Alternatives to OEM tires

  • Thread starter Thread starter Charged_Up
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 111
  • Views Views 41K
I bought the Michelin cross-climate tires recently for front tires on my 2018 Clarity (not Touring)--my OEMs in rear still have good tread. Went with these because I wasn't happy with traction from the OEMs. As others noted, on wet roads, tires would often spin from a stop and not even with heavy acceleration. The down side: definitely lost mileage. As I changed the tires right around the extreme cold weather we've had in the US Northeast, I'm not able to tease apart cold weather from new tire mileage. But with temps averaging in the 20s F (and many times in teens or lower), I'm only getting about 37miles on a charge. Thought in cold weather I was getting 44-45, which would mean a very significant drop from the tires. But perhaps weather is even colder.

I got the tires (plus a much-needed alignment) from the dealer when they did the fuel pump recall replacement. I don't see why that fix would affect my miles on a charge, but perhaps they messed with something...?

I plan to invest in the Torque (or whatever) software that will give me a reading on battery capacity--I'll review that thread in this forum. Dealer remains unable/unwilling to test battery capacity without charging me some ridiculous amount.
 
Here's an update on the Nexen N5000 Platinum tires that I installed a year ago -- one of them developed a significant bulge on the sidewall near the bead. While this might have been due to a manufacturing defect, it also could have been caused by hitting a pothole (which are plentiful and deep in my city). In any event, I replaced the tire with another Nexen. Overall, I'm still happy with the price and performance of these tires.

PXL_20250323_175950524.jpg


PXL_20250323_180057142.jpg
 
Thanks for sharing. My Nexen's are still fine after over 10,000 miles and comming up on two years soon.
 
After my Nexen tire was damaged, I debated whether or not to replace both front tires. Ultimately, because the tires were only a year old and had little wear on them, I decided to replace just the damaged tire. Yesterday, the other front tire was badly punctured, so I guess I'll be replacing both front tires after all. On the bright side, it wasn't the new tire that got hit -- and I have an extra 3/8" socket adapter to add to my toolbox!

PXL_20250413_175256765%5B1%5D.jpg


PXL_20250413_175416354.MP%5B1%5D.jpg


Due to this flat, I also got the opportunity to use my Spare Tire That Fits! for the first time. I had the car back on the road in about 20 minutes, and can still drive it while I'm waiting for the replacement tire to arrive. For me, that's a much better outcome than having to wait for a tow truck to drag the car to my home and dump it in my driveway. I'll likely get another spare tire for my other Clarity.
 
Last edited:
I replaced the damaged Nexen tire with a new one yesterday. After driving with the spare tire on the car for a week (local, in-town driving only), I thought I'd share my experiences with it. Overall, the spare worked fine with no major issues. It replaced the front left wheel, and I opted to leave it in that position instead of moving it to the rear axle. Once the spare was on (using the tools/jack that I carry in the trunk), I recalibrated the TPMS and it never triggered a warning after that. This isn't surprising, given that the spare tire's diameter is very close to the stock tire's specification. However, the spare was noticeably louder, less smooth rolling, and affected the steering/handling somewhat (all of which are to be expected). If I ever need to travel long distances with the spare on, I definitely would shift it to a rear-axle position and limit the speed to 50 mph (as specified on the spare). Given those relatively minor limitations, I'm very pleased with how the spare tire performed. IMHO, it definitely was worth the time/cost to get it, and the space lost in the trunk to carry it. BTW, I put a new tire on the spare soon after I purchased it because, for me, carrying a spare with an 18-year-old tire mounted on it doesn't make sense.
 
NorCalPete said:
BTW, I put a new tire on the spare soon after I purchased it because, for me, carrying a spare with an 18-year-old tire mounted on it doesn't make sense.
Click to expand...
What size tire did you get for your spare? Like you I didn't feel comfortable with the older tire on the spare I bought. I didn't find a size available in a new tire that was a perfect match. I settled on a Goodyear 155/80/17. The spare is 1.9% (0.5") taller than the stock tire. Online recommendations are that tires be within 1% of each other when on a drive axle, but I'll probably run it on the front if I have to for a limited time. I suspect there is some give in that 1% recommendation.
 
NorCalPete said:
I replaced it with the same size tire that came with it: T145/80D17. I think the brand was Falken.
Click to expand...
Yes, you found a better choice. It is within the 1% recommendation for matching diameter/circumference. I don't think it is worth it for me to change mine, but glad to know there is a good option out there. Thanks for the info.
 
Robert_Alabama said:
The spare is 1.9% (0.5") taller than the stock tire. Online recommendations are that tires be within 1% of each other when on a drive axle, but I'll probably run it on the front if I have to for a limited time. I suspect there is some give in that 1% recommendation.
Click to expand...

If a same diameter spare tire isn't an option, I prefer to have a slightly undersized one versus oversized -- that way, as the car's tire treads gradually wear, they'll narrow the gap with the spare rather than increase it. For example, with your spare, the size gap may start at 1.9% (0.5") taller but could increase to as high as 2.8% (.75") taller by the time your tires are ready for replacement (i.e., down to 2/32 of tread). This assumes that your tires start with 10/32 of tread when new and will lose 8/32 (0.25") by the time you replace them.
 
After 8-9 months of having the Nexen platinums here are my thoughts…. I originally thought they were quiet but since the weather has warmed up and I am now opening the windows, boy are these much louder than stock Michelins. At up to 30mph the seem fine but at highway speed the are loud with the windows open. Every crack in the road, or RR tracks, is loud. The traction and handling seem good and the ride is ok. My mileage has not really suffered much, maybe a few miles. They were priced right but I don’t think that I would buy them again.
 
10 months update on the tire. Range did took a hit from high 40s with OE tire to mid and low 40s. Other than that everything else is good , noise , traction... Only managed to drive about 5k miles, now at 44k. Updating it now as I am selling the car. There is likely no further update.
Al-clarity said:
New tires are Goodyear assurance outlast from Walmart. They are affordable, 600 usd every thing included. 80k miles rated. So far I have no complaint coming from 6 year old OE tires….
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top