Goodyear Eagle LS2 tires

[patmcd06]

I know that Goodyear RSA's are crap, but was wondering if anyone has used Goodyear Eagle LS2's. My buddy had them on his maxima, and really liked them. I just installed the 19" sport wheels and was thinking of getting some 255/40/19s. Im in Boston, so I need an all season tire that can also handle the potholes!! These are grand touring tires not ultra high performance all seasons.

Thanks,

Pat

[Larz]

I looked up these tires at Tire Rack. There aren't any video tests (assuming they are too new). They are available in run-flat and standard. If you're considering the run-flats:

Generally speaking, run-flat tires are known for having a higher price per tire, very harsh ride, high nose level, reduced mpg due to higher rolling resistance and are prone to sidewall deterioration. The only 'plus' side is they still run when flat. If you're worried about pot holes. I'd suggest going with 255/45/19's as they have slightly more sidewall.

The first links below are the reviews of this tire posted by owners of the tire with their impressions. The second link below are the choices for 255/45/19's. And since you need a true all-season tire, I'd stay with Michelin - A Michelin touring tire is likely similar in price to the Goodyears and they will have much higher performance and handling than anything Goodyear makes. Also, going with a 255/45 gives you many more choices for tires.

Reviews of Goodyear LS2 run-flat: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... mpare1=yes

Reviews of the standard Goodyear LS2: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp ... mpare1=yes

Results of search for 255/45/19: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearc ... iameter=19

Just my opinions.

[patmcd06]

Hi Larz,

I like that idea. Will I have any issues running 255/45/19s with a stock suspension?? Just wondering if the tires will rub or speedometer will be off a few mph.

[Larz]

Hi Larz,

I like that idea. Will I have any issues running 255/45/19s with a stock suspension?? Just wondering if the tires will rub or speedometer will be off a few mph.

My wheels are 18" and my M is RWD, but there is a member here with a X model and 19" wheels had no issues regarding fitment with the 245/55 tires. As for speedometer accuracy, a member called Psyopper worked out that my car is going 1 mph more than the car indicates on the speedo AND with increased MPG.

Tire size sidewall or profile measurements are actually an aspect ratio of the height to the width. In laymans terms, this second number is a percentage of the width. Our stock 245/45 have a tire width of 245mm and height of 45% of 245mm, or 110mm.

Your 255/45 has a sidewall height of 115mm (45% of 255mm). The overall diameter increases by 10mm. Because of the larger circumference your car goes a little bit further than stock with a single revolution of the tire. In this case, when your speedo reads 60 mph you are actually going 61mph.

With 255/45 tires, the car will actually travel 1 mile + 70 feet for each mile it used to travel. One would assume that you would see an increase in fuel economy, and it would be more pronounced in highway driving where you could be taking advantage of that small increase in final drive ratio.

Having said that, I don't have Goodyears. I have Hankook S1noble2 tires - Ultra High Performance all season. The link to my reviews on this tire is here: hankook-tires-update-2-t587072.html?hilit=hankook

I live in South Florida where snow is impossible, but if I remember correctly, these did perform well in snow testing, but not as well as the Michelins.

[szh]

I like that idea. Will I have any issues running 255/45/19s with a stock suspension?? Just wondering if the tires will rub or speedometer will be off a few mph.

The error in the speedometer will be minor and pretty much can be ignored.

More importantly, since you have the X modek, just make sure that all the four tires are identical - brand, model and size. Check and keep the tire pressure correct often too.

This keeps all four wheel/tires with the same rolling diameter (see the revs/mile spec at Tire Rack) and minimizes any error in the AWD measurement system for your car.

Z

[szh]

My wheels are 18" and my M is RWD, but there is a member here with a X model and 19" wheels had no issues regarding fitment with the 245/55 tires. As for speedometer accuracy, a member called Psyopper worked out that my car is going 1 mph more than the car indicates on the speedo AND with increased MPG.

Tire size sidewall or profile measurements are actually an aspect ratio of the height to the width. In laymans terms, this second number is a percentage of the width. Our stock 245/45 have a tire width of 245mm and height of 45% of 245mm, or 110mm.

Your 255/45 has a sidewall height of 115mm (45% of 255mm). The overall diameter increases by 10mm. Because of the larger circumference your car goes a little bit further than stock with a single revolution of the tire. In this case, when your speedo reads 60 mph you are actually going 61mph.

With 255/45 tires, the car will actually travel 1 mile + 70 feet for each mile it used to travel. One would assume that you would see an increase in fuel economy, and it would be more pronounced in highway driving where you could be taking advantage of that small increase in final drive ratio.

Well, this is too theoretical a calculation actually - using the tire sizes in this way gives a precise value ... that may not be correct!

Reason is that different brands and models of tires (even the same size tire for different models from the same manufacturer) will flex differently, have a different tire profile, and all this can affect the actual effective rolling diameter of the tire.

Plus, if the tire/wheel combo is a stretch (even if minimal), the tire pressure is low, or other factors, it can cause the shape of the tire profile to change, etc.

So, it is far better (and simpler) to use the "revs/mile" specifications that you can occasionally find at Tire Rack (or the manufacturer web site) for tires. This can easily show you the speedometer error in any given case - just compare the stock tire (brand and size) revs/mile to the replacement tire revs/mile and that ratio can then be used to calculate the actual speedo error decently under similar conditions.

Yes, it may be close to the theoretical calculations based on tire size. But I have seen identical size tires have different revs/mile, so have a minute speedo error, even though the theoretical calculation above would say "no error". Is this enough to matter? Probably not in most cases.

Anyway, if the revs/mile for the replacement tire is higher, it will turn more and give you an speedometer reading that is higher than your actual speed - in the same ratio as the revs/mile ratio of the tires.

Z

[szh]

Finally, please make sure to get the correct load index and speed rating for the size you are considering.

Please make sure to get at least a 94 ... preferably higher and a minimum speed rating of H (V or Z or W is preferred) ... gives you stronger tires in general and this provides longevity even if you don't plan to drive that fast.

BTW, the run-flat version of the LS2 is a 98, as I recall, in the link above, but this is a darn expensive tire too!

Z

[Larz]

Finally, please make sure to get the correct load index and speed rating for the size you are considering.

Please make sure to get at least a 94 ... preferably higher and a minimum speed rating of H (V or Z or W is preferred) ... gives you stronger tires in general and this provides longevity even if you don't plan to drive that fast.

BTW, the run-flat version of the LS2 is a 98, as I recall, in the link above, but this is a darn expensive tire too!

Z

As always - excellent advise! Did you notice that the reg LS2's are selling for only $84 each? I guess they are closing them out to make way for a newer version? That seems like a HUGE bargain if anyone is interested. Heck, even if you're only getting CLOSE to needing tires I reckon you will do well to get these NOW and store them in your garage!

[szh]

That is an amazingly low price on the standard LS2 - I missed that.

Z