smass41

I have a 2002 SC430 with the stock 18" pizza pan wheels. The tires on there currently are Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS 245/40/R18 97W. They are 7 years old, and are not at the wear markers yet, but close. They ride very stiffly - which is probably a combination of age and tread wear. That said, I want to replace them with a better riding - more touring tire. I am going to keep the stock wheels, so I am looking for suggestions on tires. The car is mainly driven by my wife, on sunny weekends. It is not driven aggressively, and I will for sure give up maximum performance for ride quality and comfort. So two questions:

1. What tire size should I go with on the stock wheels? Should I just stick with the stock size 245/40/18 or should I consider a taller sidewall, and if so would I also change the width?
2. Any suggestions on a good riding tire brand and model? I know Michelin is the best, but if there are other more cost effective suggestions that would be welcome.

Thanks!

Cavedog

This what I did. I went to the tire rack. Checked the ratings and bought the quietest, best riding at a reasonable price. At the time pirelli was the best combination. I bought where I felt I could get the best price and service.

DJWLDW

smass41

The norm with a lot's of the guys on the forum is to go with the 245/45/18 over the 245/40/18. Both my son on his 2005 SC and my 2006 run the Pirelli P7s. I think they are the P7 II now. Now if you go to someplace like Costco (not sure about Sam's) they will not install the 245/45/18's because that is not what it came with and will only sell your the 245/40/18's. I also run the P7's on my 2010 LS460L as well.

Dennis

GmanSC

Go with Michelin AS4 at Costco.

DJWLDW

GmanSC

Did Costco let you go with the 245/45/18's or make you stick with the 245/40/18's?

Dennis

DshngDaryl

You can't go wrong with Michellins, other than the price no one ever has anything bad to say about them.

I had a C70 that had Pirelli's on them I LOVED that tire because it was a soft cushy ride. However, I had problems with FLATS (maybe 4 in a year), because the tire was so soft things punctured them easily.

I won a contest on this board and Yokohama gave me a free set of tires. THEY ARE AWESOME! I would encourage you to consider them as you conduct your tire search.
https://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/avid-ascend-gt

smass41

Thanks,

I did go with 245/45/18 as you suggested. Got a set of Cooper Zeon RS3-G1 tires on clearance for under $400 for the set. Just had them installed. The difference in ride is like night and day! Its probably a combination of the taller sidewalls, and the newer tires (old ones were 6 years old and hard as rocks). The ride is noticeably better. Before putting on this new set I thought I was going to need to replace struts and bushings all around. I will do that job eventually as the car has 114k miles, but man, the tires made so much of a difference that I think I will hold off until the end of the season.

New issue: TPMS light won't go off with the new tires. I hit the toggle switch to the right of the glovebox opening, but the warning light won't go off. Plus it gives a warning sound every two minutes or so. I read that I can simply unplug the TPMS wires behind the shift console, but is there any other way to reset the TPMS on these vehicles?

smass41

duplicate post - sorry

GmanSC

Nope. They said it’s too high. What’s the joke. I ended up with 245/40/18.

GregMN

Sensor batteries have a life of about 7 years. But, they should not all go out at the same time after a new tire install.
Return to the tire installer. They should have a scanner to read and program the sensors. Have them find out which sensor (or all of them) is throwing the code. Have them re-register them to the car.
or
Find someone with techstream and read the voltage and pressure of each sensor. Re-register them to the car.

The switch in the glove box is for switching between 2 sets of wheels/sensors that have been registered with the car's tpms system. Switch it back to where it was.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

There are very few tire dealers that can register 2002 TPMS. It requires Techstream

GmanSC

Why didn't you replace the sensors when installed new tires? Pre 2005 used color coded sensors and can only be programmed with TechStream.

DJWLDW

GmanSC

The colored TPMS are also in the 2006.. 2007 is when they dropped the colored TPMS.

Dennis

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

Correct, I have an 06 and when I replaced mine they were the colored type.

GregMN

Based on this thread, I am getting a set of 45 profile tires on Friday. Discount tire will install them as long as I take responsibility for any fitment/clearance issues. Going from run flat 40's to regular 45's, I expect wonderful things.....