What steps should I take to ensure that my next set of $600 tires last more than 18K?

[gjconker]

Hi,

I am not a car guy. Just a family minivan drivin noob that needs some advice on what to do about my Mazda5 that has burned through a set of (allegedly) good tires in 18,970 miles. I have poked around the internets and Im just getting more confused. Specific advice will be greatly appreciated.

Backstory: we have a 2007 Mazda5. I had the crappy dealer tires replaced at 27.481 with a set of Bridgestone Potenza Grids at my local tire shop. At 46,400 miiles and a few rotations these tires have gotten very noisy. Took them back to the tire shop and they said theres a lot of chopping and thats whats making the noise. He said that these tires have exhibited this problem and says that Bridgestone may give me some $$ if I make a claim but they have to send the tires back to Bridgestone first so I would have to buy new tires in the interim.

My questions. I dont know how to change the height of the car or the camber etc. When I look around on the www, theres an overwhelming amount of data talking about tires, body height, shocks, camber, all of which is beyond my pay grade! Is there any one proven solution to the problem? A case study perhaps? How long have your tires lasted? What was your solution?

The tire dealer is recommending a set NEXENs (CP641) to replace my Bridgestones. What steps should I take to ensure that my next set of $600 tires last more than 18,970 miles?!

Thanks so much

Greg

 

[MikesMazda5]

Stay away from Nexen tires.. spend the extra $ and get a good name brand set of tires. The Bridgestones you have/had on there are a relatively soft tire which will wear out faster. Get a more "touring" oriented tire, keep up the maintenance/rotations and they should last a lot longer.

 

[Silentnoise713]

If you only care to make the tires last, ask for a tire that has the highest Treadwear rating. Of these, you’ll want to focus on those with lowest Traction ration (you would want low roll resistance tires). As MikeMazda5 said, you prob want a touring tire and can overinflate them a little.

Here's another idea. Go to a Prius from and ask what tires they prefer.

Quick google seach
http://www.townfairtire.com/techpage_2.shtml


EDIT:

...spend the extra $ and get a good name brand set of tires

+10000000. It will save you in the long run! Think of it this way, the tire is only link that keeps the car on the road.

 

[DKaz]

Overinflate your tires for sure, I notice a lot of edge wear in my last set of tires (inner and outer) while the middle was still good = underinflated tires. I do 39 PSI cold now.

If you have an inner toe wear problem, stay away from assymmetrical tires. With symmetrical or directional tires, you could always remount them the other way around mid life span so you have a new inner toe to wear down, not with assymmetrical tires though. If this is not an issue with the car or with you, I prefer assymmetrical tires.

 

[MikesMazda5]

I run mine bewtween 38-40 as well. Keeps the wear nice and even and helps the MPG's a little bit as well.

 

[thaxman]

I got BGF G-Force shoes about 10,000 mi ago. Seem to be wearing well. ROTATE OFTEN. I try to go no longer than 5K mi. 2 reasons: uneven weight distribution F/R and the FWD power load on the tires both work to wear the fronts down quickly. Also, some '07 models may still have an overly sporty rear alignment setting like the '06s. That causes inside wear on the rears. +1 on not getting asymmetricl tires for the 5. If you rotate religiously, you may find you still need to have the tires dismounted and flipped to put the inside wear on the outside for a longer life. Gotta pay attention tho, as if the tires get too worn inside, you can't flip them.

Oh, and the term is "cupping." Typically it happens to the fronts when the car corners alot instead of straight line driving, or on the rears or a RWD when there is significantly less weight on the rears (like a truck that never hauls a payload) In either case, it predominantly happens when rotations are not done enough. When the tires come off and start spinning around the car, its easy to see these problems beginning and place the tires in locations that will best counteract the wear problem.

 

[gjconker]

Thanks all.

Thanks for your responses and help. I will double-read all your posts and look at that Prius forum, etc.

The kind folks at at my tire dealer are trying to work with me and are offering special pricing on a set of Bridgestone Turanzenza Serenitys (215-50-17) or if wait, the Ecopia's (205-50-17) which are due out in about a month or so.

If you have any thoughts on these tires I would love to hear. Thanks again.

Greg

 

[DKaz]

Good tires if you're not after handling performance.

The Turanza Serenity is an assymmetric tire. Go with the Ecopias, you'll save up to 4% on fuel costs at the same time.

 

[LittleRedWagon5]

I put Falken ZE-502's on my wife's 5 after the crap factory tires were junk at 20K. There quiet, grippy in wet and snow, and seem to have show little wear so far. I would also check the rear shocks. If yor getting alot of chopping in the rear, the rear shocks are probably done. I just put new ones on at 30K. The OEM's were junk. Also get a GOOD alignment. I checked the wifes' alignment after i mounted the new tires and the Toe was out on front and rear. That can eat a set of tires real fast.

 

[professorhank]

There are many here who prefer the 215/50 size and I'm leaning towards it myself. Should provide a slightly plusher ride. Is your Potenza Grid the G019? It's supposed to have a 50000 mile treadlife warranty which is the main reason I'm considering it. The Hankook Ventus V4 ES H105 (how'd they come up with that name?) has a 40000 warranty that's cheaper that I'm looking at also.

 

[Robotazky]

^^ The ride is FAR more plush. Before it beat me to death. Now it's bearable. The ride has more of a "solid" feel as well. The tires look way better, too. When I see stock size tires on 5s I think they look silly, like go cart tires or something. 215s fill out the wheel wells better and don't even come close to rubbing. It seems that they also have less of a negative camber. My tire wear is perfectly even.

The razor sharp turn-in is not as precise. That's the downside. But the high points of changing to 215s far outweighed the low points for me.

 

[MikesMazda5]

^^ The ride is FAR more plush. Before it beat me to death. Now it's bearable. The ride has more of a "solid" feel as well. The tires look way better, too. When I see stock size tires on 5s I think they look silly, like go cart tires or something. 215s fill out the wheel wells better and don't even come close to rubbing. It seems that they also have less of a negative camber. My tire wear is perfectly even.

The razor sharp turn-in is not as precise. That's the downside. But the high points of changing to 215s far outweighed the low points for me.

Try running on 225/40/18's. Talk about a rough ride (drive2) But, I wouldn't want it any other way(nana)

 

[doctorz]

We got 28K out of the stock Toyos and had significant cupping by that point. We replaced them with Michelin Pilot Exaltos. So far we have 33K on the Michelins and probably have another 10K left on them. They are quieter, have decent traction, and no cupping. I don't think I treat them any differently than the Toyos, but I agree: get good tires, keep them inflated around 38 psi, rotate religiously every 5K, and align periodically.