Ride is a little stiffer and there is more sidewall than the Firehawks so you sit up higher. Looking forward to a little snow to see how they handle. (I had Pilots before and they were FANTASTIC.)

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n66/MWG2/MichelinPilotonHHR.jpg

They have to be better than the Firestones.

I had them on my Jetta... that combination was hands down the best vehicle I've ever driven in the winter.

Barry, looks like you got the best. and the stock tires are at the very bottom. The HHR deserves better than the crappiest tires
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=HPAS&width=215%2F&ratio=50&diameter=17&tireSearch=true&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoYear=2008&autoModel=HHR%20LT&autoModClar=Sport%20Wagon&minSpeedRating=S&speed_rating=S&speed_rating=T&speed_rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=(Y)

Barry, looks like you got the best. and the stock tires are at the very bottom. The HHR deserves better than the crappiest tires
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=HPAS&width=215%2F&ratio=50&diameter=17&tireSearch=true&autoMake=Chevrolet&autoYear=2008&autoModel=HHR%20LT&autoModClar=Sport%20Wagon&minSpeedRating=S&speed_rating=S&speed_rating=T&speed_rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=(Y)

Thanks for this link, very interesting. I've only put on 800 miles (thanks to a 400 mile road trip yesterday) on my new HHR so I can't really justify replacing the tires yet, but I wish I could. I've already noticed not great handling in the snow, which is especially bad cause I don't have stabilitrak or anti-lock brakes.

Got mine installed this morning! Went in for an oil change and he says that he got the tires early. I am looking forward to putting some miles on them and see how they do. Already I notice a MUCH quieter ride. As for everything else we will have to wait for the wheather to throw something at us.

The HHR SS come with Michelin Pilots from the factory.

I just put a set of Goodyear Assurance TripleTred on my 06 LT yesterday.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+TripleTred&partnum=15HR7ATTXL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=40&speed_rating=S&speed_rating=T&speed_rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=(Y)&minSpeedRating=S

They are not on the list that was posted at the top of the thread but they compare pretty favorably with the Michelin Pilots. Certainly felt nicer on the way home last night. Pitched it around in the corners and it was noticeably more planted than the worn stockers. FYI the stock tires had 32k mi on them.

I had Michelin Pilots installed about 3 weeks ago. The Firehawks were garbage tires. They had replaced 3 of them under warranty because of excessive road force when they tried to rebalance them. I always had a vibration between 50 and 60 mph. They also shook like crazy when they were cold, like the old nylon tires of the 50 and 60's that used to flat spot from sitting.
The Pilots run smooth and I think the ride is better. The traction is far superior in our Minnesota snow.

The HHR SS come with Michelin Pilots from the factory.

What does that tell you????? Mmmmm....

Today...ice...freezing rain...slippery roads...Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S Tires...FLAWLESS, absolutely FLAWLESS.

YES, I highly recommend them. Two Thumbs Up!!

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n66/MWG2/bib1_3D.jpg http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n66/MWG2/bib1_3D.jpg

Peace,

MWG2

Why not just update your original thread about the tires? It would prevent everyone from asking details and show how long you've had them on.


Maybe a Mod merge?

Maybe a Mod merge?


Done :thumb: Glad to hear these are working out for you.

Thank you Hillsdale for moving the post. :thumb:

I just put a set of Goodyear Assurance TripleTred on my 06 LT yesterday.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+TripleTred&partnum=15HR7ATTXL&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=40&speed_rating=S&speed_rating=T&speed_rating=U&speed_rating=H&speed_rating=V&speed_rating=Z&speed_rating=W&speed_rating=Y&speed_rating=(Y)&minSpeedRating=S

They are not on the list that was posted at the top of the thread but they compare pretty favorably with the Michelin Pilots. Certainly felt nicer on the way home last night. Pitched it around in the corners and it was noticeably more planted than the worn stockers. FYI the stock tires had 32k mi on them.

Hey, I'm thinking of going Assurance TripleTred as well. How have they been working out? Road noise any more or less than stock? Handling?
Just curious since you have had them a while and now know their characteristics.

MWG2, You said the sidewall on the new rubber is taller than the stockers. What is the diameter difference and did you upsize? Did anyone else here use a taller size? Great Info! Great Thread!

Hey, I'm thinking of going Assurance TripleTred as well. How have they been working out? Road noise any more or less than stock? Handling?
Just curious since you have had them a while and now know their characteristics.

I just had these installed on my car about a month ago. Haven't had much except some rain around here. So far I am pleased but the real test will come this winter when I have to drive in ice and snow. The Firehawks were downright scary! I will post again when I get a few more miles (and seasons) on them.

Hey, I'm thinking of going Assurance TripleTred as well. How have they been working out? Road noise any more or less than stock? Handling?
Just curious since you have had them a while and now know their characteristics.


I've got about 9k miles on them now and i'm pretty pleased so far. They show
minimal wear (as they should for being a 80k rated tire) and stick to the road a heck of a lot better than the stockers did. They have a smidge more road noise but the increased performance more than makes up for it. The thing that strikes me most about them is the wet weather performance. If you drive behind them when there is water on the ground its incredible how much water they channel away. Those aquashoots work pretty well it seems. Handled the hail and ice we've had a couple of times since they were put on pretty well. I haven't gone and played in the snow yet but thats not really the HHR's forte anyways (at least with big 17's).

Couple comments....... Usually, a tire rated to do a zillion miles is a very hard tire. This generally hurts ride and traction. I have always driven more h.p. than I need and I like the cheap tires that are not rated for many miles. These softer and cheaper tires need to be replaced more often but so what? They give a softer ride and are generally better for dragracing and cornering. Sure, there are expensive new tires that do it all, but cheap has some pluses many younger drivers might not think of.

I've got about 9k miles on them now and i'm pretty pleased so far. They show
minimal wear (as they should for being a 80k rated tire) and stick to the road a heck of a lot better than the stockers did. They have a smidge more road noise but the increased performance more than makes up for it. The thing that strikes me most about them is the wet weather performance. If you drive behind them when there is water on the ground its incredible how much water they channel away. Those aquashoots work pretty well it seems. Handled the hail and ice we've had a couple of times since they were put on pretty well. I haven't gone and played in the snow yet but thats not really the HHR's forte anyways (at least with big 17's).

Thanks.:thumb:
I was looking at some today, but the tire place was a bit crazy at $229.00 each. I'll shop around or get the Yoko Avids. The Comfort treds seems nice as well, but I really want the wet handling AND quietness. I find the HHR noisy as it is. I've been in noisier tough.

Most reports have the Assurance Triple treds wearing out by 50K or sooner. The extra hard compound 80- K tires may be out there, but it seems from the comments on the 'net that the ATT's are not in that category even though they claim to be. Perhaps on some cars 80 K can be done?

Anyway, good luck on the for the long haul. The sound like winners, though weak in snow like most all-seasons are.

FYI I got them OTD installed at walmart in january for $620 so there are deals to be had.

Sure wish MWG2 would answer my question about the diameters and if he upsized. Has ANYONE upsized? Our new $60 225/55 Blizzaks arrived yesterday and they look VERY Aggressive and should be fantastic in the snow. Sure hope they fit........

Tire specs at:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Michelin&model=Pilot+Exalto+A%2FS&partnum=15HR7EXAS&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&place=45

Those specs show your diameter as 25.5" while the LS's 16"ers are 25.3" and the upsize I bought are 25.9" Therefore for the new tires I bought to fit, your size would need at least 0.2" additional radius room. Does it look like that much exists? I think the closest point for contact is the inner rear of the rear tires.

Not sure if this matters but my wheels are 17". I noticed that the Michelin Pilots sidewall, as compared to the OEM Tires, appears to be about an inch higher. All I know is that the tires are great. The car performs much better especially on wet pavement vs. the OEM Firestone Firehawks that came with the car.

Even though you have 17"ers, yours are 50 series vs. the 16's 55 series so the o.d. of the tires are similar as are the 45 series 18"ers. Those aspect ratios compare the sidewall height to the tread width of section width. Last night I poked around an HHR at work, noticing I could not get a ballpoint pen between the rear inboard corner of a rear tire and the surface behind it and then I noticed the surface flexed. That is merely a plastic fender liner that has been the source of my concerns. Hell, I think one smack with a rubber mallet would give me more than enough clearance and the worst possible fix I will need will be to attach that liner back against the metal which seems quite a ways back.