Automobile Tires


 
I got here late too. For me Yokohama tires from Discount Tire is pretty much the right answer every time. Granted I'm always listening to my untz untz untz music quite loudly while driving and I'm deaf in one ear, so they could be loud and I'd never know it. Lol. They do perform well. They are my tire of choice for my wife's G37 convertible, her QX60 suv, and my Lexus GS350 AWD. Never let me down yet.
 
The tire shop used to recommend Goodyear tires, but they said the the brand has suffered somewhat in the past few years. Goodyear also owns Kelly Springfield too.
I knew about the KS relation since there is a KS plant here in Freeport IL just to the west of me. The issues I have had with them have been noise, separated/shifted belts and going out of balance all the time. When they're good though they're pretty nice. My Highlander had a set of Michelin Premier LTX. My Highlander is AWD and because there is no clutch in the transfer system they're VERY touchy about tire diameter. Well, I had about 4/32s wear on them, and was having a leak. Wouldn't you know it's a screw right on the edge of the tread where it's unrepairable. So Discount would warranty it with the certificate BUT only one tire. Of course they cautioned me, I called the dealer and asked if it would hurt the AWD system. They said it's right on the edge and could not truly recommend it. So then I had a decision. Buy one more Michelin ($325!) or get a whole new set of Cooper Discoverer HTP for $355 out the door. Guess which I did? Yep out the door with the Coopers. Actually pretty decent tires. I had put a set on my 2001 Highlander (which we sold to daughter's partner when we bought the RAV) and was very impressed. They did very well in the arctic weather, rain and so on. Were very quiet and smooth as well.
So far so good on the 2011 Highlander still in my stable.
 
Larry, something that does happen fairly frequently in your situation is to shave down the new tire to match the old 3. Yeah, it does seem a bit " now just wait a cotton-pickin' minute...." but it is a valid solution, especially if you haven't worn down the set much.

Personally.... I run Michelin Defenders (the LTX M&S II replacement,) on just about anything I can (2012 Dodge Ram 2500 and my g/f's 2015 Subaru Outback.) Goodyear Wranglers AT/S.... couldn't keep them round on my last Ram, and the RT/S variant was just plain dangerous (drove like a pig on rollerskates, got rid of them with more than half the tread left.) My Civic is running a Continental tire, it's a bit noisy, but gets parked in the winter. My experience is that every brand has it's good models, and it's bad.
 
So then I had a decision. Buy one more Michelin ($325!) or get a whole new set of Cooper Discoverer HTP for $355 out the door. Guess which I did? Yep out the door with the Coopers. Actually pretty decent tires. I had put a set on my 2001 Highlander (which we sold to daughter's partner when we bought the RAV) and was very impressed. They did very well in the arctic weather, rain and so on. Were very quiet and smooth as well.
So far so good on the 2011 Highlander still in my stable.
I've heard some folks speak well about Cooper tires of late, and they are made in the USA too.
 
I've been buying Coopers for years; not all of their tires are US-made but it's still a US-owned company AFAIK. And they still make a 15" RWL tire!
 
I usually buy Cooper or a brand they produce.
Not overpriced like some of the other names. And actually gotten better life out of them, quieter ride
 

 

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