06 Civic 5MT - Time for tires, 3 to choose from.

[wing0]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: wing0
I am debating between PureContact and MXV4 now and noticed that the former has max pressure of 51psi vs latter at 44psi. Also 20lb vs 23lb in weight.

Any significant differences like sidewall firmness and durability/treadwear due to more material because of those figures?


IF the Continental PureContact is anything like the Continental DWS, the sidewalls are pretty soft, so that 51 PSI rating is needed to stiffen them up. Even the 205/50-16 Conti DWS's on our Fit need lots of pressure with their dinky little sidewalls. The ride is fantastic, though!


Thanks for your personal experience.
I was curious whether higher max PSI means the tire is more durable/strong sidewall or it means it's more flexible.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Originally Posted By: wing0

Thanks for your personal experience.
I was curious whether higher max PSI means the tire is more durable/strong sidewall or it means it's more flexible.

From what I recall reading higher pressures are allowed due to more robust multiple parts including sidewall. Think load range E tires etc for trucks/SUV's that do up to 80 PSI. They also ride much stiffer. Those are max loads per tire manufacturer not vehicle recommendation. If you inflate to that max pressure but don't have the load for it your tire WILL be more oval and not flat tread. You will probably lose handling, ride, braking and it will wear out in the middle of tread but could gain some MPG's.

 

[fdcg27]

Either tire seems pretty good in wet conditions, although the Michelins are now at 48K and are not as good as they once were.
The OEM MXV4 Energy tires as well as the first replecement set of the same were not especially good in the wet.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: Sequoiasoon
Originally Posted By: wing0

Thanks for your personal experience.
I was curious whether higher max PSI means the tire is more durable/strong sidewall or it means it's more flexible.

From what I recall reading higher pressures are allowed due to more robust multiple parts including sidewall. Think load range E tires etc for trucks/SUV's that do up to 80 PSI. They also ride much stiffer. Those are max loads per tire manufacturer not vehicle recommendation. If you inflate to that max pressure but don't have the load for it your tire WILL be more oval and not flat tread. You will probably lose handling, ride, braking and it will wear out in the middle of tread but could gain some MPG's.


That's totally opposite to my (and many other people's) experience on many different tires on many different cars. The tires felt mushy and floaty at the door jamb pressure. They also looked like a sharp piece of debris could slash the sidewall. Upping the pressure to something over door jamb and under the maximum cold pressure stated on the tire fixed those issues. Wear was/is dead-even across the tires, too. No premature wearing out in the centers.

The Conti DWS's are usually run at 40 PSI due to the mushy sidewall, and since they're +0 size for the car.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Originally Posted By: sciphi

That's totally opposite to my (and many other people's) experience on many different tires on many different cars. The tires felt mushy and floaty at the door jamb pressure. They also looked like a sharp piece of debris could slash the sidewall. Upping the pressure to something over door jamb and under the maximum cold pressure stated on the tire fixed those issues. Wear was/is dead-even across the tires, too. No premature wearing out in the centers.

The Conti DWS's are usually run at 40 PSI due to the mushy sidewall, and since they're +0 size for the car.


The question was higher psi stronger or more flexible. Tire Rack Max pressure

Max Load

Everybody's experience will vary. Mushy/floaty are subjective opinions and MANY variables effect it. Driving style, vehicle, load balance etc. I've had vehicles/tires that +4-5psi cold over sticker produced best wear. When expecting some harder corners (road rallies I participate in) I will add some to prevent tire roll onto sidewall. My Sonata is very evident especially with my Continental ExtremeWinterContacts that 2psi over sticker wears the center much faster at least on front tires. Granted they are extremely soft tread but measurable variation since the fronts on this car wear twice as fast as the backs normally. History for multiple years in winter is 4 months/5k 2/32" outside edge, 3/32" middle tread worn off just by having 32 vs 30psi in front tires. 30 psi was flat wear

Softer sidewalls are not always bad pending what your looking for. Highway ride/comfort yes, Handling, responsivness..NO. Many potholes??? Tire might flex and get pinched causing bubble. No flex harsh ride and possibly broken suspension parts.

Old Explorer with Michelin LTX M/S a couple PSI over wore great, still soft sidewalls, never an issue and rode better than ever especially on trips.

Many people comment on the DWS needing more PSI so tire fits their expectations. Maybe it's the wrong tire for those people. Common complaint from other people is runflats ride horrible due to sidewall not flexing.