Question about tires...

[Catshrink]

I need 'em. The tires that came on the car are getting "there" after only 32,000 miles but they were probably not such great tires to begin with and hey, I live in Arizona so they are subject to really high temps. I looked at Costco and the guy recommended one tire that sounded reasonable given the amount and where I drive - $322 for 2, out the door. Wow! A year ago I had a blowout on the a ruralish highway and replacing that one cost about $105. I was broke so got only one that best matched, treadwise, etc., those still on the car. (Costco has a coupon deal on 4 that would make it 4 for $574 - not sure I can afford that right now.)

Now I'm investigating a little more since this is a lot of money. From what I gather, I need to worry about the temperature rating (good thinking) and speed thing. The "A" is best for high temps, that's AZ, and what I read said to get a higher speed rating tire because it is also geared toward higher heat - the Costco tire was an "H".

Does anyone understand this? This tire he's recommending is rated at 70K miles, he said it would last 50-60K. How much toll on the tires does AZ heat take? Should I figure another 10K gone? Is it worth buying a 70K rated tire for here or should I look at the 50K? They are maybe $20 cheaper. It's kind of like buying a car battery - anywhere else they'll last 5 years, here the best we can do is maybe 2 1/2. Damn, at that rate I'm due for one of those also.

I'm so mystified by this. (I posted this in the Arizona forum but got no replies - maybe my fellow Zonies are as mystified as I am?)

[Tobin S.]

1. In my experience, tires are one of those get what you pay for kind of things

The cheaper the tires the sooner you'll be buying more. But if you just need something that will get you through for a little while until you're in a better place financially, they'll do.

[Catshrink]

2. Thanks

I don't have much experience with buying them. I plan to have this car a long time so I think I'm going to bite the bullet and buy the good ones. The only question is whether to get 2 or 4 - I'm not sure I can swing the 4 though.

I hate dealing with car stuff!

[lizziegrace]

3. tirerack.com

Good place to do research. Also good prices.

[Catshrink]

6. Thanks for the suggestion

[Dappleganger]

4. My husband buys tires off ebay...

and has a good tire guy to install them when they arrive. He did two cars that way this year and saved us a bundle with new/nearly-new brand name tires.

[Catshrink]

5. I wish I knew enough to do that...

[Dappleganger]

13. Wish I did too.

I would absolutely have no idea even how to begin to look, but he does that and buys car parts all the time on fleabay (as well as junkyards).

[safeinOhio]

7. You should have done better

with your OEM tires than 32 grand. Rotate and balance every 9 or 10 and see if that helps. I've gotten 60 to 100 on all of my new tires. I do live in the north central part of the country, but know lots of folks that only get 30 or 40 out of theirs.

[Catshrink]

8. The heat here is wicked.

I think that's that reason. I don't need them tomorrow but soon enough.

[Kali]

9. it's not JUST the heat, the sunlight itself kills rubber

but the heat is bad enough

I don't really have any good advice for you as quality actually does NOT matter in my case - with our rocky dirt roads tires last about a year and a half to two, max, no matter what I pay for them. SIGH

I have been pretty happy with Discount Tires over the years in terms of service - free flat fix, free rotating, good replacement policy, but no idea if the tires are all that great or not.

Tires have gone WAY up in the last few years, for sure.

[david13]

10. Research it online. Tire rack and some others, including the

manufacturers website will give you some good info. Also, look for forums on your make and model of car.
But there will be a decision to be made. What brand you want (I say Michelin) and what level of quality. How long will you keep the car, etc.
How much driving you do. You have to weigh and balance, and then go for the ones you want.
dc

[gvstn]

11. If you don't need them immediately

Stop in at a few small tire shops or a gas station and find out their pricing. See what the rating is on the one they recommend and ask about it. Mention the "H" tires and ask what that means. Don't expect a detailed answer but you may learn something about "H" tires.

I never expect anywhere near the mileage listed. I hate blow-outs and change my tires more often than needed. I realize they have gone up terribly in the last few years and they are a major expense. From my experience you are given little choice at any one location/shop. They recommend one tire for your car and give you the price. So shopping around will give you the most options. Costco may be a deal or maybe your local gas station can give you something at a lower price that still fills the recommended requirements for your car.

Rotating is a good idea if you want to get the best wear out of tires. Some cars just seem to eat up tires in a particular position no matter how often an alignment is done.

[TreasonousBastard]

12. You want temperature rating "A"...

http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site/safercar/menuitem.13dd5c887c7e1358fefe0a2f35a67789/?vgnextoid=9f4baa8c16e35110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD#temp

because that's the best and you need it in the Southwest.

Traction? You don't really care about it because it's for wet weather, but most tires are "A" rated, so go for it.

Treadwear? I'd go for something in the 300-400 range. Any less and you won't get many miles out of them, but they get higher wear by making the tires less sticky, so really high rated tires could slip and slide around a little more on dry pavement. Low rated tires are very sticky and help you get around corners faster, but don't last very long.

Don't worry about speed ratings, if any are there, because every tire out there is good for up to around 75 or so.

You get what you pay for with tires. I've been screwed by PEP Boys and other places' deals on cheap house brand tires and they never, ever last.

[Catshrink]

14. Thank you everyone for your advice... I have some work to do

researching some more but it will be worth it.

[HopeHoops]

15. I try to avoid recommending imported products, but I've had good luck with Hankook - S. Korean.

Seriously, they have served me well. I was skeptical when my long-time mechanic recommended them to me, but he's a "buy US if you can" sort of guy too. I have to admit, they are good tires and they are NOT made in China or anywhere with slave labor. They're a reasonable price as well.

Speaking of tires, have you noticed how much the Michelin man looks like the Stay Puffed Marshmallow Man from "Ghost Busters" now?

[dembotoz]

16. avoid walmart

some of their 'brand name' tires are made for walmart only.
Meaning you think you are getting a goodyear tire with a goodyear replacement if you run over a nail.
only you discover that it is a style of tire made just for walmart. meaning you have to go back to walmart to get it replaced.
crap tires

[KG]

17. as a former tire store employee, i have some sound advice, but need to know what vehicle you drive

the 'ratings' on tires are entirely arbitary and provided by the manufacturer.

the best thing you can do to extend tire life is to keep them inflated, esp to the max pressure. auto maker suggested pressures are for ride comfort, not long tire life. also, have them balanced and rotated often.

i'd recommend against getting an 'H' (speed rated) tire if that's not what came on the vehicle.

also, get the 'road hazard' warranty. whine a bit about and they may dropped the price, but its still worth it. i've had to replace every tire on my truck, but with the road hazard warranty, i saved a bunch of money.

my last set of tires was (4) bf goodrich at sears. never bought tires at sears before but wanted a change from 'tire stores'. very happy with dealing with them. got the rhw and lifetime balance. been riding on them, (or their replacements) for over 5 years.

[Catshrink]

18. rhw... hadn't even thought about that.

I've learned a lot just asking this question!

I have an '08 Civic EX sedan, 16" wheels. I drive 27 miles to work, mostly on a highway wiht some freeway. I also drive like an old lady, mainly to improve my gas mileage. It's Arizona with hellish heat in the summer and I don't drive in snow, only occasional rain. At home I can park in the shade but at work the car is out in the sun.

Thanks for your suggestions.

[Mopar151]

19. Racer perspective on tires

And a former tire buster...
Tire rack is a good place to do research, but be sure to compare apples and kumquats. The only price that counts is mounted and balanced on your car, with good equipment and proper lubes and chemicals, by a trained professional. Sears, WalMart/Sams and most other mass merchandisers DO NOT meet this standard. I suspect that Tire Rack's "certified installers" are up to snuff, but I'd expect at least $20/tire for mount and balance.
Speed ratings explained: US DOT are rated for 75 MPH. T speed rating (winter) is~95mph, S=110 MPH, H=130, V=150, Z=OMFG. This does relate to heat resistance, to some degree - but also to the tire's inner construction, and it's resistance to centrifigal force and internally generated heat.