3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I’ve got a ’97 Camry LE and it’s had Yokohama Avid TRZ tires since June 2009 in the stock size of 195/70-14. In that time, I’ve gone 36,000 miles. This past week when I went to get the tires rotated (every 5,000 – 7,000 miles), I was told there was only 4/32 tread on the front and 5/32 tread on the back. They suggested not rotating and to think about replacing them.
Since these are 80,000 warranty tires, they will give me a credit. Overall, I’m not pleased with how the tires have worn since they haven’t reached the 50% mark. I’m a conservative driver…just like any woman in her fifties!
So, now I have to decide on what tires to go with. The sales guy suggested Pirelli P4 Four Seasons. When I look at the Discount Tire reviews, I see a lot of the same problem as I had with the Yokohamas.
My question: anyone have tire recommendations that lasted a bit closer to warranty than 50%? Since I live in NC, all season tires are fine.
Ah well-ah-well -- welcome to the club -- ummm, I don't see many people getting more than 40 - 50 thousand miles out of any tires nowadays. Unfortunately, the manufactures don't care about your satisfaction or anybodies else's -- they only care about the stockholders and bean-counters wishes.
My recommendation would be to go with the General Altimax HP all-season, slightly wider at 195/60 R-14. Those 70's are too skinny. Tire Rack as always has the best prices.
Personally, I like using the tires I find laying along side the road, in stream-beds or down over the side of a hill in the woods etc. to be the best in value/aesthetics for me.
Last edited by capnblinski; 01-22-2012 at 09:17 PM.
Look at the Michelin Harmony tires. Great ride, traction and wet weather performance. I have had themon my 97 Camry for quite a while. About to get a set for the newer camry. Tirerack.com has reviews you can read.
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1997 Camry LE 4 cyl, 310K miles
2010 Camry LE 4 cyl, 30K miles
14" tire? Try Michelin Harmony. It's 740 tread wear rating should translate to about 74K miles. The rating is not comparable across manufacturers, but it's a good rule of thumb for Michelin tires.
It's review score on tread wear on Tirerack.com is 8.8, vs the Yoko Avid TRZ's 7.5.
GoodYear IMO is too noisy, I wouldn't touch Bridgestones with a 20' pole, I don't think today's Pirellis are what they hyped up to be. I'd go with Michelins.
Honestly, 36,000 miles from a set of tires is pretty good. I'm a mature woman as well, granted I have a bit of a rally and racing history, but I don't drive agressively in my "day to day' driving either, and thats not bad. I think Tire Manufacturers set up those tread warrantees on the fact that by the time most folks are looking at replacing them, they have long forgotten about them, and few people actually hold them to it. Another thing is that by recent standards, 195-70-14's are actually pretty tiny little tires to fit to a car the size of your 97 Camry. The warrantees probably are counting on them being mounted to much smaller, lighter cars. A 205 might actually last longer, and ride a bit nicer, but it will make your speedo read quite a bit lower than your actual speed. (tickets possible) Personally, I would talk to your tire dealer about putting on a set of 205-65-15's. (with new steel wheels) That plus a cheap set of wheel covers will last alot longer on this car, and will give you a bigger range of tires to choose from. (This would be your cars standard wheel and tire size in upgraded Camry Models, and would keep your speedometer accurate) Beyond this, all tires are molded with a treadwear number, along with their traction and temperature ratings (A,B,C). These numbers are not directly indicative of anything significant, but they will give you an idea of how one tire will wear relative to another. Look for a big number like 600 or 700 for a really long wearing tire. Lots of tire makers advertise different claims, but I've noticed Michelin claiming that their tires last longer lately.
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Last edited by Silent Runner; 01-23-2012 at 07:46 PM.
FYI.
I bought my 1998 Camry used in 2006 with 105,000 miles on it. It had new Michelin weather wise sport tires 195/ 70 R14 on it at the time. I now have 171,000 miles on these tires and have 5/32 of tread remaining. I'm about ready to replace the tires and I highly recommend them but I don't know if I'll be buying this same tire again since I'm not sure how much longer my Camry will live on.... I've driven in unplowed snow(1.5" depth) with them and they were great, in rain they seem great too. I'm not a aggressive driver and I drive 60% highway,40% city.
Thank you for all the replies. I'm tending towards a Michelin tire based on the comments made here along with the ratings on tirerack. I hadn't thought about changing the tire size, but I will look into that.
It seems the Michelin Harmony is only sold by Michelin dealers. The Michelin Destiny is basically the same tire, but sold only by Discount Tire. This same tire has other names when it is sold by Sam's and Sears. This just confuses the whole process in my opinion! Can't keep things simple...
Silent Runner, these Yokohama TRZ tires were my third set of Yoko tires, although they were my first TRZ tires. The other two sets lasted well into 60,000 miles as I remember. That's why I'm disappointed that I'm faced with this decision before 40,000 miles. Based on what I've read at tirerack, I'm not alone in my feeling that these tires should last longer.
awisniewski, that's how long tires ought to last! I'll look into your suggestion of weatherwise.
capnblinski, your comment made me laugh! Unfortunately, I've not found any tires I can use alongside the roadway.
My recommendation would be to go with the General Altimax HP all-season, slightly wider at 195/60 R-14. Those 70's are too skinny. Tire Rack as always has the best prices.
Sorry they are no wider. 195 tread width is 195 tread width. The only difference is the side wall height. With a 70 series the side wall height is 70% of 195 and a 60 series is 60% of 195. they may look a little wider but they aren't.
The only thing switching to 195/60R14 would do is throw your speedometer and odometer off by about 6%. for example if the speedo is perfectly accurate and it says 70mph you will really be going 65mph. And that's not counting for the existing speedo error as they all have some.
Last edited by Pvt-Public; 01-25-2012 at 03:19 AM.
As somebody above has said and as you may have read, stay away from Pirelli P4 Allseason tires. In general, unless you are buying a specific Pirelli tire for its unique performance characteristics that you like; their rubber compound ages poorly, cracks early in both the tread face and sidewall and is generally harder and wears fast.
Michelin Harmonys have been performing solidly as conservative daily drivers where I am from and sell from, and I should mention where I am we warranty them for 130000 km. So they are reliable from a warranty standpoint for a dealer, that should say something.
I am in Canada, and there are definately many tire options. I am not sure what is in your specific market, but from what people have suggested in previous posts, I would look into the Michelin Harmonys if they are available. For a conservative daily driving tire, it is usually among my common reccomendations.
If I was you I would go with the Michelin Destiny affordable tires and when they combine with the Toyota Camry there great. With the way you say you drive they will last you a very long time. I have the same Camry as you and all my driving is to work, gym, and home everyday. I bought my tires 1 year ago form Black's Tire & Service kept up with rotations and air checks and still have about 7/32 seconds of tread. The best tires I ever had. Hope this helps.
Can't go wrong with Michelin. If the MXV4 is available in that size go for it! Their tires last well over 100000 miles/10 years then the rubber starts to crack but you'll still have 50% tread remaining. Also Michelin has a $70 rebate when you buy four of them which negates their higher price (which is still worth it)
Tire Rack has a new tire called "Michelin Defender" for $99 each before the aforementioned rebate
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I've driven in unplowed snow(1.5" depth) with them and they were great, in rain they seem great too. I'm not a aggressive driver and I drive 60% highway,40% city.
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