I think the extremely low mileage life of these tires is attrocious! Do people realize 15000 miles is all that's expected? I usually get 50000 to 60000 on my town car.

Stay away from these tires. I leased an Infiniti for 3 years. I no way expected to buy $1000 in tires in 2 years. Good for nothing. Technology going the wrong way.

I once again have to replace my tires after less than 20,000 miles. They also handle very poorly in snow. I was told these were the only tires to use for my Focus which I found out was not true.

I once again have to replace my tires after less than 20,000 miles. They also handle very poorly in snow. I was told these were the only tires to use for my Focus which I found out was not true.

Does anyone know what a HDAG fee is? The invoice showed a $175.00 fee for it. Then the salesperson mentioned that they weren't sure what it was, but that the fee had something to do with the fancy television commercials and that it was a fee that was to be passed on to the customer and that it was requisite and non-negotiable.
Also, a tire fee of $8.75 was added to the invoice - I don't remember this fee from when my husband bought his car, in '07. I know it is a small fee, and the dealer said it was for recycling the tires, but why would the dealer have anything to do with that on a new car? THANK YOU!

Peggy, was this a Honda dealership?

Low-profile tires are more for function than durability. They almost always have a speed rating of H or higher which means it has a softer tread that grips the road better but doesn't last nearly as long. They should also be switched out for snow tires seasonally. I don't think it's really fair that a lot of newer cars are coming with these tires stock, you should be able to have the choice. I've actually seen people put smaller diameter after-market wheels on their cars so they could put less-expensive longer lasting tires on instead.

I think this is very valuable information to know. Over the duration of a 100,000 mile car life, that would calculate out to be 2 sets of higher profile ($1,000) tires for 5 sets of the low profile ($5,000).

I was considring a Lexus IS300 but this tire issue/cost is making me reconsider.

I am considering buying the new Saturn Astra with a sport's handling package. I have been told it comes with the low profile summer tires. I live in the North East and am concerned this due to our sometimes bad weather.
The comments on the life time of these tires also concerns me. Will the dealer usually replace tires like this with ordinary tires if the buyer requests it? Does anyone have experience with the Saturn Astra. I was impressed by it, but I don't know what to expect in terms of maintenance

Steve, the Astra with sports handling package comes with all-season tires as standard equipment. The summer only tires are optional and on 18-inch rims, compared to the standard 17-inchers.

I bought my Mazda3 with those low profile tires, I like the handling aspect of them, but I hate that the life time is low and they are very pricey. Sucks, when car makers don't even give you a choice in this matter!

I bought my Mazda3 with those low profile tires, I like the handling aspect of them, but I hate that the life time is low and they are very pricey. Sucks, when car makers don't even give you a choice in this matter!

I bought a Lexus IS 250 without understanding the negative aspects of low profile tires. Does anyone know if higher aspect tires can be safely fitted on 17" wheels when the time comes to replace? I'm told that the rear end gear ratio is tuned to the low aspect tire.

Ken, a higher aspect ratio will increase the overall height and sidewall size of the tire. This can cause adverse effects with the speedometer reading, antilock braking system and electronic stability control system in some cases.

Low profile tires do not inherently wear out more quickly. In practice, however, a of them are "performance" tires made of a softer type of rubber that gives more grip, and they therefore wear out more quickly.

Is possible to buy low profile all-season tires with wear properties similar to higher profile tires. Of course, they will still have a stiffer ride. The tradeoff is somewhat stiffer handling, which means better control, but a bumpier ride.

Thanks to all who responded to my question.

Thanks to all who responded to my question.

Mercedes has really done the consumer a "ripper." With the low profile jobbies the front ties are smaller than the rear and are therefore not interchangeable -- canot even rotate them. Tney are much more subject to rough riding and developing bubbles in the sidewalls. At our own cost, we have had to replace the front two tires because of bubbbles ($578 and 16,000). I'm not even sure if the spare is suitable or can be used in case of a flat. Hell, we bought this car for the superior ride and the relative security of feeling safe when traveling away from our home area, neither of which we get beause of the damned tires.

My cousin's wife has the same car (CLK 350, convertble) and she had a flat in one front tire and a bubble in the other while traveling out of town
and it took her about ten hours and a bunch of money to get her and her Mercedes home.

Does anyone know if the wheels can be replaced without a major overhaul?

TwoDs

If you're going to buy any high-end vehicle, such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Acura, etc, chances are you're going to have low-profile tires (except for their SUVs). They are performance cars and the low-profile wheels provide the best handling and "feel" of the road through the steering wheel.

My friend's 2006 328i comes with low-profile tires and they have a wonderful amount of traction - much, much more than my Honda Civic which does not have low-profile tires.

Can someboy advise a good quality low profile tire? I bought a C230 Coupe Mercedes, and the ones I have are pretty low already, so I have to replace them. But this is the first time I have to deal with low-profile. I live in Alberta, Canada, so I need to get a set for the "good" weather", as well as for the winter :oS. I guess gotta pay the price for comfort.

I'm amazed at the ignorance being displayed here. Low profile tires do not wear out faster unless they have a low treadwear rating. All of the cars being mentioned are "sporty" cars, they're intended for good handling and maximum traction on dry roads. That's why the Mercedes might come with what's called "staggered" tires, for more traction at the drive wheels. Complaining about that is like marrying a supermodel and then complaining that it costs too much to buy her shoes, it just goes with the territory. The tires are the single most important part of the car, they connect you with the road.

TwoDs, you bought a high-end sporty car and you're complaining about a few hundred dollars for tires? They may have some defects but replacing them with a quality tire will not yield those same problems.

Valentyna, take a look at TireRack.com, they have lots of info about tire selection and you can look up tires by model. Be sure to check the size actually on the car though, to be sure you're getting the right thing. They have plenty of reviews and ratings to let you pick the right tire for you.

ken, you can't fit a higher aspect on the same wheel because it changes ride height, effective gearing, and speedometer accuracy. You could go to a smaller wheel but I think you will see a decrease in handling ability. As I've already stated, picking the right tire and knowing what the specs mean will give a tire with just as much life and the ride and weather characteristics that you want. Ride is always going to be somewhat firmer but some tires are also softer than others even in the same size.

If you want the best of both worlds, then you want a set of summer tires and a set of all-season/snow tires on different wheels to swap out each season. If you don't want to change tires and have to deal with snow/ice occasionally then I suggest you look for a good all-season tire. The tire size has almost nothing to do with wear or weather.

Thank you for the info JohnL. I will check out the web site you recomended.
I'm not complaining at all:). I love the car - it's GREAT! It is such a good ride! And, that's why I'm trying to find the best tires for it (to get the most out of it).

Please, Please, Please, buy an aftermarket tire insurance to cover damages to tires and rims. The insurance is only $500. Each tire will cost $441.00 to replace. To date I have replaced seven tires and two rims after pothole damage on my Lexus GS 430. Good luck.

hi guys

i have recently bought a skoda laura and i am planning to change the tyres and rims... i already i have selected the alloys wheels "19 inch"5 spokes ... would some one suggest me as to what size of tyres will be good enough... i am actually thinking of 225 but not sure about the profile....
please help me out

I have an Infiniti G-35 coupe and am in the process of downsizing the 19" tires with 18" tires. Does anyone know how much more wear I will possibly get from the switch? Also, Louis, I was interested in the aftermarket insurance you mentioned. I have never had to replace any tires, and wondered why you had to replace seven. You also mention it replaced wheels, was that for being badly scratched by potholes?

I have a mercedes E-350 and I already had 3 blowouts in the same right passenger tire and a nail in a rear tire. I also had a bubble in the rear tire. I only have the car for 6 months and have spent a lot of money replacing tires. I never had a blow out in my whole life and didn't know anything about these tires. I am ready to return the car. Any suggestions what else I can do. I could have leased a car for over 1000 a month if I would have known I was going to spend so much replacing tires and not even hitting potholes just going over the streets in the city. Thanks

I have a mercedes E-350 and I already had 3 blowouts in the same right passenger tire and a nail in a rear tire. I also had a bubble in the rear tire. I only have the car for 6 months and have spent a lot of money replacing tires. I never had a blow out in my whole life and didn't know anything about these tires. I am ready to return the car. Any suggestions what else I can do. I could have leased a car for over 1000 a month if I would have known I was going to spend so much replacing tires and not even hitting potholes just going over the streets in the city. Thanks

Has anyone heard of Crave rims? If so are they anygood?

I am not a fan of low profile tires AT ALL! Mine lasted a little over a year, and I had nothing but problems with them. They get flats easily, last a short period of time, and are expensive.

Read my review of these poor tires on http://www.financialnut.com

Please HELP!!! Does anyone know if it is possible to change out the wheels on a car that has low-profile tires so that regular tires can be used? I have an Infiniti and my low profile tires only get 12,000 miles before needing to be replaced. Those 12,000 miles are highway miles too. This is ridiculous.

I bought my 350z because I wanted a fun sporty car that I can drive a few times a week. I expected to pay more for premium gas, and I expected to pay more for the low profile tires. If you didn't want the extra expenses, then you shouldn't have bought a car w/ low profile tires. Simple as that.

My recently delivered new 2008 Chevy Malibu LTZ came equiped with P225/50R18 low profile tires.
It is a beautiful car, but much of the anticipated joy have been dampened by its rough ride.
I would very much appreciate if anyone who has had a similar experience could help me out with a practical solution.

I have a 2006 Audi A3 and I am about to put my third tire on the right front passenger side. I have had major bubbles, nails and total blow outs so far...

I live in NYC and between the pot holes, the parallel parking and the general wear and tear of driving I hate the low-profile tires. When I bought my car they offered me some sort of warrantee on the tires and I thought it was extraneous, but now I am wondering if it was really essential? The other thing is that I wasted too much money for the past two replacements to be done at my dealer, but this time I bought two tires (one for now and one for the next time it is sure to blow...) for SIGNIFICANTLY less on tirerack.com and am having it put on at a local garage for close to nothing.

I love my car but will SERIOUSLY think twice before ever buying a car with low-profile tires again – hopefully this is a trend that car manufacturers get wind of by reviewing web sites just like this…

Where can I go to buy tire insurance?

Low profile tires are for primarily for appearance, as they are currently trendy. In the 60s and 70s high profile tires and tiny wheels were popular for sports cars.

Take a look at Formula One racing tires. These are for the best handling cars in the world. They certainly do NOT use low profile tires.

Stick to non-low-profile performance tires to maximize your performance and safety. Use non-low-profile touring tires to get more life out of your tires.

Jagdish, if your rims are 19x8.5, 235/35 should fit the rim well. 35 is a percentage of the width, so you should still check to see if these are the best fit for your specific car.

you can always go with a smaller wheel and higher-profile tires, but I don't recommend it. Because if you bought a performance car, it is designed to best operate with low-profile performance tires.

Is the gas milage better ? worse ? with low-profile tires ? could someone send me a E-mail on this .

I bought a used 2002 BMW 325CI and loved it at first, until I got a flat. No problem, right? This car has 16" (I think) low profile tires. I'm not sure what caused the first flat because I was on a road that had no shoulder (hilly with a drop off) so I tore up the tire driving on the rims for a short bit. Next tire had a screw so close to the sidewall it couldn't be repaired. Those two occurred within days of each other in May. Today, now October, same rear tire that had the screw went flat. I've had lots of flat tire experience, but not this much in a short time.

So my question, of course: are low-profile tires more prone to flats? BMW, for whatever reason, wouldn't even offer a road-hazard warranty on the new tires (the now flat one was new in May). I'm beginning to think it's because they're prone to flats. These tires cost approximately $230 per tire. They are NOT run flats.

Anyone know for sure? Thanks!

If “SHOW” is more important then “GO”, you can consider low profile tires.
http://www.apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=94
If you are planning to fit wheels of a larger diameter to your car, you must equip them with lower profile tires. And if you are thinking about buying lower profile tires, you will also have to buy larger wheels. Why? Simply because the rolling diameter, the diameter of the wheel / tire combination, must remain the same for the following reasons:
· To allow the speedometer and dometer
readings to remain accurate;
· To prevent the engine from running at too low
an RPM at a given speed;
· To prevent the tires from rubbing in the
fender wells;
· To ensure that suspension operation is not
adversely affected.
Making a "plus one" conversion means fitting a one inch larger wheel with a suitably lower profile tire to keep the correct rolling diameter, while a "plus two" conversion involves a two inch larger wheel with an even lower profile tire.
Changing wheels with different size from OEM is a costly and dangerous enterprise. You are the only responsible person and changing tires means to create a chain reaction. You are opening the Pandora box. Wider tires means shorter braking distance. You need to upgrade the braking system to. This cost $7000 for a Mercedes Benz, only for the breaking system.

Hi all,

I've been reading this forum with interest, because we purchased a 2008 Jetta Wolfsburg this past April, and have had two tire problems. They have Perelli low profile tires, although I'm not sure of the size or aspect ratio right now. We had a nail, which was repaired, and then hit a pothole or something at about 30 mph and the tire went flat. Does anyone know if we should switch out the tires completely? I'm now becoming concerned about the cost of repairs, and the upcoming winter months after reading this forum. Should we consider doing a seasonal switch of tires, or inquire about ditching the low profile tires altogether? I thank you for your help in advance.

What is the over all difference in profile from a 255/70R-18 and a 255/60R-18 tires. Recently i had new winter tires installed on my 2007 Navigator but when i picked the car up it looked a little odd.I did not choose the tire ,the shop did and they said they replaced it with the same size stock tire .The stock tire size was the 255/70R-18's not 255/60R-18's is that why it looks funny.

I bought a 2008 Lancer. I really like the car but it has 18" wheels with low profile tires. When I bought it I didn't know anything about tires. When I asked the sales person about the tires prior to paying he said that they were good tires and would wear the same as regular tires. Well, they do not. Or I should say they may wear the same but do not last as long. I am wanting to switch to a smaller wheel say about 16". Does anyone know if this can be done? Will it hurt my car. If I have a 16" wheel wih a higher profile tire that equals the circumference of the 18" low profile will it work without damaging my car?

my friend just got some, he loves them, the only problem is that if you hit a pot hole...bye bye rims.

these tires look good, but when it comes to performance..the suck.

to the point where if you ran over a piece of gum with these thin tires, youd be able to know what flavor it was.

I bought the IS 250 in 2007. As of today I have replaced all 4 tires on a vehicle with slightly more than 40,000 miles. I even bought insurance to cover the tires but it does not cover normal wear and tear. Buyers be seriously forewarned.

i keep getting told low profile tires will cause your transmission to go out. Is this true? I bought some used rims/tires from a friend and put them on my Saturn VUE FWD 4cyl. The rims are 22's with low profile tires. They are in excellant condition. I've never heard of transmission problems being caused by low pro's and cant find anything online either. Just thought I'd ask!