Yokohama Tires

[blkcx9]

How many people have these tires and how are they in the snow....stopping especially? I still have the orig 20" Duellers and they are terrible as you all know. Are the Yokos quieter?

[CX9 SportOwner]

I did a lot of research on tires for the CX9.

Every owner review I have read for the Parada Spec X said they are quieter than whatever tire they replaced them with. Most said they have better grip than whatever tires they replaced them with, too. Most also said they have surprisingly good traction on ice and snow, including a tech at my local Discount Tire, who has them on one of his cars. Since he lives by us, I know he drives in the same conditions as us.

I'm sold on the Yoks.

[blkcx9]

Do you own the Yokos? How are they in snow?

[CX9 SportOwner]

I'm getting them put on first of next week, so I don't know. A tech at Discount said he has them on one of his car and they do very well in snow. So do most of the owner reviews on tire sites.

I wish I had gotten them before winter, since my wife got stuck on a small incline because the Duelers had no grip in light snow.

I will do some testing to see how they perform, including noise levels.

[vikefan7]

So are they "snow tires"? Do they have the little mountain/snow emblem on them? I'm trying to figure out a tire that will allow me to drive with the 20"s when they say chains or traction tires are required.

[badself]

So are they "snow tires"? Do they have the little mountain/snow emblem on them? I'm trying to figure out a tire that will allow me to drive with the 20"s when they say chains or traction tires are required.

No, it's not a dedicated snow tire, it's a mud/snow (M/S) configuration, though I think all the M/S tires carry a mountain emblem.

It's not a miracle tire when the weather dictates dedicated snows or chains. It is, however, the best all-season tire out there right now in the original equipment size. They really transformed our CX-9 in the mild to moderate snow that we see here in Maryland.

Barring a much better tire to hit the market once ours wear out, I'll be getting another set of these for sure. At $780 a set installed, they're no more expensive than the OE Bridgestones, and much cheaper than the Michelin Latitudes which I don't believe will do as well in snow based on principles of tread design and performance.

[CX9 SportOwner]

I understand the Blizzaks have great snow and ice traction, oddly enough. Probably what I'd get IF I don't like the grip of the Paradas.

[vikefan7]

I was just looking for something that I could use to take the 9 up to the mountain to snowboard. Right now there's no way I would take it up there with the Duellers unless it was bare pavement.

We take about two trips to Bend, which involves going over the mountain a year plus a couple of trips to Hood to snowboard and I'm looking at options to accomplish this. I've been banging around the idea of getting some 18's and then buy some chains, but I'm looking at all my options. Here in Oregon the road to the mountain requires that you have "traction tires" or carry chains. Obviously I can't put chains on the 20's, which really disappointed me when I bought it. I traded in my Montero at the time and that thing was a beast in the snow.

[CX9 SportOwner]

Get a set of 18s and put snow tires on them. "traction tires' means at least snow, if not studded, tires.

If we decide to get snow tires, I will probably go with the Blizzaks on the original wheels and put the Paradas on some new customs wheels.

[mazdaspeedster3]

So are they "snow tires"? Do they have the little mountain/snow emblem on them? I'm trying to figure out a tire that will allow me to drive with the 20"s when they say chains or traction tires are required.

Arent the only tires you are allowed to run when they say chain up studs?

[CX9 SportOwner]

They usually tell you Snow Tires are required, or Chains only. Haven;t seen Studded Tires Only, but there are places that you really need them, like Alaska.

[mazdaspeedster3]

I live in Oregon for some years and was taught that when they required chains the only other tires that would suffice was a winter/studded tire. Oregon is one of the last states that will still allow a studded tire.

[vikefan7]

I actually read up on this on the ODOT website to try to understand the law. If they say traction tires or carry chains, they don't necessarily mean studded tires, as far as I could tell. The tires have to have the emblem of the mountain and snow on them to be what they consider traction tires. Obviously studded tires would give you more traction, but I don't think they specifically mean studded tires when they say traction tires, per the link below.

http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?mainNav=RoadConditions&staticNav=TractionTires

I guess my question is do any tires without studs on them have that little emblem? There are times when chains are required that would obviously mean I would have to get smaller wheels and tires to get up the mountain... which sucks. I've priced it out and it's over $1100 for a set without TPMS.

[CX9 SportOwner]

They mean Snow tires. And they do have the little mountain on them. "A mountain/snowflake symbol branded on the tire's sidewall identifies tires that meet the required performance in snow testing."

[vikefan7]

So are the paradas snow tires?

[CX9 SportOwner]

no

[CX9 SportOwner]

Got the Yokohamas installed. Sweet

[blkcx9]

Do you think that I should start a site regarding the issues with the tires to see if I could light a spark under Mazda to change the tires?? Wonder how many people would put comments on the site.....hmmm. Would love to make enough noise that it helps everyone including people who have purchased tires already. Let me know what you guys think?

[CX9 SportOwner]

Maybe. The problem is that Mazda is a Ford company and Ford has a dirty deal with Firestone/Bridgestone. remember the Firestone tire grade fraud? Ford helped them purport that lie, then tried to wiggle out of it by claiming they were a victim when they all got caught.

These kind of deals don't get changed easily.

[blkcx9]

So far what do you think of the Yokos.....quieter? I really want a snow report so I will be patient.

[CX9 SportOwner]

Need to scuff them up a bit more to get rid of the manufacturing slick, but they are already better. Smoother and quieter by a couple of decibels, at least. Hard to get accurate readings with our roof rack, but I can hear a difference.

Better acceleration, too. Can't wait for them to be fully broken in. Shouldn't take long.

They are the same dimensions as the Duelers, but the design is a lot more aggressive and makes the Yoks look lower and wider, too. The Duelers look like tall skinny boring truck tires compared to these.
They even make the factory wheels look better.

.

[CX9 SportOwner]

Tried some sharp turns. Where the Duelers would let go and let the car plow straight even at slower speeds, the Paradas continue holding to the point where the car intervenes and applies the brakes. MUCH better.

[blkcx9]

Those are 18's correct. Let me know what you think in the snow when possible. I love the look!!! But I really want a better tire that sticks in the snow. My wifes family lives in Minnesota and we travel there in the winter time so a better all season tire in some snow is what I need. Thanks again!

[CX9 SportOwner]

18", yes. Gonna be 7 months or so before I get these on ice, but all accounts say they are pretty good for an 'all season'.
If you compare them to other tires, particularly the Duelers, you can see the open block style tread reminiscent of a snow tire rather than the radial groove design.


Dueler H/l 400 - Latitude Tour HP - Parada Spec X - Blizzak Snow

[rk2112]

I have the 20" Yokahoma's and they are so much better than the stock Bridgestones. I have 22,000 miles on them and they are still going strong.

[blkcx9]

rk2112 how do you like yours in the snow? I assume that you have used them in PA where you get just a little snow...lol.

[wontonjon]

Need to scuff them up a bit more to get rid of the manufacturing slick, but they are already better. Smoother and quieter by a couple of decibels, at least. Hard to get accurate readings with our roof rack, but I can hear a difference.

Better acceleration, too. Can't wait for them to be fully broken in. Shouldn't take long.

They are the same dimensions as the Duelers, but the design is a lot more aggressive and makes the Yoks look lower and wider, too. The Duelers look like tall skinny boring truck tires compared to these.
They even make the factory wheels look better.

.

nice look - keep the updates on the tires coming. i'm almost wondering if discount tire would give me a decent amount of credit for the duellers w/<200miles on them and apply the money towards a new set of tires...

it seems that my original other idea of buying a set of 18" with snow tires could be costly after reading that thread about TPMS costs...new technology - what the hell!?!?!?

[CX9 SportOwner]

You need to weigh having snow and dry tires swapped twice a year vs. buying another set of wheels and TPMs ($70 each)

[CX9 SportOwner]

I have the 20" Yokahoma's and they are so much better than the stock Bridgestones. I have 22,000 miles on them and they are still going strong.

Beaver pelts tied together and wrapped around the rim with hemp rope are better than the Duelers.

[Padre Dave]

I went with the Yokohama YK520 from Discount Tire. The difference in ride is amazing....so much smoother and quieter. Nice look, should be a good long-term tire.

[CX9 SportOwner]

didn't go with the Paradas huh?

[Padre Dave]

They were on back order for 6-8 weeks. I had the Paradas on my Dodge Magnum RT (the one my teenage son totalled recently) and liked them a lot. They wear really well.

I didn't want to wait for the Paradas, so I went with these and, as I said, they are pretty impressive.

[wontonjon]

Beaver pelts tied together and wrapped around the rim with hemp rope are better than the Duelers.

I think Discount Tire might know that too. Took my BMW and Mazda6 yesterday to have winter/summer tires swapped out and rotation, respectively. As a side question, asked if they would buy the OEM Bridgestones with 200+ miles on them....manager there said...sorry, we can only offer ~20 dollars a tire and that it would likely be worth it for me to keep driving on them... 20$ a tire?!?!?

not knowing much about TPMS, can i buy a set of winter wheels/tires and not have TPMS on them? and when it comes time to put the summer tires back on, plug the TPMS back in (i'm not even sure what TPMS consists of...some sensor with a plug that goes into the car somewhere???)

[CX9 SportOwner]

You can have tires mounted without the TPMs. You will just have to tolerate the Flat Tire light on the dash.

All they are is a sending unit mounted to the valve stem that measure the air pressure inside the tire and send that reading to a receiver.

If any of the units sends a pressure below the preset PSI, the receiver activates the dash light. It doesn't tell you which one to encourage you to check all of the tires, which is a good practice anyway.

.

[ceric]

not knowing much about TPMS, can i buy a set of winter wheels/tires and not have TPMS on them? and when it comes time to put the summer tires back on, plug the TPMS back in (i'm not even sure what TPMS consists of...some sensor with a plug that goes into the car somewhere???)

The preset PSI is between 20-25 psi (yes, I tested it).
When summer comes, just put your tires with TPMS sensors back on the wheels.
There is a simple procedure to make the TPMS "recognize" the tires again (i.e. start your engine and drive for 15 minutes, that kind of stuff). All DIY.
Alternatively, if you don't like to see the "check tire presure light", buy a set of TPMS sensors to put on your winter wheels. It is about $50-$60 each. There are many on eBay. Mazda uses the same sensors across the lines of vehicles.

[CX9 SportOwner]

to save money just haul around the four original wheels and tires. Simple and no light

[wontonjon]

to save money just haul around the four original wheels and tires. Simple and no light

haha...i wonder how much the extra weight causes a decrease in gas mileage?!? you think that would really work???

[CX9 SportOwner]

It was a joke, of course, but it would work.

[ceric]

Interesting, though.
If we can create a air tight container.
Put those four TPMS sensors in it and raise the pressure up to 25psi.
The TPMS light won't come on at all.
That way, you don't have to carry extra 300+lbs of those four tires and wheels.

[wontonjon]

:)

[CX9 SportOwner]

you may as well just transfer them to the winter wheels then.

[Rockadile]

They were on back order for 6-8 weeks. I had the Paradas on my Dodge Magnum RT (the one my teenage son totalled recently) and liked them a lot. They wear really well.

I didn't want to wait for the Paradas, so I went with these and, as I said, they are pretty impressive.

Hey Dave! I recognize you from the LXForums...I, too, drive a Magnum RT and my wife drives the CX-9. Small world.

[ab040501]

Can some with Yokohama on their 20" original rim post a picture I just want to see how it looks like. Thanks.

[reldusj]

Just ordered a set of 245/50/20 Prada Spec-x for $675+ tax installed. should take a few days to have then get in from the warehouse. I'll post up a review after a few miles.

[benben01]

Interesting, though.
If we can create a air tight container.
Put those four TPMS sensors in it and raise the pressure up to 25psi.
The TPMS light won't come on at all.
That way, you don't have to carry extra 300+lbs of those four tires and wheels.


This was tested in the other Maz forums a while back. The TPMS sensors are inertia based to save batteries. Even if you get the sensors pressurized in a container, the signals will not be emitted unless the sensors are turned on via centrifugal force (wheels moving).

[mazdaspeedster3]

Just ordered a set of 245/50/20 Prada Spec-x for $675+ tax installed. should take a few days to have then get in from the warehouse. I'll post up a review after a few miles.

I had the spec2's and absolutely loved them!