QuestionQUESTION: I have a 2004 Honda Civic LX (front wheel drive) It came installed with Potenza RE92 (P195/60R15). I chose the Civic over the Toyota Corolla because consumer reports rated it to have better emergency handling. Now I have to replace the tires after 56,000 miles. I am torn between what my mechanic recommended (Cooper CS4, $99 per tire, installed for $491, 60,000 warranty, rotate & balance for about $40) and the unidirectional Potenza G009 (from Sam's Club, $68 per tire, installed for $310, 50,000 mile warranty, free lifetime balancing and rotation). I am looking at safety mainly: not hydroplaning, good emergency handling, good stopping on dry/wet pavement, and OK in the snow here in the North. I know the Coopers will probably be quieter, last longer and handle the snow somewhat better, but I drive defensively, slowly in snow, so I am more worried about not hydroplaning emergency handling and stopping ability. I've read good things about unidirectionals and about the G 009. I can't find any direct comparisons on the Internet. People say good things about both. They seem to be in different categories touring vs. performance. Which should I chose and why?
ANSWER: Peter,
Both companies build a good product. I have installed both brands based on customer needs without any troubles.
The CS4 is a super all around product. Yes it's touring tire but, further research will indicate that it falls into the Performance Touring realm. Your best overall performance will be achieved through the CS4. Mileage wise the G009 doesn't compare the CS4.
On a separate note. I believe you can persuade your dealer to provide free lifetime rotation if it means him making a sale or not.
Tires do not require balancing at every rotation unless there is ride complaint.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Brett,
Thank you for your timely answer! I hear you that the CS4 is the better overall tire, better mileage too, and that the rotating and balancing could become a non-issue (it's more the tires I care about anyway). I should have been born in Missouri "the show-me state" because I like to see proof, if possible. I also like the details--between the G 009 and the CS4: which would stop better on dry pavement, on wet pavement, which would corner better on dry pavement, on wet pavement, which would hold the road better on a quick side to side maneuver simulating trying to avoid an accident? The Tire Rack site tested the G 009 against other performance tires(not the CS4) and the G 009 came out on top. Cooper's web site compared the CS4 against other touring tires (big deal! that's like comparing an NFL lineman to other NFL linemen. It doesn't say that the NFL lineman would beat out the best half back in the league at the half back position) it doesn't say how the CS4 would compare to other performance tires like the G 009. Then there is the unidirectional difference. According to Brad Bergholdt,an auto technology instructor, "directional, also called a unidirectional tires are designed to offer optimum straight-line acceleration, dry weather cornering performance, and wet weather traction by utilizing large tread blocks and angled grooves and sipes (narrow slits). Tread blocks are the portions of tread between the grooves. During dry weather widely spaced grooves (larger tread blocks between) allow a greater contact patch and less trendy squirm while cornering. During wet weather one typically desires closer spaced grooves to channel water away, lessening the chance of the tire hydroplaning. By optimizing the tread design for a particular direction of rotation, directional tires provide the best compromise between dry and wet weather performance." I've also read, that the G 009 does better in snow than other performance tires. But that doesn't tell me how would compare to the CS4 in the snow. Once again, I can't find any head-to-head comparisons between the two. Could you speak to the benefits of the unidirectional tire compared to a regular tire? It makes sense to me that the unidirectional tire could do a better job than a regular tire. Could you also answer the specific questions in detail comparing the CS4 to the G009? I know that's asking a lot and maybe there is no answer to this question, at least not with the proof of the details and I'm looking for. But it doesn't hurt to ask.
Peter
AnswerI am not aware of any side-by-side comparisons by an unbiased source. However, I can provide you with REAL world knowledge about both tires. The G009 is a super product that I have installed in many cases with great success for the particular application.
If I interpreted your original question correctly, as well as your follow up, you are asking for the best tire that will meet many criteria. Comparing the two styles and brands that you have presented the Cooper CS4 is the product.
The "Common" belief that a tread design carries water away is true but, not in the sense that many believe. Simple terms, an effective wet weather tread design actually holds water in order to pass it the rear of the tires rotation. This can be accomplished in either unidirectional or asymmetrical tread designs.
