Which tires for 2014 Touring model and from where?

[PatrickGSR94]

If your read the maximum load information on the sidewall, it'd always say something like "Maximum Load 1,874 lbs @ 51 psi Maximum Inflation Pressure". This is exactly what it said on General AltiMax RT43 225/65R17 102H tire. On the other hand, the sidewall of Continental TrueContact 225/65R17 102T tire would say "Maximum Load 1,874 lbs @ 44 psi Maximum Inflation Pressure". You have to trust these information on the sidewall, and they are the specs for each tire. Again from TireRack:

"Additionally, while a tire's maximum load is the most weight the tire is designed to carry, its load carrying capacity at lower inflation pressures is proportional to how much inflation pressure is used. For example, P235/75R15 P-metric sized, standard load (SL) and extra load (XL) tires used on cars would be rated to carry the following loads at the inflation pressures indicated:"
[table="width: 550, class: grid"]
[tr]
[td]Air Pressure (psi)[/td]
[td]20[/td]
[td]23[/td]
[td]26[/td]
[td]29[/td]
[td]32[/td]
[td]35[/td]
[td]38[/td]
[td]41[/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]P235/75R15 SL[/td]
[td]1543[/td]
[td]1635[/td]
[td]1753[/td]
[td]1852[/td]
[td]1940[/td]
[td]2028[/td]
[td][/td]
[td][/td]
[/tr]
[tr]
[td]P235/75R15 XL[/td]
[td]1543[/td]
[td]1635[/td]
[td]1753[/td]
[td]1852[/td]
[td]1940[/td]
[td]2028[/td]
[td]2105[/td]
[td]2183[/td]
[/tr]information
[/table]
Those maximum load at preset 35 psi for P-metric and 36 psi for SL Euro-metric are ancient tire standards. When tire companies started to come out tires with higher maximum inflation pressure than 35 psi or 36 psi for efficiency, they started to have both maximum load and maximum inflation pressure specs together as in fact they are totally related. Those comments you quoted are only for old P-metric and SL Euro-metric tires which have preset and fixed maximum inflation pressure for the standards, and are no longer applicable for newer generation of high-pressure、high-efficiency tires.

No, sorry this is incorrect. The factory specified tire pressure is based on the GVWR, and you should never exceed the GVWR set by the manufacturer. Just because you have tires rated for nearly 1,900 lbs does not mean you should load up the vehicle to over 7,500 total pounds. Nor does that mean that using a tire with a different maximum pressure will change the vehicles load capability or GVWR at the factory-specified tire pressure.

By increasing tire pressure over stock, you're DECREASING the tire's contact patch, and will likely wear out the center of the tire prematurely (I know this from experience). That will in turn give you less available grip than you would have at stock tire pressure. It doesn't matter what tire size is on the car, the factory specified tire pressure will always give you the same square inches of rubber in contact with the ground.

In short, a higher load rating or higher maximum pressure for a tire is NOT a reason to exceed the manufacturer's recommended (cold) tire pressure. You'll wear out the tires faster, and could potentially have dangerously low grip available when you need it.

 

[PatrickGSR94]

Pulled the trigger on Sumitomo HTR Enhance 225/65-17 H-rated tires. 600 A A I believe. Hope they're good, had pretty good reviews on Tire Rack. $412 shipped, and it should be another $65 or so to get them mount/balanced.

Should be a heck of a lot better than the POS stock tires with 280 B A ratings. That's just laughable!!

 

[piotrek91]

Pulled the trigger on Sumitomo HTR Enhance 225/65-17 H-rated tires. 600 A A I believe. Hope they're good, had pretty good reviews on Tire Rack. $412 shipped, and it should be another $65 or so to get them mount/balanced.

Should be a heck of a lot better than the POS stock tires with 280 B A ratings. That's just laughable!!

I didn't realize how little traction the stock tires had (even in dry conditions) until I switched to some Yokohoma YK580's at 48,000Mi due to a puncture.

The stock tires were very fun to drive on because their limits were laughably low and they were never able to overwhelm the suspension.
Now the car just sticks to the road and the body lean/damping of the suspension has become the limiting factor to how fast it can take corners which is not nearly as fun.