Need new tires any suggestions?
 

I have an 2004 HCH, my stock tires are Bridgestone B381's 185/70/14. I have 2 tires that are running low on tread, and it is time to replace. I have seen posts on changing wheels and people loosing out on FE, but I am just considering changing tires. I could get the same tires for $75 a piece on Tirerack.com plus shipping, then I need to workout my own mounting and balancing locally it is about $20 a tire.

I asked my local tire shop about LRR tires and they told me all tires are LRR and it was just a marketing scheme.

Just wondering if anyone has had any experiance replacing their tires already.

Thanks,

Erik

Re: Need new tires any suggestions?
 

The local Bridgestone dealer, here in NJ, is STS Auto. They ordered the B381s for me. The cost about $100 each, including hardware, mounting and balancing. I could've gotten them cheaper, but I had a flat in one, and didn't want to chase them. They plugged my flat, and had the tires within one week.

They did try to sell me a Toyo tire, but I didn't bite.

I didn't take too much of a new tire hit, as I make sure the pressure went right to 44 and the weather was bad and cold anyway, so I couldn't tell the difference.

Re: Need new tires any suggestions?
 

The B381's are a top rated LRR tire. You will lose MPG by switching to almost
any other tire, but probably not very much unless you do something drastic
like bigger rims and tires together.

You didn't say why you were considering a switch.

LRR is measurable and is not a scam, see this article:
http://www.greenseal.org/recommendat...resistance.pdf

If I was going to switch, my primary considerations would be a high sidewall PSI,
good wet performance, LRR, and after that whatever made me feel good. I prefer
M+S tires too. Once you add all those req's there is surprisingly slim pickings.
The Dunlops on the HCH-I/CVT might be a good switch. Whatever is on the
HCH-II might also be worth considering if it comes in our size.

This is purely anecdotal, but I hear more complaints in these forums about
the Dunlops than the Bridgestones, but there are more CVT owners also,
so it may not mean anything.

I have the B381's, and they seem just fine to me. I am not a tire freak
though so maybe there is a better tire out there, but unless you can be sure,
the B381's will probably do just fine.

- Kurt

Re: Need new tires any suggestions?
 

Thanks Kurt,

That is pretty much what I got too out of the forums...

I considered a switch for one reason the availibility of the Bridgestone b381's.
In my area they are hard to find I called many tires stores I even called Firestone locations and no one seemed to stock them. I actually ended up buying them from www.tirerack.com for $75 a peice, and it cost me another $16 to ship 2 tires. Most places were asking $100 per tire. I will have them shipped to a local shop and get them taken care of there.

THe next things is that I need to go through a breakin period from 500-1000 miles to regain the optimum fuel efficiancy.

Thanks,

Erik

Re: Need new tires any suggestions?
 

Re: Need new tires any suggestions?
 

Nokian WR. Excellent traction in all weather conditions and lowish/low rolling resistance.

Re: Need new tires any suggestions?
 

So I went with the Bridgestone's B381 185/70/14 and my MPG does not really seem to be affected. I am sure there may be some other tires out there that will do the job, but I know for sure these tires work. I got them for $75 from tirerack.com. As far as I can see there are worth it.

Re: Need new tires any suggestions?
 

I just bought:

4 185/70HR-14 Sumitomo HTR 200 In Stock $39.00 $156.00

from tirerack.com

I have a set of winters so I wanted a set dedicated for summer and rain.

Re: Need new tires any suggestions?
 

I'd bet they probably tell you the extra $15 to fill your tires with nitrogen isn't a scam.