Has anyone put a set of the continental lx20 tires on their cx9? If so how would you rate them. I'm a little concerned about dropping to a T rating , but I was told that its not a big deal. Need to replace the OEM Bridgestones with a better all-season for New England weather.
Continental lx 20 tires for CX9?
- Thread starter Cx9ma
- Start date
cx9ma, hope you are digging out of your 3 feet of snow well!
Looking at the tread on these tires, it looks like they will do pretty/very well in light snow, but I would expect them to be moderately noisy and handle poorly in heavy rain, when it comes to hydroplaning. I say that based on the narrow channels and the 90 degree horizontal grooves.
Look at a high performance summer tire tread, then look at a winter tire tiread, then look at an all season tread pattern, and so on. So, that is how I am guessing this tire will perform. If you are in New England, I would highly recommend the Yokohama Parada Spec X for an "all season" tire. Based on my research of that tire, they do ok in snow, and moderately well in heavy rain. But not "excellent" in rain. If you have all wheel drive, you should really be ok with the Paradas.
But as far as the tires in your post, my guess is that you might want to worry about how well they perform on the highway in the rain.
For me, in Kentucky, we have icy/snowy roads about 4-5 days out of the year so snow performance is not really a factor that much, but summer high performance is out of the question for me.
Looking at the tread on these tires, it looks like they will do pretty/very well in light snow, but I would expect them to be moderately noisy and handle poorly in heavy rain, when it comes to hydroplaning. I say that based on the narrow channels and the 90 degree horizontal grooves.
Look at a high performance summer tire tread, then look at a winter tire tiread, then look at an all season tread pattern, and so on. So, that is how I am guessing this tire will perform. If you are in New England, I would highly recommend the Yokohama Parada Spec X for an "all season" tire. Based on my research of that tire, they do ok in snow, and moderately well in heavy rain. But not "excellent" in rain. If you have all wheel drive, you should really be ok with the Paradas.
But as far as the tires in your post, my guess is that you might want to worry about how well they perform on the highway in the rain.
For me, in Kentucky, we have icy/snowy roads about 4-5 days out of the year so snow performance is not really a factor that much, but summer high performance is out of the question for me.
My own research is leading me to the Continental LX20 which also seems to be the consensus tire at tirerack.com.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=CSTAS&width=245%2F&ratio=60&diameter=18&tireSearch=true&filter=y&autoMake=Mazda&autoYear=2011&autoModel=CX-9&autoModClar=Touring+FWD
Snow is rare here in the Carolinas so I have no concern for snow tire performance.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=CSTAS&width=245%2F&ratio=60&diameter=18&tireSearch=true&filter=y&autoMake=Mazda&autoYear=2011&autoModel=CX-9&autoModClar=Touring+FWD
Snow is rare here in the Carolinas so I have no concern for snow tire performance.
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I'm looking at the same tire at tirerack.com. 2011 CX-9, 55k miles on OEM tires. I took a big nail in a rear tire last night... can probably get it fixed today but I had already been thinking about getting new tires.
I've bought tires many times from TR but I don't think I've ever bought any Continental tires at all.
My concern reading the reviews is that people are talking about 10% worse gas mileage. I will _never_ be taking my CX-9 "off road" so I'm not sure I'm willing to get less gas mileage so I can have that "light off road" performance built in. I'm in NE Oklahoma so we usually don't get much snow. (We did this year but not normally. And I can always use the giant Ford F250 4x4 diesel if we have really bad weather.)
So I would also like to hear from any happy owners of this type of tire. Or unhappy!
Thanks,
Gregg
I've bought tires many times from TR but I don't think I've ever bought any Continental tires at all.
My concern reading the reviews is that people are talking about 10% worse gas mileage. I will _never_ be taking my CX-9 "off road" so I'm not sure I'm willing to get less gas mileage so I can have that "light off road" performance built in. I'm in NE Oklahoma so we usually don't get much snow. (We did this year but not normally. And I can always use the giant Ford F250 4x4 diesel if we have really bad weather.)
So I would also like to hear from any happy owners of this type of tire. Or unhappy!
Thanks,
Gregg
OP if your in the NE coast, I would recommend winter tires for the winter months if you DD your car. My CX-9 has all-season but it doesn't come out when it's snowing. I drive my speed6 which has dedicated winter and summer tires. My speed6 is lowered and I haven't had any issues with this big snowstorms and I drive hilly twisty back roads that don't get plowed till last. For next winter I'm considering getting winters for the cx-9 (nokian hakkapeliitta).
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- 2008 Mazda CX-9 Touring FWD . 2014 CX-5 GT FWD
I put a set of Conti LX20s on my 2008 a little over a month ago after a family member slid into a curb on my old Yokohamas in 3" of snow. That cost me a bearing/hub replacement at the stealer. BTW, I will NEVER buy Yokohamas again due to fast tread wear and rotten snow performance.
The Contis only have less than 1000 miles on them but are fantastic in the snow and wet here in Chi-town. We'll see how they hold up with less than 100% tread. I have not experienced any balance or vibration issues as I read about on tire forums, so perhaps that issue is resolved now in manufacturing.
Obviously dedicated snow tires always win over all-seasons, but I like these tires so far.
The Contis only have less than 1000 miles on them but are fantastic in the snow and wet here in Chi-town. We'll see how they hold up with less than 100% tread. I have not experienced any balance or vibration issues as I read about on tire forums, so perhaps that issue is resolved now in manufacturing.
Obviously dedicated snow tires always win over all-seasons, but I like these tires so far.
I am considering the Continental LX20s or the Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires to replace the OE ones on my CX9 (Touring FWD; 18" wheels).
My only concern about the LX20's is the 'T' speed rating vs the 'H' OE rating. Tire Rack & my installer don't think it matters, I've been rolling on 17" R speed rating snow tires since November, they are of the opinion that if there is any change in handling (specifically cornering) by going to a T speed rating tire, I'm already used to it by having used an R tire for so long.
I'm interested in the LX20's because of their wet handling performance - Consumer Reports, Tire Rack Surveys and the Tire Rack tests all show the LX20 as a good wet performer. I also like that it has some light snow abilities for those early/late snows before/after I put my snow tires on
My snow setup:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123835669-Pics-of-new-17-quot-snow-tires
My only concern about the LX20's is the 'T' speed rating vs the 'H' OE rating. Tire Rack & my installer don't think it matters, I've been rolling on 17" R speed rating snow tires since November, they are of the opinion that if there is any change in handling (specifically cornering) by going to a T speed rating tire, I'm already used to it by having used an R tire for so long.
I'm interested in the LX20's because of their wet handling performance - Consumer Reports, Tire Rack Surveys and the Tire Rack tests all show the LX20 as a good wet performer. I also like that it has some light snow abilities for those early/late snows before/after I put my snow tires on
My snow setup:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123835669-Pics-of-new-17-quot-snow-tires
