-Mileage Thread- -Log your mileage, year, model, color, any problems here... - Toyota Yaris Forums

nookandcrannycar · 09-19-2012, 12:53 PM

I agree with you shastaylb re the auto-dimmer, but I like the fuel gauge! I also agree that new tires do change what you hear. If one picks the right new tires, the road feel will be preserved.

I replaced my tires on 9-12-12. I had 225,562 miles on the car and 85,009 miles on a set of Firestone FR710s. I probably could have squeezed another 3-5,000 miles out of these tires, but I will be doing quite a bit of driving in the next 7 weeks and I wanted to replace them and put this issue to rest. A month or so ago, my local Firestone factory store told me they could accommodate me (and the price would be slightly lower than Tire Rack with a more accessible comprehensive guarantee), but would need a 2 day lead time. I returned and requested the tires on 9-10-12 and made an installation appointment for 9-12-12.

I showed up for my appointment on 9-12-12. The next thing I did, I feel, was very important and I'd recommend nearly every consumer do this -- Get the quote you've been given in writing, specifying the price and the product.

The price I was quoted when I brought the car in for the appointment was actually 6 or 9 dollars less than the quote a month or so ago. I waited while the tires were installed and checked the total amount before signing the receipt. I walked out to get in my car and noticed the wrong tires were on the car!

I returned to the showroom and told the service writer trhe wrong tires were on the car. He said one of the employees screwed up my order, so they had to upgrade me to the next level of tire at the same cost (nice that I wasn't informed about this). I wasn't sure I believed him, but he said I had 30 days to bring them back if I didn't like them.

They put Firestone Affinity Touring 70,000 mile tires on the car instead of the 65,000 mile Firestone FR710s. I drove around for a bit and then pulled in to a Starbucks to boot up my laptop and check this tire out a bit. The pricing on the national Firestone Tire Store site did reflect what the rep asserted --- that for the price of the FR710 (67.84) they gave me a tire (the Affinity Touring) priced on the website (and on my receipt before adjustment) at 124.99. I read all the reviews I could find and the ones I found didn't vault one of the two above the other. I decided to live with the tires for a bit and reserve judgement.

I finished out that tank of gas and it was still above 40 MPG combined. I filled the tank and days (and a couple hundred miles) later I checked the air in the tires. The recommended PSI is 32. The PSI was between 27 and 31 on the tires on the car! I have a Craftsman 12v air compressor that I keep in my car. The previous tires over the 225k + miles = the OEMs plus 2 other sets. The 2nd and third sets each had 44 PSI max stated on the sidewall but I could easily pump them (and the OEMs as well) up to 50 PSI with my portable compressor. The rep at the store mentioned that these tires have more belts than the FR710s. The sidewall on each Affinity Touring tire warns not to inflate above 40 PSI.....lower than I am accustomed to and a stern warning in comparison. I used my compressor on each tire and I could see why the different approach from Firestone. These tires (at the same size level) are a bit over 10% heavier than the 710s -- more rubber (thicker?). My compressor got the PSI up to 34 -- the level wasn't going any higher with my compressor. The feel after that seemed similar to the 38 I ran on the 44 PSI max FR710s.

I calculated the first 'all Affinity' tank after refueling and the combined City/Hwy MPG was 40.77 -- so I thing these tires are acceptable re MPG. I was worried there might be a big drop. I'm driving to Kansas City on Saturday, so I essentially have until then to change my mind. I'm pretty sure I'll keep them. I'm impressed with the handling, stopping ability, general stability....just the way they feel overall.

My receipt shows that $271.36 was adjusted off to bring the price in line with the quote I received on the lower rung (in their line-up) FR710s. My final price out the door (including the Lifetime (Balance/Rotation/Valve Stem/and Road Hazzard) 'package' and tax) was $407.77 --- This was more than the $333.xx I paid for the FR710s on 9-26-09 in Pennsylvania --- but about the SAME as all the competition here in Houston IN 2009 -- NOT 2012. The size on the old Firestone FR710s, the 2 previous sets (including the OEMs), and these Firestone Affinity Touring = 185/60 15. Some internet marketers have the Affinity for as low as 85.00-87.00 for this size.

Note to all who purchase tires at a retail location --- Get the quote in writing.

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09-19-2012, 12:53 PM	#11
nookandcrannycar Drives: 2('14+'07)MT 3d ,wHandCrWndws! Join Date: May 2009 Location: S.MontgomeryCnty,TX(HoustonMSA) '07=BayouBlue=300,125miles=OrigOwnr '14=ClassicSilvr=29,059miles Posts: 4,839	I agree with you shastaylb re the auto-dimmer, but I like the fuel gauge! I also agree that new tires do change what you hear. If one picks the right new tires, the road feel will be preserved. I replaced my tires on 9-12-12. I had 225,562 miles on the car and 85,009 miles on a set of Firestone FR710s. I probably could have squeezed another 3-5,000 miles out of these tires, but I will be doing quite a bit of driving in the next 7 weeks and I wanted to replace them and put this issue to rest. A month or so ago, my local Firestone factory store told me they could accommodate me (and the price would be slightly lower than Tire Rack with a more accessible comprehensive guarantee), but would need a 2 day lead time. I returned and requested the tires on 9-10-12 and made an installation appointment for 9-12-12. I showed up for my appointment on 9-12-12. The next thing I did, I feel, was very important and I'd recommend nearly every consumer do this -- Get the quote you've been given in writing, specifying the price and the product. The price I was quoted when I brought the car in for the appointment was actually 6 or 9 dollars less than the quote a month or so ago. I waited while the tires were installed and checked the total amount before signing the receipt. I walked out to get in my car and noticed the wrong tires were on the car! I returned to the showroom and told the service writer trhe wrong tires were on the car. He said one of the employees screwed up my order, so they had to upgrade me to the next level of tire at the same cost (nice that I wasn't informed about this). I wasn't sure I believed him, but he said I had 30 days to bring them back if I didn't like them. They put Firestone Affinity Touring 70,000 mile tires on the car instead of the 65,000 mile Firestone FR710s. I drove around for a bit and then pulled in to a Starbucks to boot up my laptop and check this tire out a bit. The pricing on the national Firestone Tire Store site did reflect what the rep asserted --- that for the price of the FR710 (67.84) they gave me a tire (the Affinity Touring) priced on the website (and on my receipt before adjustment) at 124.99. I read all the reviews I could find and the ones I found didn't vault one of the two above the other. I decided to live with the tires for a bit and reserve judgement. I finished out that tank of gas and it was still above 40 MPG combined. I filled the tank and days (and a couple hundred miles) later I checked the air in the tires. The recommended PSI is 32. The PSI was between 27 and 31 on the tires on the car! I have a Craftsman 12v air compressor that I keep in my car. The previous tires over the 225k + miles = the OEMs plus 2 other sets. The 2nd and third sets each had 44 PSI max stated on the sidewall but I could easily pump them (and the OEMs as well) up to 50 PSI with my portable compressor. The rep at the store mentioned that these tires have more belts than the FR710s. The sidewall on each Affinity Touring tire warns not to inflate above 40 PSI.....lower than I am accustomed to and a stern warning in comparison. I used my compressor on each tire and I could see why the different approach from Firestone. These tires (at the same size level) are a bit over 10% heavier than the 710s -- more rubber (thicker?). My compressor got the PSI up to 34 -- the level wasn't going any higher with my compressor. The feel after that seemed similar to the 38 I ran on the 44 PSI max FR710s. I calculated the first 'all Affinity' tank after refueling and the combined City/Hwy MPG was 40.77 -- so I thing these tires are acceptable re MPG. I was worried there might be a big drop. I'm driving to Kansas City on Saturday, so I essentially have until then to change my mind. I'm pretty sure I'll keep them. I'm impressed with the handling, stopping ability, general stability....just the way they feel overall. My receipt shows that $271.36 was adjusted off to bring the price in line with the quote I received on the lower rung (in their line-up) FR710s. My final price out the door (including the Lifetime (Balance/Rotation/Valve Stem/and Road Hazzard) 'package' and tax) was $407.77 --- This was more than the $333.xx I paid for the FR710s on 9-26-09 in Pennsylvania --- but about the SAME as all the competition here in Houston IN 2009 -- NOT 2012. The size on the old Firestone FR710s, the 2 previous sets (including the OEMs), and these Firestone Affinity Touring = 185/60 15. Some internet marketers have the Affinity for as low as 85.00-87.00 for this size. Note to all who purchase tires at a retail location --- Get the quote in writing.