Best comfort tires for 2011 RAV4 Sports

[timewarrior]

Hi
My big complaint from RAV4 is the ride comfort. Money is not an issue. So which would be the most comfortable tyres for my 2011 RAV4 sports. Would really appreciate help on this.

Thanks
Anand

[veliksam]

Originally Posted by timewarrior

Hi
My big complaint from RAV4 is the ride comfort. Money is not an issue. So which would be the most comfortable tyres for my 2011 RAV4 sports. Would really appreciate help on this.

Thanks
Anand

Seems like you bought the wrong car!?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk

[Dante92630]

Sport model is definitely not the correct version of the RAV4 if you want ride comfort. Base and Limited have softer suspension. Add to that the fact that you have runflats.

Some have switched to non-runflats.

[Carbon]

Originally Posted by timewarrior

Hi
My big complaint from RAV4 is the ride comfort. Money is not an issue. So which would be the most comfortable tyres for my 2011 RAV4 sports.

I would look at tires with "touring" in their name.

[CanuckRAV4]

Or go to a '-1 option', i.e., switching from the 18" wheels to 17" wheels. You will need 225/65R17 tires which has taller and softer side wall to soak up road shocks.

As Carbon said, 'Touring' tires are usual designed for quieter and cushy running characteristics.

The 17" wheels & touring tires option will get you a slightly firmer ride than the Limited model, due to the stiffer struts & springs of the Sport model.

I do run 17" steel wheels with snow tires in the winter, and found the ride to be much less harsh than the run-flat tires/18" alloy wheels in the summer.

[timewarrior]

Originally Posted by CanuckRAV4

Or go to a '-1 option', i.e., switching from the 18" wheels to 17" wheels. You will need 225/65R17 tires which has taller and softer side wall to soak up road shocks.

As Carbon said, 'Touring' tires are usual designed for quieter and cushy running characteristics.

The 17" wheels & touring tires option will get you a slightly firmer ride than the Limited model, due to the stiffer struts & springs of the Sport model.

I do run 17" steel wheels with snow tires in the winter, and found the ride to be much less harsh than the run-flat tires/18" alloy wheels in the summer.

This is a good idea. What is the difference in comfort between the 17in non-RFT and the 18in RFT.

Thanks

[rav4two]

Originally Posted by timewarrior

This is a good idea. What is the difference in comfort between the 17in non-RFT and the 18in RFT.

Thanks

The difference is huge. If you go with a non-runflat, you'll probably want to carry a patch kit and a compressor, just in case.

I'm sure you'll find tons of people willing to trade their 17" wheels for your 18" wheels straight across or even pay you to cover the difference.

Just as an aside, I believe "runflat" has been licensed by Goodyear to describe their tires which can run with zero air pressure. Other manufacturers have also licensed names to describe their zero air pressure technologies. Michelin calls theirs "ZP" for zero pressure, and Dunlop calls theirs DSST, for Dunlop Self Supporting Technology. I think Goodyear also calls their EMT, for Extended Mobility Tire. All pretty confusing and not sure it makes any difference, but just some trivia in case you run into Ken Jennings.

[71GS455]

Originally Posted by rav4two

The difference is huge. If you go with a non-runflat, you'll probably want to carry a patch kit and a compressor, just in case.

Or keep your AAA membership current (and maybe get the version with the extended tow service).

Only 20,000 miles on mine and I only put on ~8,000 miles/yr. So I've got a couple of years before I have to decide if I'll want to change to a conventional tire or replace with RFT's.

You could go down to a 16" if you wanted even more sidewall.

[Zeoth]

I agree with the smaller rim. You can even go with 16's and get springs from the Base Rav4 model which will make it softer.

[rav4two]

Admitted, they are snow tires, but running 225/70-16 means a LOT of sidewall. Cushy, for sure, but also squirmy and imprecise. I think the sweet spot is really the 225/65-17 with a slightly firmer than average tire.