I was visiting my brother over the weekend and his son and wife were there (they're expecting their first child in 2 months). I couldn't help but notice that the tires were ABSOLUTELY BALD on their 2003 Impala (his wife bought the car new in 2003 and it has 170,000 miles...car actually runs well and still looks good...no visible rust). I commented to my brother and he said he wasn't surprised...he had put on the last set of tires...Douglas Xtra Trac II from Wal Mart several years ago (!). This couple also just closed on a new house (also their first). It's obvious that they are probably "financially challenged" and are letting the car go due to other obligations at the moment. These are good, hard-working kids and have been responsible for the most part...but they're not much for car maintenance (oil changes and fix things as they break mostly) but this bothered me. My brother gave them a sizable "gift" toward the down payment on the house and isn't working at the moment...he can't do anymore. I called around and the best deal I could find in their size was on a set of Kelly Explorer Plus from a local dealer (tried the online sites...no better deals there). I had a set of these that came with a car I bought a few years back...they must be a really old model by now. They seemed OK on the car until I replaced them with something else. I called my nephew and told him to take the car over and they'd install the new tires (paid for them over the phone). This will be his birthday/housewarming/new baby gift from his uncle. Anyone here have any experience with these tires? They're the "loss leader" at quite a few tire places and I haven't heard any complaints but was wondering if I shouldn't have shelled out a few more bucks for something better.
Kelly Explorer Plus on the newphew's Impala
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Well, anything is better than bald Douglas Xtra Trac IIs ... or bald anythings for that matter.
Check the pricng vs. tirerack.com for the size you need. Sometimes discontinued "name brand" tires can be had for a pretty good deal.
If they get rotated...pretty decent tires. Not the best tire of course, but they seems to do fine here in the snow/rain here in MI.
A co worker has them on her Cobalt as I speak...and no issues with winter so far...
My wife has Kelly Nav golds on her car (Kelly's mid line tire) since 2009 and they are not the "sport car handling" type of tire, but they are wearing quite well and do a nice job year round.
A co worker has them on her Cobalt as I speak...and no issues with winter so far...
My wife has Kelly Nav golds on her car (Kelly's mid line tire) since 2009 and they are not the "sport car handling" type of tire, but they are wearing quite well and do a nice job year round.
oilmaven,
This is a very nice & needed gift that you gave your nephew and family.
I think that the Kelly Explorer Plus will work nicely on the Impala as it's dated suspension design can handle them prefectly. Newer, more modern suspensions may not like the Explorers and would require something more modern.
Those Impala's typicaly came with Uniroyal Tiger Paws or BF Goodrich Traction or Touring T/A on the standard models. I don't know which trim of Impala your family has!
I have always had pretty good success with Kelly tires on older/less sophisticated suspension designs(nothing wrong with that). The tires will be fine for your nephew and his family
This is a very nice & needed gift that you gave your nephew and family.
I think that the Kelly Explorer Plus will work nicely on the Impala as it's dated suspension design can handle them prefectly. Newer, more modern suspensions may not like the Explorers and would require something more modern.
Those Impala's typicaly came with Uniroyal Tiger Paws or BF Goodrich Traction or Touring T/A on the standard models. I don't know which trim of Impala your family has!
I have always had pretty good success with Kelly tires on older/less sophisticated suspension designs(nothing wrong with that). The tires will be fine for your nephew and his family
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Thanks, guys...the tires were installed today...the nephew said it "rides like a Cadillac" with them. Obviously, compared to the skins they had on the car anything is an improvement.
I have to say that has been one tough vehicle. At 170,000 miles on it's 3.4L V6 it doesn't use any appreciable oil and has never had the LIM gasket replaced (I think that's the issue with those engines...they swear it's never been an issue). I doubt that it has ever had a transmission fluid or coolant service...yet it seems to run pretty well. Maybe I do "over maintain" my vehicles.
I have to say that has been one tough vehicle. At 170,000 miles on it's 3.4L V6 it doesn't use any appreciable oil and has never had the LIM gasket replaced (I think that's the issue with those engines...they swear it's never been an issue). I doubt that it has ever had a transmission fluid or coolant service...yet it seems to run pretty well. Maybe I do "over maintain" my vehicles.
Are Kelly tires (one of Goodyear's brands) the equal of Goodyear's mid-line tires?
Are Kelly tires marketed so independent dealers like the one mentioned have something somewhat different to sell, and the price isn't burdened with national advertising expense?
Are Kelly tires marketed so independent dealers like the one mentioned have something somewhat different to sell, and the price isn't burdened with national advertising expense?
You're a good uncle.
The Kelly's I've used I was happy with, for what was paid.
The Kelly's I've used I was happy with, for what was paid.
I think those will do just fine. Just make sure your nephew keeps them properly inflated. Like Bill in Utah, i run 2-3 psi above mfr requirements and keep a close eye on pressures. takes little time and no money and will ensure he gets good life out of that set. Nice gift!!
Originally Posted By: Ken2
Are Kelly tires (one of Goodyear's brands) the equal of Goodyear's mid-line tires?
Are Kelly tires marketed so independent dealers like the one mentioned have something somewhat different to sell, and the price isn't burdened with national advertising expense?
Kelly is Goodyear's Tier 3 line up. They offer excellent value without breaking the bank. Like someone mentioned, almost any new tire is better than one that has worn down to the cords. We have a few customers using these tires, some because they are on a budget, some because to them a tire is an O shaped black thing that goes round, even my service manager has a set of Kellys on his daily driver.
Treadwear and ride quality is actually pretty decent on Kelly tires, they do sometimes end up being on the louder side of the spectrum. Their LT tires are very close to a lot of Wranglers in performance and life, very popular choice among national vehicle maintenance companies.
Are Kelly tires (one of Goodyear's brands) the equal of Goodyear's mid-line tires?
Are Kelly tires marketed so independent dealers like the one mentioned have something somewhat different to sell, and the price isn't burdened with national advertising expense?
Kelly is Goodyear's Tier 3 line up. They offer excellent value without breaking the bank. Like someone mentioned, almost any new tire is better than one that has worn down to the cords. We have a few customers using these tires, some because they are on a budget, some because to them a tire is an O shaped black thing that goes round, even my service manager has a set of Kellys on his daily driver.
Treadwear and ride quality is actually pretty decent on Kelly tires, they do sometimes end up being on the louder side of the spectrum. Their LT tires are very close to a lot of Wranglers in performance and life, very popular choice among national vehicle maintenance companies.
Had some Kelly's put on my 99 Accord prob 6 yrs ago or so. They were the least expensive model in Kellys line up. They were rated at 40k miles and I sold the car with 50k miles on the tires still with good tread and even wearing. Even with the original suspension on the car with 166k miles when I sold it. The tire guy had this model tire on his car and he did warn me upfront they were a little noisy.
Prior to this tire I had some horrible Firestones. I think they were called Assurances. Rated at 60k miles and only got 30k out of them before I had all sorts of issues with them, slipping belts, cupping, thumping noises etc. I ditched those in favor of the Kellys and tire problems no more.
Prior to this tire I had some horrible Firestones. I think they were called Assurances. Rated at 60k miles and only got 30k out of them before I had all sorts of issues with them, slipping belts, cupping, thumping noises etc. I ditched those in favor of the Kellys and tire problems no more.
No personal experience with KE+'s, but a 40k rated tire and they're still listed on their website. As mentioned, whatever the case certainly better than what they were riding on, sure they'll be fine. More about your thoughtful gesture and the self satisfaction you should feel now.
Here's some ancient history for those who are bored or have a monitor in front of the toilet. Back when service stations sold tires, the Standard Oil companies sold Atlas tires. They were built by Firestone, Cooper, BFG, Kelly-Springfield and, I believe, General. This was done in part to minimize shipping costs. Most of the tires we got here in Texas were from the Kelly plant near Longview. The old Chevron and Exxon hands believed the Kelly tires were assembled better than the others and would always put the Kelly-built ones on their own cars. I installed lots of them, and owned a few, and they always seemed to balance with very little weight. Probably meaningless today, since tire-building has come a long way in 40 years.
Originally Posted By: tightwad
Here's some ancient history for those who are bored or have a monitor in front of the toilet. Back when service stations sold tires, the Standard Oil companies sold Atlas tires. They were built by Firestone, Cooper, BFG, Kelly-Springfield and, I believe, General. This was done in part to minimize shipping costs. Most of the tires we got here in Texas were from the Kelly plant near Longview. The old Chevron and Exxon hands believed the Kelly tires were assembled better than the others and would always put the Kelly-built ones on their own cars. I installed lots of them, and owned a few, and they always seemed to balance with very little weight. Probably meaningless today, since tire-building has come a long way in 40 years.
Off Topic!
Interesting that you mention ATLAS Tires. My dad owned an ESSO Gas Station from '55-'79(changed to Exxon in the mid 70's). At his station, we accepted credit cards from Standard Oil and dad had a list of all the related credit card that were acceptable, from all the ESSO Family of Service Stations around the country.
Also, dad sold ATLAS Tires, Batteries and Accessories(Fan Belts, Heater/Radiator Hoses, Coolant etc). I still have a partial box of ATLAS 3/8ths heater hose in my garage and some unopened Pt. cans of ESSO ATF(Dexron and Type F) just as keepers for good memories.
I have a few other goodies with the ATLAS name on them. No signs though! Man, would love to have an old ESSO sign.(no, not really lookin' to buy!)
Here's some ancient history for those who are bored or have a monitor in front of the toilet. Back when service stations sold tires, the Standard Oil companies sold Atlas tires. They were built by Firestone, Cooper, BFG, Kelly-Springfield and, I believe, General. This was done in part to minimize shipping costs. Most of the tires we got here in Texas were from the Kelly plant near Longview. The old Chevron and Exxon hands believed the Kelly tires were assembled better than the others and would always put the Kelly-built ones on their own cars. I installed lots of them, and owned a few, and they always seemed to balance with very little weight. Probably meaningless today, since tire-building has come a long way in 40 years.
Off Topic!
Interesting that you mention ATLAS Tires. My dad owned an ESSO Gas Station from '55-'79(changed to Exxon in the mid 70's). At his station, we accepted credit cards from Standard Oil and dad had a list of all the related credit card that were acceptable, from all the ESSO Family of Service Stations around the country.
Also, dad sold ATLAS Tires, Batteries and Accessories(Fan Belts, Heater/Radiator Hoses, Coolant etc). I still have a partial box of ATLAS 3/8ths heater hose in my garage and some unopened Pt. cans of ESSO ATF(Dexron and Type F) just as keepers for good memories.
I have a few other goodies with the ATLAS name on them. No signs though! Man, would love to have an old ESSO sign.(no, not really lookin' to buy!)
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