2008 HH Ltd tire replacement suggestions

[bazan]

Hi,

I currently has a 2008 HH Ltd and has approx 48000kms on it and still using the stock tires. Based on what I have read in some of the threads re:how bad the stock Toyo are it looks like i am long overdue to changing my tires (i have heard some only last 16k kms) and have the following questions hoping someone can help me:

1) how to check tread wear on the Toyos. I can't seem to find the tread wear indicator. The thread on the outside edge of my tire a seems to be bald and given we just have our first snow here in Toronto this passed weekend for safety reasons I think it is time for new tires. However I would still like to make sure and check

2) I am mind set to go for another set of 4 seasons. Anyone has any suggestions:
a) what brand/model ? Heard that only Toyo and Bridgestone have the right size
b) any suggestions where to get it in Toronto? Would getting it from the Toyota dealer better? I used to go Costco but just not sure if they carry our size.
c) how much did you pay for yours?
d) do I need another set of TPMS ? If yes would going back and getting the tires from the dealer easier given the calibration required on the TPMS?

Sorry for all the questions, but thought I just ask it all In one message than going back and forth.


thanks in advance.

[becks]

Toyo Open Country HT 255/55 19"

[bazan]

Anyone has any feedback on Hankook's. Never tried them before think it is from Korea.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by bazan

Anyone has any feedback on Hankook's. Never tried them before think it is from Korea.

A good method to read feedback is to visit discounttiredirect.com or tirerack.com, find the Hankooks or other tires you're interested in with your Highlander (you have the ability to comparison shop on both sites), and then read through the customer reviews to get a handle on what owners think.

[Dman1]

Originally Posted by bazan

Hi,

I currently has a 2008 HH Ltd and has approx 48000kms on it and still using the stock tires. Based on what I have read in some of the threads re:how bad the stock Toyo are it looks like i am long overdue to changing my tires (i have heard some only last 16k kms) and have the following questions hoping someone can help me:

1) how to check tread wear on the Toyos. I can't seem to find the tread wear indicator. The thread on the outside edge of my tire a seems to be bald and given we just have our first snow here in Toronto this passed weekend for safety reasons I think it is time for new tires. However I would still like to make sure and check

2) I am mind set to go for another set of 4 seasons. Anyone has any suggestions:
a) what brand/model ? Heard that only Toyo and Bridgestone have the right size
b) any suggestions where to get it in Toronto? Would getting it from the Toyota dealer better? I used to go Costco but just not sure if they carry our size.
c) how much did you pay for yours?
d) do I need another set of TPMS ? If yes would going back and getting the tires from the dealer easier given the calibration required on the TPMS?

Sorry for all the questions, but thought I just ask it all In one message than going back and forth.


thanks in advance.

As for tread wear, the best way is to get a tire tread depth gauge (you can get them cheap at Princess Auto.

I would avoid the dealer, mainly because you would be paying a premium over an independent shop. As for TPMS, you should be able to reuse them.

Instead of summer, I mean all season, tires, might I suggest a set of winter tires on steel rims? There are lots of threads on here discussing the merits of winter tires. I realize that you live in Toronto and that you're not getting snow like northern Quebec, but they should at least be considered. At the end of the day, the cost would be close to the same as if you just stuck with summer, I mean all season, tires (i.e. you have two sets of tires but they should last you about twice as long). Plus you can save even more money on the winters by reducing the wheel size. I have a set of 17" Yokohama Geolanders and they perform awesome in the snow. I paid around $1400 for them installed, from an independent shop, but keep in mind that I am from Small Town, New Brunswick, where the shops cant get as good a volume discount as a large city lik yours...volume = cheaper prices. The stock A20s performed horrible in the snow when they were brand new...so now they come off at the first threat of snow. I will be replacing the A20s next year, as they are nearing the end of their life.

Just my $0.02. Hope this helps.

[HLSport]

Originally Posted by bazan

Anyone has any feedback on Hankook's. Never tried them before think it is from Korea.

Just had the Hankook's installed this past weekend. Stock size 245/55/19. So far, I think that they're very good. They handle a lot better than the stock Toyo's. The ride is pretty smooth and takes the road imperfections in stride. Can't comment on winter driving yet. But, I believe that they'll do just fine.

[jjez]

I’ve been riding on the Hankook Ventus AS for the past 3 weeks now (600 miles). I could not get stock 245/55/19, so I got the 255/55/19. This size is V-rated and rides firmer then stock Toyo A20 S-rated (btw I had 38k miles with 4/32 tread left, wanted new tires for the winter). Here’s what I noticed so far, handling and cornering is better, it snaps without any delay unlike the Toyos. Wet handling appears to be better, but I only have 1 drive in the rain so far. I did hard cornering to test and the Hankooks held the road without slipping. No snow in New England yet. They ride alittle quieter then the Toyos but can be louder on corners. The V-rating gives a firmer ride, you will feel more bumps and cracks in the road. (hence more squeaks and rattles in the cold weather).
The larger size added about 1% to speedo and subtracted about 1% from Odo. My measured drive to work 53.5 came out to 52.9 miles. My mpg has dropped by 2mpg but it could be due to the cold weather. I saw a similar drop last winter with Toyos.
Overall I’m very happy with the purchase, let’s see how they do in the snow.
Good luck with your choice.

[ezra442]

I've been running the Hankook 255's on my 08 Limited for about 13k miles by now. They are doing very well overall--definitely better than the Toyo's in every respect. They are not showing any wear to speak of. They were quiet at first, and seem to have retained the quiet as they've worn. Seattle has lots of wet roads, and they do very well with that. We don't get a lot of snow, but the small amount we have gotten has been handled just fine. The Hankooks have improved steering response over the Toyos, but I'd still like it to be better. That's one of my biggest disappointments of the Highlander. Yes, I know it's a SUV and isn't supposed to drive sporty, but frankly, most mid-size SUV's do a little better in the steering response department than the HL.

The only downside of the 255's is I think I lost a mile or two per gallon per the trip computer, but I'm not sure why. It could simply be that the mpg didn't really change, but the odometer/trip computer reads a little differently owing to the tire size difference. The speedometer and the GPS now match speed.

[summerwind]

And our latest arrival....Goodyear Assurance CS

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