Any Tires That Get Mileage?

Dano73

Active member
Joined
Sep 17, 2015
Location
Long Island NY
TDI
2015 Golf
I bought my 2012 golf 6 months ago, with brand new bridgestone potenzas from the dealer with about 32k on it. So far it's been a good car, but lately tires are killing me. I have put about 15k on it so far, and I drive, well let's say, faster than most. I have 225 45 17 tires and about a month ago, I bent a rim, HUH???. I have had many cars but this lo pro tire thing, is new to me, hard sidewalls, hard tire, great handling, but unforgiving when u hit something, the rim takes the hit too, oh, ok, now I get it. I took the rim off and not being able to match the tire, which was now also wasted, had the rim straightened, and bought 2 new Conty Extreme contact dsw from the vw dealer, cause they had them, and I had some cash left on my gw card. I put them on the front and moved the fronts back, i week later I got a blowout on new tire, after hitting a pothole, tire blew out sidewall, but rim was spared, crazy, and that was a low speed hit, so i bought another new conty.

So after looking at the potenzas I have left, after 15k they are almost down to the wear bars, especially the fronts, don't have 5k left on em. What tires will get me at least 30k, or do I switch to 16 inch rims bigger sidewall, sacrifice handling, but save rims and get better mileage?? What seems to get good mileage in a 17 for u guys?? And why do they recommend putting new tires on back axle, if youre only replacing 2, since the fronts seem to do all the work, and wear faster?? Old skool tells me newer tires go on front, right??
 
Last edited:

vr6chris

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Location
NJ
TDI
'10 JSW S 2.5L 6mt
I'm not really sure why it is recommended to put new/better tires on the rear. My guess is that by putting the tires with presumably better traction on the rear, you are increasing understeer and decreasing the possibility of spinning out. I'd bet the lawyers/safety police are behind that reasoning and decision.

Probably your most economical choice would be to get another pair of the DWS's. Since you are getting them from a VW dealer, you should be getting some road hazard protection, too (see www.vwtirestore.com). As you've seen already, road hazard coverage is a good idea with Contis. IMO they are more prone to sidewall bubbles and ruptures than other brand name tires.

I've gone back and forth between 16's and 17's. Currently I have a set of 205/55-16 Michelin Primacy MXM4s on Mambo wheels, a set of 225/45-17 Michelins on C300 wheels, and a set of 205/55-16 Michelin snow tires on another set of Mambo wheels. I do prefer the looks and the sharper handling of the 17's, but overall I prefer the 16's for daily driving. That said, if you are interested in going with 16's, I could be persuaded to sell the 16" MXM4's on the Mambo wheels. PM me for details.
 

hughesjasonk

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2013
Location
New York
TDI
2002 Jetta MK4;
The tread wear rating is what you need to look at. 700 should be around 60k miles

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 

Dano73

Active member
Joined
Sep 17, 2015
Location
Long Island NY
TDI
2015 Golf
Chris, thanks for the heads up. I called my dealer and they couldnt give me an answer today, i have to wait for the service mgr to come in monday morning. The link u sent me did say 24 mos road hazard on all eligible tires, and they didnt show my tire in stock. I did check the other dealers and the ones that showed that tire, it did say 2 yr road hazard included. I also found it interesting, that I paid top dollar for that tire, and the prices at other dealers were 20 to 30 dollars cheaper!!! I also noticed the potenzas weren't rated for any treadwear warranty, and the contis have a 50k treadwear warranty.We'll see.

I'm trying to ride out what I have right now, in other words, I'm kinda strapped for cash, but I do appreciate your offer, and thanks for your help.
 

ATR

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Location
Baltimore
TDI
2011 Golf TDI 6MT
I currently have a set of 225/45 17 V-rated continental purecontact tires. The v-rated tires have stiffer sidewalls for sharper handling. It may also help with crappy roads. They are very good tires that match or exceed the mpg of the stock procontacts.

But if the roads you drive are really bad I'd recommend downsizing to 16" wheels & tires.
 

Ol'Rattler

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 3, 2007
Location
PNA
TDI
2006 BRM Jetta
Something to remember is that the longer a tire lasts, the lower it's traction rating will be. Our old 97 Chev Cavalier had 2 of the tires last 100K miles but were just horrible tires for traction and drivability.
 

GetMore

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2003
Location
Patterson, New York
TDI
1997 Passat TDI, 2010 Jetta Sportwagen
You might also want to have your alignment checked. Especially since you hit a pothole hard enough to damage a rim and tire.
 

hybridkiller

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2012
Location
Southeastern US
TDI
2012 Golf DSG
And why do they recommend putting new tires on back axle, if youre only replacing 2, since the fronts seem to do all the work, and wear faster?? Old skool tells me newer tires go on front, right??
"Old skool" in this case is wrong. The worst thing that can happen to you in a loss of traction situation is a tail-happy car getting sideways. Understeer, or at worst just plowing straight ahead, is the less dangerous scenario, and the one where you have the best chance to retain/regain control.

There are plenty of internet cowboys who still argue this point, but among serious people it has been a settled issue for a long time.
 

ATR

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Location
Baltimore
TDI
2011 Golf TDI 6MT
"Old skool" in this case is wrong. The worst thing that can happen to you in a loss of traction situation is a tail-happy car getting sideways. Understeer, or at worst just plowing straight ahead, is the less dangerous scenario, and the one where you have the best chance to retain/regain control.
There are plenty of internet cowboys who still argue this point, but among serious people it has been a settled issue for a long time.
I think I'd rather have a bit of understeer then oversteer too. Normally with this car if I'm understeering than I let off the gas and or apply a bit of brake to get weight to transfer to the front of the car to regain traction.

That said these cars seem to be much more neutral then the Hondas that I've had in the past. Honda really has a heavy bias towards understeering. If I've got my VW Golf to start understeering then I'm really pushing it. VW will understeer when you push, but if you are in snow or really slick situations it seems much better balanced then any other FWD car I've driven.
 

mikey30

Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2010
Location
Greenville, SC
TDI
2011 Golf MT
I have Michelin Primacy MXM4 on my Golf and they've been great all around tires. I do mostly highway but some occasional spirited mountain driving. I have 30k on them so far and expect to get around 50k.

Being a Michelin fan, they do make the Premier A/S in the same size and I have them on my wife's X3 and have been impressed. You will give up a little dry grip, but they have great wet and snow (for an A/S) traction and they come with a 60k mileage warranty.

Good luck!
 

showdown 42

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Location
naples,FL
TDI
2016 TDI touareg
michelin defender are rated 90k miles tread ware. I have them and so far very good. I personally don't believe the 90K ,but if I get 60k I'll be happy.
 
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