New Bridgestone tires ride horribly!

[Drew99GT]

Ok. I got some 235/65/17 Bridgestone Turanza Everdrive tires for my 2016 CX-5 in the hopes the little bit bigger tire would have some more cushioning since the roads here are atrocious. Stock size is 225/65/17.

Tire Racks reviews of the new Bridgestones are excellent. Supposed to be very comfortable over bumps, great in snow, best in group on ice beating all the AW tires. 80,000 mile tread warranty. Thought they’d be perfect!

Uh, anything over 30 psi and it’s like I’m rolling in Flintstone tires! Atrocious! Like lead filled baloons.

So I did some investigating, using online tire pressure calculators etc.

Since these tires are 104H rated at 44 psi max, while most other tires have a max of 51 at that load rating, coupled with the crazy high mileage warranty, does that mean these are just a super hard compound tire with stiff sidewalls?

None of this makes sense!

With the low max psi, all the online calculators and some hand calculated formulas indicate 30 psi. Door placard is 34 psi.

I’m stumped!

 

[FZ1]

Ok. I got some 235/65/17 Bridgestone Turanza Everdrive tires for my 2016 CX-5 in the hopes the little bit bigger tire would have some more cushioning since the roads here are atrocious. Stock size is 225/65/17.

Tire Racks reviews of the new Bridgestones are excellent. Supposed to be very comfortable over bumps, great in snow, best in group on ice beating all the AW tires. 80,000 mile tread warranty. Thought they’d be perfect!

Uh, anything over 30 psi and it’s like I’m rolling in Flintstone tires! Atrocious! Like lead filled baloons.

So I did some investigating, using online tire pressure calculators etc.

Since these tires are 104H rated at 44 psi max, while most other tires have a max of 51 at that load rating, coupled with the crazy high mileage warranty, does that mean these are just a super hard compound tire with stiff sidewalls?

None of this makes sense!

With the low max psi, all the online calculators and some hand calculated formulas indicate 30 psi. Door placard is 34 psi.

I’m stumped!

Return them and get the previous tires if they rode "better".

 

[Drew99GT]

I might. The other factor is everything I read online says tires do soften up a bit after breaking in.

I’ll probably just keep them and run them at 31 psi. According to load calculations that is the equivalent to 35 psi in my previous Yokohama Geolanders since they have a max psi of 51 like most other tires in this size.

 

[Tman220]

What tires did these replace? These tires are marketed as crisp handling tires and naturally with a high warranty you're going to have a harder rubber compound to deal with.
Maybe your old tires were much softer than average for that size?
Maybe you have suspension problems?

Sorry to say but a lot of new tires will be harder than they used to be. with an ever increasing yearn for fuel efficiency tire manufacturers will make them hard and stiff for low rolling resistance.

 

[CapriRacer]

First, how are you measuring the pressure? I'd recommend you get a good pressure gauge. Dill Electronic Pressure Gauge

How did it ride before? Could it be you need shocks?

 

[Drew99GT]

Previous ones were Yokohama Geolander CV4s.

The Bridgestones are actually marketed for ride comfort and low rolling resistance and wear.

 

[Drew99GT]

I have a Milton dial gauge. Should be dead accurate.

Struts are Koni Special Active with like 5k on them. Ride comfort oriented strut.

Got new wheels too. Sparco Assetto that weight 7 lbs less than stock.

All this was to help ride comfort.

It rode ok with all of the above and the Geolanders.

It rides good at 31 psi with the Bridgestones. Bout the same as 34 with the Geolanders.

Lesson learned. Just leave it stock!

 

[Hirev]

80,000 mile tread warranty

My experance is anything with high 80K tread warranty is not going to give you the best ride.

 

[MrGraybeard]

My experance is anything with high 80K tread warranty is not going to give you the best ride.

And low rolling resistance.

 

[Dave Hess]

First, how are you measuring the pressure? I'd recommend you get a good pressure gauge. Dill Electronic Pressure Gauge

How did it ride before? Could it be you need shocks?

Could this be a poor balance job on multiple tires ?

 

[JeffKeryk]

Michelin or Continental rubber if you are gonna spend Bridgestone money.

 

[melk]

Michelin Defenders are my go to tire. Love em.

 

[Tman220]

It rides good at 31 psi with the Bridgestones. Bout the same as 34 with the Geolanders.

If it rides good and wears good that's the correct pressure.

once you change the factory tires the pressure recommendations from the factory go out the window

 

[Drew99GT]

I’m starting to think in general that factory recommended tire pressures are for max fuel economy. Similar to the push for thinner oils. Aside from the disastrously low recommended pressures Ford had for the explorer back in the day, if you look at recommended pressures 20 years ago for vehicles with similar tire sizes and weights, they are often a few psi lower than what’s recommended today.

 

[skyactiv]

Your Mazda isn't the right vehicle for you. Consumers Reports says it has a choppy ride and is marked on the negative category for its firm ride. I myself would rather have the stiffer riding, better handling Mazda over a CR-V or RAV4.

 

[barkingspider]

I agree w you running them at 31 psi and keeping them. All the Bridgestone tires I’ve ran were smooth and quiet

 

[SC Maintenance]

If you wanted a softer riding tire you should have gone with something with a taller sidewall. I am unsure how you figured a wider tire was going to help.

tire is 4.5% wider hence has 4.5% more loadbearing area and hence needs about 4.5% less air - so now your at 2psi less. You say it rides pretty much same at 3psi less so that plus a stiffer compound is likely logical.

You should try a tire with a taller sidewall, although a 65 series sidewall is reasonable now days. Sounds like the suspension is just too stiff for your liking.

 

[MParr]

Every Bridgestone tire that I have experience with have all ridden harsh. The higher the mileage rating and added LRR make them a no go for me.
Stay away from Michelin Primacy Tour A/S. The Defender 2 is a good tire however, you will still experience some harshness.
Yokohama Avid Ascend LX might be a good fit.
Goodyear Assurance ComfortDrive is another good pick.

 

[GMBoy]

1ST mistake was buying an 80k mile tire. There are compromises to get that long of a treadwear. I prefer 50k or less tires and always get smooth ride and good handling.

 

[4wd]

I’m starting to think in general that factory recommended tire pressures are for max fuel economy. Similar to the push for thinner oils. Aside from the disastrously low recommended pressures Ford had for the explorer back in the day, if you look at recommended pressures 20 years ago for vehicles with similar tire sizes and weights, they are often a few psi lower than what’s recommended today.

Leave them 32 until broke in some …