Team-BHP - Honda Civic : Tyre & wheel upgrade thread

Finally changed the tyres yesterday. Switched to Michelin PLC 205/65 R15. The initial impression was very good. Never knew the drive in the Civic could be so good. The NCTs that were there earlier made every unevenness in the road be noticed prominently. Now is a completely different story. Even the difference in the ride height helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swarooppatil (Post 2642058)

Err. A bit of a nursery kid here, but what does PLC stand for ? Are you referring to Pilot Sports?

Saw a couple more abbreviations - CPC2, NCT ???

Appreciate your help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mempheS.D (Post 2642089)

Err. A bit of a nursery kid here, but what does PLC stand for ? Are you referring to Pilot Sports?

Saw a couple more abbreviations - CPC2, NCT ???

Appreciate your help.

PLC= Michelin Primacy LC

PP2 = Michelin Pilot Preceda 2

PS2/PS3 = Michelin Pilot Sports 2/3

CPC2 = ContiPremiumContact2 from Continental.

NCT: It's a Goodyear brand. Usually comes as oem on the Civic. The Goodyear Eagle NCT5. Dont know what exactly NCT stands for. There is also an NCT3 in the market but in fewer sizes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008 (Post 2642110)

Thanks for the details, Nikhilb2008!
As per Goodyear website, NCT = Neutral Contour Technology.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008 (Post 2642110)

There it comes from the expert himself. By the way thanks to you Nikhil and also Vasoo, for helping me in making that decision.

Manim, the older tire looks worn out on one of the sides.
What is the reason? Any alignment problem? When did you align the tires and how frequently you do them?
How have you fitted the new tires (front/rear)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jidousha (Post 2694570)

Must be the alignment problem, but I check it at the A.S.S every 10K.

I will be fitting the new ones on the rear, as recommended my Michelin.
Check out this recent discussion about this along with the video on this thread (post #35):
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/street...es-dont-2.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by manim (Post 2694864)

Looks like the alignment has not been properly done.
Did you do in Tuticorin why don't you try another shop in a bigger city with better facilities.
Although 10k interval is alright for normal run, please check periodically for uneven wear as soon as alignment is done and also if you use the car in rough roads.
I would suggest to invest in 2 more new Michelin tires and replace all the 4 and keep the best of the worn out as spare.
I guess you often use the car in highways and therefore you need highly reliable tires on the front wheels as well.
BTW what is the date of manufacture of the new tires?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jidousha (Post 2695523)

what is the date of manufacture of the new tires?

I insisted on the latest stock and got: '4211', '4411'.
That is, Sep 2011 and Oct 2011.

I had topped my BS ER 60 with 30PS air today at the fuel pump and went for a drive.It was 9 Am in the morning and i did not bother to switch on the a/c and left the window down a little.As i drove over the concretised SV road i heard the tyres making quite a racket.I found as the car was going over the concrete sections it made a nasty chapak chapak sound , for a moment i thought i had got a flat tyre.

I rolled up the window and noise was gone and couldn't hear anything.Later when i parked the car to inspect the tyres i found they were all properly infalted and there was no sign of a flat tyre.Is this chapak chapak sound normal for a BS ?

thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumeethaldankar (Post 2509474)

Some feedback on the 205 upsized.I found the acceleration to be marginally slowed compared to before.The steering now decidedly feels much heavier and the tyres have a very chunky look to them.Though i am not very pleased with slight slow acceleration (maybe my imagination) but the offsets better braking,high speed stability and slight increase in GC would very much make for the cons.

Hi sumeethaldankar
I've been scouring the forums on long term experience of upgrading to 205/65 R15s. What would be your feedback on the following:
1. Any suspension issues?
2. Fouling of the wider tyre with wheel well or suspension?
3. Mileage drop?
4. Any premature Tyre wear that you observed?

Thanks
navinmra

I only have good things to say about the new shoes we've given our Nov' 2006 Civic. The car had done 35k and is in pristine condition. The stock Goodyears were honestly horrible. Not only did we have to deal with 4-5 punctures, the grip would be lost very early and it simply did not inspire confidence. The ride wasn't great either.

But now, we've switched to a set of Michelin XM2 - 205/65 R15 and it has helped tremendously. While the ride quality has improved marginally, the car feels more confident around corners and the ground-clearance has improved as well, owing to the wider tyre and the same profile. It grips really well.

The steering seems to have gotten a tad heavier at slower speeds, but lightens up as you go faster.

All in all, I'm happy with the new shoes. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by navinmra (Post 2805132)

There are no issues with the tyres with respect to suspension issues or premature wear.I have not checked the car yet on a full load ie 5 passengers + luggage so can't say anything when the car is packed to capacity but on regular drive with max 3-4 people i have not seen any case where the tyre hits the wheel well.As for mileage there is no significant change.