Passenger Tires OK replacement for 2003 CRV?

Question

Greetings,My wife drives a 2003 4WD CRV that we bought in NJ & relocated to Phoenix, AZ (no snow or off-road use). We are in need of replacement tires. I noticed in a SEAR's tire ad that tires designated for SUV's were more expensive than equivalent size passenger tires. Inasmuch as this vehicle is a small SUV & driven only on paved city roads, could regular passenger tires be used to improve drive comfort & save money? I would like to have some informed opinion before I take on the inevitable protest of the tire salesman predicting the impending doom if I go this route.Thanks, Rich

John Horner · Accepted Answer

If you are never going to drive off road or in the snow then a more passenger style tire as opposed to a mud & snow type makes good sense. Your also want a tire with good heat resistance given your location and many SUV/truck tires are not the very best in that regard. Something with a speed rating of H or better would be a good idea.

You might try giving tire rack a call. They usually have good advice to offer

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John

Rich · Answer

John,Thank you for your reply. Your information concerning the heat resistance was particularly helpful & unknown to me. I already have noted the tire load requirements(max 1499 lbs) & will now add "H" or better for speed rating to my criteria.Thanks again.Rich

John Horner · Answer

The load rating and speed/heat rating are combined into a three character identifier such as "95S". S in this case is the heat/speed rating. You can see a chart of the rating system here:

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Basically you want to have a tire with at least the same minimum load rating as came with your car (95 for the CRV I think) and also as good or better of a speed rating. I believe the CRV comes with S rated tires, but I recommend H or higher for dessert conditions.

Best of luck!

John

Passenger Tires OK replacement for 2003 CRV?

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