ugzannin@sunybcs.UUCP (Adrian Zannin) (11/01/85)
I read your article concerning tires for the winter. I just wanted to
say that I have a 1980 Toyota Corolla SR-5 which came equiped with
185/70SR13 Dunlop SP-4's. They were alright and eventually wore out.
When I went tire shopping I had in mind to buy the same thing the car came
with. Well, I got to the local tire shop and saw that I had a choice between
the Dunlop SP-4's for $42.99 each or Michelin XZX's for $50 and some change.
As I was comparing the tires, the salesman showed me another tire called
the Gislaved Speed 226-T sport radial... As I compared it to the Dunlops and
the Michelins, here is what I found:
1) The traction and temperature ratings for the Gislaved (BTW,
it is pronounced Gi-SHLAH-v-ed and the tire is made in
Sweden) were both A, which was better than either the Dunlops
and the Michelins.
2) The treadwear rating was 160, which is roughly equal to about
52,000 miles. The tires are even warranted for that long. Both
the Dunlops and the Michelins were down around 40,000 miles.
3) When you buy the tire, you get a postcard to fill out and send
to the Gislaved Tire Co. which registers you and your tires
by serial number (provided by the dealer) in case a defect is
found, in which case you will be notified and your tired will
be recalled.
4) Even though it is a sport radial, it is also an All-season, which
eliminates the problem of mounting/remounting snows and summer
tires and gives you less of a chance of messing up your mags.
5) The treads are computer designed to cut down the amount of
interior road noise due to the tires. The treads are also
designed to almost completely eliminate hydroplaning at normal
speeds.
6) They cost exactly the same as the Dunlops.
Needless to say, being a starving college student, I bought the Gislaveds.
I don't regret it either. I tend to drive my car very hard and I have yet
to hear the tires squeal. I have never hydroplaned with these tires and they
really are MUCH quieter than any other tire I have run across. The handling
was ok before I bought the tires but now I consider it to be superb. I even
have enough trouble rolling the treads...
As for snow, I would take a set of these over snow tires any day. I
seriously recommend these tires, or at least see if you can get them around
where you are. I got mine through a dealer called Duntire (or Dunntire).
I know that they make them in almost every size, so look into it. If you
buy them I'm sure you'll be well pleased.
If you have any questions regarding my experience with these tires,
either post to the net or reply via e-mail...
--
Adrian Zannin
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