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Post by webenergy on Apr 18, 2007 19:39:09 GMT -6
I had Michelin Harmony 4 season tires when I got the car. It had about 90% tread left on them.
2 days ago we had alot of rain and I was hydro-planing like crazy with those tires. On occasion they would slip on a sharp turn, and the car didn't handle as it should.
Today I bought 4 brand new BF Goodrich Traction T/A performance tires. Well, what a difference! The ride is smoother, no hydro-planing, and it hugs the turns! I didn't even go lower in profile. both tire brands are 225 60 R16.
It's the second set of Michelins I've had in my life, and no more! The last ones were not as good as the Canadian Tire Motomaster tires!
Anyone have bad experience with Michelin tires before? Funny since both BF Goodrich & Michelin are both made by Michelin!
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Post by macadamiaman on Apr 18, 2007 21:14:02 GMT -6
I have the exact same tires as you - Traction T/A 225 60 R16.
The car actually came with them when I bought them (@ 57k miles), but they were pretty low tread. I wore them down to bare rubber, and got new ones, exact same. They are pretty nice.
Next tires though I want to get 245-255 width... 225 is a bit narrow. Did you consider anything wider?
Problems - I know someone with a 2004 Volvo S60 T5, with Traction T/A, width 215 or 205. She complains of really bad noise from them. They are noisier than the ones on my Aurora, I'm not sure why.
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Post by algonquin on Apr 18, 2007 21:45:06 GMT -6
Problems - I know someone with a 2004 Volvo S60 T5, with Traction T/A, width 215 or 205. She complains of really bad noise from them. They are noisier than the ones on my Aurora, I'm not sure why. Air pressure ?? |
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Post by webenergy on Apr 18, 2007 21:47:13 GMT -6
I have thought about wider ones, and lower profile ones (55 instead of 60). But, I'm not sure of they would fit and throw off the traction control.
As far as noise, I haven't had the luxury of driving on dry pavement yet! So far though the car didn't seem any noisier with the Traction T/A's versus the Michelins. We're hoping for the weather to clear up tomorrow, so I'll get to drive on dry pavement again!
I was told by quite a few people that the Traction T/A's are really good tires, and better than the Michelin Harmony.
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Post by webenergy on Apr 18, 2007 21:49:26 GMT -6
Good call! I was also thinking that maybe the tires were off balance? |
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Post by macadamiaman on Apr 18, 2007 22:29:52 GMT -6
She's tried everything. Could be simply bad batch of them, or something. They're definetely much smaller version of them, compared to the ones on my Aurora, though, so can't really compare.
I've driven Traction T/As for over 30k, and they are perfect. You'll be happy with them.
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Post by auroralover on Apr 19, 2007 14:30:52 GMT -6
I had Michelin Energy MXV4's originally and hated them. Very poor wet traction and just overall did not like. Have Cooper Lifeliner SLE's on there now and love them!
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Post by Poindexter on Apr 19, 2007 14:40:47 GMT -6
I have been riding on my traction T/A's for almost two years now. No complaints here.
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Post by webenergy on Apr 19, 2007 19:14:34 GMT -6
Heh! As I figured, Traction T/A's are better! Drove on dry pavement today, and they are not noisy at all! They ride smoother than the Michelins, and the wet traction is way better! They also hug the corners! I'm really happy with them! Plus, I sold the Michelins for $200.00 so I am quite happy!
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Post by Letitroll98 on Apr 21, 2007 2:30:47 GMT -6
Yeah, Michelin's suck for the money you pay. The BF Goodrich's you got are some of the most highly recommended tires you can put on an Aurora. I have never heard a single bad comment on them, nothing but praise. Good choice, best of luck with them.
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Post by webenergy on Apr 21, 2007 17:41:51 GMT -6
Thanks Letitroll98! So far they really are great tires. I only have H speed rated tires, but the governor will kick in before I hit the max speed.
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Post by luvmybravada on Apr 23, 2007 21:39:12 GMT -6
I love my BFG's! It's been pretty wet here lately and these tires outperform any other tire I've ever driven in wet. No hydroplaning whatsoever. BFG's are great! They do very well in dry weather as well and look terrific.
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Post by 95mushroom on Apr 23, 2007 22:04:30 GMT -6
Only praise here as well. If you guys wanna step it up too, BFG's g-Force KDW's are awesome performance tires. Super high grip levels with long life span, my tires still look new.
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Post by JimW on Apr 24, 2007 18:57:00 GMT -6
I love my BFG Scorchers, awesome traction, excellent on the dry, capable in the wet, totally unique looks and you can't beat 255's.
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Post by Aurora40 on Apr 25, 2007 7:07:49 GMT -6
What are the BFG's like in snow?
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Post by JimW on Apr 25, 2007 19:20:44 GMT -6
Bob, if you are referring to me, I don't use them in the snow, I have a dedicated set of Kumho winter tires.
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Post by webenergy on Apr 25, 2007 20:29:37 GMT -6
Aurora40, I wouldn't use the Traction T/A in the snow. They're performance tires. BFG does have a line of winter tires, but I never tried them. From what I've heard, Uniroyal Tiger paws are the best for winter tires, followed by a close second are the Dunlop Graspic.
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Post by Aurora40 on Apr 25, 2007 20:53:47 GMT -6
Ah ok. So they aren't recommended for all seasons in an area that gets snow. You all were talking like it was a breakthrough in tires. Thought I might have to give them a look when I replace mine.  |
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Post by macadamiaman on Apr 25, 2007 21:45:06 GMT -6
My traction T/A are fine in the snow - used for three Maine/MA winters now. I've seen better, but coupled with stability control (which is AMAZING in snow), front wheel drive, and such, they're more than fine in even thick snow, or VERY BAD snowstorms. I've never been stuck, except once, when the tires weren't even touching the ground... long story Ice, of course, is what's a lot more dangerous than snow. But no tire is good on ice unless you want some studded ones. |
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Post by webenergy on Apr 26, 2007 13:00:29 GMT -6
Well, I won't be using them in the winter. I'm getting winter tires. with the winters we have here, I'm getting winter tires! when I had my traction T/A's installed they didn't rccomend using them in the winter. Of course they are the tire store so I asked around, and my mechanic. They didn't suggest those tires for winter either.
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Post by macadamiaman on Apr 26, 2007 14:45:22 GMT -6
Well that's weird, then why didn't you get some summer performance tires? The Traction T/As are technically "All-Season" tires according to every written source I have encountered. Why not speak from experience and use, rather than what people tell you? The tires really are fine on our Aurora in the snow... |
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Post by 95mushroom on Apr 26, 2007 17:07:09 GMT -6
Well that's weird, then why didn't you get some summer performance tires? The Traction T/As are technically "All-Season" tires according to every written source I have encountered. Why not speak from experience and use, rather than what people tell you? The tires really are fine on our Aurora in the snow... x2, any "All-Season" or "M+S" tires(the T/A's for instance) really don't cut the mustard compared to an actual performance tire. There really is a difference. |
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Post by webenergy on Apr 26, 2007 20:15:02 GMT -6
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Post by webenergy on Apr 26, 2007 20:29:38 GMT -6
Here's some good info on winter versus all season tires:
Winter tires: Who needs them?
Some drivers don’t realize that winter tires provide better control for all vehicles – even 4x4s - on snow and ice covered roads . Cars, SUVs, pick-ups and light trucks handle better in snowy or icy conditions when equipped with winter tires. Winter tires can help you get a good grip on the road in difficult driving conditions.
All-season versus winter tires
Although all-season tires are good under most conditions, they may not be suitable for the harshest winter weather.
At lower temperatures, standard tire compounds tend to lose elasticity, which results in reduced traction.
Winter tires are engineered of specialized compounds that maintain elasticity in lower temperatures for better traction.
A better bite
Winter tire tread designs have larger grooves and tread blocks that grip the road better to avoid sliding in snowy, icy or slushy conditions.
Tiny razor-like sipes or cuts in winter treads provide a good bite into ice and snow to help avoid sliding.
Installation and Safety
Change your tires before it snows Prepare your car, pick-up or SUV for unexpected snowfalls by changing over to winter tires in October or early November.
Four tires versus two
For maximum safety, it is strongly recommend that you install four winter tires at the same time.
If you must install only two winter tires, make sure to put the two
new ones in the rear position for the best lateral control.
Monitor tire pressure
Proper tire inflation is a critical part of tire care and should be checked monthly.
For every 5° drop in temperature, tires lose one pound of air pressure, so it’s important to monitor tire pressure for fluctuations.
Be sure to check pressure when tires are cold, not after extended driving periods.
Properly inflated tires also ensure optimum fuel efficiency.
The importance of winter rims
New winter rims will help protect your existing rims from winter salt and snow
Winter rims also help minimize wear and tear because you won’t have to mount and dismount tires when you change from all-season to winter tires and back again.
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Post by macadamiaman on Apr 26, 2007 21:38:09 GMT -6
There's no doubt that a specialized "winter" tire is better than an "all season" tire. And yes, your tires are "performance" tires - they are "performance all-season" tires - that's what makes these Traction T/As so great! So on that same basis that you want "winter" tires for winter/snow, why are you not getting summer tires for summer? Have you ever seen the tread on a nice performance/summer tire?  I had some like this on my Beetle a few years ago and they were AMAZING. The traction T/As will do fine in the snow, trust me - look at their ratings on www.tirerack.com ? |
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Post by Letitroll98 on Apr 26, 2007 21:55:34 GMT -6
Yes, Traction T/A's are all season tires. They're really good ones that make excellent compromises, but they are inferior to a hypothetical apples to apples comparo with a summer tire of similar quality (I don't know how one would make a fair comparison test). It's a rule of thumb thing and there must be dozens of examples of summer tires that suck in relationship to the T/A's attributes. But I wholly agree with nutman that if you're going to switch out for winter tires, it's crazy to buy an all season tire for summer use. In our Mid Atlantic area where no one uses winter tires they are a great choice.
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Post by aaaauroraaaa on Apr 26, 2007 21:59:22 GMT -6
If I had the money, I would have have shrooms BFG's in the summer on 18"s and some nice winter tires on 17"s in the winter. But we are talking $1000-1500+ for each set of wheels and tires here.
I have used all season tires year round for the past 3 years I've been driving(not much, I know), and trust me, I've survived. Even my 1/2 worn crappy goodyear integrity all seasons on the stock rims got thru 8"-12"(my front air dam/bumper was pretty much a snowplow) at 30mph this winter. Although I couldn't stop or turn worth anything, even with 4inches of snow, but then again, they were cheap Goodyears. I had a set of Yokahoma Avid Tourings on my bonneville, and I loved them as an all season tire.
I will agree that there is some aspect of feeling safe in the wintertime with winter tires(being able to stop and turn a bit better...), but not enough to justify the cost, just go 5mph slower than if you had winter tires and physics calculations will tell you that winter tires are equivalent to just going 5-10 slower than you usually would.
Last week I put on the Perilli P-Zero Nero's M+S, and I will be the first to tell you that difference in handling was night and day over the Goodyears, and I would not feel unsafe in the winter with the perilli's.(50/50% the tire change/wheel size change)
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Post by webenergy on Apr 27, 2007 10:45:11 GMT -6
I had some like this on my Beetle a few years ago and they were AMAZING. The traction T/As will do fine in the snow, trust me - look at their ratings on www.tirerack.com ? I looked up the Traction T/A and here is a user review on them in snow: BFGoodrich Traction T/A Spec (Standard Touring All-Season) Reviewer's Overall Rating: 5.09 2005 Hyundai Tucson GLS 4wd More Tire Reviews for This Vehicle Miles driven on tires: 22,000 Location: Liverpool, NY Driving Condition: Mostly On Road Driving Style: Average "2 years and 22000 miles - Tread wear is not as expected from previous experience with BF Goodrich tires, does not handle snow well at all. I am replacing these tires NOW because of the poor performance in snow, Beware." |
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Post by webenergy on Apr 27, 2007 10:53:06 GMT -6
Well, I got the Taction T/A for a few reasons:
1. If I were to get some light snow I would be ok.
2. They do perform well and give great wet traction.
3. I've read the reviews and everyone loves them.
4. Summer performance tires are double the price of Traction T/A
5. They do exactly what I need!
for our winters here, I have experience with all season Uniroyal Tiger paws. They couldn't make it up the icy hill! Or, a snow-packed hill. The tires were brand new, and in medium to heavy snow there was little traction. The tiger-paws as winter tires are awesome in the snow! So, we switched from all-season tiger paws to the Dunlop Graspic winter tires. It was a night & day difference! Those tires gripped in snow & ice!
So, I'm going to use the Traction T/A from April to late October and get winters for the rest of the time. We have wicked storms here & in the beginning of this month we had a bad one with white-outs. My safety is my #1 concern and I will always use winter tires living in Canada!
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Post by Aurora40 on Apr 27, 2007 11:40:12 GMT -6
That's what I have on the Corvette. They are excellent in rain. I also tested them out in some slushy snow recently and they did just fine. I slowed down a lot, but they weren't scary or anything in the slush. |
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