Topic: The Sienna Needs New Shoes

[Trainman]

So when we do our change-overs this spring, the Sienna will need new summer tires.  Looking for suggestions/experiences from others who have similar sized/type of vehicles.

Criteria I am looking at:

Good dry and wet (Vancouver rains  ) traction;
Ability to withstand the harshness of interior BC weather, notably higher temps and higher speeds;
OK slushy snow traction (we run winters but do have the odd time in the late spring or early fall when we might have wet snow on the highway);
Good tread wear (willing to spend a bit more for a better tire);
Decent handling but this is no sports car (unlike the Pathfinder    ).

Looking at Yokohama, Bridgestone and Michelin (Hydro Edge looks good).  No off-brands, no Goodyear or Dunlop.

Thanks for your input.

Note that we will be buying these locally, no internet sales or Costco as our local tire shop is much more convenient for the change-overs (at no charge) and has a good warranty.  So morty, do not feel obliged to respond.

[sailor723]

We replaced the OEM Bridgestones (Potenza's?) on our last Maxima ( an 02) when they wore out with the Hydro Edge. We were very happy with the performance especially in the wet. NB highways are pretty badly beaten down by trucks and we have a problem with pooling water in the ruts during heavy rain. They had great resistance to hydroplaning and I liked the handling. I can't really comment about treadwear as the car was a lease and when we turned it back these tires only had 25-30K....lot's of tread left

[UmroAyyar]

Do look at Michelin's Harmony(softer than hydroedge) or Michelin's newer Primacy tires.

[Trainman]

Thanks for the feedback.  The Hydro Edge has a 140,000 km tread wear rating, so it should be good for a few years.

I will look at and price those others as well.

[weebl]

Hey Trainman, I have a Sienna myself, though tire replacement will be a long ways off for me, when it does come around, provided there are no changes in the offerings in the marketplace that would affect my choices, I would serious be looking at Yokohama Avid TRZ or BF Goodrich Traction T/A-T.  Of course, I have no first hand experience with these to make the recommendations.  Do you consifer Kumho an off-brand?

[Trainman]

Hey Trainman, I have a Sienna myself, though tire replacement will be a long ways off for me, when it does come around, provided there are no changes in the offerings in the marketplace that would affect my choices, I would serious be looking at Yokohama Avid TRZ or BF Goodrich Traction T/A-T.  Of course, I have no first hand experience with these to make the recommendations.  Do you consifer Kumho an off-brand?

Our OEM Dunlop's did not last 30,000 km, not sure what you have or the kms that are on them but I hope you get better than we do.

Kumho is not off brand but I do not think our tire store carries them.  Off brand to me are the department store/Canadian Tire house brands, Telstar, Traction King, etc.

[Trainman]

HydroEdge, 140,000 km warranty:



Harmony, 130,000 km warranty:



Primacy, 100,000 km warranty:




Just looking at them, I would think the HydroEdge has the edge ( ) on wet snow/slush.  But looks can be deceiving.

[Trainman]

Doing a bit more research, I am looking at the following in addition to the Michelin's above:

Bridgestone HP550 and Turanza.  The shop also suggested looking at Duelers, but are these not more SUV oriented?

Yokohama Avid TRZ and Avid T4


Anything else I should look at?

[weebl]

We've only put 12,000 km on our OEM all seasons, we lucked out and got the Michelin Energy LX-4.  Not too bad for an OEM tire.  So far, more kms have been put on our winter set.

I think you've got a good list to choose from.

On another note, since you live in the area I'll be travelling through, we plan on going to Vancouver the second to third week of April.  As long as it warms up to summer tire temperatures here, I've been wondering, if that happens before the trip, is it safe enough weather-wise on the highways to change over to the A/S set, or would I be better off keeping on the winters until after.  As long as I can't expect anything more serious then light slush/snow.

[Trainman]

weeble, lucky you, got Michelin's as original.  Same with us, we put more kms on the snowies than the summers but they have lasted longer.

As for your travel through here, spring and fall can be quite interesting.  I have seen (and driven  ) the Coq when it has been closed in May but that is unusual.  We generally take the snowies off around mid-April but we can be more selective in when we travel or use the Pathfinder in really nasty situations.  Will you be coming down on the Yellowhead through Blue River?  If so, that is the part of the road I would be more worried about.  Might as well make it a last minute call and just keep an eye on the weather forecasts.  In short, no easy answer and I will be like a politician and just keep babbling .......   

[weebl]

Yep, that's the way we usually go, through Blue River.  I guess keeping the winter tires on until the last minute wouldn't hurt.  As long as it looks like it's almost impossible for bad weather along our route, I'll switch sets, otherwise, I'll put up with the winters for just a little bit longer.

[airbalancer]

My understanding you can have the same name on the tires but have different spec.
Usually OEM tires are not as good as aftermarket tires

[morty]

Are you running 16" or 17" tires on your Sienna?

[Trainman]

Are you running 16" or 17" tires on your Sienna?

I appreciate your feedback morty.  We have an '04 CE, with P215/65 R16 tires.

[Loudpedal]

I'm also shopping around for new shoes for my wifes Odyssey.  I just can't stand the Nokian WR's anymore...I go mental everytime I drive it. 

I was initially going to go back to the Michelin Symmetry, but was told the Harmony is slightly better.  A local tire shop is recommending the Toyo Versado's.   They are a bit cheaper than the Michelin's and have a 30 day trial offer--which is very appealing. 

Anyone have any experience with Toyo Versado's?

Also, anyone in GTA interested in a set of Nokian WR's (225/60/16's),with approx 3000 kms on them?

[Careener]

If they carry the Kumho line, the Solus seems to meet your dewcribed needs at a very competitive price.

[1TSX]

Also, anyone in GTA interested in a set of Nokian WR's (225/60/16's),with approx 3000 kms on them?

Not after your review of them. 

I heard the Yokohama TRZ's are good for the Odyssey (05'+). Not sure about the previous generation.

[morty]

Apologies for being abhorrently slow. The Hydroedge is excellent and for just a few dollars more than the Harmony it is money well spent. We have also had good success with the Yokohama TRZ and BFGoodrich Traction T/A if you are looking to spend a little less.

[Trainman]

Apologies for being abhorrently slow. The Hydroedge is excellent and for just a few dollars more than the Harmony it is money well spent. We have also had good success with the Yokohama TRZ and BFGoodrich Traction T/A if you are looking to spend a little less.

Thanks morty.  As you can see I am a little slow to respond too   

After the weather we have been having these last few weeks, I am going to go with the Hydroedge.  I am not really all that concerned about saving a few bucks on one of the most important items of my vehicle, so I have no issue in spending that extra amount for a quality tire.

Thanks everyone for your input