Suggestions on New Tires 2002 Pathy

[02SurfPathy]

Hello, I've given up on Michelin since I don't even get 25k miles out of them. Suggestions??

I mostly do around town driving with some highway (may be over 80 when passing ).

I've been looking at Yokohama, do they get better mileage?

Thanks for your suggestions!

[04pathse]

I suggest these...
https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/ ... 56/p/10287

[macgiver]

mac, not to burst any balloons but typical places like Discount in my opinion like to only "sell" you kind of "Ho-Hum" everyone's tires , mediocre T or even the S rated tires they'll have the better H V - gotta insist on it & especiall go with AT LEAST as high rating that factory recomended ,what's in manual , what came with that's thei sales B.S. it really is SAFETY here. Just what I do ,never get less than a V rated (2ply siewall best for stability and structural integrity),I mostly go W rated - yes , not that your needing to go say 179 MPH BUT high-speed tires 1) keep shape = last longer because they don't wear WEIRD necessitaing "early repl." , MUCH SAFER handling., SUPER confident braking/handling,much more enineered plys and technolgies incorporated which tend to NOT COMPLETELY and DANGEROUSLY throw the "Carcass" like you see all over roadway , those people probably "Blew-Out"ending in a dangerous spin ! (try 5 or 6ply in the tread also min. )
Tirerack website has a good consumer review area and breakdown / crossed to car model / yr/ locale / etc. very good comparisons there.
So my suggestion is Continental , a W rated DW summer(Dry / Wet) or "All season" DWS (Dry / Wet / Snow) "EXTREME CONTACT " there's a "level down from these - another "something Contact" areOK too . Reason= they are best all around(don't be scared at the relatively low UTQU # , or AA traction rating- they'll wear VERY well) very smooth -comfort / yet very precise and highspeed straight and curve w/ linear tracking , forgiving road imperfections , best of all seem to have enough "calm on center , neutrality" with perfect - NOT jittery - crisp/brisk "Turn-in" making very controlled lane changes
NO BOATRIDE on those! No need for me to "Muddle" w/ a #2 and a #3 etc. Good luck G T 2/23/2018

[yeldogt]

When new my LE's came with Bridgestone tires with a bit more aggressive tread vs what I liked for the use it got .. no real off road stuff ... occasional backwoods camping/fishing ... Still wanted good snow traction and a bit quieter highway. Back then there were not as many choices like today with all the various SUV's around. We have had three 02' .. so plenty of tires in the past 15 or so years. I always went with Bridgestone over Michelin going one step towards the highway truck tire vs offload .. the Pathfinder needs a softer tire vs what is typical with Michelin sidewalks. The R50 was a popular vehicle in my area when new so we had many neighbors with them .. always hated the Michelins on the neighbors. That being said -- the last few years I have been putting Continental tires on my cars (I own a company with many vehicles) .. so when our last remaining 02 Pathfinder needed tires I went with the Crosscontact LX20 w/ ecoplus from tire rack ... they are about $150. They are a very nice tire .. soft enough to take some of the bite out of the Paths antiquated suspension design -- quiet highway and fantastic snow traction. Tire rack gives free road hazard. With the old design of the vehicle -- long tread life is not it's strong point .. but with enough tread bite it's an unstoppable vehicle. I wish there was a similar vehicle made today.

[02SurfPathy]

@04PathSe the link just took me to discount tire, was it supposed to link me to a specific tire?

Also thanks to @04PathS, @Macgiver & @Yeldogt

[AlanAZ]

the link just took me to discount tire, was it supposed to link me to a specific tire?

That link took me to this tire: Geolandar H/T G056

I'm in a similar boat, our Michelin Latitude tires (atrocious tire, Michelin discontinued them for good reason) are close to the wear bars. And have been considering replacements; has to be a Light Truck tire (with the correct load and speed ratings), Michelin's standard LT tire would be way better than the SUV tire we had, but can't justify the premium that Michelin charges. Japanese brands such as Bridgestone and Yokohama are top contenders, but I'm leading towards the Sumitomo Encounter HT, based on ratings and price.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.js ... counter+HT

[macgiver]

mac , Alan AZ I like Tirerack too but I noticed your re-direct and those Smitomo's have a B temp rating , and there is just about no other place on the planet with hotter asphault , and ambient temps than AZ. Gotta really have a min. A temp rating really for AZ .I had Sumi's on the J30 ( but a "Good" V-rated) not bad , but at the time they were 44psi ( 35 psi=lesser technology =suicide) and Again in Super-HOT climates the 50psi tires and you say LT rated I totally agree there if you mean XL (extra load) yes.yes.by the way the real quality these days will almost always be a 50psi , A-Temp , H (best V or better) , 5or 6 "tread plies" and if your lucky a TWO PLY Sidewall - now your runnin ? I know I used to go primarily by Price / Brand / sale-Rebate - yeah NOWdays I believe insisting on good specs and safety features/factors , be strong for these 118 Deg. summer temps
G 2/25/2018

[AlanAZ]

there is just about no other place on the planet with hotter asphault , and ambient temps than AZ. Gotta really have a min. A temp rating really for AZ.

Very good point on the temperature rating for tires for living in the Phoenix area. I'll factor that into the selection process. Thank you.

[brickbox]

You can also check the General Grabber AT2s. I got them on my QX4 when the previous Bridgestones became useless in the snow/ice.
The Grabbers have been awesome and I have driven through 2 Blizzards and a couple of snow storm in 4H with no problems at all....

[Mike W.]

The linked to tire is a highway tire. All depends on what the OP uses it for, but it seems silly to me to put a highway tire on a 4WD truck. I can't say I agree with all of macgivers post, but TireRack is an excellent resource to get opinions, do research and often a good place to buy tires too. But worth looking at even if you're not going to buy from them.

[yeldogt]

The general grabber all terrain is rather aggressive for most people who also have paved roads and don't use the vehicle off road .. that's why I suggested going one step towards a highway tire. Even a full truck highway tire is not the same as a passages tire highway -- they have to be able to go in and out of construction sites. I'm not recommending a highway tire.

I'm sure the grabbers are good in the snow -- but you can get tires that will perform better on paved roads and still get you close to the grabber in the snow. I have no problems with the Continentals in heavy snow (6 inches).

IMO the paths need a soft tire ...

[850pathfinder]

cooper evolutions are great on mine. huge tread depth, great wet handling and have yet to spin them out.

[brickbox]

The general grabber all terrain is rather aggressive for most people who also have paved roads and don't use the vehicle off road .. that's why I suggested going one step towards a highway tire. Even a full truck highway tire is not the same as a passages tire highway -- they have to be able to go in and out of construction sites. I'm not recommending a highway tire.

I'm sure the grabbers are good in the snow -- but you can get tires that will perform better on paved roads and still get you close to the grabber in the snow. I have no problems with the Continentals in heavy snow (6 inches).

IMO the paths need a soft tire ...

Your points are valid. I mistyped - I have the HTS60 which are slightly less aggressive than the AT. Nonethless, I have about 3 miles of unplowed gravel road and the snow/ice of MI to contend with. And the OP lives in AZ, much different conditions....

[yeldogt]

Brickbox -- Grabber is a fine tire if you need that kind of traction. The OE pathfinder Bridgestone tire was fairly aggressive -- not unlike the Grabber. It's all a a question of what you need the car to do

[barnaclebob]

What kind of Michelins have you been using? Mine (the previous version of the M/S 2) lasted plenty long, maybe 60k miles or more?

[yeldogt]

What kind of Michelins have you been using? Mine (the previous version of the M/S 2) lasted plenty long, maybe 60k miles or more?

Michelins typically have along life -- although you pay a penalty for it with harding rubber -- less traction the rain and snow. I use them on my SL because it's never in rain or snow and I want a quiet tire. Otherwise I don"t buy them

[AlanAZ]

there is just about no other place on the planet with hotter asphault , and ambient temps than AZ. Gotta really have a min. A temp rating really for AZ.

Very good point on the temperature rating for tires for living in the Phoenix area.

I went with Bridgestone Alenza Plus. They are at the very top of the SUV/Crossover category on Tirerack for this vehicle, with 3 million miles of reviews. But equally importantly they have a 'H' speed rating which necessitates an A temp rating. I believe that will help get more than the 40K miles I got out of the B temp rated Michelins, and according to the reviews, will ride much better.

[yeldogt]

Think you will be happy -- the Duler A Plus was my typical choice. As I said above ..Have been using the Continentals recently with good results as they have a nice snow tread AS ... but in a hot climate the bridgestones would be a better choice IMO. We only put about 5-6k on the truck a year -- more in winter and bad weather. Never wear them out --- last year when I replace the 6 year old Dulers .. the Continentals ended up being $200 less at the time.

[carldu]

Check out also the Wildpeak A/T3W. These all-terrain falken tires are aggressive off the road but still, they are smooth and quiet on pavement. Their treadwear is good also.

[Slice of Life]

I’ve been looking at Kumho Krugen HT51s, they can be had online for around $93 a pop and have the best overal reviews on Tire Rack out of all the tires for our cars; they have amazing reviews in terms of traction, treat life, and reliability.