Tire Recommendation

Hi folks,

I have about 26k miles on my 2003 Honda Civic. I get my oil changed
just under every 5000 miles, and have had the tires rotated each time.
Last time I got an oil change, the mechanic said that I needed tire
balancing, so I took my car to Tire Express today and they said that I
need new completly new tires! My driving is mostly on the highway, and
I don't drive too much over the speed limit, or do boy-racer things -
handbrake turns, take corners at high speed, etc. Does a completely
new set of tires after 26k miles sound reasonable? The guy today said
I should replace them ASAP as there is very little tread left. The
guys said that I should get a wheel alignment twice a year - is that
true? The Honda Manual doesn't mention it in the "What To Do Every N
Miles" chapter.

Anyway, he recommend Bridgestone Tires at $495 (I think that included
installation). This is my first car, so I'd like some advice on whak
kind of tires I should be looking at. Like I said, I drive about 80
miles a day on highway in New Mexico, where it's dry and dusty (except
for Winter). Can anyone recommend a good tire, and perhaps the best
place to get it - Tire Express, Joe Blogs the general mechanic, or..?
I don't mind expensive tires, as long as there's a valid reason for
them being expensive ;-)

Many thanks in advance for any replies!

- Best regards,
Lee

 

New tires after 26k miles on a Civic does not sound reasonable. I don't
know what the tires are like when they come from the factory so that can
make a difference. However, if they're worn, they're worn. Nothing you can
do to save them. When you look at the tires does the wear appear uneven?
For example, is the inside or outside tread of each tire worn while the
other part is fine? If so that could mean you need a wheel alignment or the
tires were improperly inflated.

You can also do the penny test - take a penny and put Lincoln's head down
towards the inside tread. If the tire has uneven wear then find the part
most worn and test the tread there. If no part of his head is covered by
the tread you need tires.

26k with no alignment? I would get one when I have the new tires put on.
You didn't mention which Civic you have or what size tire is on there.
It'll make a difference which tire would be better suited. An excellent
site to check the ratings for tires is http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp .
Put in which make/model and year car and it'll give you options. You can
also put in the type of driving you'll be doing and it can make
recommendations based on that.

I'm on my second set of Bridgestone Potenza RE-950s. Excellent for the rain
and dry but only o.k. in the snow. But check the web site and read some
reviews, surveys and tests. I had them ship a set of tires to a shop I
selected and saved over a $100 on a set of 4 - this is after s&h and
installation. I think it's the best all around tire web site.

My .03 cents worth (extra penny due to inflation).
Good luck,
-Dave

 

Honda uses really cheap tires on their cars. I dumped the tires on my CRV at
11K miles (I'm glad I did). Civic tires are crap too. Get a set of Potenza
750 or Dunlop SP2 (or something like that).

 

If you're not driving aggressively, the premature tire wear could be
attributed to an alignment issue (or bad struts). Since you've rotate
the tire at every oil change (hopefully it's not costing any extra to
have them rotated), a tell tale wear pattern might not be apparent.
You'll definitely need to do a wheel alignment to make sure it's not the
culprit. Having the alignment done after the new tires have been
installed is advisable.

In the older Civic (double wishbone), the suspension system is extremely
hardy and generally did not require a wheel alignments. (I've waked my
rear wheels against the curb, hard enough to destroy the tires, without
throwing off the alignment). However, the newer Civic is a different
beast and a wheel alignment is probably a good idea. Also, weak struts
(shocks at the front of the car) can also lead to excessive tire wear.

Pars
98 Civic Hatch

 

It can also be due to improper inflation. Worn out edges indicate
underinflation, worn out center indicates overinflation.

 

Look for yourself. There are raised rubber strips placed across the tread
at the minimum tread depth limit. Check and see if the primary tread is
worn down to this level or not.

Total BS.

High speed highway driving on hot roads can certainly wear a tire out more
rapidly than would otherwise be expected. The most important thing is to
regularly check the tire pressures and make sure that they are up to factory
specs. In fact, putting one or two pounds greater than the spec in is what
I would do in your driving conditions.

Tire type is more important than brand. Every tire maker sells a wide range
of tires designed for different needs and price points. I generally buy my
tires from www.tirerack.com and have them installed by one of the local
installers they refer me to.

Personally I like the Continental CH95 as a long wearing, great riding,
quiet, good handling all around touring tire at a bargain price. Mercedes
Benz has used them as original equipment on many models for years.

Tirerack has them at $48 each plus shipping. Probably about $250 for a set
of four delivered to your door. Figure on $10-$20 per tire for mounting and
balancing at a local shop after that.

John

 

Hi Lee,
26k for a set of tires is rather low: should be closer to 50, if your
alignment is OK. You normally don't need to check your
alignment with any regularity, unless your tires wear unevenly
or prematurely, as may be the case for you... Anyway, if you
have to, get new tires, together with a 4-wheel alignment, and see how
lucky you'll get second time around. Also, $495 is probably more than
you have to pay for a good set of new tires: check out
www.tirerack.com for recommendations for your car, and for
the prices: even if you don't get your tires through them, your
dealer may match their prices (with shipping added).
Bridestone makes some good tires, as do Michelin, Dunlop
or Pirelli, or other brands to that matter. My Accord now got
a set of Dunlop SP Sport A2, which are fine, especially
given their price. The previous Bridgestones (BT70?) were
pretty good too.
Good luck,
Vlad

 

For a Civic, you can't go wrong with TOYO Spectrum Touring tires.

They perform better than the garbage OEM Dunlops and have now have
20K with plenty of tread left. Fifty five bucks a pop in NYC complete.

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