Buying new tires...anyone done this already

[dark]

Dark,

Wow, I love the rims and the running boards. Are those the Westin running boards? I ordered a set of them in black form Amazon and they should be here tomorrow. Are those really 20" wheels? I guess they don't look that big since you went with a much lower profile tire. My RAV4 EV is also Blizzard Pearl white. I was thinking of taking all of the chrome off the car (front and back) and spraying them with black plasti-dip. I did the plastic little hubcaps like some other members did on the regular RAV4 forums. I like the look.

I got running boards from ebay for 185 bucks, they are the cheap one, not Westin. I should have gotten the 400 bucks one since I had to modify the bracket to make it fit on the EV.

For the wheels, it is 20" and I don't think I can go any bigger for a smooth ride.

Did you notice I black out my spoiler? I suggest vinyl wrap all the chrome trim since it is reversible. black plasti-dip is not reversible.

 

[madcow]

Well I got my running boards today and opened up the mounting kit. It's not going to work. I'm also going to have to modify these to make them work. It doesn't help that the instructions that came with the Westin running boards kind of suck. It looks like the undersides of our cars are different because of the battery and all the aerodynamic treatments under the car. Do you have any pictures of how you modified the brackets to fit your running boards?

I did notice that your spoiler looked black, but I couldn't tell if that was just an artifact of the picture. The plasti-dip is actually removable. I've taken off the 3 thin chrome plastic pieces on the front of the car. I've sprayed 1 coat on the small piece already. I'm probably going to go with 3 coats total. Hopefully it isn't too hard to get the top piece off. I started thinking about taking off all the badges and spraying all of the chrome emblems as well.

I'm hoping that I can figure out how to modify the brackets for the running boards.

 

[TonyWilliams]

I'm hoping that I can figure out how to modify the brackets for the running boards.

The aluminum extrusions that hold the battery to the car are safe to drill into. Clearly, drilling into the actual battery box might kill you.

I have no idea how they planned to mount these, but I'll guess that you will have to make custom brackets that bolt to the same six bolts on each side that hold the battery on, or drill into the extrusions to mount your custom brackets.

Good luck.

 

[dark]

Madcow,

I wouldn't drill any holes to the car. For my bracket, I simply cut the back span of the bracket and it is now seat against the battery box.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8317976@N05/9413200244/

No drilling, all bolt on installation.

 

[qatnip]

how about Hankook V12 Ventus staggered?

Front: 235/45-20
Rear: 275/40-20

Mounted on Volks G2 Forged, about 2 to 3 lbs lighter.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8317976@N05/9328895273/

WOW!!!!

 

[Blastphemy]

Just checking in to this thread to see if anyone's had success installing a different tire that gets better traction than the OEM tires. Thanks for any recommendations!

 

[fusiondynamics]

I'm curious also. I was looking at Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia. Wondering if they got better handling, quietness, and fuel economy.

 

[sierrabill]

Its been 8 months since the last post here regarding replacement tires (I don't think I'm interested in investing hundreds of $$ into new rims also), and with 18K on the original tires, its time for new shoes. This thread and one other one on this forum don't seem to have come to any any real conclusion. Is there a bona-fide tire nerd out there somewhere??

Any last minute documented personal experience with the range gain or hit with other tires out there. I would like to at least keep the range I've been getting while hopefully benefiting from better tire longevity.
Thanks,

 

[Blastphemy]

I'm in the same boat - time to get new tires, but I want something better than the OEM tires. I can sacrifice about 5 miles of range, but that's really about it. I just want better traction, although quieter tires would be a bonus. But traction is my primary concern. Anyone out there replace your Rav4 EV tires with something good?

 

[miimura]

I don't need tires yet, but I've pretty much decided on the Michelin Defender. The 280 treadlife rating on the factory Yoko Geolandar is very low. The Geolandar G91AV that has Low Rolling Resistance classification is rated 200 treadlife. Defenders are rated 820. This is a Bay Area only car for me, so I don't care about mud and snow and I don't fly around cloverleaves. I seem to recall somebody saying they're quieter than the Geolandar too.

 

[Blastphemy]

Here's my list (in preference order) of the tires I'm considering for my Rav4 EV:

1) Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia (Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Dueler+H%2FL+422+Ecopia&partnum=265HR7HL422&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

2) Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology (Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=CrossContact+LX20+with+EcoPlus+Technology&partnum=265TR7CCLX20&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

3) Michelin Defender (Standard Touring All-Season with Low Rolling Resistance)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Defender&partnum=265TR7DEF&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

4) Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus (Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season with LRR)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=Scorpion+Verde+All+Season+Plus&partnum=265HR7SVASP&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

5) Continental TrueContact (Standard Touring All-Season with LRR)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=TrueContact&partnum=265TR7TRUEC&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

Anyone have any warnings, recommendations, or comments?

Thanks!

 

[4EVEREV]

Here's my list (in preference order) of the tires I'm considering for my Rav4 EV:

1) Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia (Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Dueler+H%2FL+422+Ecopia&partnum=265HR7HL422&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

2) Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology (Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=CrossContact+LX20+with+EcoPlus+Technology&partnum=265TR7CCLX20&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

3) Michelin Defender (Standard Touring All-Season with Low Rolling Resistance)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Defender&partnum=265TR7DEF&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

4) Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus (Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season with LRR)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=Scorpion+Verde+All+Season+Plus&partnum=265HR7SVASP&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

5) Continental TrueContact (Standard Touring All-Season with LRR)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=TrueContact&partnum=265TR7TRUEC&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

Anyone have any warnings, recommendations, or comments?

Thanks!

My guess is the first choice you made will be the most efficient.

 

[ufojoe]

I had some Ecopia's on my Prius and loved them....

 

[mikegerard]

This is a little old but here is a test from TireRack
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=155

In the test they like the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422....looks like the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia is an update version with a little longer life. I will probably replace my tires around 20k which should be this fall. I'm leaning towards the Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia.

Mike

 

[Blastphemy]

I've decided to put on the Bridgestone Duelers:

Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia (Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Dueler+H%2FL+422+Ecopia&partnum=265HR7HL422&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

I'll report back to let y'all know if I lose any range, if the road noise is less, and if the ride is more comfortable.

 

[Luckyduckie]

I've decided to put on the Bridgestone Duelers:

Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia (Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season)
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Dueler+H%2FL+422+Ecopia&partnum=265HR7HL422&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2012&autoModel=RAV4%20EV&autoModClar=

I'll report back to let y'all know if I lose any range, if the road noise is less, and if the ride is more comfortable.

So, how many miles did you get on the original set?

 

[Blastphemy]

I'm at 22,000 miles on the OEM set. They're not worn out, but the traction and noise has always been awful and I'm tired of driving on them. So instead of buying new tires with only months left on my 3-year lease, I'm buying the replacements now so I can enjoy them for the next year and a half.

 

[4min]

After reading this thread, I now too am thinking about getting new tires right away, and using the original ones when turning the car in, if I decide to do so, or selling right away.

I currently have 2k on odometer, so the tires are newish.

Does anyone know:
- If Toyota expects new tires when you turn the car in, or they don't care? Would my current ones qualify as new for them?
- How much can original tires with 2k on them cost on Craigslist? Enough to justify hassle of selling them?

 

[Blastphemy]

OK, the new tires are on! I have a long drive tomorrow on some very noisy highways and bumpy side roads, so I'll report back whether these tires are quieter and smoother. I'll also test the traction and see if my range is affected.

 

[ehelmholtz]

I switched out my tires at 500 miles and put on Michelin defenders. These tires are sticker and less noisy. I haven't noticed a change in range but then again I only had the originals for a short while. At 12K miles now and these tires look new (rated for 80K miles I think).