Honda Says Canadians Should Always Use Severe Service Maint Schedule

[STSinNYC]

Re tire inflation and rotation: I have a family member who manages a Firestone dealership, has been in the business for 20 years. His guidance for my cars has proven right consistently over time. In our case, and I speak only for us, running the tire at 40 PSI has worked. Wear is better than average for the mileage, fuel economy is good (consistently better than manuf. ratings), and handling is solid. Rotation has also helped keep wear down. In the past I have had other tires I did not maintain this way, and they wore out faster.

With the rough road conditions in the Northeast, tires just wear faster at lower inflation in our experience.

 

[wasserboxer]

When the new (current) Accord just appeared on the market, at the first look at the car I went through the manual, which has two different maintenance schedules. I talked to a salesguy about it and he confirmed, it is up to the owner what to choose.
That happen about a year and a half ago at Lakeshore Honda in west Toronto.
I did not buy Accord, so, did not have a chance to check myself if they insist on the harsh schedule, but that conversation took place.

 

[XS650]

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Originally posted by STSinNYC:
In our case, and I speak only for us, running the tire at 40 PSI has worked. Wear is better than average for the mileage, fuel economy is good (consistently better than manuf. ratings), and handling is solid.

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I normally only go 3 to 5 psi aboove recommended pressure. Do you get any extra wear in the center with 40 psi.

I was just checking the original factory tires on my wifes Acura 3.2TL with ~88,000 miles. They have another ~5,000 miles left. I run 35 psi and two rotations so far. They will all be worn out about the same time. ****, tires have gotten good compared to the crap in the 1960s.

 

[quadrun1]

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Originally posted by Cutehumor:
I wonder if the girls up there are lower maintence than the ones in the US.

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Probably. Canadian girls are awesome!

 

[STSinNYC]

XS 650 - re your question - the wear on the tire seems to be even across. All the tread seems to be sitting pretty squarely on the road. A while back, a dealer mechanic deflated all the tires to 32. When I inflated them back up to 40, I watched to see how the shape of the tires changed. They didn't rise up as much as you might think. The Michelin tires have max. cold PSI of 44, we inflate to 40, Honda manual says 32.

We did the same thing on our 87 Accord. Max cold PSI was 36, we ran them at 32, manual said 26. Long life and good MPG. Prior set of tires, we followed the manual, ran them at 26 PSI, the tires wore out in less than 30 K miles, think it was around 25 K.

 

[Hankrr]

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Originally posted by 2x:

quote:

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Originally posted by XS650:

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Originally posted by STSinNYC:
FYI, one difference I recommend vs. the manual: We keep the tires on our 02 Accord inflated to 40 PSI, vs. manual 32 PSI. Getting better MPG, better handling, and better tread wear. Rotating every 6-7,500 miles has also kep them in good shape.

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Modern radials tolerate a lot more pressure before wearing out the center than the old bias ply tires did. I don't go as quite as high as you because I don't care for the small deterioration in ride or handling.

I have also found that Honda Accord and higher products don't require a lot of tire rotation to get even tire wear. One rotation during the tire life usually does the trick for me if I pick the right mileage.

I have also never needed a wheel alignment on a Honda. There is something to be said about building a car right.

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If you live in California that may work for you, but try that here in the northeast and your car will fall apart.

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?? What do you mean? Not having an alegnment or not rotating the tires or over inflating?

 

[RF Overlord]

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Originally posted by sub_zero:
We have the largest oil reserves in the world, greater than the middle east.

Y'all be buying it from us soon enough!

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I tell you what...I'd rather my petro-dollars go to our good friends up north than to those America-hating terrorists in the Middle East...

 

[yannis]

Long life and good MPG but less grip. You can't have it all.

 

[Patman]

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Originally posted by quadrun1:

quote:

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Originally posted by Cutehumor:
I wonder if the girls up there are lower maintence than the ones in the US.

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Probably. Canadian girls are awesome!

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Yes they indeed are!

 

[Matt89]

I agree with Yannis, at least for my Chevy Impala. I give up a lot of grip and ride quality if I go over the recommended 30psi. Wheel hop on uneven pavement and understeer on exit ramps etc.

Of course I've got like 80 million mile treadwear tires, not your best choice for spirited driving.

Tire types and pressures are definitely a compromise...have to find what works for you.