Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 (W-Speed Rated)

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 (W-Speed Rated) Reviewer's Overall Rating: 10
 
 

2008 Volkswagen Passat Wagon
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Miles driven on tires: 2,000
Location: Danville, CA
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 2,000 Miles on Tires
March 25, 2013

Bought these Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 tires for my wife's 2008 VW Passat Wagon 2.0T to replace the set of Continental tires that had gone 41000. The Sumitomos make the car feel like a whole new vehicle! The car is much more responsive to sterring input and feels glued to the road. I was concerned that MPG would drop because Continentals were LRR tires, but MPG has stayed the same. I am very pleased with these tires and am considering them for my own car. Of course, the entire Tire Rack experience was terrific!

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Firestone Destination ST

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Firestone Destination ST Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9.38
 
 

2005 Jeep Liberty Limited 4wd
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Miles driven on tires: 3,000
Location: Lakewood, OH
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 3,000 Miles on Tires
February 12, 2013

Nice looking tire. Very happy.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.73
 
 

1997 Pontiac Grand Prix GT Sedan
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Miles driven on tires: 45,000
Location: Romney, WV
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 45,000 Miles on Tires
April 24, 2013

I've worn out two or three sets of the predecessor of this tire (Turanza Serenity) and after having gone through numerous other tire brands Michelins, Yokohamas, Goodyears, have to say that this tire is the best of those by a significant margin. These tires offer very good cornering grip... amazing actually. Great wet and dry traction and decent traction in snow and ice. Where they really shine is ride quality, comfort and noise level.

Bear in mind that I rate this tire as what it is... a Grand Touring Tire. It won't compete against special purpose tires but neither will they match this tire for this intended use. Unless you can use the last 10% to 15% of the performance that high performance tires offer you will be FAR, FAR happier with a tire such as this. The difference in comfort and combined performance will serve most drivers better the majority of the time. (As a footnote... I own and drive two Trans Ams, two Corvettes, a Grand Prix GXP, and other assorted cars). I have run high / ultra-high performance tires on those cars and unless I'm pushing the edge of the envelope, these tires perform more than adequately.... and they are FAR more comfortable over potholes, expansion joints and they don't drone you to death with tread noise.

One BIG side benefit not usually thought about is that these tires give me 45K miles +/- of wear and I replace them before they get down to the wear bars. So... while I'm wearing out HP and Ultra-HP tires at 20-25K miles I'm only at the halfway point of having to replace these. So... they save a lot of money up front and again over the far greater lifetime.

I love these tires and will be ordering my next set in the next week.

Good luck in your choices... but if I might make one suggestion it would be this. Look very carefully at what you NEED in a tire for the majority of your driving... and don't overestimate your need for that final 10% of performance. Most people never even get close to using that final 10%.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Michelin Defender

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Michelin Defender Reviewer's Overall Rating: 7.88
 
 

1998 Toyota Camry LE
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Miles driven on tires: 1,500
Location: Smyrna, TN
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 1,500 Miles on Tires
April 22, 2013

This tire was really the only Michelin option since the Weatherwise tire is no longer an option. Have observed a decrease of about 5 MPG. I asked the sales rep about other reports of decreased gas mileage and was convened it was a mistake...it was not. We have consistently gotten 28 MPG for the past 250000 miles on our car and we are down to about 23 MPG.

These tires are significantly louder than the Weatherwise tires but that was expected with the stiffer rubber compound used to get 90000.

Wish there was another Michelin option for this tire size.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Continental ExtremeContact DWS

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9.3
 
 

2009 Honda Accord Coupe
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Miles driven on tires: 10,000
Location: Trumbull, CT
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 10,000 Miles on Tires
April 23, 2013

I replaced the OEM Michelins with these tires after reading the many positive reviews here, and so far the tires have lived up to the praise. Wet, dry, and snow traction is infinitely better than the Michelins making the car handle better than ever. 2 minor complaints would be that I noticed my gas mileage took a hit once these tires were installed, about 2-3 mpg--but I suppose that is to be expected from a tire that has much more grip. The second would be that there seems to be a slight wobble occasionally--but it seems to be just the road imperfections being communicated much more due the type of tires these are. I cannot comment on the treadwear yet, but overall I'm happy with my purchase.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Yokohama S.drive

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Yokohama S.drive Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9.5
 
 

2005 Acura RSX
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Miles driven on tires: 51,000
Location: Acworth, GA
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 51,000 Miles on Tires
March 30, 2013

Put these tires on the car at 18,000. Now have over 69k. Handling is amazing - 70mph on 35mph off-ramps. The only non-maintenance repair on my car is a new steering pump. The flat footprint puts almost 1/3 more rubber on the ground through turns. Extremely well built! These tires turned my RSX into a serious canyon carver! Highly recommend!

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Sumitomo HTR Z III

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Sumitomo HTR Z III Reviewer's Overall Rating: 9.75
 
 

2004 Mercedes-Benz S55 Sedan
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Miles driven on tires: 20,000
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 20,000 Miles on Tires
March 26, 2013

Based on my driving habits, the treadwear is excellent compaired to previous top end tires I have smoked thru. Great value.

 

Best Tires for a Lexus RX350

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 by Steve Huffman

Lexus' mid-size SUV, the RX350, has been one of their best sellers for quite some time. It's very popular, stylish and reliable. Many have been on the road for a long time and are in need of new tires. If your RX350 is due for a new set, consider the following options.

Most RX350 vehicles came equipped with the 225/65R17 size. There are many great options in this size, but one of my favorites is the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza. This tire has been a top seller for many years and is Bridgestone's premium SUV tire. It offers excellent all-season traction, a quiet and comfortable ride and comes with a 65,000-mile treadlife warranty.

Some RX350s came with 235/60R18 tires. If your vehicle has this size, I would suggest taking a look at the Michelin Primacy MXV4. This is a strong contender in the Grand Touring All-Season category. Like the Bridgestone, it also has a smooth ride, great all-season traction and is offered with a 55,000-mile tread life warranty.

There are a few versions of the vehicle that came with a 235/55R19 tire. Options in this size are a little more limited. However, based on what's available in this size, I'd recommend the Yokohama Parada Spec-X. The tire combines impressive looks and confident handling with year-round traction in a wide range of weather conditions, including in light snow.

Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza
Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza
Michelin Primacy MXM4
Michelin Primacy MXV4
Yokohama Parada Spec-X
Yokohama Parada Spec-X


To view all options for your Lexus RX350, shop by vehicle.

In Search of the Best All-Season Tires

Thursday, June 6, 2013 by Hunter Leffel

Everyone has their own list of important attributes when it comes to selecting the right all-season tire. For example, some drivers prefer longer treadlife, while another thinks ride quality is the most important. Also, when talking to customers about all-season tires, most put extra emphasis on the winter season component.

If you prefer using one set of tires all year, the best tire can vary depending on where other tire characteristics rank. In some cases, the vehicle and tire size needed can also help direct us towards a particular performance category. For a look at the differences between performance categories, read "What Tire Performance Category Do I Need?"


Goodyear Assurance
TripleTred All-Season

Goodyear Assurance
ComforTred Touring

Firestone Destination
LE 2


Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season (Passenger All-Season)

With three distinct tread zones targeting to provide traction in dry, wet and snowy conditions, Goodyear has a winning combination that earns top marks from our customers. Designed with Goodyear's Evolving Traction Grooves, the tire generates more rain, slush and snow traction longer into the tire's life compared to tires with conventional sipes. The tire is currently ranked number one in our tire survey results.

Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring (Grand Touring All-Season)

For the touring/performance car, the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring is receiving high praise from drivers. With tread warranties in the 70,000 to 80,000-mile range, this tire is definitely worth a second look. With tread depth being a key component to snow traction, customers indicate this tire has strong performance throughout the life of the tire. This Goodyear tire currently has over four million miles reported, which includes over four winter seasons.  

Firestone Destination LE 2 (Highway All-Season)

For your SUV or pick-up truck, the recently revised Firestone Destination LE 2 is king of the category. While there hasn't been many miles reported on this tire, the Destination family of tires has been providing great options to drivers for years.

What Fits a Fit?

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 by Ben Rooney

The Honda Fit has proven to be very popular in the subcompact segment, providing economy, utility and an engaging driving experience. When it comes to replacing tires on a Fit, what are the best options?

Fits come in both a regular and Sport version. The base Fit comes standard with 175/65R15 tires mounted on 15" wheels. Its Original Equipment Dunlops are adequate, but other options are available for customers looking for increased comfort, fuel economy or sporty handling.

Fit owners who are installing custom wheels that are 15x6.5 or wider will find that the original tires are only recommended to fit on wheels up to 6" wide. Those with wider 15" wheels can use 195/60R15. This tire size will fit wheels up to 7" wide, which includes all the 15" wheels we currently offer for the Fit. They are slightly wider and any difference in height is negligible - keeping speedometer readings within 1.5% of factory.

The Fit Sport uses 16" wheels, mounted with unusually sized 185/55R16 tires. Drivers looking for a wider variety of options would do well to consider 205/50R16. Those looking to emphasize the "Sport" in Fit Sport could then choose popular all-season performance tires like the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S or Continental ExtremeContact DWS. The 205/50R16 size is 20mm wider than the original tire and retains the stock diameter to within 0.1". 205/50R16 offers a wide variety of options.

Looking to customize your Fit with larger diameter wheels? Sizes up to 17" will fit comfortably. 18" options are available, but may require minor modification to work without rubbing. View our wheel selection to find the right option for your Fit.

Best Price on Michelin Tires for Toyota, Honda, Nissan and More!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 by Gary Stanley

When asked about which brand of tires are associated with quality, many think of Michelin. Their reputation is well deserved. For decades, Michelin has been an industry leader in tire technology, making some of the best tires that money can buy. While they make outstanding performance tires, like the Pilot Super Sport, Michelin may be best known for producing some of the smoothest and quietest riding all-season tires on the market.

Not everyone is looking for the best handling and steering response, instead many drivers simply want a tire that's quiet, safe and will last for a long time. For those who are looking for the best price on Michelin tires, check out a couple of the lowest priced options in two popular sizes.

205/65R15

This is a commonly used tire size for a mid-size sedan such as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, Ford Taurus and Chevy Malibu. The best priced Michelin tire in this size is the Defender. Michelin's Defender is an outstanding Standard Touring All-Season tire with long wear, great traction and a quiet ride. For more information on this tire, read "Michelin Defender Review and Test."

235/70R16 

Many SUVs, trucks and crossover vehicles use this common 16" tire size, including the Ford F-150, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe and various Jeep models. In this size, the lowest priced Michelin tire is the Latitude Tour. This tire, back in early 2012, was one of my top choices for vehicles being driven on the street only. It's still a top contender for those who don't take their vehicles off-road. 

 Michelin Defender
Michelin Defender
 Michelin Latitude Tour
Michelin Latitude Tour


Shop by size to see which Michelin tires are available for your vehicle.

Best 10 Ply Tires

Friday, May 31, 2013 by Steve Huffman

Do you need 10 ply tires? What is Load Range E? If you're not familiar with these tire terms, don't worry, we can help. Most 3/4- and 1-ton trucks are going to require a Load Range E, also known as a 10 ply tire, for proper load carrying capacity. Many drivers of half-ton trucks also prefer them while towing due to their stiffer sidewall which helps prevent swaying.

One of our best sellers is the Firestone Transforce HT. This Highway All-Season tire has been around for awhile because of its all-season traction, long treadlife and dependability. The tire is available in many popular truck sizes and is offered with a 30 Day Buy & Try Guarantee.

Are you looking for a tire that's more suitable for off-road use. If so, one of my favorite options is the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac. This tire features a rugged tread compound that helps resist tread block chipping, chunking and tearing, especially during heavy loading and towing applications. Wrangler DuraTrac tires are also branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol to identify they meet industry severe snow service standards. They are also designed to accept optional #16 metal studs to enhance ice traction.

Another great value option is Kumho's Road Venture APT KL51. The tire offers excellent all-season traction with a relatively smooth and quiet ride. When we tested the tire, we liked that it provided great traction in the dry and wet.

Firestone Transforce HT
Firestone Transforce
HT
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
Goodyear Wrangler
DuraTrac
Kumho Road Venture APT KL51
Kumho Road Venture APT
KL51


To gain a better understanding of load range, read "Load Range/Ply Range Identification."

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Michelin Pilot Super Sport

Thursday, May 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Michelin Pilot Super Sport Reviewer's Overall Rating: 10
 
 

2001 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe
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Miles driven on tires: 1,000
Location: Wilmington, DE
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
April 01, 2013

Excellence tires! They are the leader in their segment.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2

Thursday, May 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

BFGoodrich g-Force Sport COMP-2 Reviewer's Overall Rating: 7.12
 
 

2006 Mini Cooper S
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Miles driven on tires: 1,500
Location: Brandon, FL
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 1,500 Miles on Tires
April 23, 2013

Replaced the OEM runflats with these and am plenty happy. The runflats were stiffer (obviously) but a softer sidewall isn't bad here. Driving in rain or dry yeilds confidence b/c the tires are good about letting you know where the limit is. In this little FWD tire burner, the runflats would struggle in the dry at 4.5k to redline; these will keep gripping to 6k. I will update when I get more miles on these.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Firestone Winterforce UV

Thursday, May 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Firestone Winterforce UV Reviewer's Overall Rating: 10
 
 

1998 Chevrolet K1500 4wd Pick-up
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Miles driven on tires: 1,000
Location: Altoona, WI
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
February 08, 2013

Use these tires on our shop plow truck. Truck gets light summer use around town and used to move travel amd boat trailers around the property. These tires have outperformed any tires we have ever used before. Truck is used to plow several properties. One of these has a 800ft 30+deg incline. No spin!!! tread cleans well. Would definitly buy again.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position

Thursday, May 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position Reviewer's Overall Rating: 6.38
 
 

2006 Volvo S60 2.5T FWD
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Miles driven on tires: 25,000
Location: Jacksonville, AL
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 25,000 Miles on Tires
April 21, 2013

Tires where great at first but after 6,000 or so miles they have gotten so noisy you can hardly stand to be in the car. They have also developed a feel that the belt is separating or something. They grip well and work well in the rain even at high speeds.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Michelin Latitude Tour

Thursday, May 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Michelin Latitude Tour Reviewer's Overall Rating: 8.82
 
 

2001 GMC Sierra 2wd
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Miles driven on tires: 5,000
Location: Bad Axe, MI
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 5,000 Miles on Tires
April 22, 2013

Love the tires, Just got them on about a month ago, Used to have Michelin LTX M/S Tires, and these are alot more comfortable as a ride quality. I am very impressed with their responsiveness, and just glides over bumps. Would Definatly buy these tires again!

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Continental CrossContact UHP

Thursday, May 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Continental CrossContact UHP Reviewer's Overall Rating: 4.88
 
 

2012 Dodge Durango
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Miles driven on tires: 2,000
Location: South Elgin, IL
Driving Condition: Easy Going

Initial Review, 2,000 Miles on Tires
April 24, 2013

These tires were on my 2012 Durango when I bought it. Unfortunately, I did not take it out on actual highway speeds when I test drove. When I eventually did make it out on the highway, I noticed a vibration above 55mph. The dealer said that two of the tires had shifted belts, whatever that means. These are the first Continental tires I have ever had on a vehicle in 53 years of driving, and will never, ever get a Continental tire again.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Yokohama AVID ENVigor (H- or V-Speed Rated)

Thursday, May 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Yokohama AVID ENVigor (H- or V-Speed Rated) Reviewer's Overall Rating: 3.64
 
 

2003 Audi TT Coupe
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Miles driven on tires: 38,000
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Driving Condition: Average

Initial Review, 38,000 Miles on Tires
April 01, 2013

Tires wore unevenly and quickly regardless of air pressure, rotations, balances, and alignment. When visiting a service location recently, customer in front of me in line had the same issues with the same tires on his vehicle at even lower mileage. Tires were significantly worn at just over 30,000 miles; belts separated around 38,000, and required immediate replacement.

 

Tire Rack Consumer Review of the Sumitomo HTR Z III

Thursday, May 30, 2013 by Tire Rack Consumer Reviews

The following post was created from content submitted via Tire Rack's consumer surveys. Information shown is the opinion of the consumer and meant to be used for comparison shopping purposes.

Sumitomo HTR Z III Reviewer's Overall Rating: 7.88
 
 

2006 Mazda RX-8 6-Speed Manual
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Miles driven on tires: 7,000
Location:  
Driving Condition: Spirited

Initial Review, 7,000 Miles on Tires
April 27, 2013

Excellent tire, I would highly recommend it for this class of tire. Also has an excellent price.