I am having new tires put on the FIT as I type.
- I achieved 46643miles out of them until they were at 3/32 tread life left, not at the wear bar but too close for comfort.
- I purchased the car on July 31, 2007 new with about 30miles on it.
- for about 12K I had the tires at 60-65psi, for about 10k I had the tires at 50-55psi and the rest or first part of the tires life they were at the recommended 32 psi.
- I had the tires rotated and balanced at least 5 times.
- Stock tire was Dunlop SP3 with a side wall max of 51psi.
- The guy at the tire place said they are only good for 20k(not sure if that is a true statement) and was surprised at what miles I have squeezed out of them.
The new tires are Kuhmo LX platinum with 60K warranty and a side wall max of 51psi. I plan on pumping them up to 70-75psi assuming I can stand the ride quality.:D I hope these will glide like sliding on ice.:eek:
Oh, I would like to know what others are getting out of their stock tires.
Right Lane Cruiser
12-06-2008, 09:51 AM
My first set of (really REALLY cheap) stock mounted Kuhmos lasted me 60K instead of the rated 40K. I was told that a lot of people only make it to about 22k on those things. There was still usable tread on them but the dealership said I should get new ones at the 60K service so I did. They put the same brand and type on but those didn't last quite as well. I was still on track for about 50K or so out of them but got an irreparable puncture in one at about 43K so I replaced the set. The Hancooks I put on are MUCH nicer -- I got an immediate boost in mileage as soon as they were mounted... very surprising as normally new tires have to be worn in and will give worse mileage a the start than at the end of life... those Kuhmos must have been really cruddy! :eek:
I just replaced the tires on the Insight last Tuesday and I don't know how long the previous set had been on the car.
I won't mention my preferred pressures because... well... they aren't recommended. ;)
Mendel Leisk
12-06-2008, 11:23 AM
All things considered, 46643miles is not bad. I purchased Michelin Harmony's for a previous car we had. They're rated 130,000km tread life, and warrantied accordingly. The reality was we hit the wear bars at 65,000km, which translates to around 41,000~ miles. Come to think of it, that's about our usual, regardless of the tire or vehicle.
The one benefit I realized: when I had those Harmony's replaced (with the same tire), I took advantage of the Michelin warranty. With the tire retailer's report to Michelin, I was able to purchase my next set for half the going price.
I think a lot of mileage claims and warranties are just to "pull the customers in". It takes a certain amount of diligence, keeping records, etc, to make a claim if the tires don't go the claimed distance. I suspect a lot of people just don't follow through and make a claim, and tire manufacturer's are counting on this...
Well, I have driven about 40miles today and boy are these things sticky!:(
I can't even roll out of the garage now unless I stick my foot out for a couple of pushes.:(
Even then I still have to get out and push at a spot where I was able to coast over at <5mph before I get out of the neighbor hood.:(
At first I thought it was because the installers only put them at 40psi(which actually surprises me that they put it that high:p). However, I drove to the nearest air pump and inflated them to 75psig. I have to say that the ride is not as harsh as the last tires and they were only at 65psig. Maybe I need to increase it to 80-85psig.:confused: I have read that I should expect less mpg for about 1-2k but I was hoping that wouldn't be the case.:o
Right Lane Cruiser
12-06-2008, 11:15 PM
Welcome to the club, Shawn. My Insight won't roll out of the garage anymore either. Even with the full grill block and resulting better lean burn as well as higher tire pressure I'm still about 6mpg under where I was last year with nothing but a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator.
At least this is the time to be doing the swap as it is hard to tell the difference with all the other factors gnawing on my fuel economy... plus I believe the salt and ice chunks will help me wear the tires in a bit faster. We'll see!!
Well, I am really disappointed today. I was down at least 10-12mpg for my morning commute with these new tires and I know the 25F weather didn't help.:(
Well, the temp definitely dropped me 5mpg while the tires were the other 7mpg loss. I know that because today the temperature was about 46F on the way to work and I was able to achieve 59mpg vs. the 54mpg yesterday. :(
BudgetFitting
12-09-2008, 12:58 PM
Ouch Shan. At least these are two things that are really out of your control (besides moving and using unsafe tires).
I know. :( I managed 63mpg on the way to work this morning but it was 60F outside and I did drive a little slower.:p