help pick tires for 2021 RAV4

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AJB0009

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Feb 6, 2020
Messages
558
Location
Charlotte, NC
2021 Toyota RAV4, XLE, FWD. 225/65R17. 86k miles on vehicle. We plan on keeping it "forever".
Now, the vehicle is mainly used for road trips; not much daily use. No snow, just dry and wet pavement, no off road at all.
Coming off the vehicle are Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3. When I got them, I did a little research, and they had great reviews, 70k mile warranty, and UTQG of 800.
I have put 50k on them and rotated them 5 times.
There is 3/10th or 4/10th of tread left and they have been howling like crazy since there was about 25k miles on them.
Never again.
I get my tires from a guy that owns a local small mom and pop tire and auto place in town.
I did a little research and gave him a list. He added a couple and sent me back options with out the door prices. Please let me know your thoughts. I have a few other thoughts but want to refrain for sharing any more so as not to taint what anyone else says.
TIA
~
$500 Summit Trail Climber SUV
$670 Cooper Endeavor Plus
$685 Cooper Procontact
$700 Falken CT60
$760 General Altimax RT45
$830 Michelin Defender2
$870 Continental TrueContact
$1010 Bridgestone Alenza Prestige
 
Last edited by a moderator:
“….Now, the vehicle is mainly used for road trips; not much daily use. No snow, just dry and wet pavement, no off road at all.”

and,

“……I have a few other thoughts…..”

Sharing those other thoughts might help the BITOGers you’re asking input from to better help you with your selection.

Rarely will you get multiple responses whereby none are biased. Some of those responses may be based on ignorance but most will be based on personal experience with certain tire brands.

What’s your priorities in a tire? Handling, wet/dry traction, low noise?
 
Surprised the Pirellis were that bad. Last set of them I had were P4+ tires on a '12 Accord and they were good under all conditions as well as long wearing.
Out of the tires you've listed, I'd personally buy the Michelin.
These are very satisfactory in use and will give very long mileage.
 
Tire Rack Touring Tires Video - seriously watch and write down some numbers for what is important for you. Defender 2 probably lonest lasting but on their back to back, a little stiffer, a bit noisier than others. Not loud but also watch the emergency lane change things.

Snow not an issue but my son just put Continental SecureContact AW (all weather) on wife's Tucson. Of course new but he said quieter than at least the worn Michelin Primacy. I think all get louder as they age also based on tread depth, harmonics, tread to cushion. My Pirelli AS+2 got that way all of a sudden (at least in my ears). The replacement AS3 are silent as compared to them, at least for now. The SecureContact is not directional so you can cross rotate to help even out wear vs something like Michelin CrossClimate 2 or Goodyear WeatherReady 2.

I would also consider the Nokian One.
Continental CrossContact LX25 always got good reviews but older tech/compound at this point.
Vredestein HiTrac
Pirelli also has a new Scorpion AS4


Do not get any Bridgestone Ecopia or Dueler versions.

If you consider what Costco has available if you have a membership, for choices (Michelin, Bridgestone, some Firestone) you get free mounting/balance, flat repair and 5 year road hazard included in the price. That may help on trips if you ever have issue.
 
fdcg27 said:
Surprised the Pirellis were that bad. Last set of them I had were P4+ tires on a '12 Accord and they were good under all conditions as well as long wearing.
Out of the tires you've listed, I'd personally buy the Michelin.
These are very satisfactory in use and will give very long mileage.
Click to expand...
I'm always torn on the nice long life/mileage vs better wet traction, emergency. I drive where way too many people do way to many stupid things. I leave lots of room but the way they swerve and cut people off, my braking and lane change avoidance does get tested too frequently.
 
Hard to beat the Falken RT45 and Michelins. Those Falkens are an all around great tire and hard to beat for the price range. Nokian has a couple tires that would be great too.
 
fdcg27 said:
Surprised the Pirellis were that bad. Last set of them I had were P4+ tires on a '12 Accord and they were good under all conditions as well as long wearing.
Click to expand...
My Accord sounded like I needed wheel bearings this spring. I was holding off as I knew I needed tires at some point. I got new tires and the sound is gone.

I had 5 year old 46k Pirelli P7 Cinturato AS+2. They were perfectly even worn from rotations to 3-4/32". No odd treadwear. I had tried rotating to all positions one at a a time and swapping a snow tire (which are also worn). It just developed slowly over time.

P7 AS3 replaced them as prorate from Sam's gave me 33% off plus the $100 sale and 1/2 price mounting. If not these, the Nokian One or Continental DWS-06+ were probably next choice.
 
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Dry wet pavement !
why not go with a dedicated summer tire may wear a bit quicker but offers better handling and grip in the type of driving you do ?
 
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