Honda Car Forum

I'll soon be replacing the OEM Bridgestone Turanzas on my '03 Accord
V6. The tread life and fuel economy they've given have been
outstanding, but the handling leaves something to be desired. For
example, I've found myself slowing to 60 mph in strong, gusting
crosswinds while other drivers, even in smaller cars, keep going
65-70.

Fuel economy (rolling resistance, I guess) is the most important tire
quality to me, but I'd be willing to sacrifice a little in that
category for somewhat better handling.

What's my best choice currently?

Ron

Personally, I think you are making a mistake considering rolling resistance
your most important quality. Handling and stopping should be number one.
Heat resistance probably next.

You might want to check Consumer Reports at your local library for some
ratings in the last year or 2. Michelin MXV4 plus are good but expensive.
Also http://www.tirerack.com/tires/review...surveyComments




"Milleron" <millerdot90@SPAMLESSosu.edu> wrote in message
news:4bupi2lnp1mis0b94o2nhcf1jbelkmrg80@4ax.com...
>
> I'll soon be replacing the OEM Bridgestone Turanzas on my '03 Accord
> V6. The tread life and fuel economy they've given have been
> outstanding, but the handling leaves something to be desired. For
> example, I've found myself slowing to 60 mph in strong, gusting
> crosswinds while other drivers, even in smaller cars, keep going
> 65-70.
>
> Fuel economy (rolling resistance, I guess) is the most important tire
> quality to me, but I'd be willing to sacrifice a little in that
> category for somewhat better handling.
>
> What's my best choice currently?
>
> Ron

I'll also have to say wet traction is important as well. Depending on where
you live, look at the snow rating. As Art mentioned, Tirerack is an
excelletn website. Go to their main page:
http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp and start by searching for all tires for
your car. Then look at the charts to compare the surveys and reviews to
decide which you like. The Michelin MXV4 are expensive but there are better
and cheaper ones out there - at least for my '05 Accord. Mine came with the
MXV4 as OEM and I am not impressed with them at all! I will definately but
a different set. Michelins are expensive to begin with - but their Pilots
are cheaper and better than the MXV4. I've also had good luck with
Bridgestone Potenzas in the past.

-Dave


"Art" <begunaNOSPAMPLEASE@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:e57Xg.5776$Lv3.1891@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> Personally, I think you are making a mistake considering rolling
> resistance your most important quality. Handling and stopping should be
> number one. Heat resistance probably next.
>
> You might want to check Consumer Reports at your local library for some
> ratings in the last year or 2. Michelin MXV4 plus are good but expensive.
> Also
> http://www.tirerack.com/tires/review...surveyComments
>
>
>
>
> "Milleron" <millerdot90@SPAMLESSosu.edu> wrote in message
> news:4bupi2lnp1mis0b94o2nhcf1jbelkmrg80@4ax.com...
>>
>> I'll soon be replacing the OEM Bridgestone Turanzas on my '03 Accord
>> V6. The tread life and fuel economy they've given have been
>> outstanding, but the handling leaves something to be desired. For
>> example, I've found myself slowing to 60 mph in strong, gusting
>> crosswinds while other drivers, even in smaller cars, keep going
>> 65-70.
>>
>> Fuel economy (rolling resistance, I guess) is the most important tire
>> quality to me, but I'd be willing to sacrifice a little in that
>> category for somewhat better handling.
>>
>> What's my best choice currently?
>>
>> Ron
>
>

On Wed, 11 Oct 2006 10:10:28 -0400, Milleron <millerdot90@SPAMLESSosu.edu> wrote:



>I'll soon be replacing the OEM Bridgestone Turanzas on my '03 Accord
>V6. The tread life and fuel economy they've given have been
>outstanding, but the handling leaves something to be desired. For
>example, I've found myself slowing to 60 mph in strong, gusting
>crosswinds while other drivers, even in smaller cars, keep going
>65-70.

The bottom of the line bridgestones on your accord were the cheapest crap
honda (and/or the dealer) would get to keep you from driving on your rims.
*anything* you buy will be a huge improvement. I wouldn't go for the "best"
in any category as they'll be other tradeoffs that aren't worth it.


Stay away from the cheapest junk possible and you'll do fine.

"Milleron" <millerdot90@SPAMLESSosu.edu> wrote in message
news:4bupi2lnp1mis0b94o2nhcf1jbelkmrg80@4ax.com...
>
> I'll soon be replacing the OEM Bridgestone Turanzas on my '03 Accord
> V6. The tread life and fuel economy they've given have been
> outstanding, but the handling leaves something to be desired. For
> example, I've found myself slowing to 60 mph in strong, gusting
> crosswinds while other drivers, even in smaller cars, keep going
> 65-70.
>
> Fuel economy (rolling resistance, I guess) is the most important tire
> quality to me, but I'd be willing to sacrifice a little in that
> category for somewhat better handling.
>
> What's my best choice currently?


I'd strongly recommend round ones.

In article <fLadnas5qqwVm7DYnZ2dnUVZ_r6dnZ2d@comcast.com>,
"Dave L" <davelieuREMOVEME@yahoo.com> wrote:

> I'll also have to say wet traction is important as well. Depending on where
> you live, look at the snow rating.

Nokian WR. The best tire made.

Dave L wrote:
> I'll also have to say wet traction is important as well. Depending on where
> you live, look at the snow rating. As Art mentioned, Tirerack is an
> excelletn website. Go to their main page:
> http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp and start by searching for all tires for
> your car. Then look at the charts to compare the surveys and reviews to
> decide which you like. The Michelin MXV4 are expensive but there are better
> and cheaper ones out there - at least for my '05 Accord. Mine came with the
> MXV4 as OEM and I am not impressed with them at all! I will definately but
> a different set. Michelins are expensive to begin with - but their Pilots
> are cheaper and better than the MXV4. I've also had good luck with
> Bridgestone Potenzas in the past.

I have MXV4s on my '03 Passat, and I'm not thrilled with them either.
Not the best handling, and not great in snow/wet. I've been thinking
about Pilots to replace them as well, or perhaps Pirelli P Zero Nero
M+S. I too have had Potenzas in the past (on an '87 Stanza) and liked
them very much.

--
Mike Smith

According to Consumer Reports (November 2005), Michelin "X" is top-rated
for noise, rolling resistance, braking and cornering, but only fair in
snow & ice, and tread life is average. They also are only available from
shopping clubs (e.g., Sams Club or Costco). #1 overall is the Goodyear
Assurance TripleTred, though its rolling resistance isn't quite as good.

Milleron (millerdot90@SPAMLESSosu.edu) writes:
....
> example, I've found myself slowing to 60 mph in strong, gusting
> crosswinds while other drivers, even in smaller cars, keep going
> 65-70.
....
Both overinflation and underinflation can lead to cross wind sensitivity,
but there are a lot of other factors. The size or weight of the car is
not a particularly important factor. That said, small, light cars are
often inexpensive and lacking in the thoughtful engineering that helps
car stability. I would expect a V6 Accord to be very stable, even with
original tires, unless there is something wrong mechanically.
Dan

(This account is not used for email.)

"Mike Smith" <mike_UNDERSCORE_smith@acm.DOT.org> wrote in message
news:12iqdf8bg4mnh41@news.supernews.com...
> Dave L wrote:
>> I'll also have to say wet traction is important as well. Depending on
>> where you live, look at the snow rating. As Art mentioned, Tirerack is
>> an excelletn website. Go to their main page:
>> http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp and start by searching for all tires
>> for your car. Then look at the charts to compare the surveys and reviews
>> to decide which you like. The Michelin MXV4 are expensive but there are
>> better and cheaper ones out there - at least for my '05 Accord. Mine
>> came with the MXV4 as OEM and I am not impressed with them at all! I
>> will definately but a different set. Michelins are expensive to begin
>> with - but their Pilots are cheaper and better than the MXV4. I've also
>> had good luck with Bridgestone Potenzas in the past.
>
> I have MXV4s on my '03 Passat, and I'm not thrilled with them either. Not
> the best handling, and not great in snow/wet. I've been thinking about
> Pilots to replace them as well, or perhaps Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S. I too
> have had Potenzas in the past (on an '87 Stanza) and liked them very much.
>
> --
> Mike Smith

The Tirerack survey is dismal when you compare it to the high cost. The
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S is rated the highest. Bridgestone Potenza RE92 is
bad also. However, I had the Potenza RE950 on my old Prelude and they were
great 3 season but snow traction had much to be desired.

-Dave