LLR Tires for a 93 Ford Escort GT

[jj94auto]

I am looking for a set of 185/65 15 LRR Tires.

My commute is about 130 miles round trip per day so treadwear is an important factor.

Roads can get crappy in Virginia. Handling in the rain and snow is a high priority even at the expense of dry traction.

I generally try to commute on bad days with my Galant VR-4 which has dedicated summer and winter tires but sometimes I end up taking the escort for FE and durability reasons and want a good chance of making it home when the weather gets bad.

I have been scouring the internet for a while and have gathered that the Continental Contact Pros don't last but about 30k miles but deliver in the wet and dry. The Goodyear assurance Fuel Max lasts like 70k but performance in the wet and dry is reduced. I currently own continental contact pros (non-fuel max) and they have been pretty good tires overall...(can't speak to mileage but they are down to the wear bars.

Any low tire resistance sleepers out there?

Thank you!

[Jay2TheRescue]

Continental LRR tires are noisy. The happiest day was the day I took them off my Escape and replaced them with Michelin Latitude Tours. If it was my car, these are the tires I would get:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

[jj94auto]

I swear before I clicked the link I was bracing myself...knew you were going to say Michelin (nothing wrong with them just what I am willing to plunk down for a set of tires when I have 4 other vehicles).

The continentals weren't noisy on the escort at all, and I bought them used too.

Maybe the escort is so old I don't hear the noise lol.

Anyways, thanks for your suggestion. Lol, I see you are in Stirling. I am in Spotsylvania and make that nasty trip up 95/395 every day.

BTW, how do these compare since we are talking Michelin? You get a 100 dollar prepaid card off of discount tire direct plus a possible $70 off from Michelin.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=false&cs=185

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Continental LRR tires are noisy. The happiest day was the day I took them off my Escape and replaced them with Michelin Latitude Tours. If it was my car, these are the tires I would get:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

[JanGeo]

I think that is the exact size I put on my xB which were the Pirelli P4 tires, 840 on the wear which means I think they should do at least 60k miles, tirerack has them for $70 plus shipping but I got them in December 2010 for $60 for two with $19 shipping. They work great in snow, good in rain with the big center groove to let rain out and are very quiet. They slide a little on hard turns when on dry roads but hold well. I still get great mileage with them running them at 41-42 psi. I like them way better than the factory Goodyear tire that came with my xB.

[jj94auto]

Thanks P4 or P6? The P6 is marketed as a LRR tire but don't know about the P4.

Any info is appreciated.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by JanGeo

I think that is the exact size I put on my xB which were the Pirelli P4 tires, 840 on the wear which means I think they should do at least 60k miles, tirerack has them for $70 plus shipping but I got them in December 2010 for $60 for two with $19 shipping. They work great in snow, good in rain with the big center groove to let rain out and are very quiet. They slide a little on hard turns when on dry roads but hold well. I still get great mileage with them running them at 41-42 psi. I like them way better than the factory Goodyear tire that came with my xB.

[JanGeo]

Originally Posted by JanGeo

I think that is the exact size I put on my xB which were the Pirelli P4 tires, 840 on the wear

The P6 are not as well reviewed.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by jj94auto

I swear before I clicked the link I was bracing myself...knew you were going to say Michelin (nothing wrong with them just what I am willing to plunk down for a set of tires when I have 4 other vehicles).

The continentals weren't noisy on the escort at all, and I bought them used too.

Maybe the escort is so old I don't hear the noise lol.

Anyways, thanks for your suggestion. Lol, I see you are in Stirling. I am in Spotsylvania and make that nasty trip up 95/395 every day.

BTW, how do these compare since we are talking Michelin? You get a 100 dollar prepaid card off of discount tire direct plus a possible $70 off from Michelin.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=false&cs=185

Being a Michelin, I like it already. I've never been unhappy with a set of Michelins. I have them on 3 of my vehicles. You spend more on the Michelins, but their ride comfort and treadwear are always top notch.

[CapriRacer]

jj94auto,

You have conflicting requirements.

There is a technology triangle involving Rolling Resistance, Traction, and Treadwear. In order to get good properties in one area, one (or both) of the other areas have to be sacrificed. So careful research will pay dividends.

Also, from what I have been able to tell, the Escape has a camber issue that is generating the noise and wear compaints (same problem with BMW's!) I don't think the tires are the source of the problem.

And lastly - you should be aware that "LRR" means "Low compared to other like tires (same UTQG rating)". So what you want to look for is a compromise tire where the traction rating and the treadwear rating are high enough to satisfy your needs and the tire is labled "LRR".

[Jay2TheRescue]

I wasn't aware of a camber issue, but as soon as I replaced the Continentals, it was quiet. Many other FEH owners have said the same thing, that the OEM Continentals are noisy. The most recommended replacement tire was the Michelin Latitude Tour. Honestly, I don't see any tradeoff in this tire so far. I'm getting better mileage than the Continentals, they ride smoother and quieter. Braking, traction, and cornering are improved as well. They're such a nice tire, I've recommended them to my mom for use on her non-hybrid Escape.

[JanGeo]

A great deal of tire noise is caused by a tread block pattern which is perpendicular to the sidewall. These P4 pirelli tire block tread patterns are at an angle, bite into the snow well and when I finally changed the stock goodyears on the rear a couple weeks ago, made my xB noticeably quieter in the rear.