" and you'll see a lot of happy customers. :)

(And you can file warranty claims and get replacement tires if you keep the original documentation.)

[33OH]

And most of the tires in your list are economy tires which will be horrid in the cold. :)

Read the reviews on the General Altimax HP before you buy them: http://www.tirerack.com/survey/SurveyComments.jsp?additionalComments=y&commentStatus=P&tireMake=General&tireModel=Altimax+HP&tirePageLocQty=

[swidd]

Well its only bad weather on a very few number of days here... and I drive slow and careful... I don't want to pick primarily with respect to winter conditions.

From the reviews it appears the Altimax HPs wear out in 30-40,000 miles... and for $101 installed, that's not a super bargain anymore... but isn't it on par with what it would cost to buy, ship and pay someone to installed via tirerack/discounttires?

(and of course I never keep paperwork around, lol :)

[33OH]

Same here on the bad weather. I'm south of any lake effect snow that most Ohioans get. It's usually icy/dry and cold here during winter. I was just focusing on winter as it's the most demanding month.

You can usually do cheaper than the tire shops if you order online.

Example:

$62 ea. (even kind of expensive for an online tire) with the Hankooks comes out to $248. $10 shipping per tire = $288. Tire shops mount/balance is usually $10 per tire. $328 total.

[33OH]

And the General Altimax HP's sound decent, just a lot of people complaining about premature wear in the reviews. If you're comfortable with it, it looks like the best tire of the bunch that your local shop can get IMO.

(Also there were a couple of reviews for bad gas mileage due to the compound being too sticky.)

[Thirty-Nine]

I've never even heard of Radar tires.

Unfortunately, I don't have much to add, as I've never had any of those tires before. I have owned Goodyears, Bridgestone and Yokohamas, though. I currently have Bridgestone Turanza tires on my Suzuki SX4 and like 'em well enough.

[why?]

all i can add is to stay away from the potenzas. But I think that is obvious. I like the yokohama's i have now, but their snow performance seems to be subpar at this moment.

[swidd]

I looked into getting hankook locally... No other tire have so good reviews....?

[swidd]

Okay I'm getting really exited about getting some Hankooks now... With a rebate, I'll pay $400 out the door at a local installer/Pepboys.

I looked into doing it the online/tire rack way, and called around for install quotes, and lowest I've found around here is $18/tire+tire disposal free+stem valves=$23/tire. In addition to $288+$37 shipping=$321 for the tires, it would be $413.

But regardless, H727 it is!! Having an airplane name on the side of the car doesn't hurt either, it'll make it hard to tell if the Yaris can fly.

Thanks for the advice :)

[MUSKOKA800]

Nice Choice! 4-Seasons.

[swidd]

I just paid for them, and somehow ended up paying just $453 with road side warranty and everything else. So less the rebate i got them for $375. Installation next week!!

EDIT: And looking at my receipt, it appears I was charged for TPMS which I don't have... so if I get that charge taken off, my new tire escapade will in total cost $348!

[cali yaris]

congrats on doing your homework and making an informed purchase! :smile:

last tires I bought came with 80,000 mile warranty and are pretty much down to the thread wear at 42,000.

and of course I never keep paperwork around, lol

Maybe you should?

[33OH]

Awesome, let us know what you think of them.

[swidd]

I've driven about 50 miles with them so far, and I am duly impressed. A+ so far.

New tires would obviously make a big difference compared to old "slick" tires regardless, but compared to the last time I had new tires (American Radial=shit), these H727 tires are way, way, way quiet. Like, absolutely amazingly SILENT. They also seem to make the Yaris handle 'light', they are directionally stable at highway speed (way better than the American Radials=shit).

First thing I did was hit up a gas pump, so I'll refuel at the same exact pump in about a week to get a MPG reading, although its a lot of cold starts going on here now...

Thanks for the recommendation, 33OH!

[33OH]

Glad you like them! Thanks for the review.

[swidd]

1000 miles and lots of snow, ice and slush, and I continue to be satisfied. Didn't seem to impact MPG much, I've done lots of idling and cold starts so too early to get a fair reading, but they certainly didn't hurt MPG. Remain smooth riding, and traction in snow and ice is phenomenal. They are very "directional".