I was reading the Jan. 2002 issue of Car and Driver when an ad caught my eye.

It was for the Goodyear Fortera SUV tires. The claim is that they're the quietest SUV tires that Goodyear offers and, of course, improved traction in rain and snow, etc.

First, does anyone have a price point for this tire?

Second, anyone tried them or have them?

I have a set of Bridgestone H/L's and the Goodyear Integritys. I like the Bridgestones more than the Integritys (who doesn't!) so perhaps I wanna make the switch to another tire.

I'm aware of the popular Michelin CT's but wanna have some choices before I make my wallet lighter!

thanks for the help.

 

Tire Rack has the forteras. www.tirerack.com The only thing is that they come in 235 70 16 not the stock 225 70 16. but i kno that size would work tho. heres an exact link. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/goodye...fortera_hl.jsp

 

I don't know why I couldn't find the page on Tire Rack last night...

So being that the size is 235 instead of 225, does that mean the tire's width is wider and therefore "stick out" a bit more than stock? And would there be any problems with the clearance of the struts?

Thanks again!

 

from what i know, they will stick out more. i think but am not sure that they will fit without any modifications. If i am wrong someone can correct me. thanx

 

The Fortera is GY's attempt to combat the success of the Mich CTs. Looks like a definite CT clone in many ways. I wouldn't get another GY tire anyway, I was reading in several tire discussions how Mich's usually cost more because there are stricter quality controls in place, thus ensuring a more consistent performance experience for the customer. In other words, you're more than likely to get an out-of-round GY than a Mich.


Another limiting factor for the Fortera right now is that the only OEM Lexus size they make right now is for the LX470. And even if you goto larger rims, you won't come close to the 28.4" outside diameter of the OEM size (based on the current Fortera sizes available), thus throwing off the speedo and odometer. Maybe GY will release some additional sizes in the future.


Hope this answers some of your questions.

 

235-70 will fit w/o clearance problems on rear struts (barely)......but your radius, therefore circumference, therefore speedo/odo error are on the order of +4.4 %, probably a little more than most would find acceptable.

 

I don't want to have to deal with speedo or odometer differences or worry about strut clearances, etc. I'm real low maintenance - part of the reason why I got a RX...

And by looking at the price comparison, there isn't enough of a difference to compel me to go with the GYs. Oh well, back to thinking about the Michelins or Bridgestones. hmmmm.

Thanks for everyone's informative inputs.

Happy New Year!

 

Don't forget that the RX's speedo isn't 100% accurate on the OEM size 225/70/16's. It reads about 2 mph faster than your actual speed. So, a slightly larger tire (235/70/16) shouldn't give you a noticeable or significant difference in your speedo's accuracy. Your overall height would be about .6 inches higher.

Check out http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

They (the website above) say that with the 235/70 tire your speedo (if 100% accurate) would read 60mph when you are actually traveling 61.2mph. So, let's say the RX is already off (reads faster) by 2mph, then with the new tire it would only be off by .8mph.

As for Michelin tires, you can't hardly go wrong. They make great tires. I've heard great things about the Cross Terrains (OEM equipment on the MDX w/ Touring pkg - which means 17in. wheels). I had the Michelin LTX/MS tires before and they are great SUV tires.

-Nick

*Actual mileage may vary. Only for a limited time. See store for details.

 

I have to agree with Nick on this one. There are a few of those un-manned radar signs ("This is your speed:") on several of the roadways I travel everyday. With cruise set on and the vehicle traveling at a steady speed, I've noticed that I consistently get readings fron the radar signs that are about 1 - 2 mph slower than what the speedo says.


With that in mind, I'll probably try to fit a slightly larger OD tire on the stock rims when it's time for my tire upgrade. Besides the better handling than the GY Integricraps, the bonus is a more accurate speedo.

 

Actually, I don't mind it if the speedo indicates I'm going a little faster than what is the actual speed... I consider it a buffer zone for me and the traffic cops.

It's when the speedometer is reading slower than what is actual speed that I worry.

I don't want to have to think about, "Okay, my speedo says 65 but I'm really doing 68..." sorta scenario.

I'd rather see the speedo and think, "Okay I'm doing 70, but actually I'm probably a mile or two slower..." I dunno, but that seems to me a bit more comfortable to deal with... Anyone else agree?

But for now, I think I'll look into either the Michelins or Brigdestones in the OEM size.

 

Well a downside to an inaccurate speedo that reads faster than you really are is that it will rack up more miles on the odometer than what what you really drove.

So from a warranty POV, I'd rather have an accurate speedo/odo.

As far as a buffer between me and the speed police... well, that what radar detectors are for

 

I've heard that while the RX speedo is a little off, the odometer isn't calibrated the same as the speedo. So, the odometer is accurate. I think this is a sort of "buffer zone" for drivers.

I see what you are saying satxrx, and I agree. I think that if the RX's speedo is off by 2mph and you go with 235/70, then you will still have a small buffer

-Nick