Putting new tires on my '08 yaris soon... what do I need to know?

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by WeeYari

Take a look at where Michelin Defenders rank in this comparison http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/sho...59&postcount=5

Not surprising. As this subject has come up in posts over the years, more replies seem to include a recommendation for Michelin Defenders than any other tires.

[DebbyM46227]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

To each his own. My last set of FR710s lasted me about 15,000 miles longer than the OEMs and the first set of 4 that replaced the OEMs (not Firestones). I also like the 'almost anyplace there is a Firestone store' aspect of the service and the efficiency (faster than many other places i've patronized). Definitely agree with you though on her not going with the 175's.

Are you still running the Firestone FR710's? I have major tread separation on my OEM Goodyear tires. I thought I had a bad wheel bearing but Car-X can't find anything wrong with my car & they are sure it's my tires. Cracks all the way around each one of them with only 29K on them.

So I see Firestone has a Buy 3 Get 1 Free on the FR710's and I can get them with all the mounting/balancing/TPMSrebuild, etc. $304.86 + tax. I'm on a budget so these seem to be the best.

Have you driven them in snow?

[IllusionX]

Do you know the year your tires were manufactured? You can see how to find out here

I see you have a 2010. So if your car was manufactured in 2009, you could have 2008/2009 tires.
My company bought a 2012 mazda 5 in 2013.. it had tires manufactured in 2011, and they show sign of dry rot.

so i'm not surprised that your 4-5 years old tire is in very bad conditions, especially if it's very hot in the summer where you live.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

Are you still running the Firestone FR710's? I have major tread separation on my OEM Goodyear tires. I thought I had a bad wheel bearing but Car-X can't find anything wrong with my car & they are sure it's my tires. Cracks all the way around each one of them with only 29K on them.

So I see Firestone has a Buy 3 Get 1 Free on the FR710's and I can get them with all the mounting/balancing/TPMSrebuild, etc. $304.86 + tax. I'm on a budget so these seem to be the best.

Have you driven them in snow?

Yes, I do still have them on my Yaris.....52,803 miles on 3 with lots of tread left.....54,050 'effective' miles on those 3 (see post #193 and post #214 on Kal-El 's mileage thread re the 1,247 mile difference between effective and actual re what happened in my case).

I don't know if you've ever been to Texas, but we have 1 way 'feeder roads' (2-4 lanes) here on each side of many freeways/Interstates. Major intersections often cross the freeways at an underpass. Often (as part of the underpass infrastructure) there will be U-turn lane on either side of the major street that is part of the underpass. This is set up for the purpose of switching to the one way feeder in the opposite direction on the other side of the freeway without having to wait at any traffic signal. Late at night...a few thousand miles ago....I was utilizing one of these U-turn lanes to switch direction and ran over something. My right rear tire immediately went flat. I used tire sealant. For (I think) the first time in my life, it didn't work. Don't use tire sealant if you get the FR710s...it invalidates the road hazard warranty. See my thread re this (tire sealant invalidating road hazard warranty).

Although the tire sealant invalidated the road hazard warranty (see posts to my thread I just mentioned...seems as though this is SOP in the tire industry), Firestone did a pro rata discount re the FR710s replacement for the uncovered 'tire sealant abused' flat. Also (I think twice overall on the two sets --- almost 140k miles total) I've had a slow leak on a tire and Firestone successfully eradicated the leak (without need for replacement) for free.

I don't know if the price you quoted includes the optional road hazard warranty, but definitely get the road hazard warranty ($13.44 for my recent replacement -- Jan 2014 (the old road hazard warranty wasn't transferable nor pro rated re my invalidating it with the use of tire sealant)). Even if you add that warranty + tax, that's still less than I paid for my 2nd set of 4 on 9-9-2012. If the $304.86 includes the road hazard warranty, that is an even better deal.

Later this month I'm going to Montana and a couple of other states. After having to use my donut spare (re that January 2014 'U-turn lane flat' mentioned above, I decided I didn't like the Idea of getting a flat somewhere in Montana that might be more than 100 miles from a AAA contract station without having a full size spare. Given this, I bought a single Yaris steelie rim and tire from CTScott (came from the California Yaris he bought and has essentially 'parted out'.

Roxy1 found that one can track the entire U.S. inventory of 5-speed manual Yarii (as well as subsets of other models) on Cars.com. I'm currently watching this inventory because 2015 is 'unknown'. What I mean by 'unknown' is uncertainty re if there will be a 2015 current 3rd Gen Yaris (and also if a manual transmission AND hand crank windows will be available) with the new assembled in Mexico Yaris coming out in the Spring/Summer of 2015 as a 2016 model......OR.....if Toyota will do it the way Honda chose re the 2015 Fit....skipping a model year (2014 for the Fit) and selling the remaining inventory of the old body style and model year until the new redesigned model comes out. I want a 3rd Gen with a 5-speed manual with hand crank windows. I bring this up, because my new thought (evolved since roxy1 posted this information) is that I'll probably trade my Yaris in on a new one and (given that I don't get a flat in Montana) I'll put the tire and steelie I got from CTScott on the right rear (before trading it in) and KEEP THE NEW in January (2014) FR710 (mounted on its current steelie), for the future. When the OEMs wear down on a new 3rd Gen Yaris (comes with different size tires than my 2nd Gen) I'll either: 1. Get FR710s if they fit....2. Possibly try the more expensive Michelin Defenders....or 3. Get the same replacements Roxy1 ends up getting (if he posts that he's having good luck with them).

Ideally, the 2014 5-speed manual/hand crank window inventory in White or Silver will dwindle slowly (I only want White or Silver...and after Tooter posted that the clearcoat is 'part of the paint' (I'm paraphrasing) on the White (one reason he chose White) White is my #1 choice. Silver doesn't have that benefit)....AND...there will be an unchanged 'short year' 2015 3rd Gen with the same available equipment.....AND... that I'll get to 300,000 miles on my Yaris, with no repairs in the interim, before trading it in.

I'm already at peace with going outside Texas to get the color and equipment choice I want .

You've probably already eliminated the need for some of my suggestions (3):

1. Get the quote in writing (sounds like you already have such a specific quote that this might not be necessary).

2. Make sure they have your size in stock (If they have to order...pay close attention to details....I had to order my 2nd set. I had them installed and noticed they put the wrong tires on the car . I questioned this. Turns out they forgot to order my tires, so they 'upgraded' me to more expensive tire (at no additional cost) and I guess thought I wouldn't notice . I did. Firestone always lets you change your mind to another one of their tires within 30 days, so I switched back to FR710s before that).

3. Get the Road Hazard Warranty (already discussed).


I don't know re snow. My yaris has experienced (IIRC) fewer than 10 snow days....all here in Houston....and all pretty much not sticking on the roads. Most extreme effect = on the roof of my house for a maximum of 2 days. I haven't had any problems re ice. The FR710s have also performed reliably in the rain.

The only slight negative has been on my 2nd set. Because of the population explosion and construction, some businesses here have underestimated the demand for paved parking. If they have extra land, they'll add a gravel parking lot. Also, some shopping centers will open finished stores while the rest of the center is still under construction. For these and a couple of other reasons, I now have more experience driving on 'small gravel'. Sometimes the gravel will get wedged (TEMPORARILY) in a tread groove and make the tire 'sing' for a bit of time (I think there is a Yarisworld thread on this).

[NEexpat]

I just got some Hankook H727's.

I looked about at the online guys and got a local price from an outfit across the river from me that have been in business since forever. $425.00 all in mounting/balancing, disposal and taxes. It's what I would have paid to go online.

So far they seem fine. I run dedicated snows in the winter, so these are 3 season for me.

[DebbyM46227]

Thanks, guys! Nook - you wrote a book! On the Firestone Complete Autocare web site you can print out a quote that's good for 30 days. Now I guess I'm screwed. I just got back from Firestone, and I guess they are right now that I see my quote, didn't pay attention to it yesterday.

There was a supposed glitch in the estimate feature of their web site yesterday. It's supposed to be Buy 3 Get 1 Free on certain tires only, yet it came up that way on my quote for the FR710's. Late on I think they fixed the glitch. No amount of my bitching got me anywhere at Firestone, so I came home without any new tires. It's now $354.88 + 7% Sales Tax for the FR710's. For a little more I can get the Affinity $363.89 as those are on sale. And neither quote includes the road hazard. I think I've only purchased road hazard once in my life, and never used it so I thought it was a waste of money. There aren't any gravel roads that I drive on, but there are 1000's of potholes after the severe winter we just had.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

Thanks, guys! Nook - you wrote a book! On the Firestone Complete Autocare web site you can print out a quote that's good for 30 days. Now I guess I'm screwed. I just got back from Firestone, and I guess they are right now that I see my quote, didn't pay attention to it yesterday.

There was a supposed glitch in the estimate feature of their web site yesterday. It's supposed to be Buy 3 Get 1 Free on certain tires only, yet it came up that way on my quote for the FR710's. Late on I think they fixed the glitch. No amount of my bitching got me anywhere at Firestone, so I came home without any new tires. It's now $354.88 + 7% Sales Tax for the FR710's. For a little more I can get the Affinity $363.89 as those are on sale. And neither quote includes the road hazard. I think I've only purchased road hazard once in my life, and never used it so I thought it was a waste of money. There aren't any gravel roads that I drive on, but there are 1000's of potholes after the severe winter we just had.

I didn't like the Affinity. That was the tire they 'upgraded' me to without telling me (the ones I drove for 1247 miles). I didn't like the way they felt while driving, found I couldn't get the same MPG, and didn't like that they 'resisted' adding air (I could hear my portable air compressor straining). However, that is what suits me and also my location. The Affinity tires weigh more, and I imagine are thicker. They might be better suited to your conditions. If you're not going to get the road hazard warranty, I would say that also might tip the scales toward the Affinity. Does the unexpected increase in price bring any other choices back into play? IIRC, after I got my 2nd set of four FR710s, UberSilver posted that he got Michelin Defenders at Costco (in the SF Bay Area) for about the same total I paid.

[DebbyM46227]

Nook, the addl cost of the Affinity still doesn't bring any others into play for around the same price. There's only 2 Costco's in town, both on the far northside and I'm not a member anyhow. I'll probably wait another week or 2, it seems there are different sales each week.

The last time I bought tires was 2006(?) for my 1997 Chevy Cavalier that I traded in on my Yaris. I hate the TPMS - that alone adds $40 to the cost of whatever I get. In 2006 I ordered my tires from Tirerack.com and had them installed locally. Maybe I was lucky, didn't have a problem with those.

[NEexpat]

^ "I hate the TPMS - that alone adds $40 to the cost of whatever I get."

Are you going to replace the TPMS valves?

I looked into the lifespan of these things and depending on cycles and weather people say they last 7-10 years. I just had the tire guys put my new tires on the original wheels with the original TPMS valves.

I brought this up on here and got some advice on whether or not to replace them.

[IllusionX]

Originally Posted by NEexpat

^ "I hate the TPMS - that alone adds $40 to the cost of whatever I get."

Are you going to replace the TPMS valves?

I looked into the lifespan of these things and depending on cycles and weather people say they last 7-10 years. I just had the tire guys put my new tires on the original wheels with the original TPMS valves.

I brought this up on here and got some advice on whether or not to replace them.

There is a TPMS valve rebuild kit, that should be done to prevent leaks after a few years.

[NEexpat]

^X, You're quite right, I saw those when I was looking around at new tires.

[DebbyM46227]

That rebuild kit is what costs the $40 (for all 4) At Firestone Auto Care, $28.00 for the valve service kit, and $11.96 for labor.

[Exiwolfman]

Originally Posted by IllusionX

There is a TPMS valve rebuild kit, that should be done to prevent leaks after a few years.

also keep in mind that the life spend of a TPMS is about 4 to 5 yrs give or take...always a good idea to get valve kit also clean rims of from any corrosion a good shop would do that and use rim sealer all this will help with air staying in ur tire . Nitrogen helps too , keeps the tires from psi fluctuation and over all longer lasting tires...yes it does work .

[DebbyM46227]

Originally Posted by Exiwolfman

also keep in mind that the life spend of a TPMS is about 4 to 5 yrs give or take...always a good idea to get valve kit also clean rims of from any corrosion a good shop would do that and use rim sealer all this will help with air staying in ur tire . Nitrogen helps too , keeps the tires from psi fluctuation and over all longer lasting tires...yes it does work .

TY for letting me know about the nitrogen keeping the tires from fluctuating. I didn't know that and that's the reason I hate the first cold day of Fall and if my tires are right on the borderline, that stupid TPMS light comes on.

[FlushYaris]

www.onlinetires.com :)

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by DebbyM46227

I'll probably wait another week or 2, it seems there are different sales each week.

Good idea.....as long as your current tires aren't in unsafe condition. Given that, it can't hurt to get a better feel for the local landscape (tire wise).

[DebbyM46227]

I decided to order tires from TireRack.com. I got the Sumitomo tires.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...um=86TR5TOURLS

And I'm having them installed at the Tire Barn on Sunday.

[nookandcrannycar]

I hope my mentioning 'unsafe condition' didn't scare you. The Sumitomo looks like a good choice .....one of the cheapest, but with a high UTQG rating. I'd want a better road hazard warranty, but I know that isn't important to you, and you don't drive enough for that to really matter anyway. The one review on Tire Rack does mention that it is good in the snow, so that is certainly a plus for you . I can see why roxy1 has his eye on the Yokohama AVID Ascend, as they have the highest UTQG, but not the highest price.