Steve's Tire Selections

For over a decade, the Honda Odyssey has been one of America's top selling minivans. With its good looks, spacious interior and Honda's reliability, the Odyssey has logged millions of miles on U.S. roads. Along for the ride are some very good choices of tires, including the most common size of 235/65R16.
 

Having spoken with hundreds of Odyssey owners and having made several more recommendations, I've found three tires that have been solid choices.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTredTouring

Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology

Hankook Optimo H727

My favorite option is the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring. This tire is one on the best riding tires I have ever driven on. Period. It offers the qualities most drivers are looking for in a tire: very smooth, quiet, great all-season traction and will last a long time.
 

Next, the Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology is an ecologically friendly tire that's designed to enhance driving pleasure, save fuel and maintain grip while on wet surfaces. Technically, the tire is marketed as a Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire, but works just as well on the Honda Odyssey. This tire is also very comfortable and offers excellent traction. The difference with this tire is its low rolling resistance technology that provides drivers with a little better fuel economy.
 

When in comes to a value option, I prefer the Hankook Optimo H727. This tire offers good all-season traction and reasonable ride manners. It's developed to deliver a premium appearance and long wear along with dry, wet and wintertime traction, even in light snow. Optimo H727 tires also come with a 100,000-mile treadlife warranty.

Do you need additional help with selecting your new tires? Then visit our Tire Decision Guide to see which performance category best suits your driving needs.

It's been a long time coming but additional sizes for the Hankook Ventus R-S3 are on their way, just in time for the 2012 autocross season. With a few new sizes already in stock, we expect to have more available in the coming weeks. You can always pre-order a set and reserve your spot in line and we'll ship once your size is available.
 

This Extreme Performance Summer option is a super sticky dry tire used by many autocrossers. This tire will hang with the best and always represents a great value for the weekend warrior. Hankook's Racing Carbonblack Silica Compound (RCSC) technology has been incorporated in the Ventus R-S3 to improve dry grip. You don't have to be a racer to enjoy the benefits of this tire. While it meets the demands of autocross, drifting and track events, it was also developed for serious sport cars, sport coupes and performance sedan enthusiasts looking for a race-minded street tire. The Ventus R-S3 was designedto reduce the performance gap between street and track tires by significantly improving dry traction; it's also important to remember the tire is not intended to be driven through snow, or ice or in near-freezing temperatures.
 

The Ventus name and unique flame patterns are subtly recessed into the center rib and both intermediate ribs to help drivers show off their "hot" new treads. Be sure to get your set before they're gone!

Are you looking to increase horsepower and improve your vehicle's fuel economy?

Last fall, I installed the AIRAID QuickFit with SynthaMax on my 2007 Dodge Charger 3.5L V6. No, it's not a Hemi, but it did come stock with an engine adequately rated at 250 horsepower. The AIRAID intake immediately gave my vehicle better responsiveness, a deeper sound and a slight uptick in fuel economy. According to AIRAID, this modification gave me an increase of 12HP.

This spring, I followed that mod by tuning the engine with the Hypertech Max Energy Power Programmer. This tune really woke up my car. My first impression was a noticeable improvement in torque, throttle response and power. According to Hypertech, it gave me an increase of 7HP. The combination of an intake and tune was simple, easy to install and has given the car a whole new attitude. And I'm getting my best fuel economy since owning my vehicle!

 

AIRAID QuickFit with SynthaMax

Hypertech Max Energy Power Programmer

The QuickFit with SynthaMax air intake and Max Energy Power Programmer combination is also a great fit for the following vehicles:

• Chevy Camaro
• Ford Mustang
• Dodge Challenger and Charger
• Chrysler 300
• Ford F150/F250
• Chevy Silverado
• Dodge Ram 1500/2500
• JEEP Wrangler

To find the right combination for your vehicle, shop for engine tuning parts here.

With the increasing costs of gasoline, more and more drivers are looking for ways to improve their fuel economy. Fortunately, tire manufacturers have recognized this need and how tires affect fuel efficiency.
 

Tire rolling resistance has an impact on vehicle fuel consumption estimated to range from about 4% during urban driving to 7% during highway driving. The engine and driveline is estimated to consume approximately 80% of the fuel, while the remainder is used to overcome inertia, wind resistance, converted into heat by the brakes or consumed when the vehicle is idling. The automotive industry estimates a 10% reduction in tire rolling resistance will result in a one to two percent improvement in vehicle fuel economy. And while that may not seem like a lot, it can reduce fuel consumption by a couple of tanks a year and make the purchase of lower rolling resistance tires a better value over their lifetime. When considering a low rolling resistance tire for your vehicle, take a look at the following options:
 

Michelin HydroEdge with Green X

Bridgestone Ecopia EP422

Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max

 

Recently, Michelin introduced the Defender, a new Standard Touring All-Season tire. From what we have experienced in the past from Michelin, we expect this tire to be an excellent option for many drivers. This tire is replacing their HydroEdge with Green X and Harmony tires.
 

Michelin says this tire will help defend you from the effects of high fuel costs, protect you with shorter braking distances and will last longer, thus protecting your investment in new tires.
 

According to Michelin, the Defender has a 22% improvement in rolling resistance and a 16% improvement in wet braking over the Michelin Harmony. The Defender features Michelin's new IntelliSipe Technology which helps stabilize the tread block design during acceleration, braking and cornering. It also increases the number of sipes in the tread, resulting in greater grip in braking. The tire also features an interlocking action that creates a more rigid tread block and reduces tread depth without sacrificing safety, longevity or fuel efficiency.          

With most sizes meeting Michelin's Green-X low rolling resistance objectives, the Defender tire is designed to provide comfortable driving characteristics and all-season traction in dry, wet and wintry conditions while offering an option that's environmentally friendly. For more information on this fuel-efficient tire, read "Michelin Green X."

Introducing the all-new Firestone Destination LE 2. The Destination models are by far the most popular tires Firestone offers. The previous model, the Firestone Destination LE, has been one of our best selling Highway All-Season tires for many years. The new Destination LE 2 has a new and refreshed sporty tread design. The stylish sidewall is very clean and simple with attractive raised outlined white letters on one side and an all-black sidewall on the other.
 

This tire will offer better wet and dry traction, as well as ride quieter and have better fuel efficiency over its predecessor. So if it's time to replace your Destination LE or you're just looking for a better option than your Original Equipment, consider the new Destination LE 2.

Don't drive a light-duty pickup, van, crossover or sport utility vehicle? No problem. You can find Firestone car tires when you view all Firestone tires we carry.

Brand new for 2012, BFGoodrich has reintroduced a new and improved Ultra High Performance Summer tire. The g-Force Sport COMP-2 is designed for high performance sports cars and modern muscle. It's engineered to accelerate faster, corner harder and brake in a shorter amount of distance. At first glance, it looks similar to its predecessor, the BFGoodrich g-Force Sport, but there are big differences.
 

The tire features a new silica-infused COMP-2 compound that's derived from racing technology and delivers a sharp steering response and grip in wet and dry conditions without sacrificing treadwear.
 

g-Force Sport COMP-2 tires feature BFGoodrich’s Performance Racing Core (PRC) internal structure that includes twin, high tensile steel belts reinforced by an enhanced ETEC System (Equal TEnsion Containment) of spirally wound nylon that stabilizes the tread area to optimize the contact patch for traction at speed and in hard cornering. Also, g-Control sidewall inserts featuring up to a 40% higher sidewall stiffening structure help improve lateral stability and cornering precision.
 

This tire is a great fit for cars such as the new Chevrolet Camaro SS, Nissan 370Z, VW GTI and many others.

Thinking about giving your JEEP or Truck a new look? Dick Cepek has always been a popular choice for off-road enthusiasts. New for 2012, we're proud to offer the Dick Cepek GM7. This seven-spoke, machined with anthracite accent wheel comes in both 17" and 20" options for a JEEP, Ram, F-150 and many other vehicles. Don't forget about the popular Torque and DC-2 wheels, too.
 

Do you need tires to go along with your new rims? Keep that aggressive look and off-road capability going with Dick Cepek tires, including the On-/Off-Road All-Terrain Radial F-C II, the super aggressive Crusher or the Off-Road Maximum Traction Mud Country.
 

Dick Cepek GM7

Dick Cepek Torque

Dick Cepek DC-2

 

You've seen them all over the place and now you want to know where you can get a set of Rockstar rims from KMC XD Series? Tire Rack has you covered. These wheels are one of our best sellers. The KMC XD Series Rockstar comes in three coveted finishes: machined with black accent, chrome and black. They're even available for your heavy duty dually. Go big or go home because these bad boys rock out in sizes 16" to 24" for your Dodge Ram, Chevy Silverado, Ford F150, JEEP, Hummer and many other off-road vehicles.  

Do you need tires to go along with a set of Rockstars? Then build your ideal Tire & Wheel Package today!

Rockstar (black)

Rockstar (chrome)

Rockstar (machined with black accent)

 

In 2011, Continental introduced their new Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season tire, the Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology.
 

The CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology is an ecologically friendly option developed to help crossovers, sport utility vehicles and light-duty pickup trucks perform on the highway and in mild off-road conditions. CrossContact LX20 tires are designed to enhance driving pleasure, save fuel and maintain grip when braking on wet surfaces, all while providing long wear and all-season traction, even in light snow.
 

The tire ranked first during our testing and is near the top in our Tire Survey Results. SEMA even awarded the Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology as the 2011 winner of the "Best New Tire and Related Product."

Here's a look at what some of our customers are saying about their experience with the tire:

"Since changing to the Continental tire, the road noise has been reduced in the cabin. It is a more comfortable ride than the stock tires and my MPG has increased slightly. I expect it would be greater with some longer trips. I highly recommend these tires." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

"Great tires. I enjoy driving my Cadillac SRX again. Noise level was substantially reduced." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2006 Cadillac SRX 2WD V8

To see how this Continental tire can benefit your vehicle, watch "Testing Eco-Focused Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season Tires."

Do you have one of these sizes? If so, you must own a GM vehicle. It appears these sizes were made by GM for the Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook. That being said, there aren't many options available in this size, however there are more options now than a year ago.
 

SUVs with the O.E. size of 255/65R-18 came with the Goodyear Fortera HL Edition, while SUVs with the size 255/60R19 were equipped with either the Michelin Latitude Tour or Goodyear Eagle RS-A.
 

Since these vehicles have been around a few years, it's probably time for many owners to think about changing tires.
 

Beginning with the 18" size, the O.E. Goodyear is not a bad tire, but I believe the Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology (pictured) would be an upgrade over your current tire. This tire has good all-season traction, is relatively quiet and features Continental's low rolling resistance technology. This means that you should experience an increase in fuel economy. The other tire I would suggest is the Goodyear Assurance CS TripleTred All-Season. This tire has a more aggressive tread design and will perform better in the snow and rain versus the original Goodyear. Typically, these replacement tires are offered at a lower price compared to the Original Equipment tire.
 

As for those SUVs with the 19" size, the O.E. Michelin is also a good tire, but tends to be more expensive than some other options, while the Goodyear Eagle RS-A leaves much to be desired and suffers in many performance categories. The first tire I would suggest is the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza. This tire is quite comparable to the Michelin, but at a lower price. It has good all-season traction and is also relatively quiet. Another exceptional value option would be the Firestone Destination ST. This tire features a unique and stylish tread design that performs quite well in wet and dry conditions.

Is it time to put some "Zoom-Zoom" back into your MAZDA3? Installing a new set of tires can certainly help. The MAZDA3 has been an extremely popular compact car that gets great gas mileage to go along with good looks. With so many MAZDA3s on the road the past few years, many are bound to need new tires. If this sounds like you, take a look at a few suggestions for good all-season tires.
 

First, the Michelin Primacy MXV4 has proven to be one of Michelin's best Grand Touring All-Season tires (currently top-ranked tire in the performance category) and has just about everything you're looking for in an all-season tire. It has exceptional wet and dry traction, great handling, very good winter traction and provides a quiet ride.
 

If you really want to put some zoom back in the car, consider a set of Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position. At present, this Ultra High Performance All-Season tire is ranked number one in its category from our customer survey results. The tire has exceptional handling and responsiveness, along with great all-season traction and would be a great choice as your next set of MAZDA 3 tires.   
 

Are you looking for a good value option tire? The Kumho Ecsta 4X is getting very good reviews and has been a popular choice among our customers. In our Tire Survey Results the tire receives high marks in hydroplaning resistance, cornering stability, dry traction, steering response and treadwear.
 

Michelin Primacy MXV4

Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position

Kumho Ecsta 4X

 

Looking for tires for your bass boat, snowmobile trailer, pop-up camper or trailer? Tire Rack offers two Trailer Service tire options to fit your needs with sizes ranging between 13" and 16". 

• Goodyear Marathon Radial
• Kumho Radial 857

Trailers are more stable and pull better on tires designed specifically for trailer use. Since Trailer Service tires are constructed with heavier-duty materials, they're tougher than typical passenger tires. This is a plus since trailer suspension systems are generally stiffer and less sophisticated than automotive suspension systems.
 

Goodyear Marathon Radial

Kumho Radial 857

A special purpose trailer tire is not UTQG rated. For additional information on the Marathon Radial, read Goodyear's bulletin.

When customers compare and search for what's available for their vehicle, occasionally they come across two different Bridgestone Blizzak models that may be the tire choice to handle their winter driving needs. In some cases, this can lead one to ask the obligating question: "What's the difference between the Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 and the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60?" While both tires look very similar, the WS70 is a Studless Ice and Snow tire, where as the LM-60 is a Performance Winter / Snow tire.

The Blizzak WS70 features a softer dual-compound tread with Bridgestone's NanoPro-Tech silica-enhanced Tube Multicell compound layered on top of a standard winter compound. The Tube Multicell compound features thousands of microscopic tubes and cells uniformly distributed throughout the compound (which makes the rubber look like Swiss cheese when examined through a microscope) that wick away the water that often forms between the tire's contact patch and the surface of icy and snow-packed roads. Pores and tubes are constantly exposed around the tread as the tire wears. This flexible rubber compound boosts the tire's grip in cold conditions while the bite particles attached to the tubes scratch at packed snow and icy surfaces for traction.

The Blizzak LM-60, being a high performance winter / snow tire, is offered in a higher speed rating (H/130 mph). Since the current Multicell tread compounds used on Blizzak WS70 tires are not designed to support H-speed ratings, the Blizzak LM-60 uses a high silica content winter tread compound molded into a directional tread design that features independent tread blocks with 3-D zigzag sipes to disperse water away from the tire's contact patch, further enhancing grip. This combination provides hydroplaning resistance, greater driving and braking force on snow-covered roads.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS70

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60

How do these differences affect a driver's experience in winter conditions? Simply put, the WS70 has better ice and snow traction, while the LM-60 has better responsiveness and handling on dry pavement.

Since Hankook introduced us to their new Standard Touring All-Season tire, the Hankook Optimo H727, results have shown the tire to be a solid performer and an excellent value option for many drivers. Customers really enjoy driving on this tire as it's currently the top-rated tire in our Tire Survey Results.

When we tested the Optimo H727 we were impressed with its comfortable and soft ride, as well as the tire's low noise. The test results also showed that we would like to see an improvement of traction in the wet. However, compared to most Original Equipment tires, this tire is still a big improvement at an affordable price.

This tire is offered in 23 different size suitable for many popular sedans, minivans and compact cars. They are offered with a 5-year/100,000 treadlife warranty. They have a UTQG rating of 700 A B and are T-speed rated. To gain a better understanding of UTQG ratings, read "Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) Standards."

Recently, Bridgestone unveiled their third generation all-season run-flat tire, the Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT. A set of Bridgestone Potenza tires in the RE960AS Pole Position RFT model are made specifically in sizes that will fit most BMW 3 Series vehicles.

Many BMW customers are looking to replace their run-flat tires with a conventional tire, as they do not enjoy the ride quality and noise associated with the Original Equipment. However, Bridgestone has done an excellent job of addressing these concerns by developing this third generation RFT. It's engineered to offer the same ride comfort as a conventional tire, while still giving you the peace of mind that comes with a run-flat tire. Having personally driven on these high performance tires myself, I can positively say Bridgestone has done a fantastic job of improving the ride. Additionally, it features an all-season tread design which gives owners another great reason to consider the Pole Position RFT as their next set of BMW tires.

To see how well this tire performed during our tests, watch "Is the Third Generation Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT 3G Run-Flat the Charm?."

This year Kumho released their all-new Ultra High Performance All-Season tire, the Kumho Ecsta 4X. We tested the tire this past summer and it came out on top. To see how the tire compared against the General G-Max AS-03, Hankook Ventus V4 ES H105 and Yokohama AVID ENVigor, read "Testing Value-Priced Ultra High Performance All-Season Tires."

During testing of this tire, I was very impressed with its handling and responsiveness. There was no lag and the tire provided instant response to input. The Ecsta 4X's grip level was outstanding on both wet and dry conditions. I also thought the tire offered reasonable road noise and ride quality.

This tire is going to be a very popular choice for drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and performance sedans for the aforementioned reasons. Offered in many sizes with a 40,000 mile treadlife warranty and Kumho's road hazard warranty, the Ecsta 4X is an affordable option that provides consumers with good value.

Currently, a few of Volkswagen's most popular cars with the Mark VI chassis design are the Golf and GTI. These sporty cars are quick and nimble, great on fuel economy and are a lot of fun to drive for not a lot of money.

Most VW enthusiasts love German engineering and want to get the most out of their cars. As many of you know, choosing the right tire can make a big impact on how the car rides and handles.

Many of these cars came stock with the Continental ContiProContact. While this isn't a bad choice in regards to Original Equipment, there are a few upgrades that are better performing VW tires. 

If you own a Golf equipped with 15" tires, I would suggest looking at the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring. This is a great all-around, all-season tire. It has excellent traction, even in light snow. And, as the name entails, it also has a very impressive smooth and comfortable ride. If you would like to buy Goodyear tires, take a look at our wide selection of options available.

For drivers of the Golf TDI or the GTI with 17" or 18" tires, you're probably interested in more of a performance tire. When looking for an option with all-season capabilities, I would recommend the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position. This Ultra High Performance All-Season tire has excellent handling and responsiveness to go along with fantastic all-season traction.

Are you really into performance? Then you may want to consider a summer tire. A summer tire will have "sticky" traction in the dry and provide confidence in the wet. The tires' handling and steering response are second to none. When it comes time to have your Mark VI handle more like a go-kart, view the Continental ExtremeContact DW. This tire, just like the car, provides a lot of performance for a great price.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position

Continental ExtremeContact DW

Whether you're looking for Continental tire dealers or are leaning towards the Goodyear or Bridgestone option, shop by vehicle to get all choices that are a perfect fit for your vehicle.

Recently, Bridgestone unveiled their third generation all-season, run-flat tire, the Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT. A set of Bridgestone Potenza tires in the RE960AS Pole Position RFT model are made specifically in sizes that fit the C6.

Many Corvette customers are concerned about ride quality, treadlife and the lack of all-season traction they get from their O.E. tires and have switched to non-run-flat and/or all-season tires.

However, Bridgestone has done a great job addressing these concerns by developing this third generation RFT. It's engineered to offer the same ride comfort as a conventional tire, while still giving you the peace of mind that comes with a run-flat tire. Having personally driven on these high performance tires myself, I can positively say Bridgestone has done a fantastic job improving the ride. Additionally, it features an all-season tread design, which gives owners another great reason to consider the Pole Position RFT as their next set of Corvette tires.

To see how well this tire performed during our tests, watch "Is the Third Generation Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position RFT 3G Run-Flat the Charm?."

The Honda Accord has been one of America's best-selling cars for decades. With great styling and ample room for passengers to go along with excellent fuel economy, the Accord is a staple on the American highway. And, when the time comes to replace tires, Accord drivers should take a look at the following all-season options.

If you're in an area like the Northeast or Midwest that receives its fair share of snow, then consider the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring. This tire has superior all-season traction and as its name entails, the tire offers a very smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. This Grand Touring All-Season option is currently the top-rated tire in our Tire Survey Results.

Maybe you're looking to make your Honda a little more responsive? Then check out the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position. This Ultra High Performance All-Season tire has superior handling and cornering, as well as great traction. This summer, when we compared a set of these Bridgestone tires against three competitors, the RE970AS Pole Position came out on top. A detailed report of our testing can be found by taking a look at "Testing Bridgestone's Potenza RE970AS Pole Position Ultra High Performance All-Season Tire."

Finally, if you're looking for great value, the General AltiMAX HP is the tire for your Honda. This General tire is one of the most popular all-season tires for the Accord as it offers excellent all-season traction, a smooth and comfortable ride and typically, tire prices for the AltiMAX won't break the bank.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring

Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position

General AltiMAX HP

When you're looking at auto tire dealers for your next set of Honda tires, be sure to shop by vehicle to find the proper set for your driving needs.