I completely agree. My '04 Accord coupe originally came with Bridgestone Turanza tires. They were ok, but I always found them to be a little noisy and lackluster in snow. When it came time for new ones about three years ago, I researched tires and ended up spending a lot of money to put on Michelin Primacy MXV4s. They have been fantastic. They wear slowly and evenly, provide excellent traction and handling in all conditions, and are way quieter than the Bridgestones. For all the years and miles you have a set of tires on your car, it's an important decision.
+artistmac What if you use good quality Synth oil? Would you say once a year is regular?? Assume you drive in regular conditions say no off road or heavy traffic
The engine itself creates the conditions for needing an oil change not the road you are driving on. It gets hot, there's explosions inside, burning carbon based materials. The difference between regular motor oil and synthetic is only that the synthetic molecules are all of equal size where regular oil has some variance so synthetic is better for tighter tolerances. It still gets full of dirt just like regular. "Good quality synthetic" is a sales pitch.
my jetta mk2 1986 1.6D is over 500.000 km never opend engine just started excess smokeing on first cilindar(head problem( valve seat and valve probably) recipe is go easy on it (low rpm but not to low), oil change go cheap 10w30 synthetic up to 200.000km and after cheap 15w40 semi-synthetic but change it more often I do it every 5000km or less. Dont over heat it, dont drive it cold ( give it some time to heat up on start up) and last thing regular servis for all parts that wear over time(filters,belts...) do that and your engine is going to pull you for long time (not that long younger engins wear faster because they are under more stress from that bit more power they make)
I would say this is one of the most important purchases for your car. These are the 3 things you should never cheap out on. Tires-Get good priced tires, AVOID RETREADS Steering/Suspension Parts, Get new replacement OEM or third party that meet or exceed OEM, NEVER GET USED. Brakes, get good pads and discs.
+Stephen Bianchi Yep. Tires and magnetorheological dampers are about the only things that will improve all four. And only one is available for less than $1000.
You have to go to some pretty extreme wieght reduction to get what can be the same night and day performance gains a high spec tire bring. That's why a heavier stock version of a car with racing slicks will cream a lightened version of the same car on street tires in autox races. In the end, tires are everything for overall performance.
I love the Elvis clock in the background. Love your videos. They always contain useful information and you are a personable source. Keep up the good work dude.
I have to say the best investment in my car would not only be the tires but the entire suspension system. Bushings, ball joints, struts, springs, brakes & things such as alignment. As you said they're your interface with the road and cheeping out on any part of that system could result in not only wearing at your tires and other components prematurely, but could also result you have an accident.
I like to put a good brand rotor(slotted) and premium brake pads along with the best Michelin tire I can get for my wife's car and my truck. The families safety is number one. Great video Eric.
My father told me to never waste my time with cheap shoes, cheap booze, or cheap women. I can add tires to the list. Never waste my time with cheap tires.
etcg1 you are 100% right no matter what kind of vehicle you drive as soon as you get those new set of tires your vehicle feels like brand new and i had the experience on my wifey's awd infiniti g35x never been so happy to invest my money with such a sorpresive positive result like when i bought her car a new set of tires...she was amazed with the vehicle handling after she drove away from the tire shop. i couldnt believe how happy she looked after that experience and ppl this guy is the nothing else but the best technician repair guy ever.
I just bought 4 brand new michelin tires and I agree with the description of the video, The change is dramatic!! I love it! This is the first time I'm able to afford to buy 4 new tire for my vehicle; I've had about 11 cars so far. From now on I will buy a set of new tires for every car I buy.
Interesting thoughts. Good information. I remember my first truck. It was a Datsun small pickup. I just loved back then to do burn outs and smoke the tires and leave my mark. Yet those tires only lasted for two weeks. I asked my dad if he would put another set on. His reply was, "I bought the first set for you, now you can put tires on the truck.". Boy did I ever learn my lesson.
Just put some Michelin Premier A/S tires on a 2006 Toyota Matrix 4WD. Spent $570 on a full set (included install, balance, etc) So far so good: Smoother over bumps and more sure footed-especially on wet roads. I'm hoping to get a big improvement in snow this winter. I spun and skidded out 3x last winter on my old set-real sketchy.
I would say that a part that is near, if not on par with tires is the control arm bushings. They may be a part nobody thinks about, but they are important all the same. The control arm bushings keep the wheel pointed in the same direction when the suspension cycles. They keep the wheel from moving back and forth in the wheel well despite the direction the tire is pointed. They keep the wheel from moving in or out in relation to the wheel well despite the direction the wheel is pointed. If those bushings are worn out, the tire can move independent of the car. That may or may not sound significant to you until you realize just what that means. When you step on the brake, the tire wants to slow down faster than the vehicle. The bushings keep the tire from moving back in the wheel well and keep it from trying to turn in relation to where you have it pointed if it can't move back, just like the wheel on a desk chair spins in relation to it's axis when you roll it backwards and forwards. The friction on the wheels produces drag which causes them to spin around since their pivot axis is off center. It's the same with the wheels on your car. Worn bushings allowing the wheel to shift will change the direction the tire is pointed, which will change the direction the vehicle is moving in relation to the braking force. If you've ever had brakes or tires that were worn unevenly you might know what I'm talking about. You step on the brake hard and the car tries to dart off the road one direction or the other. The same can happen when you drive over a large bump or pot hole. The same can happen when you turn the wheel and the suspension shifts because of the play in the bushings, making the wheels point in different directions. Also, you don't have to get performance matched tires unless you drive the vehicle in a way that would usually be considered aggressive. Most tires these days are made from different compounds or in a different way than they were even 15 years ago. 10 years ago. Hell, some are totally different than even 2 years ago. That may not sound important until you realize just how many old vehicles are out there. The tires on my truck for instance, are 22 years newer than the truck. In that time, billions have been spent finding better compounds that last longer and wear better in an effort to get people to buy tires. Granted, that money usually goes to the high performance tires, but it does trickle down over time. I feel fairly confidant when I say that the tires I have on my truck now most likely grip and wear better than the tires that were intended for the truck when it was designed, just as older tech has been left for better designs since cars were invented. I've seen the same with brakes in most cases. Yes, buying high performance racing brakes will probably stop your car better than the cheapest stock brakes there are. That said, most people don't NEED more than the stock brakes. I have a video on my channel showing how even heavily worn stock brakes can actually do a dam good job preventing me from hitting animals in the road at 60mph. I also show just what I mean by heavily worn on there. Not quite steel on steel, but close. I now have new cheap stock brakes on my truck and if I'd bothered to save the footage I'd have at least 5 more videos of me stopping well before hitting deer crossing the road. The times that performance brakes really start to stand out is when you're using them heavily and very often over a short period of time; like in a race. I do agree that having the same size tire on each side of the axle is important. I also agree that the cheapest is often not recommended. I disagree though that sticking with the manufacturer's recommended tire is important. I've owned a few cars where the speedometer is actually a few mph slow across the board when tested with multiple gps based speedometers. I found that simply by increasing the tire size SLIGHTLY I was able to correct that error. Not only did I now have a perfectly accurate speed reading, but I believe the car rode better and handled better. I say that because the tire is larger which means it has a larger side wall to absorb bumps and a more gentle curvature, and therefor has more area in contact with the ground when it's compressed under the weight of the vehicle even when properly inflated. Yes the sidewall can flex minutely more in turns, but the car isn't being driven in a way that would require stiffer sidewalls than stock. Lastly, I agree that informing a person that their car needs work separate from what they asked you to do IS a nice thing to do. One thing I've noticed that bothers me most is that mechanics either over-hype or don't tell people how severe the problems are. Is the coolant leak more important than the brake leak? Is the bad rotor more important than the oil leak? Is the uneven wear on the caliper indicative of a larger problem with the vehicle? When I do repairs for friends and family, it's usually because they bought a beater for around $500 and it needs a lot of work. That doesn't mean it can't go down the road as is or that it needs all the work done at once. Informing a person what needs to be done immediately and what can wait and for how long is less daunting than handing them a list and implying they bought a scrap heap. Nearly every car that I've suggested someone buy that needs repairs is still on the road because the repairs have been prioritized by severity and cost. Sure, they may end up spending a total of 2 or 3 thousand on the car by the time their done with all the repairs, but they also have a car that is reliable and will last them several years. Provided they don't crash them or sell them.
I agree with you Eric, tires are the best investment. My first car, a 1978 MGB had some tires my Uncle steered me towards (cheap stuff, but new, so...) and I had them a few years. When I had some money I got new tires myself and the difference in the car was night and day. It drove soooo much better, smoother, handled better, was quieter. It really was like a new car. I always try to put good tires on my cars. I put winter tires on them usually too. One request, tell people not to be a dumbass and only change their front tires -- the rears are more important for safety than the front. ALWAYS put your best tires on the rear. You can easily tell when your front tires hit ice or hydroplane, but not the rears. You have no direct connection with the wheels other than your butt, and so it is almost impossible to tell when you are losing traction in the rear. Great videos!
Continue. Loose or broken parts just don't put the driver in danger, it puts anyone on the road in danger. Same goes for tires. If you tire blows from lack of care, you are at risk along with anyone you are driving around. ERIC, I'd really like to see a video about poor maintenance to vehicles and the risk you run. This could be from tires, loose parts, or even loose body part( I've seen bumpers fly off cause damage to vehicles behind them.) safety first! Awesome videos Eric . Keep it up!
One of my best moves was replacing the p series (passenger car) of tyres with lt (light truck) tyres on a mini pickup. Many places did not want to replace p205/75r15 with lt215/75r15 but Canadian Tire did. It even corrected my speedometer.
I agree Eric ! I brought a set of Michelin tires on my 1977 Ford Crown Victoria police interceptor and the ride and handling change for the better. it has less road noise and the car is not hydroplaning in the rain. Excellent advice !!
I agree 110% Eric. Back in 2008 I had tires that were about 4 years old and managed to spin out on the highway on 93 South in MA on a rainy night. Luckily I didn't hit anyone or damage my car. From then on I realized how important tires are. Since then I've stayed on top with tire care checking pressure and sidewalls.
I got a set of Hankook H272's on my 98 Honda Civic and I must say those are the best tires I have ever had on that car. 100,000 mile warranty too! Can't really beat that. Handling in the snow is amazing, handling on the highway is great and have excellent hydroplaning resistance. 100% recommend them.
My wife has a 03 Odyssey EX-L with 300,000 miles on it. It's on its 3rd set of Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus tires. The car rides, handles, and brakes awesome with them. Like you, I don't ever skimp on tires, especially on the car my wife is gonna drive with my three kids in it. My dad always told me since I was a kid that cheap things always turn out to be expensive in the end!!!
Agreed. People like to complain about the softer sidewalls but I've been very pleased with the DWS on my Audi. Excellent performance in the dry and wet, affordable, and excellent warranty.
What you said about using the OEM tires that came on your car rings very true in my ear. For example, my 1997 Lincoln Town Car came with Michelin Symmetry all season tires on it. When I purchased the car it had GoodYear tires on it. They were okay, but they were absolutely useless in the snow. I had Symmetrys installed on it, what a difference. The ride became 100x better, the snow traction was great, and I gained a couple MPG's as well. The factory put that specific tire on the car for a reason
Completely agree its mind-blowing how people skimp out on tires, everything about a car it's performance, fuel, economy, safety, fun, comes down to 4 tiny contact patches with the pavement, its moronic not to get possible tires any vehicle.
I agree that tires are the most important investment you can make for your vehicle. I work at a tire shop as a tech, and most of the time when people come in complaining about ride quality, it is either the wheels or tires that are bad. I bought my first vehicle this past winter, and got some new wheels and tires in a bundle. Slightly used, but only a for a week. They are offsize, at 255/70R16, rather than the 245/75R16 that came stock. Same load range, but it makes my tahoe squat.
There are also "bad" tires from day one -- over time the flaws show up. Had dealer put set on, and do $3500 suspension work (car was just out of warranty). Steering wheel was crooked and it drove like it was out of balance & alignment when I got back (told me that was just the way some cars are). 2 year later - still trying to fix the shaking, another shop said they could not replace more parts, but noticed the tires were visually not round -- tried a new set and it drove perfect!
Other than tires though I'd say the front brakes. Replaced my rotors and pads back in 2012 and the difference was night and day. It stopped like nothing, my front end didn't vibrate anymore, and it was a fun experience. Also learned that most auto repairs can be way easier said than done.
Absolutely agree with tires being an important investment. I put a set of cheap tires on my 00 Civic, and the ride quality/comfort DRAMATICALLY improved (my older tires were bald Goodyears...don't know which specific ones). In response to important investments on your vehicle...alongside with tires, BRAKES. Having good brakes can often save your life (in terms of emergency stopping).
Agree. I've also had the experience of spending a lot of money on what you thought was a good tire, only to have it come out to be less than expected. After that I was stuck with the set for three years until they wore out and I could upgrade again. Once I had the next set, it was that whole night and day thing again.
I remember when I bought my 88 Corvette I thought the wheel bearings were getting bad since I had this noisy rolling/growling sound that is typical for a wheel bearing on its way out. Replaced both rear bearings - no change. Checked front, were fine. I was puzzled and a couple of months went by. Then I got 4 new HIGH QUALITY tires just because the old ones were 5 years old and all was well after that. Instant cure and way smoother handling.
I agree with your opinion on tires. I give the same advice to others. Additionally, financially permitting, seasonal tires are even better. Seasonals will almost always out-perform all-seasons, to the best of my knowledge. However, they also cost more and must be bought as separate sets (summer and winter).
I agree. Tires really change the handling characteristics of the car. The traction on wet, dry or snowy roads are better. The handling becomes sharper. Your brake distance becomes shorter. Brakes are important too, but if your tires cant grip the road, your stopping distance will be longer.
My uncle buys cars for my aunt (who is a nervous driver with not so sound judgement) with the philosophy that the car should "be able to get out of its own way." That is to say like you said, Eric, that you like to give your wife every advantage you can get for her car. Indeed, tires are a huge part of that.
I'm like you Eric. I buy my tires from tirerack as well after doing the research myself. And I'm not shy about spending more. I own a 2003 Mazda 6s (3.0L V6). It was the sport edition of that car in 2003 and came with expensive Michelin tires. Since then I have bought more Michelin and Yokohama tires and currently have Yokohama Ascend 50 series tires on my car. I love them. They are not quite as soft as the originals but have a 740 treadware rating and and "A" traction rating so it's not bad. They handle well in dry and wet. And a set of 4 cost me $600 but they are worth every penny. Keep up the good work. Stay dirty. Lol.
Yes i 100% agree with you eric tires are most important thing on your car. I've been been buying Michelin tires for my car so far i used these brand tires are awsome. These type tires if you take care of them they will do in return. Thanks eric for your info, ive watched all your vids and i learned alot from you.
As a person who works a technician in a " tire store ", I would say tires are the best investment. I would also say having your alignment checked is a very important thing at the time of new tires. I see a of people with vehicles with over 100k on them with bad tire wear, and decline having an alignment. After about 15k the wear shows and we get blamed because the tires wore bad.
Bought a used truck with brand new tires, a brand I had never heard of. Come to find out they are a regional tire chain with their own "brand". I was told by quite a few locals that these tires were "junk" tons of problems and that I would not be happy with them. Scared, I looked up some reviews on them. What I found was very negative reviews from people that have different vehicles than mine, no one with the same truck as mine seemed to have any issues. 50k later, I love these tires. I have kept them rotated, and my truck rides great compared to others of the same type that I have driven. Even had one patched for free by the local shop that sells them (even though I'm not the one that bought them they still stand by their brand). Still have a lot of life left in them; and, when they wear out, I will buy the same ones for my next set. So for sure check out the tires before you buy them!!!
Putting new tires on my rusty old clunker 94 buick made it feel brand new. Fixed up the shake in the steering wheel and my gas mileage. Ran as smooth as butter especially once you hit 4th gear. I decided my tires were a priority before fixing my leaking intake. Some say buying new tires is dumb but I didn't feel like taking my chances with a set of used tires especially if you can get a good deal on a set of new.
You are 100% correct, Eric. When people ask me about changing their suspension or getting coilovers, I tell them not to bother and just get better tires.
I don't have much experience with agricultural equipment its true, so on that account I'll defer to your judgement. However on off road tires that you'll operate aired down or on rocks a newer compound is typically less likely to puncture or chip than a older one. For me the fact that newer tires will work better (and normally last longer) on the road is a bonus, its this lack of punctures or chipping that I rely on when hundred of miles for anywhere.
I just put on new Good year ultra grip 9 on my mini cooper. I cant believe how much grip they have. I recommend these winter tires, they are the best i have ever experienced. Good video Eric!
That's a good thing to point out. We bought rear tires for one of our tractors and talk about EXPENSIVE like upwards of $1500 PER tire (18.4-38 bias ply). We found a pair that had been sitting for a while at the tire shop for $600 a piece. They were just looking to get rid of them.
Tires may very well be the most important investment you could make for your vehicle. I recently replaced all four tires on the my Sonoma and the difference between 10+ year old A/T Radials and my the A/S (not what I wanted, but what I could afford) radials is amazing. Much better ride, Much more secure footing, better traction all around, and they don't do have bad for light offroad use as well.
Michelin defenders are THE choice for your odyssey. It came with symmetrys , and they were comfy but not good in any weather. Trust me. I was a michelin dealer. In the early days of good hyundais great tires hid a lot of sins related to the suspension. Those hyundais came with the michelin mxv4plus. The most expensive tire in that group. Smooooth... You have the right idea on car parts priorities! "It's where the rubber meets the road."
I agree with you fully Eric. Once I bought Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, and those tires were really something (that was like 10 years ago). Never had such tires on my car, they were superb. Expensive, but worth every dime. Those things gripped like no ones business. You really had to drop the clutch to loose traction. Very cool tires. I don't know if they are as good today but back then those were one of the best tires I had a chance to ride on. And I can tell you I've tried lots and lots of tires before and since, but those were at least couple of levels above others. They did wear out quite fast tho. Not super fast, but faster than most others which is probably why they gripped so hard.
Because of this video (not the others I've watched)... I'm subscribed now. Truth. I learned the same thing from my own experience, and I'm not a mechanic. My recent tire purchase for my Subaru Legacy 2011: Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 215/55R 16" from Tire Rack. Like night and day from the crap stock tires on there, even when those stock tires were brand new.
The most expensive single purchase I did for my car was a set of summer tires. This winter I am going to buy a new set of winter tyres too. It's hard to part with money but is absolutely necessary. The tyres I had last winter had good thread and were a good brand, but too old. I lost control and had to replace front and rear bumpers, driver door + glass and front fender and other plastic bits from underneath the car. I am pretty sure if I had new blizzaks on I would have kept the cost down.
Somebody put 18" wheels on my Tahoe, I got the 16" OEM wheels and took it to get new rubber. The service writer questioned the tire size as it was visually smaller... I believe Struts/Springs or shocks is also a huge improvement in the way a vehicle handles.
I bought the new tires for my "03 Civic in the middle of winter after a blizzard. The old ones had no tread and the new ones (granted I went super cheap) were amazing. I had grip for days in the snow. Huge difference.
I can't say much for larger tires, but for summer tires on a sporty car the Hankook Ventus Evo V12 are simply amazing. Running 225/40/R18 on my car and the reviews definitely speak for themselves.
I agree, Eric. Although I'm not a fan of the stock tires on my 2007 Honda Civic, I've found that for about the same $, Tire Rack sells a great alternative. I'm on my second set of Continental ExtremeContact DWS All-Seasons. The first set went 60k miles. The DWS has been excellent summer and winter both here in MD and back in western PA and northeastern OH where our family still lives. I have recommended Tire Rack many times, even if you just want to research tires and then buy them locally.
I definitely agree about tires. I drive a 95 Pontiac Bonneville I purchased for six hundred bucks needed some work did the work 50,000 miles later tires wore out, spent $600 on a set of continentals. one of The best investments for this vehicle. Granted I've put a lot of new parts on this car try to only install parts with a lifetime warranty. At 150,000 miles now hopefully I will wear out this brand-new set of tires and have to buy another set for this car.
I'm with you on tires. Last year I lost my job and needed tires, so I decided to cheap out on tires. Big mistake!!!! I have a 04 Civic and live in the mountains at the 3,500 ft elevation. Long story short, I bought some Falkens 912's and my car became undrivable in the first snow storm. So, I was forced to buy another set of tires/rim combo just for the winter. Maybe next time I should have done my research and not cheap out on tires.
If I learned anything in my jeep adventures, it's that you're 100 percent right that tires are your most important investment in any vehicle! Additionally I can tell you that I wholly believe having good tires have saved my arse more times than I can count, some say breaks are the most important and I can see the logic in that, but if you have good breaks on bad tires you're going to lock up wheels and be thrown out of control. So you've invested on Brimbo breaks because you're a "ricer," to use the parlance of our time, but totally cheap out on tires because "stance bro" and you're eating them up left and right. Well, that car is going to the junk yard after you're done with it to say the least.
So right about the tires. I had a 99 accord with MXV4 stock tires that ran about 143000 km. Put on so el cheepo tires car never drive the same. With regular rotation I only go about 40000km and didn't handle and drive as smooth as it use to. I learned my lesson. Hondas especially because it has that sporty ride and you feel the road u need good tires to suit your whip.
Eric, I highly agree with you on this topic. Having said that, I'm too cheap to go for Michelins, unless they're on a clearance sale. I tend to go for other brands such as Continental or Hankook. I'd like to note that it's also very important to look for the manufacturing date of the tires you're buying. A lot of times, the price will be lower because they have been sitting in some warehouse for years.
I have found that with my 2004 VW Jetta, with brand new tires, the wheels can spin while shifting. Especially in lower gears. 1st to 2nd, sometimes, the tires spin a bit. Your insight has led me to drive this car differently than when it had the stock tires on it. Awesome info Eric.
Agree, never try to save on tires! I got a brand new set of Michelin's this summer and they are phenomenal. Second to tires got to be shocks... good shocks can change the quality of a ride drastically.
I had 4 miss-matched tires from a junkyard on my 1st car as a teenager. After spinning out a few times on slightly damp roads, I spent a few paychecks on some new rubber. Nowadays, I buy the best no matter the cost. My life, my wifes, and the potential person I may hit's lives all depend on it.
About the winter tires, it depends on where you live and what kind of tires you have. Mud and snow can be used all year round, unless you live in Scandinavia/Canada/Alaska. Proper winter tires (the expensive shit) are great for low temperatures, but the rubber gets dry extremely fast when it's hot (15 degrees centigrade and warmer). Besides, the mileage will go down with winter tires during the summer.
I agree with tires, also some good oil and fuel. My Camry is 300k+ miles old, so the shocks are also screwed, they're next. Belts and radiator were replaced at around 200k, front catalytic at around 280k. Also, I don't think it's the compound itself, but the tire pressure as the tires warm up increase, so the tires might feel harder. I have experience with Falken ZE512 and ZE612, and Yokohama YK580, and they feel wonderful, even during higher pressures, just make sure you don't go over 36 PSI.
Good tires. I can't agree more. My car came with Michelin tires, I put Yokohama tires on it and they were ok but were a very loud tire but I saved a few bucks. Next time I needed tires I'd had enough, I bought the very same OEM michelins on it and man I love it! Also, The next important thing to me is a good set of brakes.
Disagree on Hondas. My 2008 Honda Pilot came with HORRIBLE tires. They were extremely noisy. I replaced them with some Bridgestone Dueler Ecopias (from tirerack), which turned out to be much quieter.
I've been using Toyo Tyres for about 10 years now. Presently have C1S Proxes installed. They are the best of the best for me. Cheaper than the Michelins.
New tires are indeed a night and day experience. As well buying high quality tires. I put Michelin AT/2 tires on my 10 year old 4Runner. It has never driven as smoothly or as quietly. They are also great in the snow and mud. So much better than the original equipment tires. Spend the money. You will be happy.
You right Eric! Most important investment on my car are tires and preventable maintenance. Changing all lubricants religiously,changing belts (V-belt),hoses and even thermostat,before any of this break down.
A year ago i took a risk and put 22560r17 tires on my my 13 cx5 awd, stock was 22565r17 a smaller tire. I got better fuel economy and i really liked how the vehicle handled i switched brands as well yokahama geolander to uniroyal tiger paw awp3. I agree tires are a critical item shouldn't cheep out
Glad you stuck with Michelins on the Odyssey. I have a 2000 with 260,000 and between MXV4, some Toyos, Symmetrys, and a few others, the MXV4s have been the best. Also put them on my '91 Accord and they made the car amazing.
Two caveats with buying the same tire as original. First OEM vs aftermarket tires of the same brand and model are often different because the vehicle maker provides the tire maker with a list of specs and the tire maker might make a unique design to compete with other tire makers to win the bid (which will be large orders). Second, what if the OEM tire sucks, like the ones that came on my Matrix? They had an odd, uneven wear pattern, in spite of good alignment, noisy, and a short life. I switched to another brand and model highly rated at TireRack and life was so much better. I currently went back to the original OEM brand, but a high rated (at TR) model that's been so far so good.
On a road a tractor tire lasts less distance than a car tire, they last 20 years in a paddock due to hard rubber, still sidewalls, no heating due to rotational speed and soft ground. Off road tires have softer compound and more aggressive tread, thus grip better on their intended surface but last less road miles, high performance tires for on road use are essentially the same, often lasting only half as long as a economy tire on a passenger car or that of a tire on a lorry.
ive done tires professionally for 8 years... tires make or break the ride... if you do after market stuff right it can increase performance, or looks... but may not be soft smooth ride like factory....
I have always thought Michelin tires were overpriced but that is just my opinion. I have seen were after a couple of years the sidewalls crack on them. They are a good riding tire but just not worth the money. I have had pretty good luck with Cooper tires and I was shopping around for tires for my 94 Chevy Silverado and I got a killer deal on some Hankook tires. I actually got them cheaper than a set of cheap Chinese tires I was looking at. We had a set of those crappy Dextzero tires that Wal-Mart sells that was on my wife's Nissan Rogue when we bought it and those were some awful tires. I had them replaced with a set of Cooper Discovers and have really been pleased. Tires are just a matter of opinion though. Enjoy the channel!
I agree! There are two things you should never cheap out on, tires and brakes! It doesn't matter how good your car runs! What matters is how good your car stops!
I've saved up, bought THE best tyres I could for my bike. Didn't notice any difference, but it's nice to know they're the best quality tires for money.
I believe that the most important investment is taking care of the vehicle especially if it's new it's one of the biggest investments and if you take care of the vehicle it'll take care of you and you won't have a day where the brakes are gonna cost you $1000 because you didn't replace the pads and grease the friction points and now you need to replace the caliper pads rotors and maybe even tires if it was bad enough
Proper tire pressure is critical for fuel economy, safety, and longevity. Info for pressures is on drivers side door jam. Checking pressure is most accurate when tires are cold. Best time to do this is in the morning when car has been sitting overnight. Also, once the Sun hits the tires it can warm them up, increasing PSI. Use a good dial gauge for accuracy (I hate those cheap pen gauges). They run between $20-$30. Oh, and don't forget to check the spare tire.
Great deal, but be careful, the age of a tire often is more important for figuring out how well it will fit its purpose than the miles it has driven. That is to say a tire that has never been driven but is 5 years old may provide less grip on road, as well as less puncture and chipping resistance off road than a half worn tire made last year. Not saying its not sometimes a good idea to buy on a special but you have to be careful or a good deal can be a lemon on the inside.
I'm the same way I love a new set of tires, I have a 2003 F150 and I got a new set the first part of last year, went with cooper, but I went with a size smaller than stock, stock is 255/70/16, I got 255/65/16, just a little bit of a lower profile, I get better mileage, the truck looks way better, it's just a 4.2l 2x4, anyway I love your videos and am glad I found your channel
valid point my friend, for highway vehicles. For farm equipment its actually a good idea to buy tires that are new but have been sitting a while because the rubber hardens up some. Corn stalks will tear the hell out of nice new "soft" tires. but that really has nothing to do with the video. haha
I am totally agree about tires. Even more important are winter tires wherever you have true winter with ice and snow. Good summer tires make noticeable difference, but good winter tires make dramatic difference, day and night, heaven and hell in a way you driving on winter roads. I am amazed how many people here, in Alberta, neglect this fact of life and drive on "all-season" tires all year round. Even if they buy winter tires they go for a "good deal" instead of good tires - i.e. some cheap imitation of a true winter tire. Considering we have ice and snow pretty much for half of the year I am unable to explain this. I also noticed that tires are marketed mostly for their resistance to wear, so for Joe Average the "best" tire is one that costs as little as possible while lasts as long as possible. As a matter of fact this is an opposite of good tire. Wear resistance means harder rubber compound = lower grip! Winter tires do last much longer as long as you avoid driving with them on dry tarmac - tire wear is nonexistent on snow or ice! Good summer tires though only lasts for two or three seasons.
I put a new set of Michelin LTX M/S2 on my truck, a 2000 Ranger. Before that I had BFG Commercial truck tires in it. Like you said, the difference is night and day. I based my choice on tire rack reviews and consumer report reviews. I don't have to deal with snow, so your choices may vary.
if you bought or are driving an older car or a car with 10 years worth of miles on it having a good look at the bushings back and front. especially the ones on the controll arms. sometimes they are gone completely, but also if they have some flex in them it could be well worth it to change them out. they are cheap and when they aren't very firm anymore it can cause suspension noises and a car that seems to follow tracks in the road. and a indirect steering feel can often be solved that way as well. i've noticed that very few mechanics pay very little attention to this and almost never mention it. maybe because most people don't think it is worth it or maybe they just don't look at these things if it isn't part of the yearly roadworthyness inspection, i don't know. but it really influences the feel and confedence of the ride so i think it is well worth to have checked.
On dashcam: there's more types on the market than I could ever check, plus there can be some manufacturers available only in the place You live (so is the one I've got), but I guess DOD is a solid brand, plus always check the quality of videos on youtube for a specific model that You're interested in. The one thing I'd recommend: if You can afford it, always get one with gps - helps if someone tries to throw You under the "he was speeding so it's his fault anyways" bus.
My first experience with new tires involved my first car, a 1975 Chevy Nova. It had balding tires, can't recall the brand, and I decided to up the ante and put some Yokohoma tires on the old beater. WOW! You're absolutely right, a GOOD set of tires on a new/old car, really changes everything! Ever since then, I make it a point to research what works for what car. I'm excited to try some Nitto NT05's on my 300zx, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my Vogue tires on my Toyota Matrix. Thinking about Yokohama Geolanders or something of the sort for my Grand Cherokee next.
I'd actually agree with that. Changing my tyres to some quality ones made a better improvement than anything. The car drives like it's on rails wet or dry and even on the gravel. While it was fun drifting around corners in the wet, I'd rather have the enormous amount of confidence driving my car hard and be able to take corners quickly rather than slide. In the past, I'd had some bad experiences having to brake suddenly and cheap tyres were the culprit then too.
Most important purchase is insurance. And clothes. I once got arrested for not having either of those things while driving.
Xeno huhh
More driving, less prostitutes.
@@guitarstitch hahaha
I agree with tires. You can have all the power, fancy suspension, rally AWD and it doesn't mean crap if your tires aren't good enough.
I completely agree. My '04 Accord coupe originally came with Bridgestone Turanza tires. They were ok, but I always found them to be a little noisy and lackluster in snow. When it came time for new ones about three years ago, I researched tires and ended up spending a lot of money to put on Michelin Primacy MXV4s. They have been fantastic. They wear slowly and evenly, provide excellent traction and handling in all conditions, and are way quieter than the Bridgestones. For all the years and miles you have a set of tires on your car, it's an important decision.
Tires #1, Regular oil and oil filter changes #2.
Truth
+artistmac What if you use good quality Synth oil? Would you say once a year is regular?? Assume you drive in regular conditions say no off road or heavy traffic
+Marco de la Peña Nope... do it before then.
The engine itself creates the conditions for needing an oil change not the road you are driving on. It gets hot, there's explosions inside, burning carbon based materials.
The difference between regular motor oil and synthetic is only that the synthetic molecules are all of equal size where regular oil has some variance so synthetic is better for tighter tolerances. It still gets full of dirt just like regular.
"Good quality synthetic" is a sales pitch.
my jetta mk2 1986 1.6D is over 500.000 km never opend engine just started excess smokeing on first cilindar(head problem( valve seat and valve probably) recipe is go easy on it (low rpm but not to low), oil change go cheap 10w30 synthetic up to 200.000km and after cheap 15w40 semi-synthetic but change it more often I do it every 5000km or less. Dont over heat it, dont drive it cold ( give it some time to heat up on start up)
and last thing regular servis for all parts that wear over time(filters,belts...)
do that and your engine is going to pull you for long time (not that long younger engins wear faster because they are under more stress from that bit more power they make)
I would say this is one of the most important purchases for your car.
These are the 3 things you should never cheap out on.
Tires-Get good priced tires, AVOID RETREADS
Steering/Suspension Parts, Get new replacement OEM or third party that meet or exceed OEM, NEVER GET USED.
Brakes, get good pads and discs.
I love the starting, It's so 80's lol
I have an 80's car ..without power steering. So for me a new set of tyres is like power steering. For 6 months at least.
cliff spabb
Is it me you're looking for?
Milo Barrera I can see it in your smile
@@JesusChrist-ry6oi that's a actress?🤔
Your car has Arm Strong 💪 steering!
Tires are the only thing that improve acceleration, braking, handling, and traction. Can't think of any other part that does ALL FOUR.
+Stephen Bianchi Yep. Tires and magnetorheological dampers are about the only things that will improve all four. And only one is available for less than $1000.
+Stephen Bianchi Suspension. But, that can be one or many parts.
+Stephen Bianchi Losing weight. Your car I mean. Not you. Although....
weight reduction, but yes tires are extremely important.
You have to go to some pretty extreme wieght reduction to get what can be the same night and day performance gains a high spec tire bring. That's why a heavier stock version of a car with racing slicks will cream a lightened version of the same car on street tires in autox races. In the end, tires are everything for overall performance.
I love the Elvis clock in the background. Love your videos. They always contain useful information and you are a personable source. Keep up the good work dude.
I have to say the best investment in my car would not only be the tires but the entire suspension system. Bushings, ball joints, struts, springs, brakes & things such as alignment. As you said they're your interface with the road and cheeping out on any part of that system could result in not only wearing at your tires and other components prematurely, but could also result you have an accident.
I like to put a good brand rotor(slotted) and premium brake pads along with the best Michelin tire I can get for my wife's car and my truck. The families safety is number one. Great video Eric.
insurance... for when you wrap your car around a tree because you bought crap tires.. :P
Slot1Gamer
Exactly why an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure!
My father told me to never waste my time with cheap shoes, cheap booze, or cheap women. I can add tires to the list. Never waste my time with cheap tires.
+John Ferguson Well, tires are shoes for your car, so your dad was right. :P
Cheap booze is totally worth it.
etcg1 you are 100% right no matter what kind of vehicle you drive as soon as you get those new set of tires your vehicle feels like brand new and i had the experience on my wifey's awd infiniti g35x never been so happy to invest my money with such a sorpresive positive result like when i bought her car a new set of tires...she was amazed with the vehicle handling after she drove away from the tire shop. i couldnt believe how happy she looked after that experience and ppl this guy is the nothing else but the best technician repair guy ever.
I just bought 4 brand new michelin tires and I agree with the description of the video, The change is dramatic!! I love it! This is the first time I'm able to afford to buy 4 new tire for my vehicle; I've had about 11 cars so far. From now on I will buy a set of new tires for every car I buy.
Interesting thoughts. Good information. I remember my first truck. It was a Datsun small pickup. I just loved back then to do burn outs and smoke the tires and leave my mark. Yet those tires only lasted for two weeks. I asked my dad if he would put another set on. His reply was, "I bought the first set for you, now you can put tires on the truck.". Boy did I ever learn my lesson.
Just put some Michelin Premier A/S tires on a 2006 Toyota Matrix 4WD. Spent $570 on a full set (included install, balance, etc) So far so good: Smoother over bumps and more sure footed-especially on wet roads. I'm hoping to get a big improvement in snow this winter. I spun and skidded out 3x last winter on my old set-real sketchy.
I purchased 4 new oem mxv4 for my accord coupe...hands down best investment so far.
I would say that a part that is near, if not on par with tires is the control arm bushings. They may be a part nobody thinks about, but they are important all the same. The control arm bushings keep the wheel pointed in the same direction when the suspension cycles. They keep the wheel from moving back and forth in the wheel well despite the direction the tire is pointed. They keep the wheel from moving in or out in relation to the wheel well despite the direction the wheel is pointed.
If those bushings are worn out, the tire can move independent of the car. That may or may not sound significant to you until you realize just what that means. When you step on the brake, the tire wants to slow down faster than the vehicle. The bushings keep the tire from moving back in the wheel well and keep it from trying to turn in relation to where you have it pointed if it can't move back, just like the wheel on a desk chair spins in relation to it's axis when you roll it backwards and forwards. The friction on the wheels produces drag which causes them to spin around since their pivot axis is off center. It's the same with the wheels on your car.
Worn bushings allowing the wheel to shift will change the direction the tire is pointed, which will change the direction the vehicle is moving in relation to the braking force. If you've ever had brakes or tires that were worn unevenly you might know what I'm talking about. You step on the brake hard and the car tries to dart off the road one direction or the other. The same can happen when you drive over a large bump or pot hole. The same can happen when you turn the wheel and the suspension shifts because of the play in the bushings, making the wheels point in different directions.
Also, you don't have to get performance matched tires unless you drive the vehicle in a way that would usually be considered aggressive. Most tires these days are made from different compounds or in a different way than they were even 15 years ago. 10 years ago. Hell, some are totally different than even 2 years ago. That may not sound important until you realize just how many old vehicles are out there.
The tires on my truck for instance, are 22 years newer than the truck. In that time, billions have been spent finding better compounds that last longer and wear better in an effort to get people to buy tires. Granted, that money usually goes to the high performance tires, but it does trickle down over time. I feel fairly confidant when I say that the tires I have on my truck now most likely grip and wear better than the tires that were intended for the truck when it was designed, just as older tech has been left for better designs since cars were invented.
I've seen the same with brakes in most cases. Yes, buying high performance racing brakes will probably stop your car better than the cheapest stock brakes there are. That said, most people don't NEED more than the stock brakes. I have a video on my channel showing how even heavily worn stock brakes can actually do a dam good job preventing me from hitting animals in the road at 60mph. I also show just what I mean by heavily worn on there. Not quite steel on steel, but close. I now have new cheap stock brakes on my truck and if I'd bothered to save the footage I'd have at least 5 more videos of me stopping well before hitting deer crossing the road. The times that performance brakes really start to stand out is when you're using them heavily and very often over a short period of time; like in a race.
I do agree that having the same size tire on each side of the axle is important. I also agree that the cheapest is often not recommended. I disagree though that sticking with the manufacturer's recommended tire is important. I've owned a few cars where the speedometer is actually a few mph slow across the board when tested with multiple gps based speedometers. I found that simply by increasing the tire size SLIGHTLY I was able to correct that error. Not only did I now have a perfectly accurate speed reading, but I believe the car rode better and handled better.
I say that because the tire is larger which means it has a larger side wall to absorb bumps and a more gentle curvature, and therefor has more area in contact with the ground when it's compressed under the weight of the vehicle even when properly inflated. Yes the sidewall can flex minutely more in turns, but the car isn't being driven in a way that would require stiffer sidewalls than stock.
Lastly, I agree that informing a person that their car needs work separate from what they asked you to do IS a nice thing to do. One thing I've noticed that bothers me most is that mechanics either over-hype or don't tell people how severe the problems are. Is the coolant leak more important than the brake leak? Is the bad rotor more important than the oil leak? Is the uneven wear on the caliper indicative of a larger problem with the vehicle?
When I do repairs for friends and family, it's usually because they bought a beater for around $500 and it needs a lot of work. That doesn't mean it can't go down the road as is or that it needs all the work done at once. Informing a person what needs to be done immediately and what can wait and for how long is less daunting than handing them a list and implying they bought a scrap heap. Nearly every car that I've suggested someone buy that needs repairs is still on the road because the repairs have been prioritized by severity and cost. Sure, they may end up spending a total of 2 or 3 thousand on the car by the time their done with all the repairs, but they also have a car that is reliable and will last them several years.
Provided they don't crash them or sell them.
I agree with you Eric, tires are the best investment. My first car, a 1978 MGB had some tires my Uncle steered me towards (cheap stuff, but new, so...) and I had them a few years. When I had some money I got new tires myself and the difference in the car was night and day. It drove soooo much better, smoother, handled better, was quieter. It really was like a new car. I always try to put good tires on my cars. I put winter tires on them usually too. One request, tell people not to be a dumbass and only change their front tires -- the rears are more important for safety than the front. ALWAYS put your best tires on the rear. You can easily tell when your front tires hit ice or hydroplane, but not the rears. You have no direct connection with the wheels other than your butt, and so it is almost impossible to tell when you are losing traction in the rear. Great videos!
Continue. Loose or broken parts just don't put the driver in danger, it puts anyone on the road in danger. Same goes for tires. If you tire blows from lack of care, you are at risk along with anyone you are driving around. ERIC, I'd really like to see a video about poor maintenance to vehicles and the risk you run. This could be from tires, loose parts, or even loose body part( I've seen bumpers fly off cause damage to vehicles behind them.) safety first! Awesome videos Eric . Keep it up!
Good tires are indeed very important for your safety and comfort.
One of my best moves was replacing the p series (passenger car) of tyres with lt (light truck) tyres on a mini pickup. Many places did not want to replace p205/75r15 with lt215/75r15 but Canadian Tire did. It even corrected my speedometer.
I agree Eric ! I brought a set of Michelin tires on my 1977 Ford Crown Victoria police interceptor and the ride and handling change for the better. it has less road noise and the car is not hydroplaning in the rain. Excellent advice !!
I agree 110% Eric. Back in 2008 I had tires that were about 4 years old and managed to spin out on the highway on 93 South in MA on a rainy night. Luckily I didn't hit anyone or damage my car. From then on I realized how important tires are. Since then I've stayed on top with tire care checking pressure and sidewalls.
I got a set of Hankook H272's on my 98 Honda Civic and I must say those are the best tires I have ever had on that car. 100,000 mile warranty too! Can't really beat that. Handling in the snow is amazing, handling on the highway is great and have excellent hydroplaning resistance. 100% recommend them.
My wife has a 03 Odyssey EX-L with 300,000 miles on it. It's on its 3rd set of Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus tires. The car rides, handles, and brakes awesome with them. Like you, I don't ever skimp on tires, especially on the car my wife is gonna drive with my three kids in it. My dad always told me since I was a kid that cheap things always turn out to be expensive in the end!!!
Agreed. People like to complain about the softer sidewalls but I've been very pleased with the DWS on my Audi. Excellent performance in the dry and wet, affordable, and excellent warranty.
What you said about using the OEM tires that came on your car rings very true in my ear. For example, my 1997 Lincoln Town Car came with Michelin Symmetry all season tires on it. When I purchased the car it had GoodYear tires on it. They were okay, but they were absolutely useless in the snow. I had Symmetrys installed on it, what a difference. The ride became 100x better, the snow traction was great, and I gained a couple MPG's as well. The factory put that specific tire on the car for a reason
Completely agree its mind-blowing how people skimp out on tires, everything about a car it's performance, fuel, economy, safety, fun, comes down to 4 tiny contact patches with the pavement, its moronic not to get possible tires any vehicle.
I love tires and am always looking for the best tire for my car
I agree that tires are the most important investment you can make for your vehicle. I work at a tire shop as a tech, and most of the time when people come in complaining about ride quality, it is either the wheels or tires that are bad.
I bought my first vehicle this past winter, and got some new wheels and tires in a bundle. Slightly used, but only a for a week. They are offsize, at 255/70R16, rather than the 245/75R16 that came stock. Same load range, but it makes my tahoe squat.
There are also "bad" tires from day one -- over time the flaws show up. Had dealer put set on, and do $3500 suspension work (car was just out of warranty). Steering wheel was crooked and it drove like it was out of balance & alignment when I got back (told me that was just the way some cars are). 2 year later - still trying to fix the shaking, another shop said they could not replace more parts, but noticed the tires were visually not round -- tried a new set and it drove perfect!
Other than tires though I'd say the front brakes. Replaced my rotors and pads back in 2012 and the difference was night and day. It stopped like nothing, my front end didn't vibrate anymore, and it was a fun experience. Also learned that most auto repairs can be way easier said than done.
Absolutely agree with tires being an important investment. I put a set of cheap tires on my 00 Civic, and the ride quality/comfort DRAMATICALLY improved (my older tires were bald Goodyears...don't know which specific ones).
In response to important investments on your vehicle...alongside with tires, BRAKES.
Having good brakes can often save your life (in terms of emergency stopping).
Agree. I've also had the experience of spending a lot of money on what you thought was a good tire, only to have it come out to be less than expected. After that I was stuck with the set for three years until they wore out and I could upgrade again. Once I had the next set, it was that whole night and day thing again.
I remember when I bought my 88 Corvette I thought the wheel bearings were getting bad since I had this noisy rolling/growling sound that is typical for a wheel bearing on its way out. Replaced both rear bearings - no change. Checked front, were fine. I was puzzled and a couple of months went by. Then I got 4 new HIGH QUALITY tires just because the old ones were 5 years old and all was well after that. Instant cure and way smoother handling.
I agree with your opinion on tires. I give the same advice to others. Additionally, financially permitting, seasonal tires are even better. Seasonals will almost always out-perform all-seasons, to the best of my knowledge. However, they also cost more and must be bought as separate sets (summer and winter).
I agree. Tires really change the handling characteristics of the car. The traction on wet, dry or snowy roads are better. The handling becomes sharper. Your brake distance becomes shorter. Brakes are important too, but if your tires cant grip the road, your stopping distance will be longer.
My uncle buys cars for my aunt (who is a nervous driver with not so sound judgement) with the philosophy that the car should "be able to get out of its own way." That is to say like you said, Eric, that you like to give your wife every advantage you can get for her car. Indeed, tires are a huge part of that.
I'm like you Eric. I buy my tires from tirerack as well after doing the research myself. And I'm not shy about spending more. I own a 2003 Mazda 6s (3.0L V6). It was the sport edition of that car in 2003 and came with expensive Michelin tires. Since then I have bought more Michelin and Yokohama tires and currently have Yokohama Ascend 50 series tires on my car. I love them. They are not quite as soft as the originals but have a 740 treadware rating and and "A" traction rating so it's not bad. They handle well in dry and wet. And a set of 4 cost me $600 but they are worth every penny. Keep up the good work. Stay dirty. Lol.
Yes i 100% agree with you eric tires are most important thing on your car. I've been been buying Michelin tires for my car so far i used these brand tires are awsome. These type tires if you take care of them they will do in return. Thanks eric for your info, ive watched all your vids and i learned alot from you.
As a person who works a technician in a " tire store ", I would say tires are the best investment. I would also say having your alignment checked is a very important thing at the time of new tires. I see a of people with vehicles with over 100k on them with bad tire wear, and decline having an alignment. After about 15k the wear shows and we get blamed because the tires wore bad.
Bought a used truck with brand new tires, a brand I had never heard of. Come to find out they are a regional tire chain with their own "brand". I was told by quite a few locals that these tires were "junk" tons of problems and that I would not be happy with them. Scared, I looked up some reviews on them. What I found was very negative reviews from people that have different vehicles than mine, no one with the same truck as mine seemed to have any issues. 50k later, I love these tires. I have kept them rotated, and my truck rides great compared to others of the same type that I have driven. Even had one patched for free by the local shop that sells them (even though I'm not the one that bought them they still stand by their brand). Still have a lot of life left in them; and, when they wear out, I will buy the same ones for my next set. So for sure check out the tires before you buy them!!!
Putting new tires on my rusty old clunker 94 buick made it feel brand new. Fixed up the shake in the steering wheel and my gas mileage. Ran as smooth as butter especially once you hit 4th gear. I decided my tires were a priority before fixing my leaking intake. Some say buying new tires is dumb but I didn't feel like taking my chances with a set of used tires especially if you can get a good deal on a set of new.
You are 100% correct, Eric. When people ask me about changing their suspension or getting coilovers, I tell them not to bother and just get better tires.
I don't have much experience with agricultural equipment its true, so on that account I'll defer to your judgement. However on off road tires that you'll operate aired down or on rocks a newer compound is typically less likely to puncture or chip than a older one. For me the fact that newer tires will work better (and normally last longer) on the road is a bonus, its this lack of punctures or chipping that I rely on when hundred of miles for anywhere.
I just put on new Good year ultra grip 9 on my mini cooper. I cant believe how much grip they have. I recommend these winter tires, they are the best i have ever experienced. Good video Eric!
That's a good thing to point out. We bought rear tires for one of our tractors and talk about EXPENSIVE like upwards of $1500 PER tire (18.4-38 bias ply). We found a pair that had been sitting for a while at the tire shop for $600 a piece. They were just looking to get rid of them.
Tires may very well be the most important investment you could make for your vehicle. I recently replaced all four tires on the my Sonoma and the difference between 10+ year old A/T Radials and my the A/S (not what I wanted, but what I could afford) radials is amazing. Much better ride, Much more secure footing, better traction all around, and they don't do have bad for light offroad use as well.
Tire Rack... they rock!
Michelin defenders are THE choice for your odyssey. It came with symmetrys , and they were comfy but not good in any weather. Trust me. I was a michelin dealer. In the early days of good hyundais great tires hid a lot of sins related to the suspension. Those hyundais came with the michelin mxv4plus. The most expensive tire in that group. Smooooth... You have the right idea on car parts priorities! "It's where the rubber meets the road."
I agree with you fully Eric. Once I bought Goodyear Eagle F1 tires, and those tires were really something (that was like 10 years ago). Never had such tires on my car, they were superb. Expensive, but worth every dime. Those things gripped like no ones business. You really had to drop the clutch to loose traction. Very cool tires. I don't know if they are as good today but back then those were one of the best tires I had a chance to ride on. And I can tell you I've tried lots and lots of tires before and since, but those were at least couple of levels above others. They did wear out quite fast tho. Not super fast, but faster than most others which is probably why they gripped so hard.
I totally agree with you I finally invested into 4 new tires for my 91 ford probe and it really was like night and day like I was driving a new car!
Because of this video (not the others I've watched)... I'm subscribed now. Truth. I learned the same thing from my own experience, and I'm not a mechanic. My recent tire purchase for my Subaru Legacy 2011: Hankook Ventus S1 noble2 215/55R 16" from Tire Rack. Like night and day from the crap stock tires on there, even when those stock tires were brand new.
The most expensive single purchase I did for my car was a set of summer tires.
This winter I am going to buy a new set of winter tyres too. It's hard to part with money but is absolutely necessary. The tyres I had last winter had good thread and were a good brand, but too old. I lost control and had to replace front and rear bumpers, driver door + glass and front fender and other plastic bits from underneath the car.
I am pretty sure if I had new blizzaks on I would have kept the cost down.
Somebody put 18" wheels on my Tahoe, I got the 16" OEM wheels and took it to get new rubber. The service writer questioned the tire size as it was visually smaller... I believe Struts/Springs or shocks is also a huge improvement in the way a vehicle handles.
Very true, I put a brand new set of Hankook Optimo whitewall tires on my station wagon and the difference is amazing! Very much worth the investment.
I bought the new tires for my "03 Civic in the middle of winter after a blizzard. The old ones had no tread and the new ones (granted I went super cheap) were amazing. I had grip for days in the snow. Huge difference.
I can't say much for larger tires, but for summer tires on a sporty car the Hankook Ventus Evo V12 are simply amazing. Running 225/40/R18 on my car and the reviews definitely speak for themselves.
I agree, Eric. Although I'm not a fan of the stock tires on my 2007 Honda Civic, I've found that for about the same $, Tire Rack sells a great alternative. I'm on my second set of Continental ExtremeContact DWS All-Seasons. The first set went 60k miles. The DWS has been excellent summer and winter both here in MD and back in western PA and northeastern OH where our family still lives. I have recommended Tire Rack many times, even if you just want to research tires and then buy them locally.
I definitely agree about tires. I drive a 95 Pontiac Bonneville I purchased for six hundred bucks needed some work did the work 50,000 miles later tires wore out, spent $600 on a set of continentals. one of The best investments for this vehicle. Granted I've put a lot of new parts on this car try to only install parts with a lifetime warranty. At 150,000 miles now hopefully I will wear out this brand-new set of tires and have to buy another set for this car.
The Most Important Purchase For my Vehicle is fuel.
Touche...
Samson Owens I guess if you care more about going than stopping...
stopping is the brakes, traction is the tries.
hahaha
Right, you don't need traction to stop...
I'm with you on tires. Last year I lost my job and needed tires, so I decided to cheap out on tires. Big mistake!!!! I have a 04 Civic and live in the mountains at the 3,500 ft elevation. Long story short, I bought some Falkens 912's and my car became undrivable in the first snow storm. So, I was forced to buy another set of tires/rim combo just for the winter. Maybe next time I should have done my research and not cheap out on tires.
If I learned anything in my jeep adventures, it's that you're 100 percent right that tires are your most important investment in any vehicle! Additionally I can tell you that I wholly believe having good tires have saved my arse more times than I can count, some say breaks are the most important and I can see the logic in that, but if you have good breaks on bad tires you're going to lock up wheels and be thrown out of control. So you've invested on Brimbo breaks because you're a "ricer," to use the parlance of our time, but totally cheap out on tires because "stance bro" and you're eating them up left and right. Well, that car is going to the junk yard after you're done with it to say the least.
So right about the tires. I had a 99 accord with MXV4 stock tires that ran about 143000 km. Put on so el cheepo tires car never drive the same. With regular rotation I only go about 40000km and didn't handle and drive as smooth as it use to. I learned my lesson.
Hondas especially because it has that sporty ride and you feel the road u need good tires to suit your whip.
Eric, I highly agree with you on this topic. Having said that, I'm too cheap to go for Michelins, unless they're on a clearance sale. I tend to go for other brands such as Continental or Hankook. I'd like to note that it's also very important to look for the manufacturing date of the tires you're buying. A lot of times, the price will be lower because they have been sitting in some warehouse for years.
I have found that with my 2004 VW Jetta, with brand new tires, the wheels can spin while shifting. Especially in lower gears. 1st to 2nd, sometimes, the tires spin a bit. Your insight has led me to drive this car differently than when it had the stock tires on it. Awesome info Eric.
9 ToedSloth New tires need time to brake in for maximum traction. Just go easy on them for the first hundred miles.
Agree, never try to save on tires! I got a brand new set of Michelin's this summer and they are phenomenal. Second to tires got to be shocks... good shocks can change the quality of a ride drastically.
I had 4 miss-matched tires from a junkyard on my 1st car as a teenager. After spinning out a few times on slightly damp roads, I spent a few paychecks on some new rubber. Nowadays, I buy the best no matter the cost. My life, my wifes, and the potential person I may hit's lives all depend on it.
About the winter tires, it depends on where you live and what kind of tires you have.
Mud and snow can be used all year round, unless you live in Scandinavia/Canada/Alaska.
Proper winter tires (the expensive shit) are great for low temperatures, but the rubber gets dry extremely fast when it's hot (15 degrees centigrade and warmer).
Besides, the mileage will go down with winter tires during the summer.
I replaced the Falkens on my Mazda6 with a set of Nexxens and the improvement overall was incredible.
I agree with tires, also some good oil and fuel. My Camry is 300k+ miles old, so the shocks are also screwed, they're next. Belts and radiator were replaced at around 200k, front catalytic at around 280k. Also, I don't think it's the compound itself, but the tire pressure as the tires warm up increase, so the tires might feel harder. I have experience with Falken ZE512 and ZE612, and Yokohama YK580, and they feel wonderful, even during higher pressures, just make sure you don't go over 36 PSI.
Good tires. I can't agree more. My car came with Michelin tires, I put Yokohama tires on it and they were ok but were a very loud tire but I saved a few bucks. Next time I needed tires I'd had enough, I bought the very same OEM michelins on it and man I love it! Also, The next important thing to me is a good set of brakes.
Disagree on Hondas. My 2008 Honda Pilot came with HORRIBLE tires. They were extremely noisy. I replaced them with some Bridgestone Dueler Ecopias (from tirerack), which turned out to be much quieter.
I disagree with sticking with factory tires as well. Especially 2003-ish+ Honda's. They really went cheap with the tires.
I've been using Toyo Tyres for about 10 years now. Presently have C1S Proxes installed. They are the best of the best for me.
Cheaper than the Michelins.
I agree. Got my pickup some Toyos at $950 Handles amazing after I got them. :)
New tires are indeed a night and day experience. As well buying high quality tires. I put Michelin AT/2 tires on my 10 year old 4Runner. It has never driven as smoothly or as quietly. They are also great in the snow and mud. So much better than the original equipment tires. Spend the money. You will be happy.
You right Eric! Most important investment on my car are tires and preventable maintenance.
Changing all lubricants religiously,changing belts (V-belt),hoses and even thermostat,before any of this break down.
A year ago i took a risk and put 22560r17 tires on my my 13 cx5 awd, stock was 22565r17 a smaller tire. I got better fuel economy and i really liked how the vehicle handled i switched brands as well yokahama geolander to uniroyal tiger paw awp3. I agree tires are a critical item shouldn't cheep out
Glad you stuck with Michelins on the Odyssey. I have a 2000 with 260,000 and between MXV4, some Toyos, Symmetrys, and a few others, the MXV4s have been the best. Also put them on my '91 Accord and they made the car amazing.
Two caveats with buying the same tire as original. First OEM vs aftermarket tires of the same brand and model are often different because the vehicle maker provides the tire maker with a list of specs and the tire maker might make a unique design to compete with other tire makers to win the bid (which will be large orders). Second, what if the OEM tire sucks, like the ones that came on my Matrix? They had an odd, uneven wear pattern, in spite of good alignment, noisy, and a short life. I switched to another brand and model highly rated at TireRack and life was so much better. I currently went back to the original OEM brand, but a high rated (at TR) model that's been so far so good.
Uniroyal TigerPaw!! Those things are nearly winter tires and they're amazing.
On a road a tractor tire lasts less distance than a car tire, they last 20 years in a paddock due to hard rubber, still sidewalls, no heating due to rotational speed and soft ground. Off road tires have softer compound and more aggressive tread, thus grip better on their intended surface but last less road miles, high performance tires for on road use are essentially the same, often lasting only half as long as a economy tire on a passenger car or that of a tire on a lorry.
ive done tires professionally for 8 years... tires make or break the ride... if you do after market stuff right it can increase performance, or looks... but may not be soft smooth ride like factory....
I have always thought Michelin tires were overpriced but that is just my opinion. I have seen were after a couple of years the sidewalls crack on them. They are a good riding tire but just not worth the money. I have had pretty good luck with Cooper tires and I was shopping around for tires for my 94 Chevy Silverado and I got a killer deal on some Hankook tires. I actually got them cheaper than a set of cheap Chinese tires I was looking at. We had a set of those crappy Dextzero tires that Wal-Mart sells that was on my wife's Nissan Rogue when we bought it and those were some awful tires. I had them replaced with a set of Cooper Discovers and have really been pleased. Tires are just a matter of opinion though. Enjoy the channel!
Agreed on the DWS's, they're probably the best tire I've owned, ever.
I agree! There are two things you should never cheap out on, tires and brakes! It doesn't matter how good your car runs! What matters is how good your car stops!
I've saved up, bought THE best tyres I could for my bike. Didn't notice any difference, but it's nice to know they're the best quality tires for money.
I believe that the most important investment is taking care of the vehicle especially if it's new it's one of the biggest investments and if you take care of the vehicle it'll take care of you and you won't have a day where the brakes are gonna cost you $1000 because you didn't replace the pads and grease the friction points and now you need to replace the caliper pads rotors and maybe even tires if it was bad enough
Proper tire pressure is critical for fuel economy, safety, and longevity. Info for pressures is on drivers side door jam. Checking pressure is most accurate when tires are cold. Best time to do this is in the morning when car has been sitting overnight. Also, once the Sun hits the tires it can warm them up, increasing PSI. Use a good dial gauge for accuracy (I hate those cheap pen gauges). They run between $20-$30. Oh, and don't forget to check the spare tire.
Great deal, but be careful, the age of a tire often is more important for figuring out how well it will fit its purpose than the miles it has driven. That is to say a tire that has never been driven but is 5 years old may provide less grip on road, as well as less puncture and chipping resistance off road than a half worn tire made last year. Not saying its not sometimes a good idea to buy on a special but you have to be careful or a good deal can be a lemon on the inside.
I'm the same way I love a new set of tires, I have a 2003 F150 and I got a new set the first part of last year, went with cooper, but I went with a size smaller than stock, stock is 255/70/16, I got 255/65/16, just a little bit of a lower profile, I get better mileage, the truck looks way better, it's just a 4.2l 2x4, anyway I love your videos and am glad I found your channel
valid point my friend, for highway vehicles. For farm equipment its actually a good idea to buy tires that are new but have been sitting a while because the rubber hardens up some. Corn stalks will tear the hell out of nice new "soft" tires. but that really has nothing to do with the video. haha
I am totally agree about tires. Even more important are winter tires wherever you have true winter with ice and snow. Good summer tires make noticeable difference, but good winter tires make dramatic difference, day and night, heaven and hell in a way you driving on winter roads. I am amazed how many people here, in Alberta, neglect this fact of life and drive on "all-season" tires all year round. Even if they buy winter tires they go for a "good deal" instead of good tires - i.e. some cheap imitation of a true winter tire. Considering we have ice and snow pretty much for half of the year I am unable to explain this.
I also noticed that tires are marketed mostly for their resistance to wear, so for Joe Average the "best" tire is one that costs as little as possible while lasts as long as possible. As a matter of fact this is an opposite of good tire. Wear resistance means harder rubber compound = lower grip! Winter tires do last much longer as long as you avoid driving with them on dry tarmac - tire wear is nonexistent on snow or ice! Good summer tires though only lasts for two or three seasons.
I put a new set of Michelin LTX M/S2 on my truck, a 2000 Ranger. Before that I had BFG Commercial truck tires in it. Like you said, the difference is night and day. I based my choice on tire rack reviews and consumer report reviews.
I don't have to deal with snow, so your choices may vary.
if you bought or are driving an older car or a car with 10 years worth of miles on it having a good look at the bushings back and front. especially the ones on the controll arms.
sometimes they are gone completely, but also if they have some flex in them it could be well worth it to change them out.
they are cheap and when they aren't very firm anymore it can cause suspension noises and a car that seems to follow tracks in the road. and a indirect steering feel can often be solved that way as well.
i've noticed that very few mechanics pay very little attention to this and almost never mention it. maybe because most people don't think it is worth it or maybe they just don't look at these things if it isn't part of the yearly roadworthyness inspection, i don't know.
but it really influences the feel and confedence of the ride so i think it is well worth to have checked.
On dashcam: there's more types on the market than I could ever check, plus there can be some manufacturers available only in the place You live (so is the one I've got), but I guess DOD is a solid brand, plus always check the quality of videos on youtube for a specific model that You're interested in.
The one thing I'd recommend: if You can afford it, always get one with gps - helps if someone tries to throw You under the "he was speeding so it's his fault anyways" bus.
My first experience with new tires involved my first car, a 1975 Chevy Nova. It had balding tires, can't recall the brand, and I decided to up the ante and put some Yokohoma tires on the old beater. WOW! You're absolutely right, a GOOD set of tires on a new/old car, really changes everything! Ever since then, I make it a point to research what works for what car. I'm excited to try some Nitto NT05's on my 300zx, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my Vogue tires on my Toyota Matrix. Thinking about Yokohama Geolanders or something of the sort for my Grand Cherokee next.
I'd actually agree with that. Changing my tyres to some quality ones made a better improvement than anything. The car drives like it's on rails wet or dry and even on the gravel. While it was fun drifting around corners in the wet, I'd rather have the enormous amount of confidence driving my car hard and be able to take corners quickly rather than slide. In the past, I'd had some bad experiences having to brake suddenly and cheap tyres were the culprit then too.