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#2054 of 2171 Re: Introduction From A Newbie [grosloup] by sseiboi Nov 17, 2008 (7:43 pm)
Replying to: grosloup (Nov 17, 2008 10:30 am) well first off let me say 1 thing, try to avoid the dealership at all cost when trying to buy tires or questions on the suspension. i say that only because they will try to sell you things that will either: void your warrantee, cause rediculous and anoying problems that vary from noises or vibrations that are very unwanted, or just try to sell you a product that i consider is completely garbage.   I can definitely help you with the situation your in. the original tires you have on the equinox is 235/65r16 which means and tells you alot of the handling capabilities and recommended perfomance of your vehicle. The size is the description of you tires and it is broken down like this: "235" is the section width of the tire, or how wide your tires are in mm. "65" is the percent of 235 which is the profile of the tire, how tall the tire is from the rim. And last but not least, "16" is the rim size. If you look in the door jam, it gives you a recommended tire size and the size of your spare. What you have on your equinox is what you want to stay with when you get snow tires. i can tell you off hand that the dealer was trying to sell you tire just to make money because they went down 2 sizes to 215 and 225 but increased you side wall height. I personally would never go down sizes but it is possible. The only consequence is you lose traction easier due to less contact on the road because the tire is skinnier.   What i recommend is searching for the same size you have already in a snow tread. recommended brands: pirelli, bfgoodrich and the high priced Michelin. (in order of lowest price and least perfomance to highest price to best perfomance). Like i said, avoid dealership unless it has to do with engine or transmission or anything with powertrain.... should be warranteed. Hope that helped, feel free to ask questions. Thank you for a reply Replies to this message: grosloup (Nov 18, 2008 4:40 am) sseiboi (Nov 18, 2008 8:38 am)
#2055 of 2171 Re: Introduction From A Newbie [grosloup] by okko1 Nov 18, 2008 (4:20 am)
Replying to: grosloup (Nov 17, 2008 10:30 am) that tire should be fine. the tire size differnce isn't much. a taller narrower tire will move through the snow with less resistance than the wider tire. it also tends to steer better.
#2056 of 2171 Re: Introduction From A Newbie [sseiboi] by grosloup Nov 18, 2008 (4:40 am)
Replying to: sseiboi (Nov 17, 2008 7:43 pm) Thank you "ssesboi" and "okko1" for your replies. Surely helps me figure out things about tire size and performance. In the older days, we saw rarely 13 inches tires, mostly 14 and 15's but now 16, 18 even 20's Wow! How come? Why? Replies to this message: sseiboi (Nov 18, 2008 8:38 am)
#2057 of 2171 Re: Introduction From A Newbie [grosloup] by sseiboi Nov 18, 2008 (8:38 am)
Replying to: grosloup (Nov 18, 2008 4:40 am) The reason we are seeing taller rims is because the standard vehicle performances have been increasing. The manufactures are almost building the cars around the tires. A lower profile tire will have a better and more solid contact on a wet and dry road. High speed handling is better with a low profile tire. I dont know the actual reason for 20s but it could be just so that say a SUV could handle like a compact. In my opinion, the tallest rim id have is 18. Comes stock on my ss cobalt and have put 18s on previous vehicles. 20s are too tall and flimsy, ride like crap and feel like they are gonna break if you go over a speed bump to fast.... Going back, a skinnier size does cause less friction in snow but what happens when you get back on pavement???? your gonna sacrifice performance. Just sayin....
#2058 of 2171 31.5 MPG on auto 2009 Sedan by micweb Nov 18, 2008 (3:16 pm)
4 tanks of gas, average 31.5 (calculated using receipts showing gallons - odometer reset each fill-up).   Variations from tank to tank have been very minor - .2-.3 of a mile per gallon, calulated.   DIC has shown a wider variation, up to 1 mpg.   This is quite good gas mileage for my mostly freeway, mostly moderate temperature (little need for aircon) commute.   The Caliber and Fit delivered better than EPA estimated highway mpg on my mixed driving. Most of my cars have come under the EPA highway estimate, with automatics tending to "give up" more to the EPA estimate than stick shifts.   I have been driving this automatic very gently, except when needed - or once in a while for fun.   Glad I bought the car. Hope GM gets through the current economic turmoil, they deserve to survive. Replies to this message: sseiboi (Nov 18, 2008 5:59 pm)
#2059 of 2171 Re: 31.5 MPG on auto 2009 Sedan [micweb] by sseiboi Nov 18, 2008 (5:59 pm)
Replying to: micweb (Nov 18, 2008 3:16 pm) I completely agree with you on the fact that Gm deserves to survive the turmoil. The ecotec motor that is standard on so many new GM vehicles is critisized by similar imported i4 engines. And i think the only reason is because it is so great they only pick the flaws which is few to none just that they take notes on the manufacture defective motors.   As far as my gas mileage, i get great for how i drive. You can kinda say that my foot is made of lead and with my car being manual tranny, i get to red-line my motor as i please. On my dash, estimated gas consumption, says: average- 20.7 and average speed: 26 mph. I rarely drive freeway but when i do, 80 mph the whole way and 24.0 mpg at best. Not Bad? The technology in the ecotec motor is unbelievable, i wish i got 30 mpg on my superchaged ss! Hahaha! Never happen with my race blood.
#2060 of 2171 Re: Introduction From A Newbie [sseiboi] by calypso3 Nov 23, 2008 (6:12 pm)
Replying to: sseiboi (Nov 16, 2008 7:21 pm) It's me again "grosloup" with another tire question. I was checking my air pressure in my winter tires on the weekend and on the tires it's written 44 p.s.i. but on the door panel 35 p.s.i. What p.s.i. do you recommend me the one written on the door panel or the one on the tire? Replies to this message: tsjay (Nov 24, 2008 8:01 am) sseiboi (Nov 24, 2008 8:45 pm)
#2061 of 2171 Re: Introduction From A Newbie [calypso3] by tsjay Nov 24, 2008 (8:01 am)
Replying to: calypso3 (Nov 23, 2008 6:12 pm) The tire pressures you see on the tires themselves are MAXIMUM pressures for that particular type of tire. The same types of tires are used on many different models of cars and trucks, and the proper inflation pressure depends on the type of vehicle. Most often you do not want to run the maximun tire pressure. Vehicle weight is one of the biggest factors in tire pressure.   With the factory tires, a Cobalt's recommended cold tire inflation pressure is 30 psi. Cold pressure is when the vehicle has been driven less than five miles.   The ambient air temperature will affect tire pressure, so it is necessary to add some air in the winter.   Tom Replies to this message: sseiboi (Nov 24, 2008 8:45 pm)
#2062 of 2171 Re: Introduction From A Newbie [tsjay] by sseiboi Nov 24, 2008 (8:45 pm)
Replying to: tsjay (Nov 24, 2008 8:01 am) Thats entirely true. The tire pressure on the side is maximum for seating the beads when mounting. The only time recommended to run that air pressure is when you are running flat. In the snow, you are required to run a higher pressure due to the fact that the tire present friction in snow dramatically if low. higher pressure makes that groves run from top to bottom and side to side entirely on the snow. If that makes any sense....
#2063 of 2171 Tire Pressure by tsjay Nov 25, 2008 (4:57 am)
What you are looking for in determining the proper tire pressure is a good "footprint." That means that you want the tread to be in contact with the pavement all the way across the width of the tire.   Over inflation makes only the tread in the middle of the tire contact the pavement, and the tire will wear in the middle. Under inflation makes only the tread on the inside and on the outside of the tire make contact with the pavement, and this will also cause uneven tire wear.   Some people actually go to the trouble of using chalk to check the footprint of their tires. You can rub some chalk across the width of the tread and then drive a few feet. Check the imprint of the tire where the chalk made contact with the pavement and see if it looks uniform. I don't know of anyone personally who does that, and I am not recommending that you should, but it does give you a clear picture of what you are looking for in determining the proper tire pressure.   Once again, the weight of the vehicle is a HUGE factor in determining the proper inflation pressure. With the same tire, a heavier vehicle will require a higher pressure. For example, I have some BFG Mud Terrains on my Jeep Wrangler, and the maximum tire pressure indicated on the tires is 50 psi. I run 28 psi for a good ride and for good handling, but Jeeps don't weigh very much. On a big truck, those tires might need to be run at 40 psi.   I would just go with the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, especially when running original equipment tires.   Tomster

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