Anyone else have Bridgestone Insignia SE 200 tires on their '06 HCH? I've read the threds about the Dunlops. I wonder if they figure that a M + S type tire is needed in upstate NY state? Now I need to find out more about them. My guess is that they have more rolling resistance BUT better traction.

 

I have only heard of one other person with the Bridgestones on the car. Mine has Dunlops and the ones I have seen at dealers in my area all have Dunlops. It may be a regional install/option. It is funny however, that I have Dunlops but my spare tire (donut) is a Bridgestone.

 

Here's a little tidbit about tires. What does M+S really mean? The mud & snow designation on a tire means the contact patch is 25% or more open (meaning tread blocks make up 75% of the contact patch. It has nothing to do with actual traction capability which explains all the "fun" I've been having driving my Dunlop equipped HCH in the snow. My Nokian WR's can't get here soon enough (tomorrow afternoon).

Here's how the Bridgestone ranks with its peers:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/survey...ay.jsp?type=AS

Notice where the Firestone FR690 is (the tire Honda chose for the 2k1 Civic)? Honda has a bad track record in tire selection at least for its small cars.

 

I have the Bridgestones, in northern California. Not an area known for its snowfall.

 

Sledge,

Thanks for the note back and the URL to Tire Rack's Chart. I wonder how the Bridgestone's do on rolling resistance? If I have trouble in the snow here (we get a fair share), I may explore snow tires for the front.

Your fellow fuel miser in training,

 

Is there a spare tire or donut for the 06hch? I was told by my dealer that the hybrids didn't have spare tires due to the extra weight as it would effect mileage. Is this true??

 

Donald,

I got my Nokian WRs installed last night. As far as I can tell from the realtime MPG gauge, I'm getting no mileage hit. These things have excellent traction in all weather and are low rolling resistance too. I had them on my last car (2k1 Civic) and I can't pimp them enough for people who live in the snow belt and are willing to drop about $500 installed.

Thanks Nokian. You get a link

http://www.nokiantires.com/newsite/t...fm?cid=1&sid=3

 

My 2006 HCH2 came with one of those small ones.
I think they are called a doughnut.

I think it is a cost savings thing not a gas saving thing, because my 1992 Honda Accord also came with a doughnut.

I wonder if the Civic DX, LX and EX come with a full-sized spare.

 

Mike,
It's a space saver tire or donut.

 

Nope they come with the little doughnut spare as well. I think you need to go to a VW to get full size spares in cars these days.