Newsgroups: rec.autos

In rec.autos, jice@echo.asd.sgi.com (John Eisenman) writes:

| The time has come for me to replace my tires on my '88 Integra.

What a coincidence.  Another Integra driver was looking for new tyres :-)

| I have been following the recommendations in the group and elsewhere
| and have some idea as to which tires to purchase.  However, as I am
| still a novice care owner (I never purchased tires before), I still
| have a few questions.
|
| The tires that came with the car are:
|
| 	Yokohama AX-323   195/60R14 85H
|
| In this group, I usually see the size listed as HR14.  What does the
| H mean?  High performance?  Also, what does the 85H mean?

H means the max rated speed for the tyre.  H is 210Kmph (?), V is 240kmph (?).
There is a S rated (can't remember) but is lower and I believe it is illegal
for you to fit them (lower rating than OEM).

85 is the load index.  I don't have it off hand, but the higher the number the
higher the load.  

Some tyre mfgrs list their tyres as 195/60HR14 85H ie incorporate the speed
rating with the dimensions, repeat it with the load index.

|
| I gather that tire must have been somewhere near bottom of the line.
| Is that true?

OEM tyres usually are :-(  By the time the bean counters have their say, this
is what you get.

| It had a treadwear rating of 160.  It has lasted me for
| less than 40,000 miles.  Does that seem right, or is there something
| wrong with my driving?  I understand that these tires sell for about $50.

Maybe, maybe not.  160 is towards the soft side.  Of course the standard tyre
(ie wear index=100) is different from mfgr to mfgr, but still the wear rating
is indicative.

|
| My mechanic sells the Michelin MXV2 and MXV3 as well as the XGT H4 for
| $103 and the XGTV for $115.  However, I see that nobody on the net likes
| the MXV's.

Deserved reputation.

|
| I am considering the following tires:
|
| 	Yokahama A509

I'm using this.

| 	Yokohama AVS A+4

Good tyre from what I hear.  Available for wet/dry/intemediate.  Choose one
for your driving conditions.

I'm sure others who have tried it will have their comments.

| 	Dunlop D40M2

D40M2's are in 40% aspect ratio (correct me if I'm wrong).  If you fit this,
you'll either have FAT tyres or have to change rims.  The D60M2 may be the
one.  Don't take the D60A2 tho'.

| 	Michelin XGT H4
| 	Goodyear Eagle GT+4

No comment for the Goodyear.  Have not tried it.  

|
| Which of these would be the best combination of performance and
| treadwear?  Would they all be ok in rain and snow (for trips to Tahoe, etc)?
| What about price?

The A-509 handles water well, don't know about snow (its perpetual summer here
:-)).  The D60M2 and the AVS are competitors (same price/performance range) 
and IMHO both would serve you well.  The A-509 is a cheaper (not inferior)
alternative to the AVS/D60M2.  I have found the Yokos (these two, not in
general) quieter than the D60M2.

Check out the Falken FK-06G.  Its between the price of the A-509 and AVS and
had good reviews.

|
| Can anybody suggest where to look in the San Francisco Bay Area?
|
| Thanks,

Welcome

| John
|
| --
| John Eisenman (jice@sgi.com)
|
| Silicon Graphics Computer Systems
| 7U-550
| 2011 N. Shoreline Blvd.		
| P.O. Box 7311		
| Mt. View, CA 94039-7311		
|
| (415) 390-1551
|
|

Lawrence