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Honda Element Tires and Wheels

54 messages,  Last post on Jan 07, 2012 at 10:58 AM

You are in the Honda Element Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Element, Tires, Wheels, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 6

#15 of 54 Re: Goodyear Tires on Element [djm2] by artnsoul3

Jul 07, 2006 (2:30 am)

Replying to: djm2 (Jul 07, 2006 1:18 am)
Thanks for the responses. I just went to the dealership today for the dome light, and brought up the tire issue.
 
In college I briefly worked as a temp on the service drive of a dealership, so I'm familiar with their "tactics". Like I predicted, the service technician and manager denied there was anything wrong with the tires and that they had "another 30,000 miles to go" - which is such bull. Even though I don't know much about tires, I can even tell there's no way they'd come anywhere close to "another 30,000 miles". There is no alignment problem, and the tires have been rotated three times since I bought it. The wear is even on the tires - it's just low (you can see top of Lincoln's head with the penny test).
 
I stopped by my mechanic's on the way back and told him what they said, and of course, he said they're full of it (showing me that the wear is down to the tread bar). He said he'd go only another 500-1000 miles, definitely replacing them before winter - which I will anyway, since I'm going on another cross-country trip in November.
 
I did get kinda' bitchy with them, but I pretty much knew going in I wasn't going to get anywhere - and though my original plan was to go to the dealership manager if necessary - I've since decided it's not worth my aggravation. The only other thing I may do is send an email to the dealership manager and/or Honda and see what happens. Beyond that, I just don't want to deal with them (which I'm sure is what they're counting on). There's just too many other things to stress about lately!!
 
I wouldn't think the tires are necessarily defective - I just think they put crappy tires on it. I haven't heard many positive things about Goodyear tires, and I guess this only confirms that. I'll stick with Bridgestone's, which I've had good luck with in the past.
 
Aside from this tire thing, I LOVE the Element - and I just have the basic automatic AWD. Everything else has been fine. You just might want to check the type of tire that comes on your new Element. Maybe you can get better tires in the deal!!
 
Thanks again - and good luck with your purchase!
 
Janis

#16 of 54 Re: Goodyear Tires on Element [artnsoul3] by rprossil

Jul 07, 2006 (8:30 pm)

Replying to: artnsoul3 (Jul 07, 2006 2:30 am)
The OEM Goodyears are crappy tires. I bought an '03 Element EX back in Oct. '05 with 32k miles and the first thing I did was replace the tires. I went with Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenzas from Costco. Nice all season highway tread pattern and very quiet, major improvement over the originals. Price was good too, and they had a $75 rebate for the set of 4 then. If you watch their coupon offers, they do this type of thing pretty regularly on tires. Good luck.

#17 of 54 Re: Goodyear Tires on Element [artnsoul3] by djm2

Jul 07, 2006 (8:52 pm)

Replying to: artnsoul3 (Jul 07, 2006 2:30 am)
artnsoul3: -----------If I purchase an "Element" I will be purchasing a 2WD version of the vehicle. The AWD version of the Element could be part of the problem. There might be a "on-going drag" on the tires with the AWD. In any case, I will not accept the Element with "Goodyear tires" on the vehicle. If they want to sell the vehicle, they will have to put Michelin tires on the vehicle, and in the "get ready process", they will have to perform a four wheel alignment prior to delivery! I have done this before with other vehicles.-------- Best regards. ---- Dwayne

#18 of 54 Re: Goodyear Tires on Element [djm2] by wamba2000

Jul 17, 2006 (6:19 am)

Replying to: djm2 (Jul 07, 2006 8:52 pm)
My 2004 EX AWD went 20,000 on the OEM tires. They were are 3/32 when I switched them out, due to a planned vacation. I have heard few cases where owners got "normal" mileage from these tires, beside being noisy and easy break traction.
 
I went with a slightly wider tire while staying close to original specs (235/60X16) using the yokohama Avide TRZ. It is a passenger tire, but since 98% of my driving is in city, they work great. They have an 80,000 mile tread warranty (UTOG rated at 700), I just returned from a trip to Wyoming and used the Element on back roads and in rain and the TRZs were great.
 
Good luck, consider it a case of the manufacturer spec being designed for the lowest cost tire possible. Seems like OEM tires don't last like regular stock tires, even Michelins, on other vehicles i've owned. 30,000 seems t be the max I get

#19 of 54 Just replaced with the GY fortera by 151ranch

Jul 28, 2006 (8:14 pm)

MUCH quieter now. We have a 04 EX-S 4wd MT and just put on our second set at 58k miles, but probably should have switched a little earlier.

#20 of 54 Re: Goodyear Tires on Element [rprossil] by balticjetta18t

Jul 31, 2006 (1:11 am)

Replying to: rprossil (Jul 07, 2006 8:30 pm)
BOO-YAAHH!!! I ALSO had B-stone Dueler H/L Alenza's installed on my 04 EX... Factory OEM size of 215/70TR-16. Goodyears were "S" rated where the "T" rating gives a slighty higher speed rating. Got them from the Tire Rack 113 each less the 75 rebate. Local Honda dealer did the mounting and balancing for $46 total. Tire rack shipping was like $41/42. So the rebate covered the mounting and shipping for the most part.
 
The best part is that these tires have terrific rating's for all categories as posted on the tire rack. My experience with them so far is that they are nice and quiet, handle great, look terrific with the black raised letters out.
  
I bought this Element used with 26k miles in April 06. The prior owner did all the Honda Maint. per book. OEM Goodyears rotated and balanced every 5k. All was evenly worn right to last 1/8" of tread. New TIREs were a priority.
 
The tread pattern on the new ALENZA's were a strong selling point for me too. Vehicle ride's with more class now...

#21 of 54 It's not just the Element by fantazmickb

Jul 31, 2006 (6:13 pm)

I had the same problem with my Ford Focus (the only problem I have had). Right at about 18,000 I had to get new tires on my car. The dealer said that these light cars just eat up tires. Bad answer. My Mom drives a plastic Saturn and it has never had this problem.
I took my car to Firestone and bought a lifetime Alignment and 2 new tires (same that the car came with from the manufacturer). I experimented with getting the car checked and/or aligned once a month along with having the tires rotated once a month. This does not fix the problem either.
If you replace your tires, replace all 4 at once and do NOT put the same crappy tires that your car had on it when you bought it. But don't think the more expensive tires are better. I have since put on the cheapest set of tires available at Discount Tire Company and the car runs smoothly and I have not had to replace the tires, rotate them or have the car aligned to keep from having the problem.
The issue is cheap tires used by the car manufacturers and having the car dealer and the tire companies all say it's the other's fault.
I would write letters to the car manufacturer and tire company and complain to the dealer....you might get somewhere or you might not, but it won't hurt to see what you can get them to say....probably all rubbish, but if you are lucky, they will buy you a new set of tires which will get you another 10,000 - 20,000 miles which is what the original tires should yield. By the way, My next car will more than likely be the 2006 or 2007 Element, with a better tire than the manufacturer supplies if I can get the dealer to upgrade them.

#22 of 54 Re: Goodyear Tires on Element [rprossil] by dbernath

Aug 25, 2006 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: rprossil (Jul 07, 2006 8:30 pm)
Did you find the ride unusually hard with the Alenzas? I couldn't stand the bumpy ride and the fact that they got caught in every groove on the freeway (southern California). I'm still looking for a replacement for the Wranglers, but every tire I've tried so far has WAY too rough a ride for me.

#23 of 54 Re: Goodyear Tires on Element [dbernath] by balticjetta18t

Aug 26, 2006 (12:49 am)

Replying to: dbernath (Aug 25, 2006 1:25 pm)
I have found the ride to be terrific, comfy, quiet and responsive handling with the "HL-Alenza's". The HL version is for Highway Luxury. It is a major improvement when riding over the expansion strips vs the GY Wranglers. I do find the ELEMENT itself will give you more bounce from the rear on certain surfaces.
I can understand the Cali-Freeway and experienced it on a recent trip out there in particular between Brentwood and LAX Southbound on the 405.

#24 of 54 Re: It's not just the Element [fantazmickb] by extech2

Aug 26, 2006 (2:32 pm)

Replying to: fantazmickb (Jul 31, 2006 6:13 pm)
A service manager told me a few years ago that Honda pays less than $ 20 per tire on the cheaper cars - no Michelins here - so obviusly they don't last.

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