January 2007 Tata Safari 3.0 DiCOR EX 4x4 Running Report

nitrous · 27th February 2009, 15:05

You can have a staggered setup,Hrag.
235/70/R16 in the front. 255/65/R16 @ the rear.

tsk1979 · 27th February 2009, 15:10

255*0.65 will make just 1.5mm difference in overall sidewall height, hence negligible
Anyways I had a chance to look at BF 235*70 and Geolander ATS 255/65R16 tires when I went to get new shoes for the Indica.
The Geolanders sure look tough, however as far as grip and performance is concerned, I have no idea. Based on my limited experience on Yoko car tires, they are really bad in wet, however it could have been the case with the particular design I have experience on

nitrous · 27th February 2009, 15:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsk

Based on my limited experience on Yoko car tires, they are really bad in wet, however it could have been the case with the particular design I have experience on

Which yoko did you use?

tsk1979 · 27th February 2009, 15:19

No idea about the model number etc., It was a 15000 mile done tire on a corolla in the US. Even if it smelt water it would aquaplane, and starting on an incline with gentlest of throttle when wet used to cause wheelspin. Infact I had a people honking me at stop signs in SFO because the damn tires would keep spinning for a good few seconds.
I even checked whether the tire tread depth markers were showing "replace" but no such thing. There was still appreciable tread depth left.
Maybe it was the base economy model tire, not designed for wet, but to be frank I have never though that I would ever get to see a tire with such less grip. Heck even 4 ply non radial sasta MRF have better grip!

And it was not due to lots of power in the car. It was a stock 1997 corolla, 150K miles on odo, and maybe 100 horses or so under the hood.

But going by reviews on TBHP, I don't think that model is available over here, otherwise we would have had the brand totally lynched on TBHP.

4x4addict · 27th February 2009, 21:52

I have yokohama geolander ATs on my MM540. On my last trip to the estates, it handles off-road drives pretty well. Never got to try it in slush since the roads were pretty much dry at that time.

hrag · 4th March 2009, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrag

Decided to get a new JK tube (OEM size) costing 550.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrag

Decision has been made - no upsizing. Sticking to OEM size 235/70 R16.

Dropped the truck off for the 60K service this morning (odo 58.3K) in anticipation of an interstate drive coming up. Noticed that the front RHS tyre was looking slightly lower in pressure than the front LHS. The tyres themselves look pretty shot overall with cracks, abrasive looking patches etc. Not sure whether the tube was a fake or something else is the problem. Tyre change coming up ASAP after the truck gets back from service.

Edit: Decided on Yokohama Geolandar A/T 235/70 R16.

dadu · 4th March 2009, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrag

Tyre change coming up ASAP after the truck gets back from service.

Which ones have you decided finally Geolanders or Wanderer ??

hrag · 14th March 2009, 13:39

Got the new tyres this morning - Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S 235/70 R16.

Initial impressions:
1. Ride *seems* to have improved
2. Road noise is lower
3. Slight wallowy feeling (softer compound?)

Will have to get used to the tyres and will post detailed impressions after the next highway drive / OTR. These are my first set of tubeless tyres.

iraghava · 14th March 2009, 14:04

Check the tyre pressure for point # 3 Rishi. Have fun!

hrag · 14th March 2009, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by iraghava

Check the tyre pressure for point # 3 Rishi. Have fun!

Spot on, Mr. Bibendum! ;-) Wallowy feeling is gone after bringing overinflated tyres back to normal. Ride is definitely better, will comment further after mini-highway drive coming up on Monday night.

arindamray · 14th March 2009, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrag

Got the new tyres this morning - Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S 235/70 R16.

Hrishi, can you please let me know from where? And also the prices.

Blue Thunder · 15th March 2009, 01:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrag

Got the new tyres this morning - Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S 235/70 R16....

Good choice, hrag

. Please post some pics of the new tyres.

hrag · 15th March 2009, 03:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by arindamray

Hrishi, can you please let me know from where? And also the prices.

Madhus Enterprises, Langford Road, Bangalore.

condor · 15th March 2009, 06:51

Quote:

hrag

: Dropped the truck off for the 60K service this morning (odo 58.3K) in anticipation of an interstate drive coming up.

@Hrishi, a highway drive immediately after a servicing is not a very good idea: Best to drive locally a bit to catch any problems left over or even slips by the service center, before hitting the highway.

Quote:

arindamray

: Hrishi, can you please let me know from where? And also the prices.
hrag

: Madhus Enterprises, Langford Road, Bangalore.

@Arindam, that's TBHP-ian NikhilB2008 for you. Contact him for prices.

hrag · 15th March 2009, 08:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by condor

@Hrishi, a highway drive immediately after a servicing is not a very good idea: Best to drive locally a bit to catch any problems left over or even slips by the service center, before hitting the highway.

I don't subscribe to that point of view - having driven a brand new Safari from Madras to Hyderabad on Day 2 plus many more trips on the Indica & the Safari right after service. What is important though is to set the right expectation with the service centre. Tell them you're going on a highway drive and they normally take (extra) care.

27th February 2009, 15:05	#76
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	You can have a staggered setup,Hrag. 235/70/R16 in the front. 255/65/R16 @ the rear.
	() Thanks

27th February 2009, 15:10	#77
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	2550.65 will make just 1.5mm difference in overall sidewall height, hence negligible Anyways I had a chance to look at BF 23570 and Geolander ATS 255/65R16 tires when I went to get new shoes for the Indica. The Geolanders sure look tough, however as far as grip and performance is concerned, I have no idea. Based on my limited experience on Yoko car tires, they are really bad in wet, however it could have been the case with the particular design I have experience on
	() Thanks

27th February 2009, 15:19	#79
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,717 Thanked: 22,825 Times View My Garage	No idea about the model number etc., It was a 15000 mile done tire on a corolla in the US. Even if it smelt water it would aquaplane, and starting on an incline with gentlest of throttle when wet used to cause wheelspin. Infact I had a people honking me at stop signs in SFO because the damn tires would keep spinning for a good few seconds. I even checked whether the tire tread depth markers were showing "replace" but no such thing. There was still appreciable tread depth left. Maybe it was the base economy model tire, not designed for wet, but to be frank I have never though that I would ever get to see a tire with such less grip. Heck even 4 ply non radial sasta MRF have better grip! And it was not due to lots of power in the car. It was a stock 1997 corolla, 150K miles on odo, and maybe 100 horses or so under the hood. But going by reviews on TBHP, I don't think that model is available over here, otherwise we would have had the brand totally lynched on TBHP.
	() Thanks

27th February 2009, 21:52	#80
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,483 Thanked: 4,532 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (5)	I have yokohama geolander ATs on my MM540. On my last trip to the estates, it handles off-road drives pretty well. Never got to try it in slush since the roads were pretty much dry at that time.
	() Thanks

14th March 2009, 13:39	#83
hrag BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore / Madras Posts: 1,982 Thanked: 31 Times	Got the new tyres this morning - Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S 235/70 R16. Initial impressions: 1. Ride seems to have improved 2. Road noise is lower 3. Slight wallowy feeling (softer compound?) Will have to get used to the tyres and will post detailed impressions after the next highway drive / OTR. These are my first set of tubeless tyres.
	() Thanks

14th March 2009, 14:04	#84
iraghava Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bhaiyyaland Posts: 8,033 Thanked: 265 Times View My Garage	Check the tyre pressure for point # 3 Rishi. Have fun!
	() Thanks