Tire recommendations for California RX330?
09-22-05, 05:40 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Tire recommendations for California RX330?
Asking for tire recommendations under these driving conditions:
- FWD RX330
- California weather
- no snow
- no off road
- freeway/street commute vehicle year round
- family vehicle driven by wife: want comfort and low noise
- still safe
- tread wear at least 40k miles
- 235/55 R 18 (not sure what rating I want)
- FWD RX330
- California weather
- no snow
- no off road
- freeway/street commute vehicle year round
- family vehicle driven by wife: want comfort and low noise
- still safe
- tread wear at least 40k miles
- 235/55 R 18 (not sure what rating I want)
09-22-05, 08:18 PM
#2
Originally Posted by chimchimm5
Asking for tire recommendations under these driving conditions:
- FWD RX330
- California weather
- no snow
- no off road
- freeway/street commute vehicle year round
- family vehicle driven by wife: want comfort and low noise
- still safe
- tread wear at least 40k miles
- 235/55 R 18 (not sure what rating I want)
- FWD RX330
- California weather
- no snow
- no off road
- freeway/street commute vehicle year round
- family vehicle driven by wife: want comfort and low noise
- still safe
- tread wear at least 40k miles
- 235/55 R 18 (not sure what rating I want)
09-22-05, 09:59 PM
#3
Originally Posted by jfelbab
Check out tirerack.com. Looks like the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza would be my choice. UTOG of 600 clearly outclasses the competition in that size and should give excellent mileage. Best ratings in the group. Best handling and lowest noise, a great touring tire. IMO.
"The problem with UTQG Treadwear Grades is that they are open to some interpretation on the part of the tire manufacturer because they are assigned after the tire has only experienced a little treadwear as it runs the 7,200 miles. This means that the tire manufacturers need to extrapolate their raw wear data when they are assigning Treadwear Grades, and that their grades can to some extent reflect how conservative or optimistic their marketing department is. Typically, comparing the Treadwear Grades of tire lines within a single brand is somewhat helpful, while attempting to compare the grades between different brands is not as helpful."
09-22-05, 10:48 PM
#4
Pole Position
If you want a safe, quiet, comfortable tire with a long treadwear, I'd seriously consider the new Toyo Open Country H/T (H/T stands for Highway terrain). Here is some more info: 
http://www.toyocanada.com/products/OpenCountryHTEN.asp
http://www.toyocanada.com/products/OpenCountryHTEN.asp
09-23-05, 07:05 AM
#5
Originally Posted by TunedRX300
UTOG is only valid when comparing tires within the same brand. Here is tirerack's link on why
"The problem with UTQG Treadwear Grades is that they are open to some interpretation on the part of the tire manufacturer because they are assigned after the tire has only experienced a little treadwear as it runs the 7,200 miles. This means that the tire manufacturers need to extrapolate their raw wear data when they are assigning Treadwear Grades, and that their grades can to some extent reflect how conservative or optimistic their marketing department is. Typically, comparing the Treadwear Grades of tire lines within a single brand is somewhat helpful, while attempting to compare the grades between different brands is not as helpful."
"The problem with UTQG Treadwear Grades is that they are open to some interpretation on the part of the tire manufacturer because they are assigned after the tire has only experienced a little treadwear as it runs the 7,200 miles. This means that the tire manufacturers need to extrapolate their raw wear data when they are assigning Treadwear Grades, and that their grades can to some extent reflect how conservative or optimistic their marketing department is. Typically, comparing the Treadwear Grades of tire lines within a single brand is somewhat helpful, while attempting to compare the grades between different brands is not as helpful."
NHTSA 23-05
Thursday, September 1, 2005 Contact: Eric Bolton or Karen Aldana,
Telephone: (202) 366-9550
NHTSA Announces Tire Safety Ratings
Passenger vehicle tire quality has improved since last year, according to ratings released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
NHTSA’s 2005 ratings cover more than 2,400 lines of the most popular passenger vehicle tires sold in the U.S. The agency rates tires based on traction, treadwear and their ability to resist heat.
This year, nearly 90 tire lines received the highest possible rating for traction. Also, five tire brands (Big-O, Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone and Cordovan) produce tire lines that received exceptional ratings for tread durability. This year, nearly 700 tire lines were given the highest grade ("A") for heat resistance.
"Higher quality tires, along with good maintenance, provide consumers a greater margin of safety. The tire grading system is a big help in the often-confusing process of selecting tires," said NHTSA Administrator Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D.
Because heat can increase the risk of blowout, temperature ratings are important. Tires with the highest heat resistance are graded "A" followed by "B," or "C" (lowest). A "C" grade represents the minimum performance required in a high-speed test set by federal regulation.
For some consumers, stopping distances on a wet road can be important. Traction ratings are expressed in letter grades from "AA" – the highest - to "C" – the lowest. Tires with a higher grade allow a vehicle to stop in a shorter distance on a wet road.
Tires with a higher treadwear rating should last longer. In grading for treadwear, tires are ranked numerically according to durability. The higher the number, the more durable the tire.
Tire ratings can be found on NHTSA's web site at http://www.safercar.gov/tires/pages/tireratings.cfm. Here consumers can view ratings for tires used on passenger cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles and light pickup trucks. Under federal regulation, ratings also must be molded into the outer sidewall of all passenger tires.
In addition to tire ratings, consumers can find other valuable tire safety information at: www.safercar.gov.
Thursday, September 1, 2005 Contact: Eric Bolton or Karen Aldana,
Telephone: (202) 366-9550
NHTSA Announces Tire Safety Ratings
Passenger vehicle tire quality has improved since last year, according to ratings released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
NHTSA’s 2005 ratings cover more than 2,400 lines of the most popular passenger vehicle tires sold in the U.S. The agency rates tires based on traction, treadwear and their ability to resist heat.
This year, nearly 90 tire lines received the highest possible rating for traction. Also, five tire brands (Big-O, Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone and Cordovan) produce tire lines that received exceptional ratings for tread durability. This year, nearly 700 tire lines were given the highest grade ("A") for heat resistance.
"Higher quality tires, along with good maintenance, provide consumers a greater margin of safety. The tire grading system is a big help in the often-confusing process of selecting tires," said NHTSA Administrator Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D.
Because heat can increase the risk of blowout, temperature ratings are important. Tires with the highest heat resistance are graded "A" followed by "B," or "C" (lowest). A "C" grade represents the minimum performance required in a high-speed test set by federal regulation.
For some consumers, stopping distances on a wet road can be important. Traction ratings are expressed in letter grades from "AA" – the highest - to "C" – the lowest. Tires with a higher grade allow a vehicle to stop in a shorter distance on a wet road.
Tires with a higher treadwear rating should last longer. In grading for treadwear, tires are ranked numerically according to durability. The higher the number, the more durable the tire.
Tire ratings can be found on NHTSA's web site at http://www.safercar.gov/tires/pages/tireratings.cfm. Here consumers can view ratings for tires used on passenger cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles and light pickup trucks. Under federal regulation, ratings also must be molded into the outer sidewall of all passenger tires.
In addition to tire ratings, consumers can find other valuable tire safety information at: www.safercar.gov.
Tire Ratings - Treadwear
Treadwear grades are an indication of a tire's relative wear rate. The higher the treadwear number is, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down.
A control tire is assigned a grade of 100. Other tires are compared to the control tire. For example, a tire grade of 200 should wear twice as long as the control tire.
Of current tires:
15% are rated below 200
25% are rated 201 - 300
32% are rated 301 - 400
20% are rated 401 - 500
6% are rated 501 - 600
2% are rated above 600
Treadwear grades are an indication of a tire's relative wear rate. The higher the treadwear number is, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down.
A control tire is assigned a grade of 100. Other tires are compared to the control tire. For example, a tire grade of 200 should wear twice as long as the control tire.
Of current tires:
15% are rated below 200
25% are rated 201 - 300
32% are rated 301 - 400
20% are rated 401 - 500
6% are rated 501 - 600
2% are rated above 600
Here is what the DOT has to say about treadwear ratings:
UTQGS and the Treadwear Test Course
UTQGS require motor vehicle and tire manufacturers and tire brand name owners to provide information indicating the relative performance of passenger car tires in the areas of treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. This information aids consumers in making informed choices in the purchase of replacement passenger car tires.
The treadwear grades inform consumers about the amount of expected tread life for passenger car tires. Treadwear grades are expressed, in multiples of 20, as a percentage of a nominal treadwear value of 100.\1\ For example, a treadwear grade of 160 means the candidate tire tread life should be 1.6 times longer compared to NHTSA's ``control
tire.'' \2\ Although treadwear grades do not predict the actual mileage that a particular tire will achieve, they are sufficiently accurate to help consumers choose among tires based on their relative tread life.
UTQGS require motor vehicle and tire manufacturers and tire brand name owners to provide information indicating the relative performance of passenger car tires in the areas of treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. This information aids consumers in making informed choices in the purchase of replacement passenger car tires.
The treadwear grades inform consumers about the amount of expected tread life for passenger car tires. Treadwear grades are expressed, in multiples of 20, as a percentage of a nominal treadwear value of 100.\1\ For example, a treadwear grade of 160 means the candidate tire tread life should be 1.6 times longer compared to NHTSA's ``control
tire.'' \2\ Although treadwear grades do not predict the actual mileage that a particular tire will achieve, they are sufficiently accurate to help consumers choose among tires based on their relative tread life.
09-23-05, 10:14 AM
#6
I have two questions, who provide UTQG rating? NHTSA or tire makers?
Second, if UTQG rating is extrapolated by tire manufacturers from test data of 7200 miles (according to tirerack). Is this the projection method consistent from tire maker A to tire maker B?
Second, if UTQG rating is extrapolated by tire manufacturers from test data of 7200 miles (according to tirerack). Is this the projection method consistent from tire maker A to tire maker B?
09-23-05, 08:41 PM
#7
Originally Posted by TunedRX300
I have two questions, who provide UTQG rating? NHTSA or tire makers?
Second, if UTQG rating is extrapolated by tire manufacturers from test data of 7200 miles (according to tirerack). Is this the projection method consistent from tire maker A to tire maker B?
Second, if UTQG rating is extrapolated by tire manufacturers from test data of 7200 miles (according to tirerack). Is this the projection method consistent from tire maker A to tire maker B?
When the tires are tested, they are run in a convoy of 4 vehicles for 7,200 miles. One vehicle is equipped with a government supplied set of "control tires" to provide a baseline for comparison. These control tires are used by all of manufacturers when they test their candidate tires. The control tires are stored an a deep cave to protect them from ozone and aging effects to make the test uniform over time. The US even tests the road conditions for changes in road induced wear every quarter. After the 7,200 mile test the manufacturers candidate tires are removed and compared to the wear on the control tires. The control set of tires are 100 and if the candidate tires measured half of the tread wear they would get a rating of 200. There are a couple of other factors involved in the formula but this is an accurate representation of how it is done. The same control tires are used for all manufacturers hence the ratings are useful regardless of who the manufacturer of the tires happens to be.
Manufacturers are not comparing one tire from their line to another. The method used is consistent from one manufacturer to another. Tires tested cover the same roads and the same distances. They switch tire positions on the vehicles and drivers of the vehicles.
If you are curious, there is a lot of factual information available at the NHTSA and DOT sites where detail on these tests and the testing methods are explained as well as the reporting requirements. Here is a good starting point.
http://mailgate.supereva.com/gov/gov.../msg00523.html
Suffice it to say these tests are mandated by the US government to provide consumers a basis for making a comparative analysis of tires from various manufacturers prior to purchasing them.
Believe it or not, the UTQGS data is a pretty good indicator of tire quality. Clearly much better than an uneducated guess, which is what we had pre-UTQGS.
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