YoGeorge

Hi all:
I've got an '09 FX with 16" wheels and the stock 215/65 Dueler 687's which are pleasant enough but don't do anything really *that* well per reviews and my own experience.

Particularly as Michigan winter approaches, and because I'd like a bit gnarlier look, I was thinking that some 215/70x16 tires would work out really well--just a tad taller. (Note that 225/65's would be really cool as well but there are almost no tires made in this size.)

So in the running for the 215/70x16 size are the Toyo A/T's. I'm also thinking about Michelin LTX M/S's, which I have on my Ford van (2nd set) and just adore for truck tires (but boy are they expensive these days). Also in that size are the BFG A/T KO's (expensive and extreme), and tires like the Yokohama AT/S(?) and Gen Grabber AT2. I'm guessing that my dry-road handling may decline a bit going to a slightly taller tire like these AT's, and moving from the H speed rating on the OEM tires to the S rating on most of these others. (I promise not to exceed 112 mph....)

Has anyone used the Toyo A/T's on a Foz or in any other application? I'm curious about road noise, gas mileage (I realize that a slightly larger diameter will reduce my "reported" mileage but with equal rolling resistance I'm guessing virtually no loss.) Any other ideas for a slightly gnarly but not over the top 215/70x16? I might really prefer the Michelins but they're pushing $200 per....

Thanks,
George

TC2000

I thought all 09's came with 17" rims except the base model you sure about that size?

my mistake I saw FX and my brain thought XT

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2009 Forester X Premium 4EAT

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max6spd

I have Toyo Open Country ATs on my Honda Pilot. They are LOUD. I mean serious road noise.

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TC2000

How bout the Firestone Winterforce or the Blizzak DM-Z3 ? Are you going to leave them on come springtime or just run them for the winter?

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alker01

Blizzaks are crap. And about the toyos i have a pair and i dont find them loud at all...

YoGeorge

Thread Starter

Dedicated winter tires would be cool, but having had them before, seems like they're slow to come off, slow to go back on. I'm sure the Foz will be better than anything I've driven in winters for a long time anyway, and I do have some mild offroad fantasies that might be fun someday.

Thanks,
George

YoGeorge

Thread Starter

Did you replace your OEM tires with them, or buy the Pilot as is? I'm wondering if you took a gas mileage hit as well.

Serious road noise sounds ungood....I really like the Michelin LTX M/S's but they are just SO freakin' expensive.

Thanks,
George

TC2000

Th Geolander A/T-S looks compairable to the Michelin LTX M/S and they are pretty cheap too

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max6spd

We bought the Pilot used from a Honda dealer and one of the contingencies was new tires and they slapped on the Toyos. I went back the next day to complain about the road noise and the tech guy said that the tires are really good in the wet/snow because they're really knobby, hence the road noise. The dealer said I didn't specify what KIND of tires. I only asked for NEW tires and they gave me whatever they felt like.

I figure I'll run them through the winter and swap them out to something a little less noisy in the spring.

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max6spd

I have no opinion on the Firestones or Blizzaks. Sorry.

They're all seasons so I was just going to leave them on.

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waggaclint

Thought id up this thread as ive been looking as gettn some as they look like they would be good for offroad work..

Does anybody run them? thought etc?

ateday

Was looking at them. Tread pattern looks ok but ended up with Pirelli Scorpions. I find them, the Pirellis, very good all round on bitumen and sand. Used them on the desert trip in June/July. So far have made about 65000kms and no punctures yet.
Mud no idea and tread possibly not benough for rock.

YoGeorge

Thread Starter

No experience with them although I was the one who started this thread. I am 50k miles into a set of BFG Long Trail T/A Tours (more street tread) and they look like they are less than HALF gone based on appearances. Amazing and well mannered. One thing I recall about the Toyo's is that they were really lightweight in the 215/70x16" size.

George

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'09 FX non-premium, 5MT

waggaclint

Yeah from what ive seen they look and sound good, Ive always been a Toyo fan and have run a few sets of there onroad tyres on few differant cars and i was very happy with them and being made in Japan is a plus for me..

I might have to buy a set and give them the test hey..