Any recommendations for replacement tires?

steve w · 11-07-2004, 10:47 PM

One original tire is biting the dust due to belt separation. I've read a few of the threads regarding tires. If any of you have experience with non-original tires, I'd appreciate hearing from you. I'll need to buy/possibly order something soon and would appreciate your latest impressions. Thanks mch, Steve

11-08-2004, 02:01 AM

Hi Steve W:

___I know you just recently picked up your little beauty but please consider replacing the OEM’s with OEM’s. The Bridgestone RE92’s can be purchased for as low as $48.00 + shipping and are the only true high mileage tire you can use for maximum fuel economy. When running 50 + #’s, they will last 100,000 miles if that helps.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:2i0opbiz]Waynegerdes@earthlink.net[/email:2i0opbiz]

figgy · 11-08-2004, 02:52 AM

If you are after the best mpg, definitely stick with the OEMs. If you want a performance increase wrt traction and handling, then you loose the hyper mpg, but there are many options. You can still get lean burn and good mpg, but it will not the same as the OEMs at 50 psi.

It's not like you'll get bad mileage without the OEMs - relative to any other car, but it won't be the same as the OEMs and for the Insight it will be noticeably lower.

If you've had the OEMs and haven't wished you had anything else, then just replace them. If you've wished for something else, now is the chance. Just spend the time reading the posts and think about how it relates to your driving goals.

For me I really feel like I am just floating over the road when I am cruising along with the OEMs pumped up to 50, however when I'm on HWY 1 and especially when it's wet and foggy, it is nice to have some super sticky tires that handle well in the rain to boot!

Tim Maddux · 11-08-2004, 10:25 PM

Rick Reece · 11-09-2004, 05:31 AM

The OEM tires are definitely made to last especcially if your drive for high mpg. I still have two of the original tires on at 110K miles and in regards to tread depth they look to be able to go another 100K. I replaced 2 of the tires due to a bulge in the sidewall on one.

steve w · 11-09-2004, 07:20 AM

Thanks for all of your replies. It seems like I'd lose some MPG with any other tire choice. While I think there are other tires w/better handling characteristics, being able to replace just 2 rather than all 4 is the lower cost option as tread depth is fine. Any problems replacing just 2 tires vs. all 4? I'll check w/the local Costco to see if they are in stock today. Having this forum is great to be able to problem-solve these questions. Thanks again, Steve

Willie Williford · 11-09-2004, 11:23 AM

I have been running OEM on the front and Goodyears on the rear, (different size) for curing the "wiggle". No problems.

SEE THE TURBOCHARGED INSIGHT THREAD FOR DETAILS.

Tire rotation comes into the picture, but I NEVER rotate my tires. (Read a recent article where BMW says NEVER rotate the tires on the BMW.)

If the suspension and alignment are set up properly, there is no reason for an alignment.

A lot of the "super cars" have different size tires front and rear.

Guillermo · 11-09-2004, 12:57 PM

IF you using 2 different sets of tires front and rear it's safer to put the new tires with more grip in the rear. Because if the front tires have significantly more grip then the rear tires, the car can oversteer and spinout during a turn.

figgy · 11-09-2004, 02:59 PM

If you can still keep 2 of your existing tires, then definitely OEMs will save you the most and keep you in the mpg game.

Skimmer · 11-10-2004, 01:38 PM

Is anybody using the Sumitomo HTR 200? That's supposed to be a low-rolling-resistance tire that also has better performance characteristics than the OEM tires, and maybe a bit softer ride, too. Comments?