A Visit to TireRack South Bend

[snowsquirrel]

When I bought the 2008 Yaris in August 2016, it came with only a new set of snow tires, so I bought additional set of used OEM alloy wheels with old tires that have seen better days, hence a new set (185/60R15) of all seasons is required!

This vehicle is only for in town driving and road trips occasionally, main requirements are handling safety, fuel economy and low road noise, don't need any high performance rubber. I settled on the General Altimax RT43 for US$63ea. All in US$331.71 (before Mfg rebate of $50).

I made the trip to the TireRack's only workshop in South Bend IN, to have the tires installed and visited a few places on the way (and more shoppings) also to check out the Yaris' fuel economy, which I clocked at average 6 litre/100KM.

Thought you may be interested to see a few photos of the place.

[ern-diz]

:thumbsup:

[thebarber]

Seems like quite the drive for tires

[snowsquirrel]

I know, seems crazy to drive there for the tires alone, however, I also did some shopping and spent a day in the Henry Ford's, I made it into a road trip! only 350KM each way from Detroit!
All in all it was an interesting trip, visited Toledo as well.

Noticed TireRack only uses floor jacks? 4 for each bay, total 11 bays.

[thebarber]

I know, seems crazy to drive there for the tires alone, however, I also did some shopping and spent a day in the Henry Ford's, I made it into a road trip! only 350KM each way from Detroit!
All in all it was an interesting trip, visited Toledo as well.

Noticed TireRack only uses floor jacks? 4 for each bay, total 11 bays.

lol, i find it crazy now...but when i was in my 20's i did something similar....i drove london to the west end of detroit to meet a guy from cleveland for some wheels/tires for my XRS.

maybe i'll see you around waterloo...

[snowsquirrel]

lol, i find it crazy now...but when i was in my 20's i did something similar....i drove london to the west end of detroit to meet a guy from cleveland for some wheels/tires for my XRS.

maybe i'll see you around waterloo...

Yeah, don't seem crazy at the time, esp if you like to travel, bottom line you may not save, but it pays towards the trip.

Are you still driving the gold Echo? Have not notice one on the road.

[thebarber]

Yeah, don't seem crazy at the time, esp if you like to travel, bottom line you may not save, but it pays towards the trip.

Are you still driving the gold Echo? Have not notice one on the road.

ya, gold echo that's lowered with a projector retrofit...

i commute to london 3 days a week, but i live near uptown

there are a couple other gold echo's around, and one is an RS, too.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/dabarber/echo%20RS/IMG_20160725_212458_zpsz6er3vna.jpg

[bronsin]

Huh floor jacks no lifts at Tire Rack.

Who would a thunk it?

[thebarber]

Huh floor jacks no lifts at Tire Rack.

Who would a thunk it?

lower maintenance...

[snowsquirrel]

ya, gold echo that's lowered with a projector retrofit...

i commute to london 3 days a week, but i live near uptown

there are a couple other gold echo's around, and one is an RS, too.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b339/dabarber/echo%20RS/IMG_20160725_212458_zpsz6er3vna.jpg

A very nice & well maintained Echo!!

[thebarber]

A very nice & well maintained Echo!!

LOL, wait till you see it in real life. she's got 340k on her. the previous owner, a friend of mine, had someone band the passenger door with a shopping cart...i haven't popped the dent yet ;)

[SirDigby]

Huh floor jacks no lifts at Tire Rack.

Who would a thunk it?

not even any jack stands. how dangerous. it's like a giant peerless tire.
now I know what they use, I know to take their advise with a grain of salt...

[WeeYari]

not even any jack stands. how dangerous.


Just like my driveway. Knowing I won't be under the car, I don't bother with stands when swapping wheels.

[thebarber]

Just like my driveway. Knowing I won't be under the car, I don't bother with stands when swapping wheels.

X2

My new Jack has a built in safety bar, though