Tyres

[andrew55]

I need to do something about tyres on my 3yo/100 000km Isuzu Highlander.

I found the standard Thai made 245/70 R16 Bridgestone Dueler H/T's awful from day one. After 3 years they're only getting harder and are never going to wear out.

I believe that with bike tyres Japanese made ones tend to be softer (stickier) than the Thai products. Is this true with cars/pick-ups?

I like to have a 'quick' drive through the twisties now and then when on my own and am rarely very heavily loaded (how much can the 15-20 neighbours in the back hitching a ride to BigC weigh?). I also drive 1,000kms BKK-Sukhothai-BKK most months.

With this in mind if there is a 'sportier' option I would go for that. I understand that this will be a trade-off as regards wear/longetivity and maybe load rating. I'd much rather have tyres that wear out than ones that don't.

I would greatly appreciate any advice.

Andrew

[beano2274]

I had Yokohoma on my Chevy Optra Estate, they were crap going round corners when a little damp, looked sporty but nothing special. Now got Nitto tyres, filled with Nitrogen, look good and grip well. Look on their website might have something for you

http://www.nittotire.in.th/duragrappler.html

at the top go into tire lineup.

[andrew55]

I had Yokohoma on my Chevy Optra Estate, they were crap going round corners when a little damp, looked sporty but nothing special. Now got Nitto tyres, filled with Nitrogen, look good and grip well. Look on their website might have something for you

http://www.nittotire...ragrappler.html

at the top go into tire lineup.

Thanks for the link beano.

Might sound stupid, but what's the story with nitrogen? When I don't know something it seems more stupid not to ask...

[beano2274]

http://www.getnitrogen.org/why/index.php

[andrew55]

http://www.getnitrog...g/why/index.php

Thanks again.

[katabeachbum]

Bridgestone came out with one more Dueller H/T model late 2008, fitted stock on Vigo/Fortuner in 17". It is more road biased, quiet, good traction, steering lighter. The ones you have are still stock on izu and Pajero Sport 2wd, I hate them, rubbish.

most tyre/rim shops could have a set of 17; traded from a new car going larger, should sell for 20-25k baht

[TommyDee]

you may find your ride is better if you reduce the air pressure in the tyres. dropping 4lbs from the recommended inflation will not harm your tyres and will give you a more comfortable ride. worth a try before you cough up for new ones . regards T.

[katabeachbum]

you may find your ride is better if you reduce the air pressure in the tyres. dropping 4lbs from the recommended inflation will not harm your tyres and will give you a more comfortable ride. worth a try before you cough up for new ones . regards T.

dropping 4psi, to 25psi will provide uneven wear, sides worne more, and risk overheating at speeds or load, or speeds with load.

It will also make steering more heavy, increase fuelconsumption, and increased risk of flipping truck. Initial traction may feel better, but an S manouver will have terrible traction in second curve

Noise and braking will remain terrible

[andrew55]

you may find your ride is better if you reduce the air pressure in the tyres. dropping 4lbs from the recommended inflation will not harm your tyres and will give you a more comfortable ride. worth a try before you cough up for new ones . regards T.

Ride and comfort not really the problem.

Just that the tyres have never really stuck to the road. They don't get hot and don't get sticky. Squeal on a corner before they should. Getting worse.

[Kwasaki]

On my 2005 Vigo I found the Dueller H/T tyres really good but they were worn out at 35,000 kms so kbb has a point, there must have been different compounds knocking about over the years, when the name stayed the same.

Nitrogen !! well I going to stay of this one. :lol:

[thaicruze]

I always buy Michelin. Never a problem.

[andrew55]

On my 2005 Vigo I found the Dueller H/T tyres really good but they were worn out at 35,000 kms so kbb has a point, there must have been different compounds knocking about over the years, when the name stayed the same.

Nitrogen !! well I going to stay of this one. :lol:

Seems strange that there would be such a huge compound variation on the same model tyre. Mine still have 50% tread after 100,000 kms. I wonder what the current Dueller is like. I just don't want to buy the wrong ones and have another 100,000 kms of dissatisfaction.

[TommyDee]

you may find your ride is better if you reduce the air pressure in the tyres. dropping 4lbs from the recommended inflation will not harm your tyres and will give you a more comfortable ride. worth a try before you cough up for new ones . regards T.

dropping 4psi, to 25psi will provide uneven wear, sides worne more, and risk overheating at speeds or load, or speeds with load.

It will also make steering more heavy, increase fuelconsumption, and increased risk of flipping truck. Initial traction may feel better, but an S manouver will have terrible traction in second curve

Noise and braking will remain terrible

dropping 4psi in this climate will not have most of the effect you describe. !

[Shocktreatment]

This was interesting

http://www.aawen4x4.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:4psi-rule&catid=2:current&Itemid=7

[wandrinstar]

This was interesting

http://www.aawen4x4....urrent&Itemid=7

What a Fuss, my tires deflated 1PPI by the time id read through it.

[Kwasaki]

On my 2005 Vigo I found the Dueller H/T tyres really good but they were worn out at 35,000 kms so kbb has a point, there must have been different compounds knocking about over the years, when the name stayed the same.

Nitrogen !! well I going to stay of this one. :lol:

Seems strange that there would be such a huge compound variation on the same model tyre. Mine still have 50% tread after 100,000 kms. I wonder what the current Dueller is like. I just don't want to buy the wrong ones and have another 100,000 kms of dissatisfaction.

I forget what MRO said were the best tyre, in his opinion, Yoyo I think or it was another Japanese tyre anyhow, you would have to look back on other threads on tyres, there are so many brands but I would go with them on his advice, if you are not happy with Bridgestone.

[Jobo]

On the tyres issue I have a 2008 2WD Nissan Navarra still fitted with the original Bridgestone Dueller HT tyres - 205R16 on 6" wide wheels. All standard.

On such a bug truck these skinny little tyres look ridiculous. What is the largest(i.e. widest) tyres I can put on those original wheels?

Being a rare wheel stud pattern it is very difficult to find decent after market wheels I've found or I would consider new wheels as well - probably 18"

[TommyDee]

On the tyres issue I have a 2008 2WD Nissan Navarra still fitted with the original Bridgestone Dueller HT tyres - 205R16 on 6" wide wheels. All standard.

On such a bug truck these skinny little tyres look ridiculous. What is the largest(i.e. widest) tyres I can put on those original wheels?

Being a rare wheel stud pattern it is very difficult to find decent after market wheels I've found or I would consider new wheels as well - probably 18"

really depends on your lanned useage. you are adding a considerable additonal diameter so need to be sure that you are not off roading or going with heavy loads or you will bottom out on the wheel arches and on tight turning.

[Jobo]

I never carry a heavy load and never go offroad - it's a 2wd as I mentioned.

I did some research and found a 225/55 is the widest tyre that should be fitted to a 6" wheel.

This size does not affect the OD so no problems with bottoming or fouling the guards or further distorting the speedo "accuracy."