114 Days: Pt III (3rd time's a charm)

[WESHOOT2]

Boy did I take a ride yesterday. Found a 'road' I'd never been on, probably due to its un-maintained status as a Class 4 road.
But I made it.
Bald right front, scratches down its right flank, gravel in every possible location, dings in the windshield, lovin' it.

And I drove the wife's CR-V 440 miles Saturday to boot.




92,543

[WESHOOT2]

Noticed I'm 6500 miles since my last oil change, which got me thinking why my cars demand so few repairs.
It's not like I rigorously maintain them.

I think it's because I drive them so hard they don't dare break.

Or perhaps it's because everything gets really used: Full suspension strokes, engine wailing, transmission straining.



Mileage staying above 27MPG.




93,021

[WESHOOT2]

Just ordered me a set of

Waterfall Eco Dynamic Extra Load All-Season Tire 225/50R17 98W

for $214.37. That includes state tax and free delivery.

Kinda excited, 'cause it's getting impossible to drive the Kizashi on rainy roads



Mileage remains above 27MPG no matter how bad I behave.






93,631

[Ronzuki]

I feel ya...serious lateral drift in the rain through the twisties on the worn Kumhos. Passed state inspection for tread depth, but not passable the way I drive on them. Can't hold the lane and the speed safely any longer. The car's traction control and AWD systems do a really nice job of keeping the car heading in the direction it's pointed under throttle though. Without the TSC, it's not good at all. I drive like a maniac, but have to remain in my lane.

[WESHOOT2]

The fronts are bald (he said, laughing), and are simply undriveable on many paved roads.
Even on non-paved surfaces they can provide 'interesting' moments of zero adhesion.

They're so bald I put a stock wheel/tire assembly in the trunk so I have an immediate swap, and the doughnut spare, at hand.
Just in case......

[Tom Kizzie]

Bald tires arent so comfartable either . I have the "black box" out of my trunk so i could put a fullsize spare wheel in the thrunk. Under the wheel i kept my tools in a blanket.

[WESHOOT2]

Tires in!

I'll pick 'em up tonight.


Test Sunoco premium; good power, decent mileage.

And I still NEED that oil change..........




94,230

[WESHOOT2]

Tires 'look' excellent, with huge longitudinal channels for water displacement. Big shoulder blocks for cornering.
Under 24lb each, made in Turkey.

Washed out the wheels this morning in case our shop can get them mounted today. Then drove in to work at 90+; them Michelin xIce tires, even bald, not rotated for trillions of miles, still ran smooth. Amazing.

Boyohboyohboy, new rubber!




94,276

[WESHOOT2]

They did they're on whoo--hoo!

New tires 6/29/19 94,278 miles.


Told my right front swaybar link is making noise.
I said "dirt roads at 80".


Now the testing begins........




94,278

[WESHOOT2]

Started my testing of the new tires at 47PSI (MAX PSI 50).
Drove 30 miles (hard ) both paved and unpaved.
Too hard.
Sunday morning before launch I dropped the fronts to 43PSI, rears to 41.

Big better difference.
Paved, unpaved, downpours, the tires were great.
Quiet. Smooth-riding.
Good bite in dirt.
Shrugged off puddles and filled ruts.
Without pushing insanely, a gentle 'sing' when heavy cornering.

We'll see.

The Sunoco gas is not returning mileage as good as Mobil.

As always, more testing required.

And I have my oil change scheduled for Wednesday!




94,477