Type of tire for small SUVs?

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al - 21 Nov 2006 11:34 GMT

Can a passenger car tire be used on a small SUV? I am going to be
replacing tires on an '04 CRV and most of the shops I've called have
recommended passenger tires, Goodyear Comfort Tread and Michelin
Symmetry for example. But one shop said that for the best ride,
performance and treadwear the original equipment tire would be best,
Bridgestone Duelers. Unfortunately, I barely got 30K miles out of
these and they were noisy so I'm looking for an alternative. Or is 30K
the best I can expect out of any tire on this car?

Thanks.

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* - 21 Nov 2006 12:46 GMT

al <alborasso@yahoo.com> wrote in article
<1164108860.335564.3520@f16g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>...

> Can a passenger car tire be used on a small SUV? I am going to be
> replacing tires on an '04 CRV and most of the shops I've called have
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Thanks.

The aftermarket tire industry is populated by idiots who are, apparently,
as unaware of tires and their proper applications as they are of the
litigous nature of the business these days.

The following is a direct quote from the book, "THE RACING & HIGH
PERFORMANCE TIRE - Using the Tires to Tune for Grip and Balance." by Paul
Haney....Self-published in conjunction with the Society of Automotive
Engineers.

ISBN 0-9646414-2-9

In the chapter titled "Tire Design and Manufacture" under the sub-heading
"Tread Design" we find the following quote on page 82....

"SPECIAL CASES: SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLES"

"Sports utility vehicles seem to be an exception when it comes to tires.
People don't mind noisy tires on those cars. The knobby, wide-open treads
are there for a reason - less grip. SUVs have a narrow track and a high
center of gravity so they tip over easily. A tire with normal grip could
pose a safety hazard. SUV tires are actually designed for less grip to
avoid rollovers. What about braking traction? It looks to me like that has
to be less also."

"For me, better tires are those that generate more grip in all conditions.
If your vehicle is so big and unwieldy that better tires are a hazard,
maybe that type of vehicle is a poor choice."

The above two paragraphs - written by a recognized authority with support
by the SAE should be enough to reach a comfortable settlement in ANY court
following the accident....

....and, the tire store employee who recommended and installed passenger
car tires on an SUV will probably find himself very lonely in court.

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