Honda Pilot Tires and Wheels

Replying to: kipk (Mar 06, 2007 5:44 am)

I am doing my research as it is time to get new tires for my 2003 Honda Pilot. I bought it new with Integrity tires that did well. We had to replace them on the road after a blow out (hubby hit something). Don't remember what thoes were, but needed to be replaced within 25000miles. The new tires are horrible as we have had a lot of difficulty with balancing my tires and it has affecting wear. It took over 50,000 miles for the first set to need replacing, and I have gone through 2 sets of tires over the similar mileage. I thought about going back to the Integrity tires, but now am reading about the "road loading" thing and wondering if that affected the wear on the 2nd and 3rd sets. Can anyone tell me more about this?

Replies to this message:
• kipk (Sep 16, 2009 5:01 am)
  • jacks2 (Sep 16, 2009 6:20 am)
    • kipk (Sep 16, 2009 7:10 am) and 4 more...

Replying to: jacks2 (Sep 15, 2009 6:12 pm)

Found out yesterday that the spare on my '03 Pilot EX-L is a "Temporary". It is imprinted on the sidewall in large letters.
 
If everything else fails, look under the car. The tire/wheel are easily visible. If the wheel is an ugly black thing, the tire is most likely a thin but correct height temporary. It is rated to hold 60# of air and not be driven over 50 mph.
 
With a flashlight you may be able to see "Temporary" on the side wall.
 
NOTE: FWIW the valve stem is facing up, so the tire has to be lowered to check the air pressure.
 
Mine had 15#. Recon I need to check it more often than every 7 years.
 
Kip

Replies to this message:
• jacks2 (Sep 16, 2009 6:20 am)
  • kipk (Sep 16, 2009 7:10 am)
    • jacks2 (Sep 16, 2009 8:06 am) and 3 more...

Replying to: kipk (Sep 16, 2009 5:01 am)

Replies to this message:
• kipk (Sep 16, 2009 7:10 am)
  • jacks2 (Sep 16, 2009 8:06 am)
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Replying to: jacks2 (Sep 16, 2009 6:20 am)

Just so happens that I had the spare out yesterday (1st time) to make room to change out the VTM fluid.
 
I'm thinking that a tire rotation , as done these days, is simply moving the front tires to the back and visa versa. So a temporary spare is no big deal, and the spare would not be used in the rotation anyway. But I could be wrong on that.
 
I keep a can of "Fix a Flat" and a small electric tire pump that plugs into one of the Pilot's Power outlets, just in case. The spare was really nasty, and would be a real hassle if seriously needed.
 
Overall we have been extremely pleased with our Pilot. Not unusual to get 25-28 MPG on the road at 60-70 mph. Not bad for a 4WD vehicle of this size and weight.
 
As a first year model, it has had it's share of recalls and a few, (very few) problems. Biggest complaint I have is road noise and wind noise. But my understanding is that the latest models have addressed those problems.
 
We recently replaced my wifes 03 CR-V with a new 09 Toyota RAV4. While we were there I checked out a Highlander. From what I've read the Highlander is 1-2 seconds quicker to 60 mph than the Pilot and is rated at a bit better mileage. And that is a good thing. However even our 03 Pilot just simply seems better built with better quality. More storage inside and a more solid feel. Just wish it had the "PERFORMANCE" of the Highlander.

Replies to this message:
• jacks2 (Sep 16, 2009 8:06 am)
  • kipk (Sep 16, 2009 12:44 pm)
    • jacks2 (Sep 16, 2009 1:07 pm) and 1 more...

Replying to: kipk (Sep 16, 2009 7:10 am)

Replies to this message:
• kipk (Sep 16, 2009 12:44 pm)
  • jacks2 (Sep 16, 2009 1:07 pm)
    • kipk (Sep 16, 2009 1:14 pm)

Replying to: jacks2 (Sep 16, 2009 8:06 am)

As close as I can measure up side down, the diameter of the rim looks to be the same as the wheels on the ground, but not as wide.
 
Disclaimer: The following is the way I do it. Not necessarily the way anyone else would. Works for me, but may not for you. These are simply suggestions. Proceed at your own risk.
 
Options:
 
- try mounting a narrower "Real" tire on the spare rim
- see if dealer can supply you a real rim and tire (expensive)
- from a tire store, purchase a cheap painted rim and a tire with the same height as the ones on the ground.
 
Looks to be plenty of room in the spare well for a full size set up
 
The "Fix-a-Flat" can is about the size of a can of spray paint. Not enough air to pump up a tire. It contains a powder that will clog up a small hole. Such as made by a nail and the nail is still in the tire.
 
NOTE: I've been told that Fix-A-Flat can mess up the air pressure device on the tire monitoring system of the tire it was put into. I think the device is on the valve stem itself or on the valve cap.
 
Leave the nail in the tire, spray in the "Fix-a-Flat and pump up the tire with a small compressor. It is self contained, the 15-20 foot wire and the hose are stored inside the unit, It will plug into any of the round 1" diameter "Power Ports", (cigar lighter) and so forth in your car. Seems mine came from Wal-Mart Automotive Department and cost $30-$40. Weighs just 1-2 # and has a red light that can be set to blink or not blink. Also a built in pressure gauge to let you know how much pressure is in the tire. Most automotive stores/departments sell them. Mine is old and relatively slow and pumps up a tire at a rate of about 2# per minute. But it has pumped up a lot of tires over the years. Mostly stranger's tires. A totally flat tire might take 15-18 minutes to pump up, but a low tire may only take 5 minutes or so.
  
The newer compressors are much faster than mine. Just be sure it doesn't pull more current than the circuit is fused at. My Pilot's rear Power outlet is rated at 10 amps. I've never blown a fuse with the compressor. Either the box or a label on the compressor will tell you how many amps it draws. ie "8 amp input"
 
For a hole where the nail came out, the powder may not work and I would not even try, Instead, use a tubeless tire patch kit similar to the one tire stores use. It is a small hand held device that pushes a small piece of rubber into the hole. The rubber is covered with glue and stays in place if the hole doesn't have powder in it. Then pump up the tire with the mini compressor. If the hole isn't easy to find, pump some air into the tire and listen for the escaping air.
 
If the tire is cut- Break out the spare!
 
Think about this: You get a flat in the middle of nowhere. You put on the spare and now you have no back up tire in case you get another flat. I prefer to fix, patch, or repair the tire while it is still on the vehicle if possible, and still have the spare available. Tire patch kits and jumper cables are in all my vehicles. And in case some bad person wants to take advantage of my plight? I have the means to defend me and mine!
 
Kip

Replies to this message:
• jacks2 (Sep 16, 2009 1:07 pm)
  • kipk (Sep 16, 2009 1:14 pm)

Replying to: kipk (Sep 16, 2009 12:44 pm)

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• kipk (Sep 16, 2009 1:14 pm)

Replying to: jacks2 (Sep 16, 2009 1:07 pm)