HCH II-Specific Discussions Model Years 2006-2011

Need Tire Replacement Recommendation

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Old Jul 2, 2008 | 06:37 AM
  #1  
notez2id's Avatar
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Default Need Tire Replacement Recommendation

Anyone have a recommendation for replacement tires that won't decrease
the current gas mileage I am getting with the factory Dunlop SP31 tires?

07 Civic Hybrid
 
Old Jul 2, 2008 | 07:13 AM
  #2  
Orient Express's Avatar
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Default Re: Need Tire Replacement Recommendation

I recommend Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S tires. I have seen my gas mileage increase with these tires, and they have a 45,000 mile tread life warranty from Michelin. They are very quiet smooth tires that have much better handling characteristics than the Dunlops.

They are very highly rated by those that have them installed as seen in this Tire Rack survey. They are about $95 a tire.
 
Old Jul 2, 2008 | 08:48 PM
  #3  
holicow's Avatar
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Default Re: Need Tire Replacement Recommendation

Originally Posted by Orient Express
..hey are about $95 a tire.
Ouch.
 
Old Jul 2, 2008 | 09:08 PM
  #4  
RockMonkey's Avatar
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Default Re: Need Tire Replacement Recommendation

Here's a really nice detailed chart on tire rack.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...peed_rating=(Y)

And this one:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...peed_rating=(Y)
 

Last edited by RockMonkey; Jul 2, 2008 at 09:19 PM.
Old Jul 2, 2008 | 09:17 PM
  #5  
RockMonkey's Avatar
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Default Re: Need Tire Replacement Recommendation

The Michelin Hydroedge look like a good bet to me. I haven't been impressed with the Dunlops. Mine have 20k on them and are already looking worn out.
 
Old Jul 2, 2008 | 09:23 PM
  #6  
RockMonkey's Avatar
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Default Re: Need Tire Replacement Recommendation

For half the price, the cheapest tire they have in this size is actually rated pretty high. Has anyone tried these?
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....nSpeedRating=S
 
Old Jul 3, 2008 | 05:06 PM
  #7  
gumby's Avatar
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Posts: 1,282
From: Richardson, TX
Default Re: Need Tire Replacement Recommendation

Be careful about swapping for just a highly-rated tire. Most-times, tires are rated highly because of traction, handling and/or longevity. I'd take the first 2 over the third - any day.
But notez2id wants to keep his MPG essentially the same. Most reviewers have no idea what impact a tire might have on MPG, so it's not likely in the mix of what they think about the tire.
Orient Express states the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S did just that for him (and has said so before on this forum). A bonus is that they handle well. even OK in some snow according to the reviewers. I will certainly consider these when the time comes.
BTW, my factory Dunlops are still OK at 37K+ miles.
 

Last edited by gumby; Jul 3, 2008 at 05:08 PM.
Old Jul 3, 2008 | 06:06 PM
  #8  
mdarmistead's Avatar
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 118
From: Moore, Oklahoma
Default Re: Need Tire Replacement Recommendation


I wonder about this tire. Often tires touted for performance and sport cars are quite a bit softer than LRR tires. Low cost high performance may simply be that they are using a very soft compound to increase traction, rather than high quality design features. Most of the reviews mention excessive treadwear and high noise level, both which point to ultra soft compound. I'd be very wary about putting these on a hybrid. Very likely your MPG would tank badly.
 
Old Jul 3, 2008 | 07:55 PM
  #9  
notez2id's Avatar
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Smile Re: Need Tire Replacement Recommendation

Gonna give the Michelin Pilot Exalto a shot.
My Dunlops got me only 26k miles because of the
defective rear control arms Honda put on the 07 hybrids.
After I got the new control arms a few days ago, believe it
or not, I got an increase of 5-7mpg with the beat up Dunlops.
Will update in a week after I get the Michelins.
Thanks for all the input on this thread.
 
Old Jul 8, 2008 | 12:36 PM
  #10  
steve04's Avatar
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Default Re: Need Tire Replacement Recommendation

What's this about rear suspension issues?

I put Sumitomo HTR200s on my HCHII, since they were supposed to be low rolling resistance and have great traction on dry and wet pavement.

The tire shop commented that they couldn't fully align the back right wheel and asked if I'd been in an accident.

Strange thing is that before the new tires I regularly got 55 mpg, now I get 45. The difference in traction is huge, so I chalked the drop in mpg up to grippier tires, but I wonder if my rear end is now mis-aligned.

In terms of tire wear, I got 60K miles out of the factory dunlops--mainly freeway driving with regular tire rotations and kept pretty well filled (above recommended but below max).
 


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