Light truck/ SUV tires

[newbie4life]

Re: Light truck/ SUV tires

............ Passed a few stranded Jeeps and 'burbans.

Not that your ML has anything to do with that. If anything, it shows that you know how to drive with common sense. It never ceases to amaze me, the number of morons that there are on the first snow fall of the season. It's nothin' to see 50 of 'em "parked in the median" on the first one.

Just because you have 4WD, or AWD, or traction control, doesn't mean you can go 65 on snow or ice. I have AWD, and when she snows, for the most part, she stays in the garage. If I don't HAVE to go out, why would I?????

 

[JCF350]

Re: Light truck/ SUV tires

What in the world would I want with a Suburban??

I have the greatest mix of luxury, agility, handling, strength and utility on 4 wheels!

With AWD, Traction Control and Stability Control the Michelins do just fine in snow and on glare ice. . . well, maybe just as good as anything on glare ice. Only been in deep snow once, but it was wet snow. Passed a few stranded Jeeps and 'burbans.

I lived in Texas for while, everywhere you looked about all you could see was
Suburbans (the cowboys station wagon).

 

[JB]

Re: Light truck/ SUV tires

Ahhh, yes. The Cowboy Cadillac. Forgot about that. Those guys are now driving Escalades and Hummers.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Light truck/ SUV tires

And that ML will be running when those chevys are in the junk yard JB.

I can't say nothing,My Tahoe has been a good one.94k on it and it has no leaks period.After towing that 5000 pound trailer 900 miles thru mountains i figured it would be dead by now.....lol

I do agree with the Michelins,you get what you pay for.Mine has 60k on them with still at least 50% tread left.They are starting to get age cracks near the bead so i'll end up replacing before the tread wears out.

 

[scrobo]

Re: Light truck/ SUV tires

What make / model truck do you drive? Members who own that specific vehicle would be able to give you more specific advice.

2000 GMC Jimmy 4WD 4 Door. I've seen others with 16s on their Jimmy but mine has 15s which I believe are the stock size.

 

[zoe'sdad]

Re: Light truck/ SUV tires

Per the Tire Rack website standard equipment for a 2000 4wd, 4 door Jimmy is 205/75R15 or an optional 235/70R15. You probably have a lot of choices in the latter size.

Here is a formula to demonstrate how a tire size affect your gearing. My truck originaly had a 28" tire and 4.10 gearing. I installed a 31" tire.

Old tire diameter x gearing / new tire size = gearing ration with new tire.

28" x 4.10 / 31" = 3.70

In order to overcome the new tire diameter I would have to lower the gearing.

New tire diameter x gearing / old tire diamter = gearing needed.

31" x 4.10 / 28" = 4.53

 

[arboldt]

Re: Light truck/ SUV tires

Manufacturers design each model of tire to optimize different features. Consider some of the factors (and this is not an exhaustive list at all):

Longevity / high mileage
Smooth ride
Grip on dry pavement
Grip in mud / snow
Tolerance / safety at high speed
Weight-carrying capacity
Economical purchase price vs. long-term cost-per-mile

In order to do better for one factor, sacrifices are made for others. It all depends on what characteristics you want to emphasize. Look at the posts so far -- some emphasized mud & snow performance, other posters emphasize high mileage. You gotta decide for yourself how you want to balance your priorities for each vehicle and predominant use.

When I decide to replace tires, over the next few months, I check Consumer Reports, then watch ads for sales. Obviously this is for something planned, not a "gotta get it now" thing. When I see what I think is a good sale on a tire evaluated to be close to the factor balance I want, then I buy 'em. May be Michelin, Firestone, Kelly... The other factor is the service you get from the local store. Things like 'free' rotations, flat fixing, balance checks, etc. That ongoing service is worth something, too.