[BusyBoyKK]

Advise please!!

I am in my hometown, Vijayawada, A.P for vacation. Noticed that my father's A Star tyres are out of shape, not that tread is worn out but they are just out of shape (a bulge on the side walls as if air is less). I felt the car vibrating even at around 40-50 KMPH speed. Noticed the front tyre shape when they were removed for replacing disc calipers.

A-Star, bought in Sep 2009, ran for 15k KMs so far. Tyres were never changed.

A dealer is offering Good Year 155/80R 13 for Rs 3100 each. It must be GT3 I think.

Advise on the below please!
1) Is that a good deal?
2) Is Good Year good enough for my parents' short runs with the car? Any other suggestions around this budget are welcome - Bridgestone, JK, MRF etc?
3) Will any buy our current older tyres?
4) Any recommended tyre shops in Vijayawada?

Thanks!

[condor]

hi Kanth,
the price seems to be ok.

however, if budget is not a constraint pls check 175/70 R13 instead. I am using 175's and it makes a difference to the handling.

You would not get much for your old tyres, esp with the bulges.

[kippu]

Originally Posted by condor

hi Kanth,
the price seems to be ok.

however, if budget is not a constraint pls check 175/70 R13 instead. I am using 175's and it makes a difference to the handling.

You would not get much for your old tyres, esp with the bulges.

other than handling does it change anything else regarding FE ?

[condor]

@Kippu, Very little . I am getting almost same FE as before. I say almost because traffic conditions keep changing.

[rajathv8]

2) Is Good Year good enough for my parents' short runs with the car? Any other suggestions around this budget are welcome - Bridgestone, JK, MRF etc?

I own a July 2009 Black Star with about 43k on the odo.

It is shroud with Apollo Accleres of stock 155/80 R13 size. They have served me well in the last 11k that the car has been with me.

Looks pretty good from the sides too when detailed.

[darxide]

My 2009 A-star vxi with 195/55-15s radar rpx900 tires. the car now handles like its running on rails or Velcro or something close. Takes corners at insane speeds that i would not attempt with the original 155/80-13 set up. No scrubbing or fouling with the body panels so far. got my inspiration from a few celerios (thats the a-star in the Philippines)

[saion666]

My A-star is 5+ years old and has done only 16000 kms. It has the OEM JK vectras and I have been quite content with them. Two of them have punctures with one among the two developing a bulge recently.

Since the tyres are all 5+ years old am thinking of replacing all 5 of them. My major criteria is they should last for another 4-5 years. The car is not driven much and is used mostly in city,with maybe once a year highway run and some monthly airport run along the ORR.
Which brand to go for, does paying extra for the likes of michelins and bridgestone justify my usage.My main concern with michelins are the sidewalls.
Should i go for the jk vectras again as I had nothing much to complain of them except the hard rubber ride/noise. I would stick to 155/80 R13. How are the apollos?

[condor]

Originally Posted by saion666

My major criteria is they should last for another 4-5 years.

Most tyres will last that long, unless there is a manufacturing defect, or the usage is high.

Regarding the size, go for 175/70 R13. My personal experience is - the car bounces lesser & the ride is better.

You can look at Apollo 4G / Goodyear Assurance / Yoko Earth-1 ..

[saion666]

Got the front tyres changed to yokohama Earth today. Costed 3400 each with free allignment, balancing and nitrogen. Stuck to the stock size of 155/80 R13.

Initial impressions include reduced noise level over the vectras. I dont feel any difference in ride quality. Steering seems to be a bit lighter now!

[Tornado]

This is a great info dear friend.
How was the ride over bad roads after going for low profile tyres?

We have a A Star Automatic, mostly driven by my wife, it's a 2013 model done around 21K KM. I am also going to replace the tyres with Michelin 175 / 70 R 13.

On a separate note - I feel that A star rides well. whenever I switch from my XUV 500 to A star , I never feel disappointed. Many times I felt better with A star over few bad surfaces. ( My drives were short though and smoothness of petrol is another factor).
If you are on strict budget, I think A star is the best in the used car segment among the smaller Marutis as it can give you ABS and Airbag and ensure a decent ride as well. I would say , one should opt for a good pre-owned ZXI A star over many other cheaper built new cars. ( It was exported to European Markets as ALTO, so I would expect a better overall quality in Maruti A Stars)

As I noticed, the tyres on A star Automatic seems to have faster wear and tear.
May be the upsize Michelins would make some difference.

Originally Posted by darxide

My 2009 A-star vxi with 195/55-15s radar rpx900 tires. the car now handles like its running on rails or Velcro or something close. Takes corners at insane speeds that i would not attempt with the original 155/80-13 set up. No scrubbing or fouling with the body panels so far. got my inspiration from a few celerios (thats the a-star in the Philippines)

[Tornado]

Originally Posted by saion666

Got the front tyres changed to yokohama Earth today. Costed 3400 each with free allignment, balancing and nitrogen. Stuck to the stock size of 155/80 R13.

Initial impressions include reduced noise level over the vectras. I dont feel any difference in ride quality. Steering seems to be a bit lighter now!

I have always experienced a lighter steering with new tyres ( even when I did a tyre upsize on my Optra Magnum, with Yokos)
Are Earth dreams as soft and comfy as Michelins?

[saion666]

Originally Posted by Tornado

I have always experienced a lighter steering with new tyres ( even when I did a tyre upsize on my Optra Magnum, with Yokos)
Are Earth dreams as soft and comfy as Michelins?

Sorry I never had Michelin on the A-star but one of my friend has them(XM2) on the Ritz(which I have driven extensively).
The Michelins seems to be a lot quieter and softer compared to the Yoko Earth.

The Yoko Earth probably fits somewhere in between the OEM JK and the Michelins.(Which IMO is perfect positioning for the product)

[Tornado]

I upgraded our A Star Automatic's tyres with Michelin Energy XM2 (175*70*13).
I got it for less than 4.4K per unit.
Ride got improved really well. Now it glides over potholes. Really a great improvement. It usually does not touch the side walls but sometimes , very rarely touches on the top while jumping into some potholes. I am all praise for the michelin tyres.
After the upgrade I went for a 300 KM (single side) journey with 4 adults (including me), 3 kids ,and heavy luggage, but the ride was really amazing with upgraded michelin. (I have owned XUV, Innova, Optra etc before.).

[outdoorlover]

Originally Posted by Tornado

I upgraded our A Star Automatic's tyres with Michelin Energy XM2 (175*70*13).

Ride got improved really well. Now it glides over potholes. Really a great improvement.

I second that experience Tornado! I changed my shoes on our A-Star AT too with an upsized 14 inch rim (from Celerio) and 175mm wide Michelin XM2 and the ride has become amazingly stable , far more comfortable from earlier and definitely sure footed with much better control for city driving conditions and also short braking distances. Thoroughly recommend this combo.

[avi550m]

Originally Posted by Tornado

I upgraded our A Star Automatic's tyres with Michelin Energy XM2 (175*70*13).
I got it for less than 4.4K per unit.

Did you have to change the standard wheels to fit the 175/70 R13. I need to change the 5 year old tyres on my A-Star Automatic and am considering it.

Does it affect the FE and steering heaviness during parking speeds?