Need new tires, what to get, where to get them?

[Midwayman]

Nanking? I wish you a long and glorious life.

 

[Muse]

Nanking? I wish you a long and glorious life.

Yeah, really, it's the only thing I could find in the spec.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I called Costco tire department, the guy told me that they don't have anything in 14 inch. I asked if I could special order them, and he said no. I wasn't confident that he's a reliable source of information!

This is a policy thing, not a tire thing, and as far as Costco's policies go, yeah, he's reliable.

They don't do anything special-order or non-OEM spec, and they're hyper-anal about everything.

I have non-OE-size wheels for my winter tires (which Costco refused to sell me, install, or even rotate), and have had multiple conversations with them about this: the employees all swear up and down that it's an insurance and compliance issue, and are otherwise knowledgable enough that I don't think they're hiding behind rules to cover for a lack of expertise.

Can't really blame them, TBH - for the company as a whole, their tire business is waaaay down the list, and I'm not surprised they don't want to deal with headaches. Happy Path all the way, baby. Same reason they don't do oil changes - not enough money in it to bother.

Now, Costco refused to rotate my tires last time I asked, they said they were too old, so maybe this place will do the same?

Yup. They'll also refuse to touch a car if the tires are worn unevenly. Hyper-anal.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Yeah, really, it's the only thing I could find in the spec.

In the future, you can order on TireRack, DiscountTireDirect, or, hell, even Amazon - clear it with them first, obviously, but most independent mechanics will happily install tires that you have shipped to them. Should give you a few more options/choices.

 

[UsandThem]

My last two tires for my vehicles were with Discount Tire (America's Tire in California).

One set I ordered through their Ebay storefront when they had a sale, and had them shipped to my house for free. I then got them installed by the local Discount Tire.

The 2nd time was when they were having another Ebay sale, and the local store price-matched the sale price, so I just bought them there.

They offer free repairs and tire rotations, and they aren't near as backed up as Costco's tire center always is. I've been pretty happy with their price and service, so I will likely go with them again when I need new tires.

 

[ondma]

I have a 2005 Honda Civic that uses 185/70 R14. Discount Tire lists 3 pages of tires for that size. They have models from Uniroyal (AWP II, what I have on the car now), and also from General, Michelin, Yokohama, Cooper, and several low price off-brands.

Edit: checked the wrong size for your car. They only list Falken and Nanking for 195/65. Maybe the 185/70 would be compatible??? Strange that there are so many for 70 series and only 2 for 65 series,.

 

[Midwayman]

Going down a to 185/70-r14 is only 0.4% change and looks promising.

185/70R14 Tires

185/70R14 tire conversion. Convert 185/70R14 tire size to inches and compare prices on available tires from the top brands online.

tiresize.com

Lots of options that wouldn't terrify me.

 

[Muse]

Going down a to 185/70-r14 is only 0.4% change and looks promising.

185/70R14 Tires

185/70R14 tire conversion. Convert 185/70R14 tire size to inches and compare prices on available tires from the top brands online.

tiresize.com

Lots of options that wouldn't terrify me.

I'm not familiar with tire specs, the ins and outs, the whys and wherefores. That spec might work, I suppose. I imagine it would make my odometer reading inaccurate, well, more inaccurate? Of course, that's a minor consideration. If I didn't have the Nanking option, I'd have to "improvise." The Chinese tires don't scare me, but maybe they should. Anyway, presently, I'm driving less than 15k/10years. That could change, I'd like to see more natural wonder around me!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions! Bookmarked, and I reread the whole thread last night!

 

[Midwayman]

That little diameter difference is probably less than treadwear from new to worn. I wouldn't really call if improvisation. Your car was likely sold new with option wheels in 15" or 16" sizes that would vary at least that much in overall diameter. In other words, its all within spec.

 

[NutBucket]

That crossed my mind as well, going to a more common size.

Generally speaking, any difference less than 3% is considered acceptable. Your speedo isn't accurate to 1% anyway.

EDIT 2: Wow, from looking that selection in 185/70 I'd go for that size and ditch the Chinese tires. Tires are the one area you shouldn't compromise on, even for a car that is 30 years old.

 

[Muse]

That crossed my mind as well, going to a more common size.

Generally speaking, any difference less than 3% is considered acceptable. Your speedo isn't accurate to 1% anyway.

EDIT 2: Wow, from looking that selection in 185/65 I'd go for that size and ditch the Chinese tires.

You're saying 185/65/R14. Is that better than the 185/70/R14? Which is better? OK, can I get suggestion(s) for a specific tire to get from American Tire? I'll call them and change the order today!

 

[Midwayman]

You're saying 185/65/R14. Is that better than the 185/70/R14? Which is better? OK, can I get suggestion(s) for a specific tire to get from American Tire? I'll call them and change the order today!

Can you give us a link? There are a lot of tire place names that are really similar and I'm not sure which one you are talking about.

 

[Viper GTS]

I would not drop down to 185/65, 185/70 is a better fit and has reasonable choices available:

Michelin Defender T H 185/70R14

tiresize.com

Goodyear Assurance All-Season 185/70R14

tiresize.com

Yokohama AVID TOURING-S 185/70R14

tiresize.com

Toyo Extensa A/S 185/70R14

tiresize.com

General Altimax RT43 185/70R14

tiresize.com

I would rather have any of those than any of the no-name Chinese brands even if they made the exact size your car shipped with.

As for why I'd prefer 185/70:

Stock size = 841 rev/mile
185/70 = 834
185/65 = 860

Also you gain 3mm of sidewall vs stock compared to losing 8mm.

Viper GTS

 

[NutBucket]

185/65 was a typo. I'm in agreement with 185/70

EDIT: www.tires.com Location I used Oakland, CA

 

[Viper GTS]

America's Tire carries the Michelin Defender T+H that would be my first choice:

https://www.discounttiredirect.com/buy-tires/michelin-defender-t-%2b-h/p/32517

They also carry the Yokohamas:

https://www.discounttiredirect.com/buy-tires/yokohama-avid-touring-s/p/44394

The Goodyears:

https://www.discounttiredirect.com/buy-tires/goodyear-assurance-a-s/p/24792

The Generals:

https://www.discounttiredirect.com/buy-tires/general-altimax-rt43/p/18889

I would pick one of those four and ditch the Chinese garbage.

Viper GTS

 

[ondma]

The Michelin T+H are very good. The General Altimax is also rated quite well by both Consumer Reports and Tire Rack. They are also usually quite a bit cheaper

 

[NutBucket]

Those Michelins are worth more than the car. I'm all for good tires but that's a cost/benefit argument that doesn't compute IMHO.

 

[Viper GTS]

Buying Generals every six years would be the best solution IMO. Take the savings now, and replace them on an appropriate schedule. Ten years is absolutely batshit.

I have a lot of Michelin tires though so I'm a bit partial. Five sets on three cars, the lone non Michelin being a set of Blizzaks on the wife's CX-5.

Viper GTS

 

[Muse]

Can you give us a link? There are a lot of tire place names that are really similar and I'm not sure which one you are talking about.

This is the place:

America's Tire, Walnut Creek, CA

I just called them, asked to scratch the Nanking order and asked for quotes on the Michelin and General Altamax 185/70/R14 tires, out the door costs:

Michelin $587.44
General Altimax $418.56

 

[Muse]

Buying Generals every six years would be the best solution IMO. Take the savings now, and replace them on an appropriate schedule. Ten years is absolutely batshit.

I have a lot of Michelin tires though so I'm a bit partial. Five sets on three cars, the lone non Michelin being a set of Blizzaks on the wife's CX-5.

Viper GTS

Yeah, I've ridden Michelin's before, but the distances I've been driving I think the General's are the smarter option.

 

[Midwayman]

At that price difference, I'd probably get generals. I haven't had them personally but they've shown reasonably well in tests I've seen. Its a 2nd tier company like kumho, or falken, but they are way better than nanking.

 

[Muse]

Should I get a quote for tire alignment? Should I have an alignment? So far, America's Tire in Walnut Creek is giving me the best quotes, but I didn't ask them for a quote on alignment.

 

[NutBucket]

America's Tire doesn't do alignments. Given the amount you drive, if the car drives fine I wouldn't bother.

 

[Muse]

America's Tire doesn't do alignments. Given the amount you drive, if the car drives fine I wouldn't bother.

I just called them and placed the order. Install is set for 11AM Friday. They required a $25 deposit, CC over the phone. I like that better than entering CC into online... not sure it matters, but figure it's more secure (?). General Altimax RT43 P185/70/R14.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I just called them and placed the order. Install is set for 11AM Friday. They required a $25 deposit, CC over the phone. I like that better than entering CC into online... not sure it matters, but figure it's more secure (?).

Nope. It's processed in the same system, and if they get hacked it doesn't really matter how your CC# was entered.