OEM replacement or go with different 245/45/18

[PASSINOS]

my old 13' FFH had 235/50R17 Michelin Energy Saver A/S

my new 13' MKZ Hybrid came with 245/45R18 Michelin Primacy MXM4

 

I have to replace the MKZ's tires. Can I pu 235's on my 18's? Would that help my MPGs?

also thought about going goodyear.

 

thanks

 

 

 

[acdii]

Continental Pure Contacts are a good choice for a replacement tire. Several of us have them on now to replace the crap years that came on the car. Ride is much better, handling unchanged, and they are LRR tires. They also have good all weather ratings and long tread life. There is a review thread on these tires if you want more info on them.

[gkinla]

Some of us here are running the Contential Pure Contact on our 2013 FFH, 235/45R18, I'm running mine with 42psi, N2, with great results. We were running the factory Goodyear LS2. I found the difference to be substancial in handling especially at freeway speeds. I was luckly to have a direct comparison with the LS2's and the Contential just recently. I needed to rent a car for 8 days and it was a '13 Fusion with 25,000 miles in it. The LS2's were new. The difference in decreased handling was immediately felt. When I returned to my FFH, I again was amazed how the handling and general road feel was greatly improved. So my vote is for the Contential Prue Contact. The difference between the 235 and 245 is .4 inch in width, hardly noticeable. I don't have my tire spec comparator on my iPad, but I'm thinking there is a slight difference in the circumfrence between a 235 and a 245. Any difference in mpg is probably neglegable. I would stay with the 245.

[PASSINOS]

GReat feedback. Thanks guys.

 

So you would rather have Continental Pure Contacts vs Michelin Primacy MXM4 at the Same Price?

My primary concern is noise, MPG then Handling.

[GrySql]

My new Conti's are quiet, handle great at 40psi, and mpg's are the same or better.

 

If you choose the Continentals be sure they are the right tire, there are some other tires with similar names.

> 235/45R-18 Continental PureContact with EcoPlus Technology <

 

[gkinla]

GReat feedback. Thanks guys.

 

So you would rather have Continental Pure Contacts vs Michelin Primacy MXM4 at the Same Price?

My primary concern is noise, MPG then Handling.

I forgot to add that the tires run very quietly, even at 42psi. As far as handling the term "feels like it's on rails" comes to mind.

[gkinla]

Here is a comparison of 235/45R18 and 245/45R18. If you go from a 245 to a 235 the actual will be 64.14 mph at 65 mph gauge.

 

 

Edited November 21, 2014 by gkinla

[PASSINOS]

That is a great calculator. 1 MPH off is OK to me.

Hopefully MPG goes up.

[GrySql]

That is a great calculator.

You can also find that Discount Tire calculator online:

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/infoTireMath.do

[gkinla]

You can also find that Discount Tire calculator online:

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/infoTireMath.do

GrySql, thanks for the link, I now have it on my iPad.

[darrelld]

I vote for the PureContacts, very happy with the improved ride, handling, and quietness of the tire over the stock Goodyear.

[marklally]

I installed the Continental PureContact 235/45/R18 about a week ago. I run 34psi as per the sticker on the door. I was torn between buying the Pirelli P7's or the Continentals but settled on the PureContacts because of the better wet traction rating. I have since driven in both heavy rain and dry conditions and I am very pleased with my decision. Between these tires and the Steeda rear sway bar I installed a few months ago, the transformation has been incredible. To have a car that looks this good, rides this smooth, handles this incredible and still averages over 43mpg is amazing. If the infotainment/HVAC control system is this car wasn't such a horrible blunder, this would be the perfect car.

[GrySql]

My Conti's are doing well, I particularly like the firm tire sidewalls that make for a controlled ride.

Edited December 28, 2014 by GrySql

[Texasota]

If the infotainment/HVAC control system is this car wasn't such a horrible blunder, this would be the perfect car.

Fortunately, the infotainment/HVAC control system (i.e. MFT) is optional equipment which means this horrible blunder can be avoided. Consumer Reports has blasted the FFH because of MFT.

 

Only my opinion, but this is an area of CR that I strongly disagree with. I think it is fair game for CR to state that MFT is problematic and should be avoided but I don't think a car should be kept off the "recommended list" because of a particular piece of optional equipment.

 

Note that the FFH has recently been added to CR's recommended list primarily because of improvements in the MFT software.

Edited December 28, 2014 by Texasota

[marklally]

I agree that CR shouldn't have written off the whole car because of the MFT; but given the fact that you can't get what should be standard on a car of this class, like a back-up camera or navigation system without buying the MFT, I kinda see their point.