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Just (a month ago) changed my 205/55/R16s on my Mazda3 from the (IMHO) woeful Bridgestone Turanza ER30 to the Dunlop SP Sport Fast Response, based on reviews at www.tyrereviews.co.uk and www.tyretest.com
I haven't done 1000 miles yet, but near to, and have found them to be much better than the previous ER30s in all respects, but particularly with regard to comfort and noise. I think the replacement for the ER30s (the ER300 you mentioned) appear to be a great improvement over the ER30s. Both the ER300 and Dunlops are keenly priced (mine were £72 each fully fitted) and appear to be widely available.
I found that on the Tyre Reviews website, its best to BOTH search for reviews of the tyre size you're looking for and especially tyre reviews for your car - quite often one tyre seems to be much better suited to one car than another (not necessarily just because one is FWD as opposed to RWD), so check them out first. Be aware of reviews where the driver has done a relatively short mileage on them (including mine above) - I only submitted my ER30 review when I changed them at 43k/6.5 years, and will do similarly for the new Dunlops. Best to look at a range of reviews over a tyre's life to see how they'll perform for the most comprehensive overall rating.
As has been said, don't choose tyres that do not fit your rims and change the overall rolling circumference - your insurance will be invalidated (same if you pick a lower speed rating than the original tyres [winter tyres excepted -see manufacturer]). Very few "summer" tyres will be anything more than below average in snow/ice, compared to "winter" tyres. Note that even winter tyres will not grip on black ice.
The other alternative is to look at "all season" tyres, which are a compromise between the two - they supposedly wear quicker and are more expensive the summer tyres (much cheaper than winter tyres though), but may be more suited to drivers who are more smooth behind the wheel (so they last longer). The aforementioned review sites offer reviews of these types of tyre as well.
Best of luck, and give yourself time to thoroughly research the issue - a good set of tyres can mean the difference between life and death when driving in poor weather conditions!
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I just looked up your tyres (all speed ratings up to V) at BlackCircles, and it appears as they're a less common size, they will be more expensive than more common size like mine. You may be able to get reasonably priced ones (the Falken Ziex ZE912 were reasonably priced and reasonable reviews).
See if you can (including for insurance purposes) change to another wheel/tyre size combination that given the same overall circumference (maybe your rims will take a 205/50/R16) - check with Honda in case you can get some 15in rim versions which may be cheaper, 17in ones will be more expensive.
I had similar problems finding a matching tyre on my first car, a Nissan Micra "S" from the mid 90s - they had 175/60/R13H's factory fitted, which today (more available back then) are very rare, limiting your choices (especially if the choices aren't very good). The stupid thing is that at Micra was no different (in performance) to the standard one which had the widely available 155/70/R13T tyres, but the insurance companies WILL NOT allow you to change down. IMHO the whole thing's a stich-up between them and the car and tyre manufacturers to force us to buy expensive low profile tyres, most of the time give no discernable improvement in grip/handing for bog-standard vehicles, whilst lasting half the time of "standard profile" (I would say the xxx/70 are those thesedays) tyres and much worse in the snow.
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Seems like there are a couple of Winter tyres - there might be an all seasons one as well.
I checked the 15 inch and 16 inch standard tyres as well as my one up size idea 0 as stated - mine are the 185/55/16's
Comparing the standard sizes:
15" wheels 175/65/15
Sidewall: 4.48 in
Radius: 11.98 in
Diameter: 23.96 in
Circumf: 75.26 in
Revs/mile: 841.86
16" Wheels 185/55/16
Sidewall: 4.01 in
Radius: 12.01 in
Diameter: 24.01 in
Circumf: 75.44 in
Revs/mile: 839.92
Alternative 195/55/16 :
Sidewall: 4.22 in
Radius: 12.22 in
Diameter: 24.44 in
Circumf: 76.80 in
Revs/mile: 825.04
Looks a little too big! - but I just wondered if anyone has tried it??
Yes my speadometer over reads - at 67mph it is showing 70mph - so the larger size would be Ok from that point of view - still I am reluctant as I am concerned it would make the sideways grip and response a little more spongy.
Not really after Winter tyres - just want a Summer tyre that is not as awfull as some in the snow - Pirrelli P6 for eg is not bad in snow. Uniroyal Rain Expert is posatively good in snow. Cont PC2 is awfull in snow.
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don't choose tyres that do not fit your rims and change the overall rolling circumference - your insurance will be invalidated (same if you pick a lower speed rating than the original tyres [winter tyres excepted -see manufacturer])
No it won't. However, It's best to check with the individual insurer although most don't care too much about speed rating.The 3rd party cover cannot be 'invalidated'.
Lots of winter tyres have a lower speed rating than the theoretical maximum speed of the vehicle they are fitted to.
You'll have a hard job changing the overall diameter of the tyre by more than a few percent-well within the margin of error of the speedometer which invariably over-reads.
eg 205/55R16-overall diameter 24.9"
215/50R16 " " 24.5"
225/45R16 " " 24.0
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When the examiner inspects your car after a crash one of his tick boxes is "are the correct size tyres fitted and how much tread is left".Don´t say they never check because they may just do.
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I called my insurer, Saga, today to tell them I'm about to fit my winter tyres. They're on 16" steel wheels with tyres appropriately sized (and recommended by the manufacturer) to retain virtually identical rolling circumference as the standard, 17", alloy wheels. They asked if they are manufacturer recommended and professionally fitted and noted the change on my schedule - they also want to be told when they're swapped back in the Spring. No charge for this.
See the ABI site and go to the winter tyre sub heading where they publish their advice and guidelines.
www.abi.org.uk/Information/Consumers/General/Winte...x
Edited by KB. on 26/09/2012 at 17:36
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It's a bit early to fit winter tyres in the UK, even for an early winter surely it's too warm?
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Depends on the Winter tyres - they tend to be expensive and also to wear rapidly. To be honest there is only a little Winter bad enough down South to warrant winter tyres at all.
So I reckon decent Summer or all seasons tyres should suffice -provided they are some of the better ones for rain and bad weather etc.
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I think 205's and 215's are going to be way to 'fat' for this car
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Looking at the top 4 tyres listed for the orig size I am leaning towards the Yokohama C-drive as it is smoother riding and quieter but still gets glowing reports
See this link - barely a bad word said:
http://www.yokohama.com.au/ourtyres/tyrereviews.aspx?tyreid=66
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Whilst all the reviews may be genuine, I would always err on the side of caution when reading reviews on the manufacturer's website, given some "good reviews" may be added by the manufacturer to pretend a product is better than it actually is, or the opposite by rivals (not necessarily here though). Independent reviews are always best, especially if lots of review are available - they tend to even out all the very positive/negative ones that may be false. Look over as many reviews as you can before deciding.
Regarding the change of size, speak to Honda, who, given their deserved reputation for customer service, will I'm sure tell you what options you have here. One thing to mention - whatever tyre you do go for, do not accept any alternative (even if the right size) you are offered by a tyre fitter if they cannot offer the one you want - sometimes they can be cheapo and very poor, or just (as my old Bridgetone ER30s) not suited to your car. You can buy tyres over the internet and have them fitted separately if so required (e.g. at your dealership, who should be ok to do this).
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Thanks Engineer Andy - Unfortunaely contacting Honda has not helped - they just told me to contact my local dealer - who I wouldn't trust if they were the last people on planet earth! So it is down to my own homework - which I have already probably over done!
I am wary of trying the larger size - and wouldn't unless I got the green light from the insurence. I have done similar things in the past and it has all been fine. The Yoki tyre I mentioned I have read about from several independant sites and the overall imprsion is that it would suit the car quite well - as would some of the others too.
I have read posative and negative reports for all of the tyres I am considering - the top 3 or 4 are all very good except when it comes to snow - however - some others I have tried previously were Ok in snow as well. This is partly why I considered the alternative size as that enables me to choose something that is still good for Summer use - yet will also be reasonable when it comes to the odd snow flurry.
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Engineer Andy said: “but the insurance companies WILL NOT allow you to change down.”
What if you know nothing about cars and tyres and buy a car second hand and it already has tyres on it which are not the exact aspect ratio of the original fitment?
Say 65 profile instead of 60s, or 175/70 instead of 185/65 ?
I’ve bought two cars in the past with just such ‘wrong’ tyres on them. Personally, I knew they were wrong, but chose not to do anything about them until they needed replacing. Never had any issues with grip or braking.
My point is: many many people will purchase such a car and never have the first idea that the tyres are ‘wrong’. Therefore those people will not have informed their insurers.
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Correct, it's a common myth that insurers can just wipe their hands of claims because you have modified the car in some way, it may be in the small print but strictly speaking it's not enforceable in certain circumstances; If you crashed your car (your fault) and then claimed to repair it, the insurer could legitimately wave the claim away for any irregularity with the claim, this part of the insurance (fully comp) is a contract between you and the insurer and the small print is fully enforceable as long as it doesn't revoke rights you have by law.
However, if you hit a third party then that's the insurance which is being invoked. No matter how much the insurers try to disguise it, third party insurance (the bit controlled by the law) covers the driver not the car - this insurance was devised before car theft and modifying was even thought of. The insurer must pay out, they may then decide to pursue you for their costs - but then, if you took it to court they'd have to be able to prove - beyond reasonable doubt - that the non-disclosed modification was the cause of, or heavily contributed to, the accident/incident.
The comon myth above makes the insurance companies lives very easy as most motorists just accept they were in the wrong and accept the loss - when these cases get to court the outcome is very different. Similarly insurers sell you the right to drive other cars - the fact that they are withholding that right in the first place is on dodgy ground, third party insurance (the legal bit of any policy) covers the driver to drive A car (actually motor vehicle) - not THE car. A friend of mine reversed along another car, the insurance company refused to pay out because he had fitted alloy wheels, I pretended to be a solicitor and wrote a couple of letters explaining his rights and how did the modifications contribute to the accident? - The insurer paid out - of course they cancelled his insurance for non-disclosure of modifications afterwards, which is fair enough and they are fully entitled to do so.
The automatic (but dodgy) removal of "drive any vehicle" rights is an industry conspiracy to avoid legit claims and sell you cover you already have twice.
Edited by SteveLee on 28/09/2012 at 12:22
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If I were buying a second hand car privately, I would check to see if the tyres were the right (acceptable) ones - it should be noted that its not the profile percentage that's always the problem - only if the hubs/car cannot accept the width of tyre - it's the overall wheel hub + tyre diameter (or overall circumfrence) that matters:-
My car has 205/55 R16s (tyres 112.75mm high). If my hubs can accept 225mm wide tyres, then a 225/50 R16 if fine (tyres 112.5mm high, within acceptable range to me [interesting to know what the range is legally]), but 215/50 R16s are not (to me anyway - 107.5mm high [~5% different]).
Fitting the wrong size tyres could mean the difference between getting a speeding fine or not (as well as the difficulties with insurance payouts as mentioned).
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@ 67 true MPH I am reading 70MPH - that's around 4.48% out!!
195/55/16's increase it about 1.8% - so still slightly under reading - I looked at all possibilities and the nearest is 205/50/16 about 1mm bigger - almost indiscernable. However IMHO the 185's are plenty wide enough for the car. So unless I am really convinced it is a good move I won't change even to the 195/55's - this leaves me back at square one though. Sooo - the court is still out on the 195's - they wouldn't be an awfull lot bigger/wider - but the slight increase my have more benefits than losses. Will consult a Tyre specialist at the point when I am ready to buy, as well as the insurence company haha! Indecisions indecisions !!!
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One tyre Specialist suggested I consult Honda:
Honda suggested I talk to my local dealer (which I will try - but they don't really have a clue!!) The worry was that the tyres might rub - unlikely there is a mile of space and it's a tiny increase. Seems like no one can shed any light really - I have yet to hear of anyone who has experimented with the sizes.
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Geoff - sorry to hear Honda haven't been that helpful. Maybe try your next nearest dealership (as long as it's not in the same group as your local one), given that you don't trust your local one - maybe you will find them better (including for servicing and repairs).
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Well - I can see what you are saying - but prior to buying my Jazz I was using an excellent Guy who is 'Old School' with his servicing - so I will continue to use him for Car servicing - despite a last ditch offer from the local Honda dealer of a free first year service,(compensation) which I don't trust! As for the tyres - talking on here and on the Honda Forum Club Jaz, and all the Tyre sites, I can pretty much think the tyres through for myself - just have to make a decision and run (or drive) with it.
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I drive a 2010 Insight ES. Same tyre size.
I've noticed that the new Yokohama Bluearth AE01 seem to have some decent ratings according the the New European system.
They're rated 'C' for rolling restistance, 'B' for wet braking and 69db for noise. By comparison the Dunlop SP 2030s that came with my car are 'E' for rolling restistance, 'C' for wet braking and 71db for noise. From a few different online retailers they're about £85-90 a corner fitted. I think www.tyre-shopper.co.uk have them cheapest.
The reviews I've seen are fairly positive too. I'll probably get a set when mine are due for renewal.
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Yes - I just noticed that tyre - seems to be a new kid on the block...I will watch out for some reviews to see how it fares and how it compares with, say, the old C-Drive.
Those ratings are confusing as they dont seem consistant wth other tests and results - then I guess they are just a guidline...
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Kind of have my answers now - Insurance are cool with the size difference! - only concerned where wheel size is changed - they posatively liked the idea of going up one size - #wider footprint - must be better' (simplistic view!) Now my newest Conti Tyre on the back has a flaw in it and has to be replaced - so a cheapish tyre is called for as I didn't want to be replacing the 185's with 185's - the current fronts will be changed in a month or so with 195's
Odd pair which will be on the back will have to remain for now
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If anyone else has considered doing this -on either the Jazz or the Nissan note - I would say go for it! The extra choice alone makes it worth considering! I noticed that generally a 195/55/16 tyre is around 5% cheaper than a 185/55/16 tyre. But of course you are not limited to only expensive or rubbish tyres - you can select from the whole range of possible rubber that's out there. With the Jazz the ride is marginally improved (& I only have them on the front so far) and the handling is absolutely fine and no negative effect on fuel consumption. also the steering 'feel' is better.
I tried the all new Falken ZE914 this time - not unlike a Conti PC2 in feel and handling, but maybe slightly quieter and smoother. Certainly nicer than the Dunlop 2030's that I had on the front - but difficult to properly compare as I said - I got the larger size.
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Now I have a dilema!
Basically the aim is to have the same tyres on all 4 corners and, of course, the same size - However - on the back are 2 nearly new unidentical tyres in the smaller size I want to get shot of eventually - if I leave them there the fronts will wear out first and be replaced reulting in still only having 2 of the larger size. if I swap front to back this will mean the smaller size get worj out first - however - they are not the same tyre - so I am concerned about having odd brands on the front - even though they are probably not that different in performance.
What to do.....
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Same here, Insight owner 185/55/16, limited tyre choice. I bought it second hand with 4,000 miles on the clock. Thought it was odd that the fronts were Dunlops and the rears were Goodyears. I contacted the previous owner who said that he'd had a puncture on the left rear whilst on holiday and had to have the Goodyears fitted.
Now, with only 15,000 miles done the Dunlops on the front are pretty much worn away (I'm not doing this economic driving thing right!). I have a twisty, hilly drive to work each morning which probably doesn't help.
Anyway, what I want is to replace the fronts with 195/xx/16s. I've always had Michelins in the past because they last ages and are good in all conditions. I can get the Michelin Energy Saver + (for a price!). My question is: Should I go for 195/55/16 or 195/60/16 and - is it OK to have wider tyres on the front than the back (for a year or so until I replace the backs too)?
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Put EX 15 inch wheels on: solved...
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Looks like Bridgestone have come up with an extra couple of options for us in 185/55 r16. Turanza ER300 Ecopia and Ecopia EP150 are now both available in this size (not listed on Bridgestone's website yet but available via online shops).
Reviews and test results seem to be decent. I may get EP150s when I do change tyres, as they're rated BB for rolling resistance and wet braking. That seems to be the highest rating we can get at the moment. The ER300 are rated CC.
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Anyway, what I want is to replace the fronts with 195/xx/16s. I've always had Michelins in the past because they last ages and are good in all conditions. I can get the Michelin Energy Saver + (for a price!). My question is: Should I go for 195/55/16 or 195/60/16 and - is it OK to have wider tyres on the front than the back (for a year or so until I replace the backs too)?
If you change forn the factory fit you will need to inform the insurance company but if the sizes you wish to fit listed on the door pillar or in the manual there will probably be no extra charge. If they are not listed its likely your insurance could cost more as a they will be considered a modification. If you don't inform them it could get tricky if you have an accident.
As for putting different sized tyres on the front and rear don't. You will upset the handling balance which in extreme conditions could make the car skid easier. As above your insurance could well be invalidated and that would be the last thing you would want after an accident.
Also remember that wider tyres will have a higher rolling resistance and could well increase your fuel consumption.
Bigger is not always better, manufacturers specify tyre sizes after may 1000's of miles of testing.
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"Also remember that wider tyres will have a higher rolling resistance and could well increase your fuel consumption."
The EX with wider tyres than the ES gives worse fuel consumption already.
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The EX with wider tyres than the ES gives worse fuel consumption already.
Honda (along with Kia/Hyundai) are one of the very few companies that give provide official EU figures that differ with tyre size and trim for a given engine spec.
The last time we bought I noted that for a given engine spec Ford quoted the same official EU figures for a Style HATCH (with 195/65 15 tyres) and a Titanium ESTATE (with 225 45 17 tyres). How do they get away with it.
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Honda (along with Kia/Hyundai) are one of the very few companies that give provide official EU figures that differ with tyre size and trim for a given engine spec.
All the many Vauxhalls I bought had full tyre/engine/transmission combinations of official figures in the owners manual - and Hyundai don't currently, not for 235/65R17 vs 235/60R18 on Santa Fe.
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