New Tires for 2011 Murano LE

[greenethumb]

After plenty of research, most of it in this forum and some from tirerack.com, I decided that I wanted Yokohama Parada Spec-x tires in the oem size-235/55R20. NOBODY had any, so I ordered a set from the local Monro Muffler, which Yoko's web site lists as a dealer in their tires, and tirerack lists as one of their approved installers, figuring that they should get them first. They also matched tirerack's price.

This was a week before Thanksgiving. Shortly after Christmas, the Monro manager told me that it could be March before they got any. When I told him that tirerack listed them as in stock all along, he said that I might as well order from tirerack and bring them to Monro to have them installed. On the tirerack web site, they were listed for $234 each (ouch!, but still cheaper than Michelin Latitude or Toyo Proxes, the only other tires I could find in that size). On a whim, I did a little investigating of different sizes of 20" tires that would fit my Murano. The 255/50R20 turned out to be a little over 1" wider and essentially the same diameter, but listed at $174 each, a savings of $60 PER TIRE! Needless to say, 2 days later the big brown truck pulled up to my door with these tires and I took them to Monro, had them installed, and roughly 1500 miles and a couple light snowstorms later, am completely satisfied with my decision to use the larger size. They are quiet and smooth riding and handling. I keep the pressure at 36 psi.

Three pieces of advice I can offer. 1) Don't buy the Proxes tires. Although they rode and handled fine when new, after 15,000 miles they were shot and dangerous to drive on. They were down to 2/32" tread left and would hydroplane in a light rain. For tires at this price, this is terrible. 2) I really don't see much difference in using the slightly larger size, except maybe a little less of a rough ride on bumpy roads. This is a good thing. 3) Ask the shop who is going to mount your tires if they can handle painted wheels without scratching them. This from the guy who just yesterday returned from getting all 4 wheels repainted (at THEIR cost, but still not acceptable).

Last, my wife and I are driving our 2nd Murano. The first was a 2006, which we fell in love with, but couldn't pass up the 0% financing available in February of last year. It's an amazing car. Thanks to all you guys who post information here to share with the rest of us. It has really helped me over the last 6 years. (By the way, I just officially registered today so I could share the tire information. I figure that it's the least I could do to show my appreciation.)

[njjoe]

Welcome to the forum... old-timer. And thanks for an excellent initial post.

-njjoe

[hokey777]

Did you ever come across the Toyo Versado CUVs in your searchings? They have a 235/55R20.

[glnow]

Thanks for the heads up of the short tread life for the Proxes. I'll definitely keep on eye on that. If I my ask, before they wore out how did they perform in rain/snowy conditions?

[greenethumb]

hokey777: The Versado was the last set of tires I bought for our 2006 Murano before we traded it (18" wheels). Don't remember anything bad about these tires, although I have found that you can't really compare tires that are so different in cross section. What I mean is that you might be perfectly happy with a tire in an 18" wheel size but it acts completely different in a 20" wheel size.

glnow: The first winter (vehicle was new-bought in 2/2011), things were ok. As tires wore, they got progressively worse, to the point where they never got the chance at the second winter. See above post: "They were down to 2/32" tread left and would hydroplane in a light rain"

[Musky300]

I have 41,562 on my OEM Toyo Proxes 20" and I don't know how people are saying they are shot after 10K-20K miles. In fact, I just rotated mine and busted out the tread depth indicator gauge to measure all 4 tires at the inner, outer, and center groove channels. Consistenly got 4/32nd and 5/32nd depending on the tire and groove track.

I don't baby my Murano, drive on my fair share of crappy country roads, concrete, interstate, city, etc... All weather... In fact, never even had it aligned.

I figure I can get another 5K on my tires easy and will probably replace them sometime this summer...currently looking at the Parada Spec-X's (if anyone has them in stock).

Then again...may just push to get 50K on the OEM's just to say I did.

Those who are chewing through new tires in 15K may want to look at other culprits than just the tires...

[Phatty McPatty]

Originally Posted by Musky300

Those who are chewing through new tires in 15K may want to look at other culprits than just the tires...

Gotta agree.

[mattski]

Alignment was off slightly on mine, but everything else was A-Ok - not worn out, but wearing fast
Anyhoo, Parada's are night and day better!