Hi,
I'm not a 'rubber head' but I guess I've been driving long enough to be able to feel the difference between good tires and terrible tires. Like most auto-makers, the stock tires on the HCH are pretty terrible. My Nissan (and others) were just as poor. I bit the bullet and bought quality tires for my Civic. In this case: Yokohama Avid touring tires. The difference is remarkable. Not the squishy, easy to over-drive feeling of the origional set. The last straw was very poor traction during a light rain shower. Funny...the car actually feels faster. Proabably cause the handling is so much better. The car feels much more responsive and even the breaking is more confident. I don't wanna oversell it, I'm not sailing around like a rear-driving sports car!

I payed $300, turn-key. That's real money but in the world of tires....not bad. Heck lots of cars and SUVs are pushing 200 a wheel.

Even with only 2000 miles on the origional set, I'm glad I did it.
b.

Congratulations on your new tires and the improved ride and handling! Sounds like you got a good deal as well. Did you keep the same tire size, or did you get something different?

I will be in the market for new tires in the not-too-distant future, so if you would not mind letting us know what effect they have on mileage, that would be nice to know. I imagine there would be some decrease due to the tradeoff of having better traction, smoother ride, etc., but I don't think any of us here know exactly how much that would be.

Sounds like you got Yokohama tires. Their Avid Touring came stock on my Subaru and they are good tires. I've had three sets on two different subarus and except for one sidewall gash, they have been great. One of those sets was the Discount Tire exclusive by Yokohama that's basically the same tire. I think our last set was also just under $300 about two months ago.

How's the FE with those tires?

Kept the same size Honda put on the car....didn't wanna screw with nature. :-)
I won't be able to get a sense of MPG in that the car is so new, I expect my MPG is still in flux....growing I hope. But I gotta tell ya, I'm a little concerned that I'm stuck in the low 30s. But, I've only got 2000 on it.

Haha.. Yokomo makes R/C cars.

Note also that new tires have to be worn in for a while to take the edges off. Many people report lowered FE with new tires. In a few 1000 miles you should notice a nice jump in FE.

My hydroponics experiment

You ever notice how hard it is to lip read cartoon characters?
"Crazy is what the sane call Delta Flyer"

brian; The only thing that comes to my mind on the factory tires for the HCH would be that they are the "low-rolling-resistance-tires" that are probably more designed for increased FE over ride characteristics and handling. I'm sure that Honda takes in the ride and handling but I'm just saying the FE is taking precedent over the ride and handling. However; do you think that you are giving up much in the FE for the increased ride and handling with the new tires?

Sometimes one has to decide what is more important FE or the other factors involved, Don't they? Enjoy your new tires.

Terry

brian; do you have the CVT Civic or manual? I purchased a 03 Manual HCH and my mileage as best I can remember was somewhere in the 30's and it did not the time that I owned it get any better. It was not bad but just not what I thought it would be when I purchased it. I did run the A/C on auto all the time and did drive it just like any other car. That does not mean "jack-rabbit-starts" and 80mph interstate speeds but just kinda a normal traffic take off and to not hold up the traffic flow. I think your HCH is probably doing just fine but like myself it's just not getting what you thought it would. Let me just finish by saying this, if you want the higher FE out of it you will have to really watch your take-off speed and how fast you drive it period, also do not use the A/C unless you have to, up the tire pressure also as suggested on these threads I have a normal Civic and run 38psi in my tires with no I'll effect in ride or handling but I don't really drive crazy either. As they say in these Forums, practice makes for added FE and it certainly applies to the Hybrids regardless of the make.

Happy-Motoring

Terry

Hi,
I have the '05 manual. I run the AC all the time. I've assumed that'll take a toll on my MPG. I've already grown tired of watching how I take every corner for the sake of MPG. Because about 80% of my driving is city, I understand that'll also hold my average down.

Since the new tires feel so much better, I find myself driving the car like a car....rather than a science experment. It's a nimble, fun trek. I'd like to see my MPG average in the upper 30s after putting another couple thousand miles on it.

I read in Motor Trend (or one of those) that they were not able to produce a meaninful MPG difference between 'granny' driving and 'take it as it comes' driving. They drove both ways for a bit over 1000 miles.

So, I like the car and will probably add another 40 pounds with a sunroof and let the MPG fall as it must. Come to think of it, the sunroof won't add any more weight than the golf bag in the trunk....which should spend more time in the garage, anyway.

brian; I see where your coming from and totally agree with what your saying about driving styles and thats why I shared with you that the HCH I owned never got "great" mileage but better than a normal car or any suv. I ran the A/C on auto all the time and alot of the driving that I did was in town bumper to bumper. So I drove it like any other car that I had owned and as you said let the mileage fall where it will.
BTW; I did have the sunroof installed in the HCH and loved it. It looked factory and worked perfect with no-leaks.
Also called and talked to a dealer in "Canada" and purchased the (Heated-Outside-Mirrors) that come standard on the Canada HCH's from Honda when shipped to Canada. I bought the factory Honda wiring harness, indash switch, and mirrors and had a friend that owns his own business to install the whole thing. It was really cool and very confusing to the dealer when I took it in for an oil change for them to see the factory heated mirrors on a USA HCH.

I also purchased from a company the auto dimming inside mirror with compass and outside temp. built in. It was just exactly like the inside mirror that comes in a Chevy Suburban LT. Factory looking and worked perfect.

Terry

BTW; I have a 2006 HCH "ordered" should be here 1st of Nov.
Click on for pic. http://tinypic.com/azax4n.jpg front http://tinypic.com/azaxj9.jpg rear