cwis

Hi, I was wondering if it is safe to use 235/40/R18's with load index of 91 at the front and 225/40/R18's with load index of 88 at the back~ I know 88 is too low for TSX, but is it ok if only the rear tires have this? (Yes, 91 is ALSO low ) Thanks!

vwong

Why do you want to go stagger? If it's mainly a commuter car, there's no reason why you need to go stagger. Just use 235/40/18 all the way around.

Dan Martin

and 91 load rating is fine.

TinkySD

You'll probably need to run a slightly higher tire pressue to keep handling and road feel similar in a 91v tire. Most tires have a lower load rating because they have a softer sidewall. Not coincidentally they are usually also lighter. The higher tire pressure stiffens up the sidewall to mae it more similar to the tires with higher load ratings.

kaikai114

is 88w really too low for the TSX? I'm planning to get Kumho 711 225/40/18 with 88W load

-K

TSX 3Pedal

Stock=215/50/17 with a 93 Load Index

Aftermarket=235/40/18 with a 91 Load Index or a 95 Load Index

In what ways do the load indexes affect ride comfort and performance?

If I get a wheel with a lip, would you guys recommend getting a tire with the higher load index so that there is less sidewall flex and thus reducing the chances of bending the lip in a dip or pothole?

vwong

I don't think sidewall flex is related to load index. I think it has more to do with the construction of the sidewall. For example, I've used 225/45/16 tire size in Bridgestone S-03, Falken FK-451, Toyo T1-S, and Yoko A520 (can't find spec on the Yoko anymore since the tire had been discontinued for years) in my Prelude. The load ratings are like this:

Bridgestone S-03: 89
Falken FK-451: 89
Toyo T1-S: 93

Toyo has the highest load rating of the three, but IMO it has the softest sidewall. The sidewall constructions of these tires are:

Bridgestone S-03: 2 plys
Falken FK-451: 2 plys
Toyo T1-S: 1 plys

(Just for comparison sake)
Falken Azenis RT-215 (215/45/16): 3 plys
Kumho Escta V710 (225/50/16, R-compound): 3 plys

The way I determine how soft or stiff the sidewall is is by having the same tire pressures in each tire and see how much rollover is at the auto-x. Toyo T1-S definitely had more rollover than all the others I've tried.

Black Ninja

Is rollover a good thing?

vwong

Rollover usually happens under hard cornering conditions as in road racing and auto-x. It will hinder the tire performance in those conditions. For street applications, softer sidewall means more comfortable ride.

TSX 3Pedal

I was either planning on going with the

Bridgestone Potenza RE750 235/40/18 91 Load Index
or
Yokohama ES100 235/40/18 95 Load Index

Which would you guys rather go with?
I want a tire that doesn't look under inflated even if it's at normal pressure.

Black Ninja

Since the Yok's have a higer Load Index, I assume that it will look less flat under normal pressure when compared to the Bridgestone.