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I looked at my tires the other day and noticed the back ones are down to about 3/32". So I figure I should do some tire shopping. Any suggestions from the membership here. I would like LRR tires, but I don't know if I will be able to get them due to low availability in my size. My brother works for a tire shop so I will be able to get a deal on the tires and an alignment. What I was hoping for is a few suggestions and ask my brother what they had available. The size I need is 185/70-14. The HydoEdge with GreenX are available on Tire Rack, but not sure about at my brother's shop.

For the record I have Primewell's on there now, the are rated for 40k and I am at about 55k (give or take 1K). So I got my money's worth out of them.

According to Tire Rack, they offer 3 all seasons in your size that are LRR (I'm guessing you've already seen all of these, just thought I'd share with general public...)

Tire Rack Lrr 185 70 R 14 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?skipOver=true&width=185%2F&ratio=70&diameter=14&x=27&y=13)

The Kumho's a have 100k treadlife warranty I believe... if that makes a difference. My concern with those would be replacing early due to age vs wear, but for the price, that may be worth it? The ever-coveted (or hated :p) Bridgestone B381's are in this size as well!

For me, I'd be likely to go with the Kumho's for my next set of tires, but I'm torn between them and the GY Fuelmax tires.

There's a whole lot more options if you drop to 185/65R14, but that affects ODO readings and RPMs, but you may be able to get a lighter tire, and can calculate out to get actual MPG from the decrease in apparent miles.

If I did my math right it would put my odo off by about 3%.

(new rev/mile - old rev/mile)/(old rev/mile)

ETA: Why are the B381's coveted or hated?

Depending on how much room there is within each wheelwell, you can go a bit taller (185-75-14) or wider/taller (195-70-14). The ecoSolus in 195-70 rolls 838 revs/mile compared to the 858 for the 185-70.

The Goodyear Integrity is there in the list, too. They're a "dry road only" tire - not rated well for rain or winter precip, but they're popular OEM tires and so their RRC can't be all that bad even though they aren't rated LRR in the guide.

Just got a text from my brother, they don't have they HydroEdge in stock, but can order them. I told him I was looking specifically for LRR tires. I also asked him to check into the Assurance Fuel Max to see if he could get them in my size. I would prefer sticking with the manufacturer's size recommendation, that is a personal thing. I would be too worried about it not fitting right and coming off the rim, especially at the pressures I would be running at.

From what I see on the Goodyear site, the FuelMax is not available in 14" diameter except for the 185-65-14.

Changing tire size does not cause the tire bead to separate from the rim, unless perhaps you are choosing a size more than 50% wider than stock. And at that point, the tire would be wedged tight against the fender or frame. Sticking to your stock size limits you to a few tires that are rated as LRR and it appears to be ecoSolus or Hydroedge GreenX.

From what I see on the Goodyear site, the FuelMax is not available in 14" diameter except for the 185-65-14.
This is a VERY good option, in my opinion / experience.

Does anyone know how the famous Insight-specific Bridgestone Potenza RE92 185/65-14 tires stack up against the new LRR models? At one time they were the best of the best, and likely are still great.

This is a VERY good option, in my opinion / experience.

My friend's minivan has 'em (FuelMax) and we went out last night for a little refresher/review/how-to time. Tires at 50/42 F/R, a little DWL at about 50mph, and the iMPG was in the low to mid 40s, depending on road grade. And this is in a ten year old Chrysler minivan, with crude engine controller and your choice of three forward speeds - low, medium, and high. Yeah, I got my right foot trained well, but these tires really help.

Beware the bias response ;)

From Michelin, their Energy Saver have a CRR of 0.09 at 2.5bar (36psi) and the CRR looses 20% for each additional bar, so is at 0.072 at max sidewall = 3.5bar (51psi).

My rear tires (Michelin Energy, the previous generation) have more than 60k km (37k mi), a 3rd at placard and a 3rd at max sidewall, and aren't at mid live yet.

Denis.

The HydoEdge with GreenX are available on Tire Rack, but not sure about at my brother's shop.

I regret getting the Hydroedge with GreenX and can not recommend them based on my experience.

Immediate drop in mpg by 3+mpg. Every coast that I've done for years comes up short, painfully obvious the RR is worse than the oems. I knew in the 5 mile drive home I made a mistake.

Worst part is they are good for 90K. :mad: And they suck in snow.

Purchased 9/2009 the graph says it all.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/garage/images/cha351.png

The Michelin Energy Saver A/S would be a good choice too, I just think they're pricey ;)

The B381's only come in 2 sizes. They were OE for the HCH-I I believe... many people were jealous they they were available in their size, and a few people who had them said they hated 'em, some say they loved 'em. I do know the have one of the lowest LRR out there in the the 185/70R14 size.