Tire/Wheel Query

Looking for a good tire for a 2001 Civic sedan for highway commuting
in rural Alberta. I'd say 90% of my driving is along major highway
arteries, 5% city, 5% gravel. The stock Firestones and replacement BFG
T/A M80's didn't fare well in longevity. BFG's were worn down badly
after just 43,000 km (surprising for a 130,000 km tire).. Looking for
an excellent tire wet or dry with good longevity. Toyo Ultra's, Toyo
Spectrum's, Yoko Avid, Bridgestone Turanza have been tossed out by
locals. Local Kal Tire is pushing a Kal/Michelin Agility as well as
some house brand premium TBC Grand Tour. Kal is also offering their
house brand Superlite rims's as very good; this combined with a hub
insert to assure proper fit. While I'm at it, not at all familiar with
the pro/con, but how would moving from a 14 in (stock) to 15 in rim
be? Lot's of questions . . . few answers at this end. Thanks for any
and all.

 

What do you mean those tires were "tossed out" by locals? Do they not
carry them, or did they discourage them? As far as the Bridgestone
Turanza goes, there are a few different Turanza lines, with the LS line
being rated as one of the best all-season tires currently in production.

 

First off, forget the 'all season' crap. For Alberta you need two sets
of tires, wide performance rain tires for summer, narrow tires with
high sidewalls for winter. That means two sets of wheels, nice spiffy
alloys in the summer, smaller diameter stamped steel wheels for
winter. For winter I recommend Bridgestone Blizzaks.

Been there, done that, Edmonton and Cold Lake

 

"Tossed out", as in offered up, recommended.

 

Agreed. Should have added that I run Nokian winters and am looking
for a 3-season set. As to significant rain, we've had drought for 3
of the past 4 years. I'm living at the edge of parkland/prairie . . .
.. arid conditions with relatively low annual rainfall (you mention
Cold Lake . . . interestingly enough, historically there is
significantly more rain received in that area despite being close to
where I live). While rain is sometimes a concern, extreme heat and
highway miles is the bigger concern. I've actually never owned a tire
that didn't fare reasonably well in rains out here. Now if this was
out on the coast, certainly a different story.

You mention the wide performance tires. Necessarily low profile? Low
profile on the bad roads here equate to a rough, jarring ride. Or is
there a middle ground in this decision? I'm currently using stock 14
inch wheels.

 

I recall running into one of those big blue-black prarie thunderstorms
outside Medicine Hat in 1993. It wouldn't have been so bad except that
the pavement had distinct low spots in the main traffic lanes, just a
couple of inches deep, but quite enough to aquaplane the somewhat worn
tires I was running.

Depends whether you like your cornering on the vigorous side or not.

Which some of us don't mind in the interests of better handling.
But chaque a son gout!

On the sportier Hondas, two wheel sizes are offered, a larger
diameter, wider alloy wheel and an inch smaller diameter, narrower
steel wheel. Usually these fit the stodgier four door Hondas as well.
I suppose if the softer ride of the higher sidewall tire is more
important to you, you could stick with the stock rims.

 

Agree with John Ings on needing two sets of tires.

For winter, Hakkapellitas are better road-holding and longer lasting
than Blizzaks (my AB experience). Kal Tire carries Hakkas.