Author Topic: Another Tyre advice thread (Read 3953 times)

UmroAyyar · « **on:** October 10, 2007, 05:02:38 pm »

2007 Toyota Camry LE. Tyre Specifications. 215/60R16 94V Michelin Energy MXV4 S8.

I have been contemplating buying dedicated winter tyres and mounting these on the stock steel wheels and buying alloys for summer tyres. I do not have storage space so that is very unlikely at the moment. The current OE tyres still have pretty good tread depth are pretty OK even in wet road conditions, but are absolutely horrible with snow/slush on the road.

Morty's advice has been spot on to all other satisfied people and I was contemplating the V-rated Hankook IceBear W300.

Currently, I am more inclined towards the Nokian WR. According to Nokian's website, its available in the same size but as H-rated.

What kind of difference I should expect by lowering the speed rating to H from V?

I am in Toronto, 60/40 highway/city driving. (not going for skiing)

mmret · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2007, 06:34:26 pm »

I have a personal distaste of driving on H-rated tires. The TSX was on H rated G009s for a week (long story) and it felt kind of "wafty".

Girlfriend's Civic is also on H-rated tires, the car does not feel nearly as planted as the TSX on the highway. Don't notice it at 80 or below though. (Also this is obviously not a fair comparison, with the TSX on 17inch W rated tires, so take it with a bit of salt.)

My winters will be H-rated, but that was a pocketbook decision. $66 each!

Titanium48 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2007, 08:35:45 pm »

H-rated tires making a car feel "wafty"? One wonders how people ever managed to drive on the Q-rated 80 profile all seasons that were standard in the 1980s. I really don't notice that much difference between my H-rated 195/60R15 all-seasons and S-rated 185/70R14 winters in normal driving. The car is a little sloppier in the corners and gets pushed around by the wind a bit more on the winters but it's not a huge difference.

Julie · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2007, 08:37:51 pm »

You can have your tires stored at a store (who offers it) or the dealer. That's what we do.

mmret · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2007, 10:01:45 pm »

Quote from: Titanium48 on October 10, 2007, 08:35:45 pm

H-rated tires making a car feel "wafty"? One wonders how people ever managed to drive on the Q-rated 80 profile all seasons that were standard in the 1980s. I really don't notice that much difference between my H-rated 195/60R15 all-seasons and S-rated 185/70R14 winters in normal driving. The car is a little sloppier in the corners and gets pushed around by the wind a bit more on the winters but it's not a huge difference.

I'm a blind youth.

koedur · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2007, 01:33:58 am »

Quote from: mmret on October 10, 2007, 06:34:26 pm

I have a personal distaste of driving on H-rated tires. The TSX was on H rated G009s for a week (long story) and it felt kind of "wafty".

Girlfriend's Civic is also on H-rated tires, the car does not feel nearly as planted as the TSX on the highway. Don't notice it at 80 or below though. (Also this is obviously not a fair comparison, with the TSX on 17inch W rated tires, so take it with a bit of salt.)

My winters will be H-rated, but that was a pocketbook decision. $66 each!

You sure that's just not because the civic is lighter than the tsx? =)

mmret · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2007, 08:43:39 pm »

Quote from: koedur on October 11, 2007, 01:33:58 am

Quote from: mmret on October 10, 2007, 06:34:26 pm
I have a personal distaste of driving on H-rated tires. The TSX was on H rated G009s for a week (long story) and it felt kind of "wafty".

Girlfriend's Civic is also on H-rated tires, the car does not feel nearly as planted as the TSX on the highway. Don't notice it at 80 or below though. (Also this is obviously not a fair comparison, with the TSX on 17inch W rated tires, so take it with a bit of salt.)

My winters will be H-rated, but that was a pocketbook decision. $66 each!

You sure that's just not because the civic is lighter than the tsx? =)

Hence the part about it not being a fair comparison.

However, and I'm repeating myself again, I have driven the TSX with V, H, and W rated tires.

morty · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2007, 12:08:42 am »

W300 and other H-Rated winters are a nice alternative for those that live in an urban area and do a lot of hi-speed commuting. During the course of the winter there is a lot of driving on wet and dry pavement. We are not driving on ice and snow throughout the winter...contrary to popular belief. H-Rated winters give good snow ice performance and better wear. A good option for us city folks.

You will notice a difference going from a V-Rated all-season to a H-rated winter, but not as dramatic as going to a Q-Rated.

UmroAyyar · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2007, 05:23:48 pm »

I've been talking to local tires shops and Kal-Tire people about the Nokian WR. Kal-Tire says they do not recommend H-rated tire to replace the V-rated OE tires on my car.
I would have sign off a waiver that I am authorizing the H-rated tire install with full knowledge that it won't handle and perform as a V-rated tire. Based on what I've read on this forum and heard from people its not a bad idea.

They're also offering to store the current tires on my car for $25 per tire for the season.

I will try to trade-in the current OE tires and get Nokian-WR (same size as OE except H rated). No storage issues. If I don't like it in summer, I can always buy alloys and better summer tires and use the storage facility.

morty · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2007, 05:39:52 pm »

Down grading the speed rating on a winter tire is not a concern. This is only important with summer or all-season tires. You would have a hard time finding winters if you did not lower the speed rating.

jmiddleton · « **Reply #10 on:** November 02, 2007, 01:08:58 pm »

If you are thinking about alloy rims, you could buy 17" rims and mount 215/55R17 Nokian WR which are V rated and an exact plus 1 conversion for your car. Also check www.carmodifier.ca for pricing on the Nokian WR. I drove the WR's predecessor the NRW, for several winters in Halifax and think all weather tires make good sense for urban commuting in the milder areas of Canada - especially if you can let the plows go first. 55 series WR's on alloy rims may even improve the handling but that probably isn't an issue for a family sedan.

UmroAyyar · « **Reply #11 on:** November 02, 2007, 04:47:04 pm »

Quote from: jmiddleton on November 02, 2007, 01:08:58 pm

If you are thinking about alloy rims, you could buy 17" rims and mount 215/55R17 Nokian WR which are V rated and an exact plus 1 conversion for your car. Also check www.carmodifier.ca for pricing on the Nokian WR. I drove the WR's predecessor the NRW, for several winters in Halifax and think all weather tires make good sense for urban commuting in the milder areas of Canada - especially if you can let the plows go first. 55 series WR's on alloy rims may even improve the handling but that probably isn't an issue for a family sedan.

Thats the second priority option for me and most likely will cost twice as much, then I have to dispose off the steel wheels and the spare.

mmret · « **Reply #12 on:** November 02, 2007, 05:23:02 pm »

Quote from: UmroAyyar on November 02, 2007, 04:47:04 pm

Quote from: jmiddleton on November 02, 2007, 01:08:58 pm
If you are thinking about alloy rims, you could buy 17" rims and mount 215/55R17 Nokian WR which are V rated and an exact plus 1 conversion for your car. Also check www.carmodifier.ca for pricing on the Nokian WR. I drove the WR's predecessor the NRW, for several winters in Halifax and think all weather tires make good sense for urban commuting in the milder areas of Canada - especially if you can let the plows go first. 55 series WR's on alloy rims may even improve the handling but that probably isn't an issue for a family sedan.

Thats the second priority option for me and most likely will cost twice as much, then I have to dispose off the steel wheels and the spare.

Why would you have to ditch the spare if the outside diameter is the same?

UmroAyyar · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2007, 05:44:57 pm »

Quote from: mmret on November 02, 2007, 05:23:02 pm

Quote from: UmroAyyar on November 02, 2007, 04:47:04 pm
Quote from: jmiddleton on November 02, 2007, 01:08:58 pm
If you are thinking about alloy rims, you could buy 17" rims and mount 215/55R17 Nokian WR which are V rated and an exact plus 1 conversion for your car. Also check www.carmodifier.ca for pricing on the Nokian WR. I drove the WR's predecessor the NRW, for several winters in Halifax and think all weather tires make good sense for urban commuting in the milder areas of Canada - especially if you can let the plows go first. 55 series WR's on alloy rims may even improve the handling but that probably isn't an issue for a family sedan.

Thats the second priority option for me and most likely will cost twice as much, then I have to dispose off the steel wheels and the spare.

Why would you have to ditch the spare if the outside diameter is the same?

The most likely at the moment is the new Nokian WR G2, can't find the regular WR at the moment.

True, same size, same diameter of the tyre. The tyre constrution, tread design is entirely different. I am not sure what to do about the spare. The quote has been $178 per tyre.

Originally the tyres had 10/32 inch tread, current status is 8/32, so I should be able to get decent credit for the OE tyres.

I'd appreciate suggestions about the spare, I do carry a sealant, inflator with me and have never changed the tyre due to puncture, filled it up, drove to the dealership to get it fixed under warranty for free.

Michelin Energy™ MXV4® S8 - OE Tyres.

Nokian WR G2

jmiddleton · « **Reply #14 on:** November 02, 2007, 06:24:17 pm »

If you are interested in the 17" option, you can sell your existing tires and rims on Kijiji.ca. You will probably get more if you dismount the tires and sell them separately. The tires will fit a Ford Taurus and several other popular mid size cars in addition to the Camry. At this time of year there should be a lot of interest in steel rims for snow tires.

mmret · « **Reply #15 on:** November 02, 2007, 08:42:20 pm »

I think you could just keep the spare, unless you have a fullsize spare with the car or something.

The driving dynamics will be totally broken in any case, so I don't see any point in matching it up or using anything fancier than the OEM spare, but others will know better.

articsteve · « **Reply #16 on:** November 02, 2007, 08:53:36 pm »

Carrying a can of sealer is worth it IMO, regardless of spare. Unless you install your own wheels, after a few months of winter salt, most ppl cannot get the lug nuts off with the OEM supplied wrench.

UmroAyyar · « **Reply #17 on:** November 02, 2007, 08:57:58 pm »

Its a full size spare, the tyres have pretty good tread left.

The 17" option is an interesting idea. The cost would double though.

dr_spock · « **Reply #18 on:** November 03, 2007, 01:52:09 pm »

The can of sealer has saved my butt a couple of times. It's good stuff. I also carry a length steel pipe that fits over the OEM tire wrench in case I need to take the wheel off as a last resort.

I have S for winters and H for the rest of the year. The thing to remember with going down in rating is the max speed the tire is rated for. Not that I would ever drive anywhere near 160 km/h on the S winter tires. Also with softer winters, the driving dynamics will feel different but it is easy to get used to, assuming you're the kind of driver who can adapt to change.

Loudpedal · « **Reply #19 on:** November 03, 2007, 06:24:18 pm »

I'm strongly considering either Nokain WR or WRG2's for my wife Odyssey. Does anyone on CTC have any real world feedback, specifically in summer driving?