Stupid Tires

I started thinking a couple weeks ago "now that I have 25,000 miles on
my 2002 Accord, I should start looking for what kind of tires I want
to buy since I hate the OEM tires so much". Like all problems, I
thought I'd shop this one to death.

That was a good plan until I blew out the sidewall on the rear
passenger tire last Thursday on my way to a conference when I hit a
curb. I needed an oil change, so I took it to my dealer and asked them
to put the two best tires on the back and two new ones on the front
(even though I hate them so much).

They called a couple hours later to tell me that "there aren't two
good tires on the car". Frustrated at the idea of another 40k or 50k
with these loud annoying tires, I asked "how much are the Michelins?"

$198.00 -- per tire.

So I told them I'd come pick up the car, and dropped it at NTB this
morning. Here is the best part (keep in mind they were rotated at
10,000 miles): 4/32 tread on the outside, 3/32 on the inside. They
wouldn't even pass inspection, and they're just at their half life
(and obviously the car needs an alignment).

Son of a whore.

 

So what tires did you get from NTB?

 

Where do you live that they wouldn't pass inspection? In California,
the requirement is 1/32", and I would have thought that 2/32" would be
a common requirement, since that's the depth of the wear bars.

I don't think a difference of 1/32" from inner to outer is abnormal. My
last set of tires (on my del Sol) ended up with more difference than that,
and the tires only started with 7.5/32". My car's at stock height, and
the camber is non-adjustable but within spec.

 

Sumitomo

 

New York State requires 4/32nd of tread to pass inspection. 1/32 of tread is bald.

 

A friend with a Toyota Prius got 8,000 miles on the original tires.

Just like the Honda Civic Hybrid, the low tires are special
low-rolling-resistance tires inflated to car manufacturer spec of 30psi.
The tire is branded "max 45psi".

I increased mine to 35 psi, which helped immensely with the handling, but
the road noise is substantially increased.

 

The 2001-2003 Toyota Prius has different tires than the Civic Hybrid.
OEM (in the US) for the 2001-2003 Prius:
Bridgestone Potenza RE92 XL (extra load)
P175/65 R14
84S
Treadwear 160 Temperature A Traction A
new tread depth is 10/32"
max cold pressure is 50psi (not the 45 you list)

Toyota recommends 35psi front, 33psi rear. (Not the 30 you list)

Many Prius owners have noticed that these low-treadwear tires wear
quickly, particularly on the edges. 20,000 miles seems more common,
although 30,000 is expected. Keeping an eye on the tire pressure,
keeping it to at least the factory specs is key (as is not speeding
through corners, or turning your tires on pavement while the car isn't
moving). Many owners see an improvement if they increase the pressure
to the 40psi range, still a +2psi bias in front. (Improvement =
longer
tire life, higher MPG, but slightly bumpier ride.) Also, if your car
is out of alignment, it'll eat through tires... Different (non-OEM)
replacements tend to last much longer and often ride better/quieter.

For comparison, my understanding is the Civic Hybrid comes OEM with:
Dunlop SP20
185/65 R14
recommended inflation of 30psi all around.