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Kia Sportage Tires

5 messages,  Last post on Oct 10, 2009 at 2:57 PM

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#1 of 5 Kia Sportage tires: Comments, Concerns and Catastrophes! by illimey Dec 19, 2007 (7:28 am)
Here's the deal:   It seems to me that auto manufacturers can often be completely stupid when it comes to the tires they slap on their new vehicles. The '05 Honda Element I just traded in for my new '07 I4 5spd 4x4 Sportage came with a set of tires [Goodyear Wranglers] so unsuited to the truck that I gave up on them after only 10,000 miles. For some vehicles tire choice is not so important, but for an SUV style car, it really has to be right.   I've already read plenty of moans about the BF Goodrich rubber Kia puts on some Sportages, so I was happy to see that neither of the trucks I bought last week [yes, I bought 2 [TWO] Sportages last week - see other thread] have BF's on....   The 4x4 I have has Kumho Ecsta HP4 716 tires, and the 4x2 has Hankook Optimo H418   So far, the Kumhos have performed well in the slush and snow, which is a nice surprise considering that they have some pretty poor ratings for winter weather at tirerack.com.   My wife is driving the 4x2 with the Hankooks, so can't comment on those tires yet - but tirerack reviewers seem positive for the most part.   Anyone here got any thoughts? Should I expect any problems with these tires on my new trucks?   Have a blessed and happy Christmas, and drive safe!
#2 of 5 Sportage Replacement Tires by crazedcommuter Nov 01, 2008 (8:02 pm)
I just put new tires on the 2006 V6 Sportage LX AWD at 22,000 miles. OEM tires were the BF Goodrich Traction TA Spec but did not last long. They were down past the wear bars. I put on 4 Michelin Hydroedge in size 235 65 16. As you all know, replacement tires for the Sportage are tough to find and all the tire shops are eager to throw on a passenger car tire. I researched the Yokohama Geo ATS and the Kumho but could not find them stocked anywhere, so I opted for the Hydoedges. They're a 90,000 mile tire so I hope to do better than the OEM Goodrich's. I'll report back on performance after I get a few thousand miles on them. Anybody else switch tire sizes or types??
#3 of 5 Sportage Replacement Tires by crazedcommuter Apr 17, 2009 (3:41 pm)
The Michelin Hyrdoedges performed well through the winter. Dry traction is very good and the stiff sidewall makes handling in the Sportage much better. Wet traction is amazing with these hyrdos. No hydroplaing, lots of grip around wet curves, and no slips 80 mph on interstate driving. Treadwear looks almost new with 4,000 miles on them now. I found if I run the tire pressure 36lbs it is right for this vehicle. It was a very mild winter here in the eastern W Va/DC metro this year but the Kia plowed right on through and held the road fine during the one 7" snowfall this year.   So far the tires were a great investment and made the Sportage handle much better than the stock BF Goodrich TA's, and I recommend them as replacements. Replies to this message: crazedcommuter (Oct 10, 2009 2:17 pm) tidester (Oct 10, 2009 2:57 pm)
#4 of 5 Re: Sportage Replacement Tires by crazedcommuter Oct 10, 2009 (2:17 pm)
Replying to: crazedcommuter (Apr 17, 2009 3:41 pm) The Michelin Hydroedges are still performing quite well on our 06 Sportage. No issues with traction issues or hydroplaning, and handling is greatly improved over the stock BFG's. I had them rotated during the summer at Sears and tread wear has been minimal. Replies to this message: tidester (Oct 10, 2009 2:57 pm)
#5 of 5 Re: Sportage Replacement Tires [crazedcommuter] by tidester HOST Oct 10, 2009 (2:57 pm)
Replying to: crazedcommuter (Oct 10, 2009 2:17 pm) Thanks for the update!   tidester, host SUVs and Smart Shopper

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