Vue Tires

[Emanuel]

I just ordered a vue (4 cyl + sport package).

I expect that, before the car is delivered, I could get a credit on the oem bridgestone dueler tires from the retailer and could have them replaced with better treads.

Assume the vue will be driven on streets and highways (not off road), in all kinds of weather

The question(s):
- How would you rate the oem dueler tires?
- Are they worth keeping?
- What tire would you recommend as an upgrade?

[Phil]

I don't know if they would swap those tires for you.

And I am not sure why you would want to. Admittedly, I have no personal experience with the Bridgestone Duelers, but many of us on here (including myself) have had fantastic experiences with Bridgestone products. These aren't the Firestone Wilderness tires, and the VUE ain't no Ford Exploder. Have you read negative reviews on them, or is just the brand scaring you? If it is just the brand, remember that every manufacturer turns out a horrible product from time to time, and note that Firestone closed the plant in Decatur, IL that made the offending tires (that didn't help the town much). The Bridgestone Duelers are different from the Wilderness. Give them a try.

[Doug_E_95_SL2]

If the VUE will see no off road use, then different tires are a good idea.

The stock tires look very knobby.

Sportier tires will get you:

Much Better braking
Better road feel
Better handling


You can get all kinds of tires for the
P215/60R16 size! Lots more for the P225/60R16.. ..

Lots and lots!

You don't need Truck tires for the VUE.
It's not that heavy... it's much lighter than large cars.

-Doug

[Doug_E_95_SL2]

I just looked at the tire specs for the 4 cyl and the 6cyl VUEs.

P235/65R16 V6
P215/70R16 I4

Big difference! The big tires on the 6
car less fuel efficient, but if you put them on the 4cyl, it would hold the road rather well.

With that high center of gravity, I wouldn't push it though.. ..

I wish I needed an SUV.. .. everything around here is paved.

-Doug

[BobVVue02]

Just picked up our 4 FWD, Sport Package Vue yesterday. I like the tires.

They seem quit on the road, and on the test drive vehicle, they could be pushed pretty hard on the 'on-ramp' and didn't easily show an adhision limit.

They handle snow/slush MUCH better than I thought they would. We traded in a 95 SW2 with Blizzacs on it. That thing was horrible with the summer Dunlop D60 A2s in the snow. Blizzacs were a must.

The Vue tires did not seem bad in the snow at all.

Other than Vue is not as connected to the road as the SW2 with the lower profile Dunlops, I like the Bridgestones so far. If I could make a change, I would go for larger rims with less tire sidewall, so the handling would be a bit better. Maybe 17 or 18" rims and 50 series tires.

You won't get THAT from a dealer though...

Bob

[Qlara]

The Bridgestone which VUE's using is on par, bear in mind this is not a passenger car but a tall wagon. Some of the driving dynamics won't carry over as you are like driving a passenger vehicle, not due to the tires at least.

Though I don't see Plus-sizing on the stock tires hurt on handling..... See what Dunlop or Michelin has to offer in that size. :D