I need new tires 225/65 R17, but the size seems to limit my brand selection and stores carrying the size. Anyone in the Seattle area have any recommendations? I'm steering towards the Yoko YK520.
Thanks in advance.
I bought a set of Yokohama AVID H4S from tirerack.com and had them mounted/balanced locally at Walmart. Have about 5K miles on them currently and have no complaints thus far. I had always been a die-hard Michelin fan, but Michelin could not come close to beating $107/tire (shipping included) for a 600 Treadwear/AA traction rated tire.
I like my OE Michelins. And out of curiosity ,I went to Costco to price them for future replacement down the road....$168/each....OUCH. Well, I have approx 9K miles on my 06 LTD. So I'll have some time to SAVE up if I want another OE set.
How many miles did yu get out of your OE Michelins?
Many have commented that the Avids are very hard riding tire by comparison to the OE Energy LX4 Mich's, anycomments?
Yes this tire size leaves yu not much to choose from.
But I am considering a 235/65-17. Many more brands and models to choose from.
There's very little dimensional difference in this one "up size".
I'm at 38K with the OE Energy LX4 Michelins on there now. I expected them to last longer, with tire rotations and proper inflation; wonder if the AWD chewed them up quicker. I could squeeze another 5K out of them, but with winter rains and snow coming, I'll play it safe.
Road noise - is 'loud', but thats comparing to the BMW 'whisper'. I'm thinking the ride could be quieter with the right tire, but don't want to loose to much grip for comfort. They do go great in the rain and snow - both compact and new, but most of that is probably the AWD.
I'll pop into the Costco tire shop and see what they have. Thanks!
How many miles did yu get out of your OE Michelins?
Many have commented that the Avids are very hard riding tire by comparison to the OE Energy LX4 Mich's, anycomments?
The Highlander came with a set of Goodyears (I think) that only last ~40K miles. I then "upgraded" to a set of OEM Michelins before now going with the AVIDs. The Michelins only lasted about 48K miles before they needed replacement (they were fully worn to the minimum treadwear marks when I replaced).
The AVID's do run a little firmer but I would not consider it unbearable. They have a more aggressive tread design so I'm hoping it helps out in winter driving conditions. Hopefully these tires last 60-70K miles which is typical treadwear for a 600 rated tire. As I said before, I'm a die-hard Michelin fan but its tough to justify their current premium tire prices.... especially if they only last 40-50K miles.
I would NOT buy anything from Tirerack. There was a good program on 60 min or 20/20 a few yrs back (when the Firestone tires were blowing up like balloons) where these tire manufactures dump all their overstocks to online companies. Here is the danger..
Tires last 5 yrs maximum. Now, if there is a 2004 stocked tire on tirerack that you install on ur vehicle and add 5 yrs to it, it has crossed the 5 yr margin.
Goto Costco, BigOTires and demand the date when the tire was manufactured (usually they have at the most oldest tire could be 2006). There is no std in printing the WW (work week) when the tire was manufactured, each company has their own way of printing it on the side of the tire.
Knowing the WW when the tire was manufactured greatly helps the safety of you, family and others.
Coming to options, I would go with AVIDs / Dunlop SPs.
I understand your concern on date code of tires.
Yes, a 5 year old tire whether sitting on the shelf(new) or sitting mounted on a car IS a five year old tire.
And, Tire Rubber naturally deteriorates with age ozone etc. That's why dry rot occurs.
There IS a standardized date code legible on ALL tires as Long as they meet DOT Compliance(any tire sold in the USA)
The date code is easily read by anyone.
tire rack is like the rest regarding old inventory. I have rejected many a tire from many suppliers because the tires were "just too old for my liking".
But, many tire dealers do this. If yu are specific and ask and actually check each tire for week and year( again ALL tires have a date code) yu will not get caught up with old stock.
I have never had an argument over this with any tire dealer I've ever dealt with. They just might sell it to the next guy who doesn't care,so it is up to yu to know the date code before the tires get mounted.
I ALWAYS check every tire before it is mounted on any of my cars.
I try to get tires mfr'ed no longer than 3-4 months old. It is hard on certain slow moving specilaty tires but even a tire that is 6 months old is fine.
I never get tires over 1 year old. But 99% of the public don't know or care about the Date Code and why it is important.
A tire that newly mounted ,yet sitting the shelf for 5 years will fail ,dry rot and permeate (lose residual air through the membrane) before it's useful tread is gone.
Great subject. But I would not hold any one Tire dealer as a contibutor to this problem. All dealers have this dilema.
This tire code business has me baffled. I just checked my Michilin LTX's and found the following numbers on the tires.
06-55285-01
AR 1209
DOT B34VEW1X
When I bought my 03 HLer last year it had brand new LTX's on it, so I doubt that they were made in 01 (could be wrong) Can anyone read any dates in this pile of numbers?
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My first two Toyotas: a 1972 Yellow Carina and a 1974 Copper Corona 'woody' station wagon. Remember these names?
There is no hide and seek here, there should be the date of manufacture (in some form or fashion) on the side of the tire. It just baffles me why this data is not stdized like nutrition facts on food (freking idiots at DOT). My Highlander had it 0626 meaning WW26,06.
Found it ddvk,
I called Michilin. Seems that the date is only stamped on one side of the tire. Probably another silly cost cutting measure. Of course for me it would have to be the whitewall side, which I have mounted on the inside. ( time to do some crawlling underneath) So inside reads DOT B34VEW1X 4205, while outside just reads BOTB34VEW1X. I figure 42th week to be around Nov. of 05. MYSTERY SOLVED !
Hope this helps out others with the same question. Thanks for the advice.
PS Michilin Customer Service: 1-866-866-6605
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My first two Toyotas: a 1972 Yellow Carina and a 1974 Copper Corona 'woody' station wagon. Remember these names?
This tire code business has me baffled. I just checked my Michilin LTX's and found the following numbers on the tires.
06-55285-01
AR 1209
DOT B34VEW1X
When I bought my 03 HLer last year it had brand new LTX's on it, so I doubt that they were made in 01 (could be wrong) Can anyone read any dates in this pile of numbers?
The numbers yu provided are not the date code.
The date code is stamped and has an oval around it. It isstamped on both sides of the tire so it will be there to read.
It is to the right of the "DOT number". It will be 4 digits... like mine is "5005".
My tire was made in the 50th WEEK (middle of December) of 2005. It's really simple stuff. But important to know. It's designed to be interpreted by the layman (Tire owner). DOT requires it to be so.
I know there are so many numbers on the tire. But the Date code is there.
Check again and post it. No need to call tire company!
Beg to differ LifeTech,but code is stamped only on one side of my LTX's, just as customer service said. I see the word Canada on the tire. Maybe that is where this Michilin was made and they do use only one side of the tire. It was to the right of the DOT in an oval like you said though. Mine was 4205.
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My first two Toyotas: a 1972 Yellow Carina and a 1974 Copper Corona 'woody' station wagon. Remember these names?
2004 Highlander Limited AWD - need new tires!
towards the Yoko YK520. 
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