ARTICLE: Choosing The Right Set Of Tyres for your Car

[prsnck]

Hi,

Me plans to get new rubber and alloys for my zen - would need some help to solve my queries. I currently run on goodyear 145 70 R 13, the stock ones which came on 2000 model zen. It was run about 30k in total and has serious wobbling with irregular tread for four tyres. Car has run about 68k km with all regualr service done, which i always ensured.

Tried all sorts of balancing, alignment now expret verdict is all should be fine with only a New set of tyres. so i thought why not alloys too along with upsized tyres.

1. I am Not sure of correct tyre upsize with alloys :

165/60R/13 or 155/65R/13 - I would not mind if tyre pops out a little and more space in the wheel wells. But the fact is that there is not much of choice if you go for 13" in Alloy wheels. Can I go with higher ones more than 13"

And Michelin or Bridgestone Potenza G3 - which one is best and sensible for long run -

2. So what should be the appropriate alloy rim size, if I finalise on any one of them -

3. Would this upsizing and alloy cause any reduction in mileage or perfomance. Or does it enhance handling of vehicle better.

4. Should I add spacer - to get more space in the wheel wells. Does it makes handling bad or suspension hard.

5. Looks are important for me as is better handling and braking, without compromise on mileage and perfomance.


appreciate your reply at the earliest

thanks
prsn

[adi_iceman11]

Not a proper thread to ask in, but couldn't find one.

What will be the perfect Tyre size and Rim size combination for a OHC Type 2 1.5 Exi ? Right now its stock !

I was thinking about 185/50 R15 OR 185/55 R15 !

I want something which wont hamper the ride quality that much !

Suggestions Please !

[drsnt]

Please suggest a upgrade for my honda city zx i do a lot of high speed driving, i am planning for 195/65
please suggest brand and model

[Scorp72]

Need to decide on my next set of tyres for my Embera. Shortlisted the below 3:

Michelin Primacy LC - 9K
Goodyear GSD3 - Rs 5.9K
Goodyear Eagle NCT5 - Rs 6.3K

Except for the price of the Michelin, I am ll for it. But any problem with the other options. If anyone has any experience with the Goodyear tyres, I would like to hear of it. Need to get the replacements soon.

[ajay_msingh]

None of the dealers here in Bangalore have the PP2 fresh stock and just two dealers have but with the DOT of 2008.

Is it OK to buy these more than one year old ???

I met Aswin at Sai, Indiranagar and he happen to speak to Michellin sales office in New Delhi. They said that the PP2 are going to be phased out, thats the reason for the short supply. I happen to check for CPC2 and Aswin had them with a DOT of Oct 2008. Is it OK ?? Aswin says its not a problem as the tyres are not removed from package covers and are intact. He was selling at 5100/- a piece with a exchange of stock Potenza RE88 at 3000/-, so a final cost of 10,500/- for a set of 5 CPC2 in the profile 205/60/R15. Incidentally, he is using them in his own Verna and he compares them to PP2 in ride comfort, grip, performance but slightly noisy. I think i need to compromise by just going for these as XM1+ will be too bland for a car such as Cedia Sports.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by Scorp72

Need to decide on my next set of tyres for my Embera. Shortlisted the below 3:

Michelin Primacy LC - 9K
Goodyear GSD3 - Rs 5.9K
Goodyear Eagle NCT5 - Rs 6.3K

Except for the price of the Michelin, I am ll for it. But any problem with the other options. If anyone has any experience with the Goodyear tyres, I would like to hear of it. Need to get the replacements soon.

I am no tyre guru.

But after keeping the stock NCT5 on my Civic till today, I have never been unhappy. It had done 37K, still looks like it'd go another 15K.

I had gone at speeds over 190Kmph, and hard braking in wet roads at higher speed, The NCT5 never failed me. I had not had any surprises, and at consistant speeds like 150+ it never misbehaved too. Our needs are mostly not this and plain city drive, and it is fine.

But from the forum I infer that NCT 5 are a big no for whatever reasons. If that is the case all other tyres must be too great.

[m8002?]

Originally Posted by laluks

I am no tyre guru.

But after keeping the stock NCT5 on my Civic till today, I have never been unhappy. It had done 37K, still looks like it'd go another 15K.

I had gone at speeds over 190Kmph, and hard braking in wet roads at higher speed, The NCT5 never failed me. I had not had any surprises, and at consistant speeds like 150+ it never misbehaved too. Our needs are mostly not this and plain city drive, and it is fine.

Originally Posted by Scorp72

Need to decide on my next set of tyres for my Embera. Shortlisted the below 3:

Michelin Primacy LC - 9K
Goodyear GSD3 - Rs 5.9K
Goodyear Eagle NCT5 - Rs 6.3K

Having had the NCT5s on my baleno, i wouldnt recommend them at all. Things were OK for the initial 20-25K Kms. Then had the following issues:
1. Very high tyre noise
2. Grip levels started reducing drastically....had a few wheel spins when there is mud/sand on the road.
3. Squeals

This inspite of being a very sober driver ( i never go beyond 100 even on the NH 7 :-) ). Changed to Yoko A-drives and am a happy person now.

I wouldnt recommend driving at 150 with those tyres, especially after 37K Kms on them.

[laluks]

I hope the Good Years have got their reasearch department right. I would believe so, else how do they still survive?

Others are yours and my experiences, which has to be shared in black and white.

People have to see both sides, not to build a perception and to make a right judgement for themselves.

I do not recommend any brand whatsoever. Its you and your decision.

Regarding speeds - they are put here for comparison of the capabilities of the tyres which were tested under safe and secure conditions.

[prats]

Hi Nikhil,
From the time i read your thread till now, i have explored all options and i have decided on Michellins as they have the latest tyres available. The only thing that stumped me was that the dealer was hell bent on palming off 195/70/R14 INSTEAD of the recommended 185/70/R14. I have not bought the tyres yet. It will help if can clear my doubt.
Thanks in advance

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

See this post.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/497430-post3.html

My small contribution to this thread in addition to the fantastic work done by KPzen and iraghava.

[adi_iceman11]

Not a proper thread to ask in, but couldn't find one.

What will be the perfect Tyre size and Rim size combination for a OHC Type 2 1.5 Exi ? Right now its stock !

I was thinking about 185/50 R15 OR 185/55 R15 !

I want something which wont hamper the ride quality that much !

Suggestions Please !


CAN SOME ONE PLEASE REPLY TO THIS !

[Jaggu]

What is the stock size? The higher the side profile which is indicated by the middle number 50 or 55, better will be the ride. ie when the width (first number 185) is constant.

So 185 55 15 would offer better ride.

[Nikhilb2008]

You can fit 195/50 R15.

Edit: Jaggu, the OEM size was 175/70 R13. 185/55 R15 is not too practical as he has very limited options. With 195/50 R15 or 195/55 R15(if it fits), then he has a little more options.

Conti CPC2, Michelin PP2s, S drives, A drives.

[manim]

Originally Posted by adi_iceman11

What will be the perfect Tyre size and Rim size combination for a OHC Type 2 1.5 Exi ?
I was thinking about 185/50 R15 OR 185/55 R15 !

I want something which wont hamper the ride quality that much !

Suggestions Please !


CAN SOME ONE PLEASE REPLY TO THIS !

I had used 205/50 15 Michelin PP1 & PP2 on my OHC years back.
Great, except when turning with full-wheel-turn slight scrapping.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

You can fit 195/50 R15.

Edit: Jaggu, the OEM size was 175/70 R13. 185/55 R15 is not too practical as he has very limited options. With 195/50 R15 or 195/55 R15(if it fits), then he has a little more options.

Conti CPC2, Michelin PP2s, S drives, A drives.

Originally Posted by manim

I had used 205/50 15 Michelin PP1 & PP2 on my OHC years back.
Great, except when turning with full-wheel-turn slight scrapping.

So i guess 195/50 R15 would be the right choice for comfort factor that he is looking for. Going beyond that will put strain on steering and suspension and zap the oomph from the car.

[adi_iceman11]

I am looking for comfort as well as the tires not scrapping my wheel arches !

I will be doing city driving mostly, so the more the comfort the better it is, considering potholed mumbai streets !

I would not like my arches getting scrapped !

The car will be loaded with 5 persons, sometimes 6 !

That's why i was thinking about a 185/55 R15 ! The R15 is must !

And no suspension mods please !

Thank you !