Mileage needs may be key to replacing tires on Chrysler 300M

John Mahler

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Q: For my 2002 Chrysler 300M (with Performance Handling Package), a tire salesman at Costco recommends the Bridgestone Potenza G019 Grid (P225/55R17 V97) as replacements for the OEM all-season tires, Michelin Pilot MXM4 (P225/55R17 V95). Note: V95 Michelins versus V97 Bridgestones.

At $260 less for four tires, the Bridgestones ($779 with taxes) are attractive price-wise over the Michelins ($1,046) but the Bridgestones are treadwear-rated for 80,000 km versus the MXM4 rating of 100,000 km. More important, the Costco.ca website for tires does not show the Bridgestones as a recommended choice for this vehicle.

Is the Costco sales guy’s recommendation uninformed? My experience with the Michelin MXM4’s is good; I have achieved over 100,000 km from them primarily, I assume, from rotation every 5,000 km, close monitoring of inflation, and regular wheel alignments.

A: Your questions is really more complex than you realize. You are trying to compare apples and oranges. The Michelin is a touring tire with a sporty side. That means it is developed for comfort and quiet but can attack a few curves when necessary. The Bridgestone GO19 is a sport-touring tire. It has been designed to attack curves first and ride quality comes second.

You are correct, the Bridgestone is rated lower for overall mileage. That is the price for stickier rubber. The Bridgestone carcass will be noticeably stiffer, you will feel that in the steering and your butt. The price is right. They list at $316 and usually sell for $225 each.

I would not have any problem putting them on my 300M, but I like a sporty ride. But many people don’t. I suspect that is why they are not on the Costco recommended list.

Be aware that Bridgestone offers a “Buy and Try” on this tire. You buy it, drive it for 30 days or less, and get a full refund if you don’t like it. That is a full refund, no obligation to buy anything else. I would ask if Costco honours that Bridgestone deal. Then you can find out what ride quality really means to you.

Don’t worry about the V97 verses the V95. The V is the speed rating (240 km/h). The other numbers are the load rating, 97 means 1609 lbs. and 95 means 1521 lbs., so the Bridgestone can carry more weight. Since it is the same size as the Michelin, that tells us it has a stiffer sidewall.

Q: I hope you can help. I am changing cars and would like to know if I can use the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice winter tires from my Oldsmobile Intrigue (P225/60R16 on steel rims) on my 2010 Ford Fusion SEL AWD (P225/50R17). Are wheel bolt designs an issue?

A: Alas, you will need to get new wheels and tires for your new Ford. Neither the wheels nor tires will fit the new car. Your Olds tires are 26.6 inches tall, the correct diameter for the Fusion is 25.8 inches, almost a full inch shorter.

The bolt pattern on the Olds wheels are 5 holes on a 115 mm circle. On the Ford there are five holes on a 114.5 mm circle. You could jam the wheels on but you would damage the hub. Also the centre hub holes are not compatible.

If the rubber is still good on the winters, trade in the wheels and tires next fall on a new set for the Ford.

Q: I leased a 2007 Lexus GS 350 AWD new with Dunlop SP Sport 2050 summer tires (P225/50R17 94W). This rubber, used summer only, has accumulated 22,700 km. and is reportedly worn out. I’m astounded. Replacement tires quoted by the dealer, including installation and a four-wheel alignment is $2,066.

The vehicle has not been hard driven and the expensive Lexus (preventative) maintenance program has been followed. Is this reasonable? It seems I may have to buy new summer tires for 2010 and then turn in the vehicle in early 2011.

Can you also comment on suitable more reasonably priced replacements bearing in mind that at lease termination, the quality of the tires should be to original standards.

A: The Dunlop tires on your Lexus have one of the lowest treadwear ratings of that tire size. So 22 K is at the low end but not out of range for a sports ultra-high performance tire like that. The dealer’s price to replace them is too high.

Other equivalent Dunlops like its Signature model, which has the same speed and load rating, list for under $300 a tire and at an independent tire dealer it would discount these about 25 per cent. However these tires would be less grippy than what you have. So what happens at the lease end, I think, it might be argued that these tires are fine as they have the same speed and load rating.

As for lesser cost replacements, my first choice would be the General Exclaim UHP, priced around $155. It is the same 94W speed rating and is an excellent tire. Another choice might be the BFG g-Force Sport at around $180 per tire.

Email tire questions to John Mahler at thetireguy_1@hotmail.com. Please include vehicle’s make, model and year, tire brand and size, as well as your name, address and phone number. Due to volume, personal replies cannot be provided.

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