Great Tire Choice - Kumho Solus KH16
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Joined: 07-13-2009
Posts: 414
From: NC
Great Tire Choice - Kumho Solus KH16
Since we now have a wheel and tire section, I'll share some good experience with y'all. I switched to the Kumho Solus KH16 tire in 215 17 only 1k miles after I bought my car. I hated the stock hard-riding tires. My trusted local tire guy suggested the Kumho's based on my requests. The Kumho's are the best money I have spent yet on my HHR. No, I don't own stock in Kumho, nor do I sell tires.
The Solus tires are much better riding, feeling like I have rubber tires instead of wood tires. I am running them at about 34 pounds when warmed up. They are also much quieter, and in fact, don't make much noise even when pushed in cornering. They also work very good in the rain, a consideration considering how prone HHR's are to hydroplaning. In the little bit of snow we got this year they worked fine. I don't yet know about longevity, as I only have about 8k on them now and they still have lots o' tread left. They seem to stick as well or better than the original tires, and seem to have smoother behavior on the limit. I had to make a violent maneuver recently to avoid an idiot driver, and was flat AMAZED at how the Kumho's stuck like glue with no protest. They are more capable than my courage.
The only possible negative would be slightly slower response if you violently saw at the steering wheel, but that doesn't bother me as I try to drive smoothly anyway.
The sidewall info says P215/50R17 90V M+S with treadwear of 440, Traction A and Temperature A. The 215/50R17 was my stock size. They also make the same tire and profile in a 225 that would fit the HHR with minimal speedometer error. I stuck with the stock width to not make hydroplaning any worse.
Just my experience so far. I am sure there are other excellent tires out there that will work well, but the factory stocks ones on my car weren't doing much in any category!
God Bless, Marc
The Solus tires are much better riding, feeling like I have rubber tires instead of wood tires. I am running them at about 34 pounds when warmed up. They are also much quieter, and in fact, don't make much noise even when pushed in cornering. They also work very good in the rain, a consideration considering how prone HHR's are to hydroplaning. In the little bit of snow we got this year they worked fine. I don't yet know about longevity, as I only have about 8k on them now and they still have lots o' tread left. They seem to stick as well or better than the original tires, and seem to have smoother behavior on the limit. I had to make a violent maneuver recently to avoid an idiot driver, and was flat AMAZED at how the Kumho's stuck like glue with no protest. They are more capable than my courage.
The only possible negative would be slightly slower response if you violently saw at the steering wheel, but that doesn't bother me as I try to drive smoothly anyway.
The sidewall info says P215/50R17 90V M+S with treadwear of 440, Traction A and Temperature A. The 215/50R17 was my stock size. They also make the same tire and profile in a 225 that would fit the HHR with minimal speedometer error. I stuck with the stock width to not make hydroplaning any worse.
Just my experience so far. I am sure there are other excellent tires out there that will work well, but the factory stocks ones on my car weren't doing much in any category!
God Bless, Marc
Senior Member
Joined: 09-20-2009
Posts: 1,058
From: Hayward, Ca.
A good friend of mine, used to run a tire shop, and he ran a lot of Autocross, Road races, and hires out as a test driver.
That said, He said that KUMO's are one of the best street tires going. I have them on my 96 Impala SS, and also Mama's Lexus, and they do stick real good. "Moon"
That said, He said that KUMO's are one of the best street tires going. I have them on my 96 Impala SS, and also Mama's Lexus, and they do stick real good. "Moon"
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