Tire Ratings - Opinions?

[swede79]

For those who have replaced the OE Kumho Solus tires, what did you choose? Are you happy with your selection? I don't care for the OE tires at all. I recently acquired my 2012 Journey SXT (17 inch wheels) when there was still snow falling. These tires are horrid in the snow and I feel like if we have a heavy rain while driving, they might be just as bad. I have a child who is younger than a year old, and I am concerned about the stability of the vehicle during rain or snow.

I too agree with some other folks in that the compound the OE tires are made of might be completely different than that of a retail tire from Kumho. This Journey has only 25,000 miles and based on the wear on the tires, I suspect them to be worn to the wear indicators at 30,000 miles (when they supposedly should be good for 60,000 miles). My dilemma right now is what tire to replace these with? I know that the OE tires are 'H' rated at 100H, however, I've been checking with various tire dealers/installers in my area. There seems to be some difference in opinion about what can be installed. Most tires in the P225/65-R17 size can come in either T or H ratings. Some places advise not to go with anything less than the H rated tires which are OE spec'd. Others say going to a T would be perfectly fine and that those might actually increase the fuel mileage slightly. I found some tires that are 100T or 102T and they are much more reasonable in price and have a tread pattern I like. Specifically I'm leaning towards Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring tires, but they only come in 102T. I have a set of these on my other car, a Chrysler 200 with the 18 inch wheels, and they are a great tire in comparison to the junky Goodyear Eagle LS2's it had from the OE install. Just looking for people's thoughts on choosing a T over a H rated tire and what brand and model tires people are using, and how they like them.

[jkeaton]

Sorry, I'm in the small Kuhmo supporter crowd. We replaced our Kuhmo's on our 09 with Kuhmo's at about 40k. I had Kuhmo's on my Z28, have them currently on our 2013 Journey, my daughters Mustang and my Eclipse. I have no quarrel with Kuhmo tires.

Edited April 10, 2014 by jkeaton

[ltdjourney]

For those who have replaced the OE Kumho Solus tires, what did you choose? Are you happy with your selection? I don't care for the OE tires at all. I recently acquired my 2012 Journey SXT (17 inch wheels) when there was still snow falling. These tires are horrid in the snow and I feel like if we have a heavy rain while driving, they might be just as bad. I have a child who is younger than a year old, and I am concerned about the stability of the vehicle during rain or snow.

I too agree with some other folks in that the compound the OE tires are made of might be completely different than that of a retail tire from Kumho. This Journey has only 25,000 miles and based on the wear on the tires, I suspect them to be worn to the wear indicators at 30,000 miles (when they supposedly should be good for 60,000 miles). My dilemma right now is what tire to replace these with? I know that the OE tires are 'H' rated at 100H, however, I've been checking with various tire dealers/installers in my area. There seems to be some difference in opinion about what can be installed. Most tires in the P225/65-R17 size can come in either T or H ratings. Some places advise not to go with anything less than the H rated tires which are OE spec'd. Others say going to a T would be perfectly fine and that those might actually increase the fuel mileage slightly. I found some tires that are 100T or 102T and they are much more reasonable in price and have a tread pattern I like. Specifically I'm leaning towards Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring tires, but they only come in 102T. I have a set of these on my other car, a Chrysler 200 with the 18 inch wheels, and they are a great tire in comparison to the junky Goodyear Eagle LS2's it had from the OE install. Just looking for people's thoughts on choosing a T over a H rated tire and what brand and model tires people are using, and how they like them.

Did u try souyh of border prices are big differance to get a better tire. at the most u would pay extra would be tax I've done it three time

[DTSGUY]

Did u try souyh of border prices are big differance to get a better tire. at the most u would pay extra would be tax I've done it three time

Itdjourney, when you say south of the border im assuming you mean here in the US cause I see that your in Canada is this correct? South of the border to us here in the US is Mexico. swede79 shows to be in Illinois which is here in the US.

[Appalachian Journey]

Are you willing to risk possibly finding out why Dodge specifies H rated tires?

[Lobitz68]

For those who have replaced the OE Kumho Solus tires, what did you choose? Are you happy with your selection? I don't care for the OE tires at all. I recently acquired my 2012 Journey SXT (17 inch wheels) when there was still snow falling. These tires are horrid in the snow and I feel like if we have a heavy rain while driving, they might be just as bad. I have a child who is younger than a year old, and I am concerned about the stability of the vehicle during rain or snow.

I too agree with some other folks in that the compound the OE tires are made of might be completely different than that of a retail tire from Kumho. This Journey has only 25,000 miles and based on the wear on the tires, I suspect them to be worn to the wear indicators at 30,000 miles (when they supposedly should be good for 60,000 miles). My dilemma right now is what tire to replace these with? I know that the OE tires are 'H' rated at 100H, however, I've been checking with various tire dealers/installers in my area. There seems to be some difference in opinion about what can be installed. Most tires in the P225/65-R17 size can come in either T or H ratings. Some places advise not to go with anything less than the H rated tires which are OE spec'd. Others say going to a T would be perfectly fine and that those might actually increase the fuel mileage slightly. I found some tires that are 100T or 102T and they are much more reasonable in price and have a tread pattern I like. Specifically I'm leaning towards Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring tires, but they only come in 102T. I have a set of these on my other car, a Chrysler 200 with the 18 inch wheels, and they are a great tire in comparison to the junky Goodyear Eagle LS2's it had from the OE install. Just looking for people's thoughts on choosing a T over a H rated tire and what brand and model tires people are using, and how they like them.

From what I can tell, the T rated tire is more than sufficient. Lets look at what the numbers actually mean...

The number is the "Load Rating". Your factory Kuhmos are 100H... The "100" designates that this tire has a load rating of 1,764 lbs per tire. Your aftermarket choice is a 102T. The "102" designates that this tire has a load rating of 1,874 lbs per tire (an improvement!). The letter in these label is the "Speed Rating" and the "H" designates a maximum speed capability of 130 mph where the "T" designates a maximum speed capability of 118 mph.

Since your concern lies in the safety of your child, I highly doubt you ever reach speeds beyond the capability of the "T" rated tire and see no reason why that wouldn't be more than acceptable of a choice for you and your family. Hope that helps.

[Appalachian Journey]

Yeah, the numbers make sense but the unanswered question is why does Dodge specify H rated tires. Perhaps it's simply performance perception or perhaps something else is gained from the superior construction they thought necessary.

[Lobitz68]

Yeah, the numbers make sense but the unanswered question is why does Dodge specify H rated tires. Perhaps it's simply performance perception or perhaps something else is gained from the superior construction they thought necessary.

Generally an oem tire is a harder tire which provides longer life. There is likely also some financial reason behind the decision to use this tire. I wouldn't put too much into the engineers decision process on tires. There are a number of tires that could have been used, they chose one that they felt was appropriate.

The T rated tire will likely have a shorter life than the H rated tire and may even provide less fuel efficiency, but those numbers are likely negligible. Since the priority here is safety, I think that the ratings tell her that the tire is a more than sufficient replacement for her oem tires.

[rolly]

I think Lobitz68 makes a good point of over thinking the engineers decision process on tires. Considering that the Fiat which is nowhere near the same size or weight of the Journey, also has H rated tires and some even V rated. I think economics and less variety to assist in uniform assembly to eliminate assembly errors plays into the decision more than engineering influence. I don't know, but I suspect that the H rating is the lowest rating that are used to equip Dodge products. I think if they were building cars designed for the high speeds of the Autobahn, H rated tires wouldn't even be acceptable. In most jurisdictions that most of us drive in, the legal speed limits would deny us the opportunity to drive consistently at the high speeds that European drivers might experience. I could see a police cruiser having a much higher speed rating because of the need for pursuit capabilities. I haven't seen any Journeys either in marked or unmarked cruisers yet LOL.

Edited April 11, 2014 by rolly

[Destination]

I'm with jkeaton, I've had a good experience with the OEM Kumho tire (19" version). I'm on my second set and still a fan. Great in all conditions, and I've driven them in blizzards throughtout New England.

[Appalachian Journey]

There are a number of tires that could have been used, they chose one that they felt was appropriate.

That's the point I was attempting to make. As I understand the OP is wondering if T rated tires are suitable replacements. T rated tires are inferior to H and Dodge specifies H so, no.

Edited April 12, 2014 by Appalachian Journey

[rolly]

I just checked Tire Rack for best recommendations and four of the five tires on the list were T rated. I guess Tire Rack thinks that they fit the Journey to a "T"!

[swede79]

I decided on a set of tires today... After much consideration, I am going with Cooper Tire's Discover CTS line. They are 102H rated tires with a 620AA rating. I had come across these tires when looking. What made me choose these were the fact they have an $80 mail in rebate on a set of 4 right now AND the business where I'm purchasing from had a 'tax free' weekend, meaning they are paying the taxes on all items purchased over the weekend. This essentially saves me about $150 on the purchase after the rebate is received.

FYI, this place WOULD NOT install any T rated tire on the Journey. They claimed that 'legally' if they install any lower rated tire than the OEM suggests, then they would be liable if something went wrong with the tire.

I do find it very odd that many other tire dealers/installers tried to persuade me otherwise. Only TWO locations said I HAD to use H rated tires. From what I gather, H rated tires are more stiff than T rated tires and they generally get a bit less wear because of that, so the mileage warranty is a bit less.

Thanks everyone for your input. FWIW, I drove through extreme heavy rain today on an Interstate in Illinois. Where there were heavier spots of water on the road, the Kumho tires currently installed were having a very hard time gripping the road (with only 25,000 miles on them). Can't wait to get them off there! I experience the same issues on light snow.

[Lobitz68]

That's the point I was attempting to make. As I understand the OP is wondering if T rated tires are suitable replacements. T rated tires are inferior to H and Dodge specifies H so, no.

I guess we agree to disagree on this one!