BYD Seal tips, tricks and help

[Ralf001]

15 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I order 4 of Michelin Pilot Sport 5 at 245/35/R19

 

A tad over 10,000 baht each.  They told me 255 Tyres are not available in my size.

255/35/19 ?

 

[JBChiangRai]

Thanks, Tyres Plus we’re adamant they are not available.

 

I will talk to them.

[JBChiangRai]

Order changed to 255/35/R19 in Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

 

Bizarrely, they are cheaper than 245/35/R19.

 

They admitted they thought my wheels were standard BYD width and were concerned about oversized tyres.  Actually my aftermarket wheels are 1” wider so 255’s will not be a problem.

[Pib]

13 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

I’ve covered just over 13,000km in my SEAL AWD and will be checking out tyres this week, they’re ready for a change.

 

I’m contemplating jumping up 2cm in width as the aftermarket wheels are wider than stock.

 

I would like foam-filled noise reducing tyres if I can find them.

Where you say, "....they're ready for a change...",  do you mean they are almost wore out/close to the tire wear nubs after only 13,000Km?

 

 

[JBChiangRai]

18 minutes ago, Pib said:

Where you say, "....they're ready for a change...",  do you mean they are almost wore out/close to the tire wear nubs after only 13,000Km?

 

 

Yes, I would say they are currently at risk of aquaplaning.

 

I will try and post a photo tomorrow, front and back are both low.

[Alotoftravel]

Thanks for your feedback experienc  on owning the sealion 7 awd . 
 

Reading jbchiangrai note, another advantage of awd is same tire size for all  4 wheels 555. 

[mogandave]

8 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

I order 4 of Michelin Pilot Sport 5 at 245/35/R19

 

A tad over 10,000 baht each.  They told me 255 Tyres are not available in my size.

Are the 35s not bit hard riding?

 

I know they look badass

[JBChiangRai]

10 hours ago, Alotoftravel said:

Thanks for your feedback experienc  on owning the sealion 7 awd . 
 

Reading jbchiangrai note, another advantage of awd is same tire size for all  4 wheels 555. 

 

9 hours ago, mogandave said:

Are the 35s not bit hard riding?

 

I know they look badass

 

The standard size is 235/35/R19 all round.  I fitted aftermarket wheels which are wider so they will accept 2 sizes up.

 

The standard AWD car is slightly under tyred, changing the wheels made some improvement and made more tyre contact with the ground, two sizes up should increase roadholding and slow tyre wear.

 

I sat in a Sealion yesterday whilst charging my Seal.  It's much easier to get in and out of, I like the 20" wheels, the steering wheel feels smaller but that might just be my perception, the dashboard is nicer and the seats feel firmer.

 

I don't like SUV's but I do like the Sealion, it reminds me of a Porsche Cayenne, if it was available when I bought my Seal I may well have gone for it.

[mogandave]

I sat in the Sealion the other day and really liked the comfort and feel of it, and it was nice getting in and out of. 
 

I like the way it looks, but for the tail end,  I can’t get it up for that. 

 

I have 165/50R20s on the ‘tuna and hate them. They look good, but I think I would prefer a higher profile tire. 

[Pib]

20 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

Order changed to 255/35/R19 in Michelin Pilot Sport 5.

 

Bizarrely, they are cheaper than 245/35/R19.

 

They admitted they thought my wheels were standard BYD width and were concerned about oversized tyres.  Actually my aftermarket wheels are 1” wider so 255’s will not be a problem.

 

13 hours ago, Pib said:

Where you say, "....they're ready for a change...",  do you mean they are almost wore out/close to the tire wear nubs after only 13,000Km?

 

13 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

Yes, I would say they are currently at risk of aquaplaning.

 

I will try and post a photo tomorrow, front and back are both low.

 

Wow!!!!....you really need to stop burning rubber, drag racing, drifting, racing people from stop lights, taking hairpin corners at 100KmH!!!    😜😉

 

Seriously though, preaching to the choir when I say how long a tire lasts depending on factors such road conditions...how they are driven... quality of tire...type of rubber compound (i.e., soft for better grip, medium, hard for longer lasting, etc)...whether a summer, winter, or all seasons tire...weight of vehicle....beginning thread depth which can vary greatly depending on tire, etc....etc...etc....determine how long a tire will last.  

 

My 2023 Atto that I bought in Oct 2023 (around 20 months old) now has 41,532km on its Altas A51 (a.k.a., Batman) tires...215/55R18 95V tires are still it good shape....still have 6.5mm of thread depth remaining.   With the "wear nubs" at 2mm (i.e., tire thread is worn out/minimal) I still have 4.5mm more to wear down before hitting those wear nubs....heck, I might be able to get 100,000km out of these tires.   

 

These Atlas A51 tires are summer tires, Fuel Efficiency B rating, Wet Grip B, Speed Rating V up to 240KmH, Quiet Noise (67db) rating, original thread depth 8mm.   I'm not recommending these tires to anyone (but I'm happy with them).....they are the OEM tires that came with my Atto....I'm just talking how they have been holding-up on my EV.

https://e-catalog.com/ATLAS-BATMAN-A51-215-55-R18-95V.htm

 

 

Altas A51 tire after 20 months of driving....41,542km

 

 

Tire thread depth remaining approx 6.5mm...when new 8mm....wear nubs are at 2mm

 

[Hummin]

15 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

 

 

Wow!!!!....you really need to stop burning rubber, drag racing, drifting, racing people from stop lights, taking hairpin corners at 100KmH!!!    😜😉

 

Seriously though, preaching to the choir when I say how long a tire lasts depending on factors such road conditions...how they are driven... quality of tire...type of rubber compound (i.e., soft for better grip, medium, hard for longer lasting, etc)...whether a summer, winter, or all seasons tire...weight of vehicle....beginning thread depth which can vary greatly depending on tire, etc....etc...etc....determine how long a tire will last.  

 

My 2023 Atto that I bought in Oct 2023 (around 20 months old) now has 41,532km on its Altas A51 (a.k.a., Batman) tires...215/55R18 95V tires are still it good shape....still have 6.5mm of thread depth remaining.   With the "wear nubs" at 2mm (i.e., tire thread is worn out/minimal) I still have 4.5mm more to wear down before hitting those wear nubs....heck, I might be able to get 100,000km out of these tires.   

 

These Atlas A51 tires are summer tires, Fuel Efficiency B rating, Wet Grip B, Speed Rating V up to 240KmH, Quiet Noise (67db) rating, original thread depth 8mm.   I'm not recommending these tires to anyone (but I'm happy with them).....they are the OEM tires that came with my Atto....I'm just talking how they have been holding-up on my EV.

https://e-catalog.com/ATLAS-BATMAN-A51-215-55-R18-95V.htm

 

 

Altas A51 tire after 20 months of driving....41,542km

 

 

Tire thread depth remaining approx 6.5mm...when new 8mm....wear nubs are at 2mm

 

isnt that a bit hard rubber for safe riding in wet tropical environments? 
 

I did 80k on my original tires, and still good, but dangerously slippery on wet days. 

[JBChiangRai]

This is my tyres at 13,500km

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

Mine at 31k

 

rear

 

 

front

 

( not sure why it turned the front photo upside down, ‘‘tis ok on my phone )

[Pib]

2 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

This is my tyres at 13,500km

 

 

 

Yeap....those tires slow clear signs of "drifting".....probably in a Big C parking lot showing off.   

 

https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExZXI5bmllbG9oYW56aG1kdjUxdjVjdHQxdHZjZzBvNXh0Nnp6bGdlOSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/k2evHZ2EvAV5m/200.gif

[Pib]

6 hours ago, Hummin said:

isnt that a bit hard rubber for safe riding in wet tropical environments? 
 

I did 80k on my original tires, and still good, but dangerously slippery on wet days. 

No signs of being slippery in rain at over 41,000 Km....as mentioned earlier they have a wet grip rating of B on the A to E scale with A having the best wet grip.   I expect to get an A web grip rating the rubber compound would need to be really soft which would then result in shorter lifespan "kilometers-wise."

[JBChiangRai]

22 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

 

Yeap....those tires slow clear signs of "drifting".....probably in a Big C parking lot showing off.   

 

https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExZXI5bmllbG9oYW56aG1kdjUxdjVjdHQxdHZjZzBvNXh0Nnp6bGdlOSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/k2evHZ2EvAV5m/200.gif

 

I'm a bit old for parking lot antics and showing off is not my style. Your apology sounds a tad hollow as it's in the same sentence, perhaps it would have been better not to make the comment in the first place?

 

I do however drive spiritedly and will use the accelerator to make the turn tighter when it's safe, but I don't drift the way you see it on the TV.  I'd be surprised if you get even 1,000km if you drift with your tyres.

[Pib]

1 minute ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

 I'd be surprised if you get even 1,000km if you drift with your tyres.

 

That's for sure as I'd probably crash before 1km.

 

The closest I got to the drifting experience is as a teenager I did an "unplanned" 360 degree spin in a Chevy on an icey road one winter morning when turning onto a main road after giving the car a little too much gas that caused the spin.  I was caught completely off guard.  

 

For the second or two I was in that complete circle spin I figured the car is going to crash off the road....but no, the car straightened out perfectly straight on the road as I turned the front wheels in the opposite direction of the spin...and then I was  going straight again like I was a movie stunt driver.  

 

[JBChiangRai]

As a teenager I did practice in an icy super market car park and I’ve done an advanced driving course years ago. I thought I wouldn’t learn anything and I learned a lot. We all think we drive defensively but how many of us turn our wheels to the side when coming to a stop in traffic jams? Or leaving room to pull around the car in front at junctions/traffic lights etc?

 

Those pictures were of my front tyre, I’m not aware of losing traction on the front ever, I’ve never turned off the traction control either.
 

I do push my car hard, I really enjoy using the power.

 

I don’t drive at high speed, 100-110kmhr is as fast as I want to go, except briefly when overtaking. 

 

I had a Honda sports car for quite a few years, only 270hp, that would go through Yokohama tyres every 8,000km.  The dealer told me that was normal.  A switch to Toyo nearly doubled that. It also went through a clutch every year, also normal for that car.

 

I think regularly using all the power available takes its toll on the tyres.

[JBChiangRai]

New tyres fitted today.

 

2cm wider than stock tyres.

 

 

[mistral53]

2 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

New tyres fitted today.

 

2cm wider than stock tyres.

 

 

 

They don't really look that wide. How is the ride and noise - do you notice any difference?

[Pib]

 

Here's the EU rating label for Michelin 255/35/19 tires:

 

https://www.reifen.com/en-de/25535-r19-96y-michelin-pilot-sport-5-3528707948649#energy-efficiency

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

Am confused @JBChiangRai, what size have you fit ?, did you change aspect ratio as well as width ?

 

Seal Premium and Performance standard tyres size is 235/45 R19.

[JBChiangRai]

37 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Am confused @JBChiangRai, what size have you fit ?, did you change aspect ratio as well as width ?

 

Seal Premium and Performance standard tyres size is 235/45 R19.

My stock tyres were 235/35 R19 and not 235/45 R19 so I didn’t change the aspect ratio. I just changed the width by two centimeters, but my aftermarket wheels were already one or two centimeters wider than the standard wheels.

 

The car feels totally different, it feels much more responsive to steering input.  @PibIt is a little noisier than before, there’s a kind of whoosh from the tyres, it might be because they’re new, I haven’t been over about 70 km/h yet, I’m still running them in.

 

Here’s a photo from behind, it’s clear there’s a lot more  contract with the ground.

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

6 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

My stock tyres were 235/35 R19 and not 235/45 R19 so I didn’t change the aspect ratio. I just changed the width by two centimeters, but my aftermarket wheels were already one or two centimeters wider than the standard wheels.

 

The car feels totally different, it feels much more responsive to steering input.  @PibIt is a little noisier than before, there’s a kind of whoosh from the tyres, it might be because they’re new, I haven’t been over about 70 km/h yet, I’m still running them in.

 

Here’s a photo from behind, it’s clear there’s a lot more  contract with the ground.

 

 

That’s strange you had 235/35 R19’s, mine are definitely 235/45 R19’s and from what i can see, on BYD spec sheets,  the standard for Seal Pre/Per should be 45  !!

 

Anyway, let us know how you make out with the Michelins.

As you can see from my photos am not in the market just yet but always good to know what options are available.

[motdaeng]

9 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

 

it looks really great / sporty with the wider tires ... i like it, well done!

 

to me, the seal looks much better from the outside than my sealion 7, but the interior of my sl7 is just right for me.

the sl7 also has more space inside and is easier for an old guy like me to get in and out of ...

but that’s just my own personal opinion ...

[JBChiangRai]

10 hours ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Am confused @JBChiangRai, what size have you fit ?, did you change aspect ratio as well as width ?

 

Seal Premium and Performance standard tyres size is 235/45 R19.

 

11 hours ago, Pib said:

 

Here's the EU rating label for Michelin 255/35/19 tires:

 

https://www.reifen.com/en-de/25535-r19-96y-michelin-pilot-sport-5-3528707948649#energy-efficiency

 

Does any Seal Performance owner here have 235/35 tyres? Or am I the only one, which is very strange.

 

That Reifen website is very useful, thanks for that @Pib

 

I paid ฿36,100 for 4 tyres and they gave be the normally priced ฿450 per tyre insurance policy free.

 

 

[Andrew Dwyer]

34 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

Does any Seal Performance owner here have 235/35 tyres? Or am I the only one, which is very strange.

 

That Reifen website is very useful, thanks for that @Pib

 

I paid ฿36,100 for 4 tyres and they gave be the normally priced ฿450 per tyre insurance policy free.

Hate to be “ that guy “ but it appears you had 235/45 R19’s on !!

 

 

Mystery solved 🧐

[JBChiangRai]

3 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Hate to be “ that guy “ but it appears you had 235/45 R19’s on !!

 

 

Mystery solved 🧐

 

My flabber is well and truly gasted.

 

I was sure I checked and rechecked and they were 235/35/R19.  I'm wondering about my sanity now.

[Andrew Dwyer]

30 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

 

My flabber is well and truly gasted.

 

I was sure I checked and rechecked and they were 235/35/R19.  I'm wondering about my sanity now.

This is why they look so different ( and cool ! ) your sidewall has reduced by 16.5 mm whereas if you had gone 255/45’s it would have increased by 9 mm.

If my maths is correct ?

[JBChiangRai]

9 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

This is why they look so different ( and cool ! ) your sidewall has reduced by 16.5 mm whereas if you had gone 255/45’s it would have increased by 9 mm.

If my maths is correct ?

 

 

I wouldn't have gone for 35% profile had I known the car had 45% profile originally.  However, I'm happy that it works and it does look cooler.  My speedo will over read by 4.8%, acceleration should be improved and top speed lowered.

 

I'm happy with my choice.  I'll post a side on picture next time I take the car out the garage.