Minivan Tire Recommendations

Hey All,

I'm currently doing research into tires for my wife's 2010 Toyota Sienna minivan.  She uses the vehicle in her home staging and interior design business so the seats are out and the back often has 300-500 pounds of stuff in it.  The current tires were bought by the PO and are Michelin X in the 225/60 R17 size.  Should I just go back to Costco for a repeat of the same or does anyone have a better idea?  Good wet weather performance and the proper load rating is a must.  The vehicle weighs about 4,600 lbs empty.

Thanks in advance,

Jerry

I have similar requirements for our '06 RAV4 and I went with Michelin LTX M/S.  We haven't had them to long so I can't give a thorough review, but I haven't noticed any major negatives yet.  We previously had the "regular" Defenders on it and I was NOT impressed with those.  Underwhelming rain and snow performance, and the treadwear wasn't even close to the warranty (80k).

Its a minivan... so it has a lot of storage space. I'd go with A7's, Hoosier Wets, and a jack in the  back to adjust for rainy days on the fly. 

I put continental true contacts on my wife's odyssey.  The ride is good, and they are quiet, but the handling is terrible due to the soft sidewall.  She claims to not notice.

I did this and got Cooper CS5s from this thread for my minivan and have enjoyed them.

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/tires-and-sidewall-stiffness-minivan-edition/120975/page1/

pushrod36 said:

I put continental true contacts on my wife's odyssey.  The ride is good, and they are quiet, but the handling is terrible due to the soft sidewall.  She claims to not notice.

What year odyssey?

I'll be replacing the tires on ours soon.  Its an '07 EX, so it has the 16" wheels.  16 x 6.5... with a 235/65 tire.  Its like driving on a damn marshmallow.  The suspension isn't helping, but I have all the parts in the garage for a refresh, just haven't gotten around to it.

I don't know if I want to even bother trying to replace the tires on those wheels, or just bite the bullet and go to 17s or 18s for an extra $500(ish).  I'd go to a 7.5 or 8" width and keep the tire width the same/maybe drop to a 225.  Don't want it so oversize, but I like it sticking out a bit for curb protection.

I put Bridgestone Ecopias on both our vans this year, quiet with good wet traction. I hope I get the same life out of them as the last set I had on.

I put pair of Continentals on my wife's Sienna and I am happy with them.  The Michelins that they replaced would scream on concrete pavement.   Not sure which ones they were, but got them at Discount Tire.    

I drive a Mazda MPV, the Porsche of minivans, and I'm running Continental True Contact from Tire Rack after I could no longer get the General Altimax HP in my size.  I went through two sets of the Generals, and was very happy with them.  The Continentals are getting the job done though, and they'll probably last longer than the HP's.

spitfirebill said:

I put pair of Continentals on my wife's Sienna and I am happy with them.  The Michelins that they replaced would scream on concrete pavement.   Not sure which ones they were, but got them at Discount Tire.    

From what I've seen, there are at least two versions of this tire with different speed ratings.  People have a much higher opinion of the higher rated version.  I would think stiffer sidewalls would be part of that perception.

The X variant of Michelins is a unique costco one and different from the others I believe IIRC

We have Hankook Optimo 7527's on our 2010 Odyssey and it handles well and I don't notice it being louder than normal. I do feel like the rear sidewalls bulge a bit more under load than I would like. (I also tow a 3300lb trailer)

Leaning towards Yokohama Avid Ascend......

ProDarwin -

If you're upgrading to 17" wheels, consider checking out OdyClub for the brake upgrade from the Pilot.  Supposedly the pedal travel is longer, but the braking power is markedly improved.

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/52-2005-2010-odyssey/120034-oem-brake-upgrade-possible.html

dj06482 said:

ProDarwin -

If you're upgrading to 17" wheels, consider checking out OdyClub for the brake upgrade from the Pilot.  Supposedly the pedal travel is longer, but the braking power is markedly improved.

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/52-2005-2010-odyssey/120034-oem-brake-upgrade-possible.html

Yeah, I've seen that.  I hate that concept, because the pedal travel on a 3rd gen odyssey is already soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long it makes me ill.  I actually looked up all the recall info on mine (already performed) and took it to the dealer assuming something had failed only to find that its just the way they are :(

I wish I could find a master cylinder with a much larger piston that would fit.

ProDarwin said:

dj06482 said:

ProDarwin -

If you're upgrading to 17" wheels, consider checking out OdyClub for the brake upgrade from the Pilot.  Supposedly the pedal travel is longer, but the braking power is markedly improved.

http://www.odyclub.com/forums/52-2005-2010-odyssey/120034-oem-brake-upgrade-possible.html

Yeah, I've seen that.  I hate that concept, because the pedal travel on a 3rd gen odyssey is already soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long it makes me ill.  I actually looked up all the recall info on mine (already performed) and took it to the dealer assuming something had failed only to find that its just the way they are :(

I wish I could find a master cylinder with a much larger piston that would fit.

I have the same problem with the travel, plus I have two sets of 16" wheels'tires for this (winter steelies with Blizzaks).  I really can't stand the brakes on ours, they're insufficient even without a load.  I've literally had the pedal on the firewall in a highway panic stop.  I'll have to try throwing in some new fluid, but from everything I read, this is just how they are.

Our seems to stop just fine, it just takes a disgusting amount of travel.  FWIW, I just did some googling.  

08 braking 70-0 190ft 

'18 184ft

'11 Sienna 186ft

Seems like they are all in the same ballpark.  Not great, but about what would would expect from a production car.

I wonder if there is a market for an adapter plate to utilize a universal master cylinder (or just a ridgeline/pilot one) to get less pedal travel.

For a Toyota Sienna you can go with the yokohama avid ascend. They have really good traction for a good price and are also made in part with green materials. With a Bridgestone or Michelin part of what you pay for is the name.

In reply to Evolut1on :

I bought the Avid Ascends as I was leaning towards them anyway.  They are much quieter and less harsh than the Michelins but I am comparing worn tires to brand new ones.  For a mid-price tire, they're pretty civilized.  We'll see how good the traction is the next time we go into the mountains or it rains.

This is a class of tire that we refer to as "black and round".

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Indeed.  Criteria were appropriate load range, tire life, and not fall off the world in the rain.

You'll note that I cannot give recommendations!

Although Kumho has usually impressed me in this market segment, or Michelin if things are serious. 

ProDarwin said:

pushrod36 said:

I put continental true contacts on my wife's odyssey.  The ride is good, and they are quiet, but the handling is terrible due to the soft sidewall.  She claims to not notice.

What year odyssey?

I'll be replacing the tires on ours soon.  Its an '07 EX, so it has the 16" wheels.  16 x 6.5... with a 235/65 tire.  Its like driving on a damn marshmallow.  The suspension isn't helping, but I have all the parts in the garage for a refresh, just haven't gotten around to it.

I don't know if I want to even bother trying to replace the tires on those wheels, or just bite the bullet and go to 17s or 18s for an extra $500(ish).  I'd go to a 7.5 or 8" width and keep the tire width the same/maybe drop to a 225.  Don't want it so oversize, but I like it sticking out a bit for curb protection.

2008

I put 245/45-19's on a set of Saab 9-5 Aero wheels on my wife's 2010 Odyssey.  Why?  Because Racevan!  I got the wheels cheap at the Saab HQ auction a few years back  We now use the stock 16" wheels for snow tires.

^Did you notice a huge improvement from that?

Yes we did!  The Ody that zigs!