Who is Cy

Hi, I'm Cy Chowattukunnel (in old country language, my last name means he who knows all about tires). I'm entering my 10th year at the Tire Rack.  So far it's been a great ride. I've enjoyed working with drivers across the country and around the world.

Comments on Who is Cy

Friday, January 27, 2012 by Jeff:
Your recent article on the late model Dodge Ram wheels has an error. The standard size for alloy 17" wheels is 17X8, not 17X7. Thanks, Jeff
Friday, February 24, 2012 by Cy:
Dodge used both 17x7 and 17x8 wheels, we added this additional information to that post.
Thank you.
Cy
Sunday, November 4, 2012 by Gerry:
We now have a 2012 MK 6 Golf R. It is my wife's Company car. We do an 80 mile commute. As you know,car has the Dunlop AS in 225/40 18. My other car (1998 Black Passat) has 225/45 17 Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus, and I like them very much, I believe I can feel a little less slip angle and I would say they are the best tires we have had on this old car.

We do not plan to do any track days or wild cornering with the R. It gets about 25 MPG short shifting much of the time 2,4,6. It seems geared low to me. I wonder about a lot of possibilities. If the Yoko Green tire made of oranges could really save me some fuel mileage and if they had some grip, maybe that would be a good idea for fast cruising, or is this thinking bogus. I do not think we want a dedicated summer tire. Could get the Pilot Sport AS, or save money and get the Conti AS, do not like Conti, but you guys say they are very good. What about trying to go to a taller tire, like a 45 section (or, to explore fuel mileage, how tall could you go, and then there is all that weight like a big fywheel). Perhaps a 235/40-18 Pilot Sport A/S. I believe it weighs the same as the 225 and is taller, and may even last longer because it is more tire. I do believe that wider tires have poorer Aero Cd, and can be heavier, and can have more rolling resistance, and can affeat steering and ride feeling every imperfection on the road. We can stay with stock size, or try to get better fuel economy and even ride. We will let the next owner be the one to take it to the track, I have an old Lotus 7 for the track.

Thanks Cy.
Monday, November 5, 2012 by cy:
Hi Gerry,

For your emphasis on efficiency and for a tire doesn't overly compromise steering response and overall handling I would look at a lightweight 225/40-18 tire like the Pirelli Pzero Nero AS see:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=P+Zero+Nero+All+Season&partnum=24HR80NASXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&wtpackage=true&affiliate=HK8

Taller sizes will hurt efficiency because of poorer aerodynamics. Taller sizes will also raise the center of gravity slightly negatively effecting how sporty the car feels.

The 225/40-18 Pirelli Pzero Nero A/S linked above weighs about 2 lbs less then 225/40-18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S so that couple with experimenting with air pressures 3-5 lbs above the 38 front&back factory pressure should help with efficiency.
Cy
Wednesday, May 22, 2013 by Clarence:
Hi, I have a 09 impala with a high speed vibration that happens only after about 20-30 min at high speed in warm weather, this is since the car was new every thing has been checked out by the chevy dealer and is ok.
. The tries have been balanced twice/w a hunter roadforce balancer /w a litte improvement. Chevy customer service says the car was designed this way??? My question does tire rack sell a good allseason tire that doesn't vibrate at high speed without needing to be roadforce balanced?
Wednesday, May 29, 2013 by cy:
Clarence, based on your summary the vibration doesn't appear to be caused by a tire or wheel issue so I'd recommend having your Chevy dealer continue to trouble-shoot so they can find the root cause.

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