SUV Tires vs. Passenger Tires

[dblevitan]

One of my Dueler tires blew out on my 2006 CR-V today at 20.5k miles, so I'm looking for a new set of tires. I live in SoCal at the moment and won't be moving away for at least 5 or so more years (just moved here from the NorthEast). Thus no snow, very little rain, and bad roads (at least in my opinion). However, there's a good chance I'll be going up to the mountains (and thus dealing with snow) and as well a desire to maybe do some light off roading at some point in the future (or dirt roads or the like in national parks around here).

What do I lose by going from the SUV tires currently on the CR-V to passenger tires? I've read good things on this board about Goodyear TripleTreads, Yokohama TRZ's, and Toyo Versado LXs. But they're all passenger tires and I'm wondering if they're completely useless for going on dirt roads/off road.

Would anyone be able to comment on this at all?

[Black Pearl]

but try Tire Rack

http://www.tirerack.com/

You can browse a wide variety and they have some selection tools to help narrow your choices. You can window shop without any obligation.

[dblevitan]

but try Tire Rack

http://www.tirerack.com/

You can browse a wide variety and they have some selection tools to help narrow your choices. You can window shop without any obligation.

Yep - I've looked there and gotten a lot of information. Unfortunately, they don't have many Toyo's (including the ones I mentioned). Also called and asked them the question I posted - their response was that it shouldn't make much of a difference for a little bit of offroading. I was wondering if anyone had any further insights.

However, I'm probably not going to buy from them - PerformancePlusTire is very comparable to TireRack's prices and they're about 45 minutes away from me and will give me the internet price even if they install it for me there. Less hassle, no shipping (although tax), and if there's any problems, I can easily return it.

[2RedV's]

One thing to consider if you want to go into the mountains, in snow in California... Get tires with the SNOWFLAKE symbol on them or you will be equired to have chains on at a much lower altitude.

Cali owners - Can someone give him the full scoop on this?

[joelh]

I went through two sets of Bridgestone Duelers on my 99 CR-V and decided to switch to passenger tires. I live in the Northeast so I wanted a M&S rated tire and ended up with Cooper Lifeliner Touring SLE. So far, they have 35K miles on them. They are quieter on dry roads and work very good in snow.
The Duelers lasted 45K like clockwork, but the Coopers don't seem likely to do much better.

[jeprox]

you should stick to light truck or suv tires as suv's are heavier than regular passenger cars.
passenger car tires are quieter and suv/light truck tires tend be give more noise - but if you get good brand, it's not as bad. basically, u get what u pay for.
michelin, nokian, hankook, falken, kumho - they all have some pretty good tires.

[joelh]

So long as said passenger tires are the same load rating, they should be fine. The CR-V is not that heavy as SUVs go.

[Sandpebble]

See post 33 in What tire inflation do you use