Mazda5 Tires: Issues & Replacement Recommendations

[Mntnbkr]

Bump.

Anyone out there have General Altimax HP on their 5?

 

[richardmayo]

Anyone have an opinion on Kumhos for the 5?

Specifically either the Kumho Ecsta ASX, or the Kumho Solus KH16.

 

[dan4behr]

I'd be interested in hearing about Kumho tires as well. In addition to the ASX, I've also looked into the LX Platinum.
26000 miles means my OEM Toyos will need replacement in the near future, but it seems as if I've done as well or better than most with that many miles on them..

 

[richardmayo]

Bump.

Anyone out there have General Altimax HP on their 5?

There's a thread on the Altimax HP athttp://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123723394

I've narrowed my choice down between the General Altimax HP and the Kumho Solus KH16.

Reviews for both are pretty positive, and they're priced with $1 on Tire Rack.

I'm leaning towards the Generals primarily because of the $50 gift card on them.

Thoughts?

 

[Mntnbkr]

richardmayo-

Thanks for the link.

Here's my (long) weigh-in:

A few weeks ago I was forced, due to a leaky tire, to prematurely replace the tires on my 01 Jetta and went with the General Altimax HP in a 195/65R15 and have been very happy so far. The reviews were/are great, and the profile and the technology features of the tire are cutting edge, and the fantastic pricing is impossible to not consider. I admit they are softer at turn in and in quick maneuver handling than I am used to (even at the fairly high 40psi I am now running) as a past owner of Goodyears, Pirellis, and most recently Yokohamas, but it has not been nor do I think it will be an issue, and I think I can handle a bit of softness in light of the benefits. The tires are like driving on a cloud, they are whisper quiet, they dampen the little and big stuff way better than my Yokos, they are great in the rain (and I expect the same for snow based on the reviews (could not be any worse than the Yokos were in snow)) and they are STICKY tires that rail corners just fine when pushed. If they last 50,000 miles I will be a happy camper and spending a hair more than $250 (after General rebate) installed is no joke to laugh at these days. Again it is only a couple weeks on these tires, but I am very happy so far - more than any past tire purchase.

That all being said, I took the plunge yesterday and ordered the General Altimax HP 215/50R17 (up the one size from the OEM Toyos as others have liked) for our 5. I would like to have owned driven the tires on the Jetta a bit longer to assess, but with the Toyos on the 5 being harsh, unpredictable, unsafe, loud, and almost out of tread (and that I was getting tired of worrying about my wife and kids driving in anything other than dry sunny perfect conditions) and with the General promo ending in a few days, I decided now was as good as any. Again, all said and done installed after rebate for less than $450 - nothing to laugh at. I expect that that the softness negatives will be less of an issue given the lower profile of the 5s tires, so I plan to be a happier 5 owner with the new ride the Altimaxs will give it.

I hope this helps anyone in the same which-tire-to-choose boat I was in.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[richardmayo]

Thanks for the info, Dave.

I ordered Altimax HPs (215/50R17 as well) from Tire Rack, and they were just delivered to me (2 days!)

I'll have them installed on the wife's 5 tomorrow, and will report back shortly. Her only requirements were 'quieter and less harsh', which I'm thinking is a given, since they're replacing the 4 Sunny 215/45R17 that the previous owner had put on.

 

[Mntnbkr]

Richard-
Any news on the install?
I just got mine delivered yesterday but will not get them installed until next week (for some reason wife does not place the same level of importance on the new tires that I do - go figure). I was very glad to see the tires have a rim protector rib - should help with future curb brushes- too bad I didn't have since day 1 - the old rims stuck out too far and 3 rashes from the wife later.
Anyhow - they look great and can't wait to get them installed - hope you are already enjoying yours.

 

[bulwnkl]

We just (finally) replaced the unholy loud factory Toyos a week ago. We were considering the General Altimax HP. In fact, that's the tire I really wanted, but I just have no confidence in nor desire to deal with Sears and I'm tired of mail-ordering things like this. I wanted the local contact of a tire dealer here and we've had very good dealings with one of the Big-O shops here in town.

So, we bought Sumitomo Touring LSVs from them in 215/50-17. The difference in noise between these and the factory Toyos is just as dramatic as night and day. With only a week on them, I don't have a really thorough review for the group here, but at this point I'd say they're just better tires in every respect.

Once we have more miles, I'll report back if anything changes, but these look like a very good option for folks who don't want the lack of service and support that mail order brings with it.

 

[wmzda5]

Ive seen Falken 912's for CAD420 for set of 4 without install at a store in Pmall
size 215/50/17

 

[richardmayo]

Richard-
Any news on the install?
I just got mine delivered yesterday but will not get them installed until next week (for some reason wife does not place the same level of importance on the new tires that I do - go figure). I was very glad to see the tires have a rim protector rib - should help with future curb brushes- too bad I didn't have since day 1 - the old rims stuck out too far and 3 rashes from the wife later.
Anyhow - they look great and can't wait to get them installed - hope you are already enjoying yours.

After about a week with the Altimax, the wife is very happy with them. It's primarily her car, so that's good news for me.

Road noise is down and the ride is softer. I agree with others, the 215/50 size looks like what Mazda should have put on them originally.

So far, seems like a good purchase. I'm interested to see how many miles we get out of them.

All the best.
-Rich

 

[5zoom]

Max mileage on OEM Tires/205 replacements

I've got almost 30k on my original Toyo's on my 08 5AT and am wondered if anyone has gotten more than 30k on the original Toyo tires. The only thing I've done is rotate them every 5-6k. I've been very happy with the Toyo's, which I think puts me in the minority.

Also, with all the talk about going to 215's, I'm wondering if anyone has replaced their 205's and stayed with 205's. I'm more interested in fuel economy and physics wise, a wider tire to me means less gas mileage, even if its down in the single percentages.

 

[rodslinger]

I just put on a set of Sumitomo HTR Z III tires in a 225-45R18 on my 5-Sport this weekend. I am running a set of Mazdaspeed3 wheels and replaced the OEM Bridgestone Potenza RE-040 tires that were 215-45R18 sized.

My expectations - My expectations were not that high. I expected a signifigant decrease in steering response due to the increased sidewall width and tread squirm from a new tire. I also had low expectatinos of grip and comfort when compared to the Potenzas.

The reality - These tires really are great. Even though I went up a size, have a little more sidewall and the included tread squirm, I have not noticed ANY loss in steering response. They are a little quieter, just as smooth and cornering grip so far is as good or better than the worn RE-040's. These tires are also tracking much better and do not appear to be tramming as much as the old units.

Aesthetics - These tires are decent looking units. They have an asymetrical tread pattern so you can properly cross rotate and a nice finish on the sidewall. They give a nice, meaty look and help fill in the wheel wells.

So far I like them and may recommend them fully after a few more weeks of driving. They ar also available in a 215-50R17 which would be a good size for the OEM wheels on the 5.

Wanted to give an update. These tires are wearing extremely well. Handling is still great, have not noticed an increase in noise over time and have not had to rebalance these tires either. I have been very pleased with them so far and would likely get another set. For the price I very much recommend them.

 

[DKaz]

Also, with all the talk about going to 215's, I'm wondering if anyone has replaced their 205's and stayed with 205's. I'm more interested in fuel economy and physics wise, a wider tire to me means less gas mileage, even if its down in the single percentages.

I think our 5s will roll over before we reach the limits of a good 205 tire. I'd personally stick with a 205 to maintain fuel economy.

 

[Mntnbkr]

I think our 5s will roll over before we reach the limits of a good 205 tire. I'd personally stick with a 205 to maintain fuel economy.

The main reason I went with the 215/50 was not only the increase in width because it fits the rim soooo much better (the rim no longer sticks out past the tire) and the tire now actually protects the rim a bit and looks better, but also because the profile/height of the tire is less low profile and actually has some meat to it...so it gives a smoother ride, quieter ride, less jarring over bumps, less prone to impact damage, will extend the life of the suspension because of less jarring being conveyed to the chassis, looks better, etc, etc.

 

[5zoom]

Sticking with the 205's

Just put on some Yokahama YK520's 205/50/17. So far, they ride a bit smoother than the Toyo's. I got over 31k out of the Toyo's and they might have had another 1k left in them, which seems to be on the long side based on others reviews. I'm hoping for over 40k out of this set. I had these on my 06 3 and really liked them.

 

[geekspeak]

Problems with 215s

Tire Rack told me I could go with 205/50, 215/50, or 225/45. I only wanted a little more width to keep the rims from scuffing as they really stick out (see first picture):

I got the Kumho ECSTA ASX 215/50s from Sears for $86 a piece. Once on I took them for Napa hill ride and they felt great. Some turns were 10mph faster than previously. The fit was perfect with just a little lip protecting the rims. Then, after about 200 miles, the tires settled in and the exterior lip forced the tire back in line (the first picture is current, looks like stock).

The new width shifted to the interior of the rim (see second picture). Still great traction and handling but the steering offset has shifted, placing the center of the tire .4 inches (10 mm) inward. It changes the handling and I am hesitant to go back to the track (I run NASA HPDE at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma) with the extra overhang.

I would stick with the 205/50s. Sears now sells the entire Kumho line including the ECSTA SPT which I wanted but they did not carry 3 months ago.

 

[rweatherford]

I've got almost 30k on my original Toyo's on my 08 5AT and am wondered if anyone has gotten more than 30k on the original Toyo tires.

I think we are coming up on 37K on ours. I think two tires were replaced before I got it.

 

[was98strat]

I've got almost 30k on my original Toyo's on my 08 5AT and am wondered if anyone has gotten more than 30k on the original Toyo tires. The only thing I've done is rotate them every 5-6k. I've been very happy with the Toyo's, which I think puts me in the minority.

Also, with all the talk about going to 215's, I'm wondering if anyone has replaced their 205's and stayed with 205's. I'm more interested in fuel economy and physics wise, a wider tire to me means less gas mileage, even if its down in the single percentages.

well in answer to your question, I'm at 87,000km on my 2006 5 still driving on the original OEM tires. I'm splitting the distance between proper winter tires and these"summer" tires. At the current wear rate, I think I'll get 1 more summer out of them. I can't figure out how you guys are wearing them out so fast! I'm a spirited driver and these tires have lasted really well! Much better than the Pirelli's I had on my previous car. They had a 100,000km wear rating and were down to the wear markers after 30,000km!

 

[dan4behr]

I've got new tires from tirerack ready to install on my 2007 5 next Monday.
I ultimately chose based on a lot of readers comments here, at tirerack.com, and a couple of other models' forums the Kumho LX Platinum (I'm also gonna stay with the stock size...)

Anyways, I got over 30,000 miles on the OEM Toyos. Judging by some of the other comments, I'd say "I done pretty good" with them. They might even go a bit longer, but damn, the noise and racket they're beginning to make! And since I have to have my annual inspection this month, I said "ah, what the hell...just go on ahead and put the new ones on now and get it over with"

Here's a question for other owners. Would you spring for an alignment when the new tires go on? I've heard many horror stories about rabid tire wear on the 5, a problem which, *knocks wood* I've not seem to have had. My thinking is to keep it as is.

Any advice on this conundrum?(spin)

 

[VenomDesign]

No alignment needed when changing only the tires.