New General Altimax RT today

[HyundaiGuy]

At 35,000 miles the OEM Kumho tires on my 2009 Hyundai Accent GS were getting close to the wear bars. Add the fact that it is rainy season here in Florida (read daily monsoons) and I decided to bite the bullet on a new set of tires.

I knew I didn't want Firestone/Bridestone and the Michelins were a bit pricey. I had a set of Generals on my previous car ('94 BMW 325is) and had good luck with them. After researching the Altimax RT, they looked like a good move.

I checked prices online, and Wal Mart had the lowest price by $60 for the set. I hate Walmart, and refuse to shop there. I checked Discount Tire and they gladly beat Wal Mart's price, and included free lifetime spin balance and rotation. I had the tires and a new set of wheels (old ones were rusting- Hyundai claims this is "normal") installed this morning. Funny thing on the new wheels- they were 25% cheaper in the store as opposed to online.

So I drive home from the shop and the car feels completely different- far smoother and quieter. I was treated very well at the Discount Tire. So far so good. I'm hoping that with proper care, I can get 70,000 miles out of them.

 

[Jimmy9190]

DT is a good store. They usually have good prices and are willing to match other tire prices too. I shopped DT earlier this year when I bought my new tires. I went with Tire Kingdom though, I had one of their coopins and saved some money.

Congrats on the new shoes.

 

[charbaby]

These RT's generaly(no pun intended) get nice reviews as do the HP's. They have their following and we have one friend in our circle that has RT's and he likes them quite a bit. Here is a member that is using the HP's on an Elantra although, yes they're different than the RT's on an Accent. But good reading just the same.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/got-general-altimax-hp-2nd-time.158271/

 

[Sayjac]

The RT tread pattern looks similar to the HP tread pattern, but carries a longer treadwear warranty. However the RT is a nondirectional tire, the HP directional. RT, T rated, HP H rated.

Not surprised to hear you were treated well at DT.

When you say you bought new wheels, do you mean new steel wheels to replace the OEM, or some other type? IME, the OE steel wheels do tend to rust, though after only 2-3 years I wouldn't think much.

 

[HyundaiGuy]

Originally Posted By: sayjac

When you say you bought new wheels, do you mean new steel wheels to replace the OEM, or some other type? IME, the OE steel wheels do tend to rust, though after only 2-3 years I wouldn't think much.


They were rusting to varying degrees. All were noticeable and had a very thin paint finish. One as looking especially bad- I would call it more than surface rust. To fix it properly, the wheels would have had to be removed from the car, the wheels sanded or blasted and repainted. I tool it back to the dealer and got the response "they all do that, it is normal." While it has been a long time since I owned a car with steel wheels, I have had a few, and none did this. It was especially bothersome that it is happening this quickly. One the other hand, I looked at the other Accent, and it is starting there as well. Just because "they all do that" doesn't mean they should.

I believe that nearly any car can (with varying degrees of maintenance and repairs) be driven to 200,000 miles minimum with diligent care. I also think if you let one thing go, you will let more and more go until the needed maintenance/repairs snowball out of control. Yes, I am a bit anal about the cars.

So I switched over to alloy wheels. The new tires are 185 width instead of the factory 175. This gives me a bit more tire on the ground (a good thing) but possibly a but more rolling resistance as well, which may impact fuel economy. I am hoping the new wheels, being lighter, will offset this. And they won't rust.

Of all the cars I have owned (lots- mostly foreign with a few domestics) this has by far been the most dull boring ride I have ever had. On the other had, by far (so far) the most reliable. I am hoping for 300,000 miles out of this one.

 

[Sayjac]

I too replaced the OE steelies on a Civic with a set of alloys from DT last year. They had rusted some, but after 9 years that's to be expected. I also run 195's as opposed to OE 185's, wanted a bit more rubber on the road.

I guess you went with the same aspect ratio as OE? I went with 60's as opposed to 65.

 

[HyundaiGuy]

Originally Posted By: sayjac

I guess you went with the same aspect ratio as OE? I went with 60's as opposed to 65.


I went with 65's as opposed to the OEM 70.

 

[Sayjac]

Cool, should help keep your speedo more accurate as opposed to sticking with the same aspect.