I'm getting a `96 VTEC with the alloys, stock size is 205/55/15 I believe. The tires will need replacing soon, and I'm curious as to which brands and specific tires are suited for the car. My driving habits aren't like a competition weekend warrior but I do expect dry and wet good handling, comfort and good wear. Someone recommended a Falken tire, never heard of them.
I'm used to two ton domestic big blocks, but needed a car that didn't need a monthly parts allowance. I'm not knowledgeable about small car ties. Thought y'all might be. This itty bitty car hauls a$$ and deserves some decent rubber. The tires look wide enough on the car but I'm also wondering if the next size wider would work without scrubbing.
I'd appreciate any input on this.

 

The Falken tire that was probably mentioned to you is the Falken Azenis RT-615. It's the only really good tire that Falken makes. It offers exceptional traction on dry roads; downsides include rapid treadwear (10-12K miles is typical treadlife) and so-so traction in rain. The biggest downside is that the only 15" size is 205/50-15, which is too small for your car, so it's out of the question anyway.

I'll assume that snow traction isn't a significant consideration for you, so that you can get summer tires. (I know it occasionally snows in NC, though - see below).

I would get the Fuzion ZRi in 205/55-15, $66/tire at the Tire Rack. My second choice would be the Yokohama ES100, $81/tire. Both offer very good dry traction, excellent traction in rain, and reasonably long treadlife (25-40K miles). You can see a comparison test between these two tires here.

Both of these are summer tires, and aren't going to grip very well in snow or frigid cold. If that is a consideration to you, and you're willing to sacrifice performance in moderate to warm temperatures for better cold-weather grip, then you should get all-season tires. If so, I recommend the Kumho ASX, $65/tire in 205/55-15.

 

Thank you for that nsxtasy. I've been lurking at this site all week and read a lot by you. Still wondered what people were using on this specific car. Picked it up this afternoon. All-weather will probably be best for me because it's a fun car but it's got too many miles to be ******* it around all the time. The ES100 is some soft rubber to get used up that fast, great traction there. I compared the Yoko Avid V4S to the Kuhmo Ecsta ASX, the v4s rates higher in numbers but you can't always go by that. I did once and I hated those indy 500s. I'll be able to look into tires in a couple weeks, so I'll call Discount, Kingdom, Buffalo and the others to see where the best package is.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rice.ain`t.bad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">All-weather will probably be best for me because it's a fun car but it's got too many miles to be ******* it around all the time.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Make sure you understand. You DON'T need all-season tires for rain. Good summer tires like the ZRi and ES100 are excellent in rain. The main reason you need all-season tires is if you need to use them in snow and frigid snow. If that's your reasoning, fine. But if you don't need to worry about driving in snow, summer tires will give you better performance, even if you're just using them for everyday driving.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rice.ain`t.bad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The ES100 is some soft rubber to get used up that fast, great traction there.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Not true. The ES100 lasts quite a long time. We got over 40K miles on the last set on our GS-R, which means they lasted longer than any of the three other kinds of tires we've used on that car.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rice.ain`t.bad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I compared the Yoko Avid V4S to the Kuhmo Ecsta ASX, the v4s rates higher in numbers but you can't always go by that.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You're looking at the wrong numbers. You're looking at user survey numbers, which only tells whether people like the tires. If people keep buying a crappy tire because they're happy with it, it gets high marks in surveys, but that doesn't mean it's better than a tire with lower marks. Believe me, the Kumho ASX is much much MUCH better than the Avid V4S. They're cheaper, too ($65 vs $75 at the Tire Rack). So if you want all-seasons, it's a no-brainer - get the ASX, not the Avid V4S. (There are a few other all-seasons that are better than the ASX, but they are all more expensive than the ASX and none of them come in the 205/55-15 size you need.)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rice.ain`t.bad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'll be able to look into tires in a couple weeks, so I'll call Discount, Kingdom, Buffalo and the others to see where the best package is. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Do that. Also don't be afraid to buy your tires by mail, from the Tire Rack, Discount Tire, etc. Any tire shop or mechanic in your area can mount and balance them for you (including the installers recommended on the Tire Rack website). You can often save a lot of money by going that way, and you can get much better tires than getting stuck with what a tire shop recommends because they only keep crappy tires in stock and don't want to bother ordering a really good tire for you.

 

Checked out the Falken ZE-512's on the mgr's car at one tire store yesterday they had the Kuhmos there too. The kid that put the last set on my old car was very conscientious, might go there this time too. They said $60 to speed balance and install tires I carry in. That could still save money if the shipping isn't too bad on tires from the www.
Still more to check on.
Gotta replace the fluids now, it's a habit no matter if they still look or smell good.
Posted pics here: https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/2052100
Where I started a thread before seeing this rubber and wheel specific section. Snow is infrequent here the past two decades but we had over two feet + 50mph wind once three years ago.

 

The Falken Ziex ZE-512 is another really crappy all-season tire. The Kumho ASX is much, much, MUCH better for about the same price. For all-season tires, get the ASX, not the ZE-512.

 

I like the Kumho's, Yoko's are possible too. Too many choices, $ helps narrow it down though Anything will be better than my right front with a plug even with the tread.

 

I picked up the Kuhmo ASX's a few days ago. Ran them with 32psi until today. They don't handle too well, but the ride was softer. I bumped the # up to 38 but it's over 100 f right now so at 6 am when I go out I'll adjust it better then when it's cooler.
If that doesn't do it then I'll trade `em in. Fuzion has the Uni-T technology? That's firestone right?
Either that or the Yoko AVS100's. Time will tell. Bought them at Discount Tire they said if increasing the air didn't work they would put a different set on there. NICE!

 

It sat in the shade for a couple hours and I lowered the pressure to 36psi. The handling is much better, and I doubt 4psi will cause the tires to wear funny either, these tires might be keepers.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rice.ain`t.bad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I picked up the Kuhmo ASX's a few days ago. Ran them with 32psi until today. They don't handle too well, but the ride was softer. I bumped the # up to 38 but it's over 100 f right now so at 6 am when I go out I'll adjust it better then when it's cooler.
If that doesn't do it then I'll trade `em in. Fuzion has the Uni-T technology? That's firestone right?
Either that or the Yoko AVS100's. Time will tell. Bought them at Discount Tire they said if increasing the air didn't work they would put a different set on there. NICE!</TD></TR></TABLE>

You sound really confused. Like I said above, you need to decide whether or not you need to get all-season tires, based on whether or not you need to use them in snow. In moderate to warm temperatures, summer tires (like the ES100 and Fuzion ZRi) perform better than all-season tires. The advantage of all-season tires is that they can grip in snow. If you don't care about snow, then get summer tires.

 

I'm not confused.

I absorbed you enlightenment about m+s main purpose and wet handling not being sacrificed in a "summer" tire.

I want the car to perform and ride as good as it can for the amount of $ I can spend. It came with $150 / wheel tires on it.

Based on several reasons I got the ASX's. Set to the psi @ the door label they don't handle well. It was 103F here yesterday, too hot to mess with tire pressure and have it be accurate when I upped the pressure. When it cooled down I adjusted the psi and liked the performance of the tires better. If they still aren't up to snuff for my picky butt and the $400.00 I've spent, I'll give up the M+S tire for another type.
Just sharin' man, `cause I wouldn't feel good about asking a lot of questions without giving back.
.....yea, I've got a defensive streak, need more coffee....

 

Hey guys BTW, the kuhmo ASX has a max pressure of "51 psi" , so by you looking at the door is not going to help you..... play with it i find 49 works very well in my area(So cal)

The tires that you have put on now (asx) are far better than the stocks plus a higher speed rating, no longer a 32 psi standard.....

ALWAYS check the side of your tire that you are using if its an upgrade not the door label, because frankly i know honda did not put W rated tires on the lude stock

But there YOU got them on there now.....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SuperSlowH22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey guys BTW, the kuhmo ASX has a max pressure of "51 psi" , so by you looking at the door is not going to help you..... play with it i find 49 works very well in my area(So cal)</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't believe it. If you set your pressure 2 psi less than the maximum on the sidewall, it's going to heat up above the maximum when you drive them. That's UNSAFE and ill-advised.

I also don't believe you when you claim that the performance is poor when set to the pressure recommended on the door jamb and owner's manual. Not if you're talking about the pressure when the tires are cold (i.e. not driven in a few hours and not sitting out in the sun).

For street use, start with the pressure recommended on the door jamb and owner's manual, measured cold (see above). You can adjust it from there in 2 psi increments, but you should never need to set it more than 6 psi difference from the car manufacturer's recommendations.