Originally Posted By: ryster
I have the General Altimax RT on my car. Size 225/60/16. Put them on 20,000 miles ago and all four are down to 6/32's tread depth (they started new at 11/32.) Pretty poor showing for a tire rated at 70,000 miles.
They are terrible in the Winter. The compound that General uses is severely allergic to temperatures below 40 degrees. The tires ride like bricks when temps go below freezing. Snow traction is non-existent.
They have also become quite squirmy in the rain now, too. Will easily spin when starting out on a wet road, and will also spin if I accelerate too hard while underway on a wet road. Kind of unnerving to be rolling along at 25-30ph, accelerate, and have the front wheels spin and look for grip. In the rain I have to drive as though there is an egg under the gas pedal. Wet road braking is also dicey. Again, leave extra room and brake gently...these Altimax's slide easily.
I don't consider myself an aggressive driver. These tires have simply worn poorly. They are kept at the recommended pressure, and my car is properly aligned. I am replacing the Generals soon with Michelin X-Radials.
The Goodyear TripleTreds would be worth the premium to get a tire with better all-season performance. Might be a little noisy, but they are popular. Personally, I am not a Goodyear fan but would easily choose them over the Generals if they were my only two choices.
25 years ago I bought Generals, worst tires I ever owned. Wore out prematurely, one blew, one lost a piece of tread. Sounds like things haven't changed much.
John
