Tire Recommendations - 2021
08-26-2021, 02:25 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: 08-26-2021
Location: Valley Stream, New York
Posts: 1
Tire Recommendations - 2021
Hi everyone - my beautiful wife's 2007 2LT is in need of a new set of tires, and I'd appreciate any recommendations!
Currently, her HHR is wearing 6 year-old Firestone Firehawks, which I always thought made for a rocky, Flintstone-type ride.
If you're happy with your current HHR tires, I'd like to hear about it!
We're focusing on ride quality/comfort, and excellent wet and light snow traction. Size is 215/50R17.
Thanks in advance!
Currently, her HHR is wearing 6 year-old Firestone Firehawks, which I always thought made for a rocky, Flintstone-type ride.
If you're happy with your current HHR tires, I'd like to hear about it!
We're focusing on ride quality/comfort, and excellent wet and light snow traction. Size is 215/50R17.
Thanks in advance!
12-22-2021, 03:07 PM
#7
Member
Join Date: 01-11-2012
Location: finland, europe
Posts: 96
16” tires
we have driven the original 17” firestones to end- and the biggest reason not to get new 17s is the comfort- because of too thin rubber.
you can fit way more comfortable (higher profile) tires with 16” rims.
i dont think comfortwise its not so much about the tire manifacturer- as it is depending on profile.
currently our winter spike tires are too low 205/55/16, (cause local bestseller Nokian’s). Also been happy with GoodYear ultragrips witrh spikes in our 4gen Firebird and dd SUV.
In north Scandinavia roads get really ”Alaskan-Canadian” icy- and the spikes are allowed all winter long, so I always prefer to use them from November to end of March.
if you are experincing true winter with snow; i recommend getting good ”traction nordic”- NOT all season tires. the regular m+s all season are in winter kind of joke- and in normal weather they suck too. so those are in my opinion bad choice in ALL weather types. usually big brands like Continental, Michelin,GoodYear, Nokian aso. make very good spikeless traction tires for nordic european markets atleast. The Michelin cross climate is not enough, if driving only inside city limits some people survive the winter with them. But the age is very important. if you drive a lot and get new tires like every fourth winter, allseasons might be enough.
in summer we have used hankooks ipike’s 215/55/16 cause they last long (drove over 25000miles/40 000kms with last set) and those are cheap, reasonably good in tests, and in summer the grip or qualities really are not so important.
Driving often gravel roads in the countryside so ground clearance is kind of an issue with HHR.
So now i am thinking of getting new summer tires with narrow whitewalls from Vitour, model galaxy R1 - 215/60/16, since those are finally again available and should just about fit there and give comfort, clearance and the retro looks …
you can fit way more comfortable (higher profile) tires with 16” rims.
i dont think comfortwise its not so much about the tire manifacturer- as it is depending on profile.
currently our winter spike tires are too low 205/55/16, (cause local bestseller Nokian’s). Also been happy with GoodYear ultragrips witrh spikes in our 4gen Firebird and dd SUV.
In north Scandinavia roads get really ”Alaskan-Canadian” icy- and the spikes are allowed all winter long, so I always prefer to use them from November to end of March.
if you are experincing true winter with snow; i recommend getting good ”traction nordic”- NOT all season tires. the regular m+s all season are in winter kind of joke- and in normal weather they suck too. so those are in my opinion bad choice in ALL weather types. usually big brands like Continental, Michelin,GoodYear, Nokian aso. make very good spikeless traction tires for nordic european markets atleast. The Michelin cross climate is not enough, if driving only inside city limits some people survive the winter with them. But the age is very important. if you drive a lot and get new tires like every fourth winter, allseasons might be enough.
in summer we have used hankooks ipike’s 215/55/16 cause they last long (drove over 25000miles/40 000kms with last set) and those are cheap, reasonably good in tests, and in summer the grip or qualities really are not so important.
Driving often gravel roads in the countryside so ground clearance is kind of an issue with HHR.
So now i am thinking of getting new summer tires with narrow whitewalls from Vitour, model galaxy R1 - 215/60/16, since those are finally again available and should just about fit there and give comfort, clearance and the retro looks …
Last edited by finnhhr; 12-22-2021 at 03:40 PM.
12-22-2021, 03:55 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-26-2008
Location: Sequim Washington
Posts: 1,488
I took off the OEM 17" tires and wheels and put on New Stock Steel 16" wheels with Chrome Wheel Covers and 215/60/16" Michelin Ice "Compounded" tires.
Inflate them to 30lbs.PSI cold and leave them on all year all around. Saves changing tires and wheels in the winter months.
That combo runs absolutely smooth and quiet and all around steering response is very good.
I am on my 3rd set on 2 different HHR's.
They are not quite the same as "NEW" Studded tires but good enough, and you save the Hi Ways from Stud damage.
As Studded tires wear down they become much less effective.
Keep in mind that how you drive makes the difference in whether you go in the snow, no matter what tire you put on.
Silverfox
Inflate them to 30lbs.PSI cold and leave them on all year all around. Saves changing tires and wheels in the winter months.
That combo runs absolutely smooth and quiet and all around steering response is very good.
I am on my 3rd set on 2 different HHR's.
They are not quite the same as "NEW" Studded tires but good enough, and you save the Hi Ways from Stud damage.
As Studded tires wear down they become much less effective.
Keep in mind that how you drive makes the difference in whether you go in the snow, no matter what tire you put on.
Silverfox
12-22-2021, 09:58 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: 11-16-2021
Location: MN
Posts: 459
Not too thrilled with the all season tires on my 2006, but they may be 4+ years old, except for the replacement one I had to put on the left rear, I slid in the snow/ice a few weeks ago, took out a sign and the left rear tire caught the broken off post in the sidewall. I was able to match the brand and type of tread, but it still doesn't work too well in even a dusting of snow. I watch the weather forecast and drive the Land Rover when it looks like snow. Tires on my HHR are OHTSU FP0612 A/S. like I said, not impressed. But then I am used to a much heavier vehicle with AWD and such.