What tires should we get for our SUV? (best, MPG, truck)

[quiet walker]

I'm driving a Hyundai Santa Fe GS with the 3.8V6. And I'm looking at Michelins at Sears (P225/70R16) for about $155 apiece. I do all road driving but we do get some nasty ice and snow around my area sometimes. I would pick Michelins because of my experience and satisfaction with them. I'm too old to go investigating other tires when I have something I know works well and is a good value My previous car, had slippery and traction issues when I bought it new. When came time to replace the tires, for some reason I picked Michelins. My God, it was like a whole different car. Not only did the traction issue completely disappear but it rode smoother.

[filmsniffer]

Originally Posted by Tightwad

I've found that there is a way to get a tire that's tough as nails and a good price. Shop for tire that are made for "extra load" . These can be car or truck tires designed for heavier loading with no compromise in ride or performance. Ask for these tires THEN MAKE 110% SURE THEY SAY"EXTRA LOAD" ON THE TIRE SIDEWALL BEFORE THEY ARE MOUNTED!! I get twice the life with no performance problems at all cheaper than truck tires on my Suburban and a great ride all round.

Since "extra load" tires are not that well known they often are a huge bargain since they don't pay to advertise them at all anymore.

Wrong.

XL load range tires do give stiffer ride than standard rate passenger tire. But driving a Suburban, you don't really notice it. "Extra Load" tires are mostly called a XL tire - 2 ply rating. Old designation was "B" load range.

But after that, it's still the old system - "C" load range tire. That's with the 4-ply rating. The higher, the more. The higher, the stiffer the ride is.

Light Truck tires is a whole different ballgame.

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Best bet: You should stick to your manufacturer's recommendations. That can be found on a sticker on the driver's door or the jamb. It will get you started.

Oh, and if the Suburban requires a LT tire with load "C" range tires, the passenger XL tires on there are underrated for your application which is a no-no.


See this article for more information. Tire Tech Information - Load Range/Ply Rating Identification

[maggiekate]

Originally Posted by Deez Nuttz

Our 2007 Honda CRV is about ready for some new rubbers. As of now it rides on 225/65/R17 Bridgestone Dueler H/T's.

According to Walmart.com, they have 4 different tires that will fit the Honda, but only recommends one of them because it's rated as an actual SUV tire. The tire they recommend is a Goodyear Fortera TripleTred and it sells for $190 a piece. Here's a link to it: Walmart.com: Tires

And here's the lesser expensive tire offered by Goodyear as a replacement: Walmart.com: Tires

I know the tires are what connects you to the road and is not exactly an area to skimp out on, but my question is just how important is it to spend $190 a pop on an actual SUV tire?

Hi, I have a honda crv year 2002 soon to be 8 years old. I was trying to decide to keep, or trade. Anyway, I love this car, and it only does have
21000 miles on it. Honda, right here, had the special buy 3 get 1 free, so
yes I did bring the car to Honda, they gave me bridgestone tires. My price
with all the rest around 495.00. Beats having a new car, I just like the honda
dealer near me. They did save me 100.00 for the check engine light that came on, it was gas cap. My tire replacement was 2 were needed to be soon, and the age of rubber. I also live in the sunshine state, Hot. With tires
I would get the best, depending on how long you will keep your car. My car
now 8 more years! I do think honda does give free rotation for life! Mostly I would trade the car, get the new car with tires? Dumb, when I did keep a car
and got tires I always got them with Sears, and had great luck with them. This time, my trusty Honda guy! I just looked up the bill total was 564.00
4 tires the balance stems, etc., with free rotation for life. I used a credit card that give rewards, then did pay it off. Call the dealer honda and ask about the buy 3 get one free, with rotation for life! Then you get the Bridgestore tires, and you cost should be as my cost, because I just did it! p.s that was all the taxes, and yes, they do have a fee, to retire the old tires also!

[Deez Nuttz]

I just learned Wal Mart doesn't install tires of any lesser than the factory rated load by the manufacturer. Meaning since the CRV is supposed to have 102 T tires, that's the reason why they recommend the $190 tires.

[deepcynic]

Well, personally I would not go to Wal-Mart for tires.

I trust my local shop. What do folks that sell cheap fans know about tires?

[Grandpa Pipes]

Originally Posted by filmsniffer

Oh, and if the Suburban requires a LT tire with load "C" range tires, the passenger XL tires on there are underrated for your application which is a no-no.

Nah, not really. I watch the load per tire which with x-load tires is over 2000 lbs per tire so x 4= over 8000 lbs which is plenty on my 6500lbs Suburban. If I put LT tire's on the Sub my mpg and ride would go all to hell for no gain at all since I don't tow over 2000lbs. However, "if" I towed upwards of 6000 lb loads the Sub would need 6 ply sidewall "c" range LT tires. It's all in how you use and what you do with your vehicle 90% of the time.

One has to be smart enough to add/subtract and read to find the best product for their need no matter what the "experts" say. Quoting the "experts" isn't really that much help compared to experienced based answers one can find on forums like CD.

[trlhiker]

Originally Posted by Deez Nuttz

I just learned Wal Mart doesn't install tires of any lesser than the factory rated load by the manufacturer. Meaning since the CRV is supposed to have 102 T tires, that's the reason why they recommend the $190 tires.

Thats crap, they just trying to get money out of you. I just looked thru my wife's manual and nothing in there says it is supposed to have a 102T.
The tires I have are 96T ans they are perfectly fine. Do some research and go somewhere else to buy.

[M3 Mitch]

Oi, can't believe I am the first to suggest you go look at what's on offer at Tire Rack. They will have a recommeded installer in your area, me, no way am I going to have the psuedo-techs at Wally World wrenching on even my cheapest ride.

Everybody wants a good deal, but, keep in mind you only buy tires occasionally, the bitterness of poor quality (poor traction, maybe vibration you can't get rid of due to out-of round, etc.) will remain long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

[truemuck]

Originally Posted by Deez Nuttz

The CRV is mostly road driving. We don't off road with it. We do have some gravel roads around here we might have to go down once in awhile. We live in rural Missouri. We do get snow here. The CRV is an AWD vehicle and also serves as the family car.

The only reason we've considered Wal mart is because my wife is a penny pincher and also because that's one of the few places she'd be willing to go. Trying to convince her we "need" $190 a pop tires to her is nuts.

Plus were about to embark on an upcoming road trip to her family who lives on the east coast of NC, otherwise I'd consider buying from tire rack and either installing them myself or paying someone to do it.

I've considered the $105 Goodyears. However I was not sure since the CRV is an AWD SUV if it really had to have the $190 Goodyear tires. The $105 Goodyears are rated as a passenger car tire.

Sounds like your driving habits are pretty similar to mine, although we probably get a lot more snow up here in NE Ohio than you do down there. That said, I'd still recommend the Yokohama Geolandars. By the time I was done with mounting, balancing, valve stems, and the whole works, plus free lifetime rotation it was like $625 and I got a good tire.

And I agree with what others said about avoiding Wal-Mart. After they overtorqued the lugnuts on my old Saturn and I had a lug shear off when trying to rotate my tires, never again! Pep Boys isn't too bad, if you're looking for something cheap.

[agreatlife]

I have to agree about the Goodyear Fortera. Just a fabulous tire, but they could be a little spendy. Also, regardless of what tire you decide on, make sure you know the date. The date is on all tires, and if a set gets shoved to the back of the dealer's garage, you could end up with older tires, and rubber does deteriorate. Make the retailer show you the date on the tire before you purchase it.