QuestionRetailer says I should get pair of higher-priced Michelins $56 to match my rear pair of tires. If not, what speed rating, specs, etc should I get?
And, if you'd care to answer, who makes a good value tire for my very light 1995 Honda Civic?
I love the car, better than my big Nissian Maxima! (and it's botton of the line)
Happy Holidays from Atlanta
AnswerAlan,
You didn't tell me the year or model of your Civic, but the tire size gives me some clues.
First, since I work for a major manufacturer of tires, it just wouldn't be right for me to comment on brands of tires - You wouldn't be able to tell if I am being fair or not.
Now to the big question.
What you should do is chose tires with a minimum speed rating that came OE. This would preserve the original handling of the vehicle. My book says the original was either an H or an S, so I'm a little confused.
Look for the placard on your vehicle. The placard, among many things, tells the original tire size and the proper inflation pressure for that size. The placard is usually located on a doorpost or in the glove box.
I like to use 3 to 5 psi above the placard. I get better fuel economy, better tire wear, better wet traction, better snow traction, better steering response, better tire durability, and only give up a bit of ride harshness.
"They" say you should check your tire pressures once a month. Don't trust the guys at the shop to do it. These guys are paid by the hour and this is one of the easiest things to shortcut. Besides, there are a lot of mechanics you don't know where to look for the proper inflation. No, it is not on the sidewall.
Also, you should match all the tires around the vehicle. Mixing tires can cause vehicles to do strange things in emergency situations, just when you need it the most.
Hope this helps.
