Hello BHP’ians,
My Ciaz came fitted with 15” MRF ZVTV on all five wheels including the spare. Although the tyres seemed durable enough to last a good 50K Kms, the roaring noise at speed kept bothering me. Besides these Tyres were highly prone to punctures (I assume that the ones on my car were lemons) and picked up nails and cuts on any given opportunity. The front left tyre had picked up as many as 13 punctures whilst the others managed about 5-6 each. All these experiences are merely within 2 years of usage. Hence it was decided to replace them with better rubber and opted on the Yokohama Earth 1.
The new shoes have completed 6k Kms as of now and are going strong. It seems this is the apt time to pen down by observations on the same;
1. The Earth1’s are phenomenally silent as compared to ZVTV. The tyres are pin drop silent in the range of 60-80 Kmph. They continue remaining super silent up to 120 Kmph. At this point there sets in a faint humming which increases progressively up to 140 Kmph, though the volume all along remains mild and nothing bothersome.
Post 140 Kmph the sound increases substantially. But then, these figures (which are derived in closed private roads) are not the legal speeds at which a Car can be driven on our public roads and highways.
2. Earth1 excels in handling wet roads. The grip levels are substantial and the noise minimal. The car retains firm composure at all times.
3. The Earth1 have great temperature management. They manage to remain cool even after driving the whole day at 80-100 Kmph speeds in scorching sun. I have checked them personally while saying so, as the Apollo Amazer and Goodyear GT3 used on my other Car tend to get warm. Surprisingly, the MRF also remained adequately cool.
4. Coming to the aspect of ride quality, the Earth1’s are seemingly absorbent and offer plush ride on bad roads. Rumble strips, small rubber speed breakers, small pot holes, etc just come and go by. The occupants just do not even get a feel of them. However on undulations the car tends to slightly bounce (I presently maintain 30 Psi) and gives a feel as though we are sailing in a car. Perhaps the soft suspension set up of the Ciaz also has something to contribute or may be just that I have to play a bit more with other pressure levels.
5. Punctures, well none. I continue driving on the same roads as were with my earlier ZVTV. However these Yokos have picked up none. I happened to drive twice on a stretch of about 10 Kms, where the so called road was nothing but rubble, crushed stones and grit; in other words a very “puncture friendly” zone. Here also, the Yokos came out with flying colors, as they picked no cuts or puncture.
6. Air retention is another area where the Earth1 exceeded my expectations. The tyres were installed on 07th August 2018 with an uniform pressure of 30 Psi. The recorded pressures on 16th December 2018 were 29, 27, 28 and 29 Psi. A drop in pressure by just 3 Psi (Max) within 4 months duration and after about 6K Kms of running is pretty awesome (at least in my opinion). The Pressure levels were checked every fortnight and only on 16th December the real need for a top up was found. The tyres have retained pressure very well.
7. Grip levels are decent. Although I cannot comment much as there was no single instance of panic braking in this duration.
In nutshell, I am pretty much satisfied with the Earth1 as it meets / exceeds all my expectations. Highly recommended.
