"Gordon McGrew" <gRmEcMgOrVeEw@mindspring.com> wrote
> <caliban03nospam@earthlink.net> wrote:
snip but comments noted
> I would consider the manufacturer's recommendation to be the lower
> limit and the tire's maximum to be the upper limit. Anything in that
> range is a matter of personal preference. You seem to be aiming for
> maximum tread life which is fine.

Pretty much. The previous tires were Firestone Affinitys, and I didn't get close
to their rated tread life. Raw age and foul weather driving likely contributed
(lots of little cracks could be seen), but I'm also wondering if keeping them at
26 psi was yet another factor. Given how my car is usually loaded, maybe this
pressure is a bit low. I also paid a lot more for the Firestones in 1996 (around
$270 altogether, rated at 70k or 80k miles) than the Wal-Mart Goodyears I bought
Tuesday ($205 altogether, Viva 2 brand, something Goodyear makes just for
Wal-mart, rated at 60k miles I think). Dunno if that's Firestone mischief or
Wal-Mart's discounting or what. I do have the impression Goodyears are generally
superior to any Firestone brand, from general reading in the last few years.

Ever since riding with a friend in her ancient but well-preserved 1988 Lincoln,
I have decided there is probably little I can do about my Civic's ability to
accomodate bumpy roads. Civic's are not made for much comfort.

For the record, after Internet searching and reading the newsgroup in the last
year or so, the only other tires I would put on my Civic are Coopers.

> I would point out though that most
> Hondas come with tires that favor long tread life over good handling.

Yes. I think the original tires that came with the car when I bought it new made
it more or less safely to 80k miles.

> I would suggest that you optimize the pressure for ride vs. handling
> and not worry if you only get 60,000 miles out of them. It is also a
> lot faster and easier than trying to optimize for maximum tread life.

I'm not going to sweat it much. I figure 28-29 psi is safe enough (it feels
fine) and will be an experiment of sorts.

> >I have never been wild about the bulge at the bottom of my tires in the past
> >when inflated to 26 psi. Some bulge should be present, but it always appeared
> >excessive to me. (Gut impression.) Also, I am considering what you and others
> >have said about the ride quality.
>
> As long as you have at least 26 psi in them, the bulge is not a
> problem.

Okay. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Andrew, thanks, too for telling about your Michelins on your '93 Accord.