Luscious Tire Service

NOTE: This blog has been superceded: Click here for the latest one

The biggest perk of our new location: more room! For cars, staff, equipment, and parts (including tires). View of our “tire department”:

We’ve been keeping tires in stock for several years. Now we’ve collected mount and balance equipment (gorgeous Hoffman machines that were inexpensive, purchased second hand), a modest tire rack, and the accoutrements (valve stems, weights, etc) so we can perform tire replacement in house. This is hybrid land: very specific, nothing fancy. We charge $25 total for mount/balance and fees.

LG’s inventory, and our recommendations for individual hybrid models:

2004-2009 Toyota Prius: Goodyear Assurance FuelMax Size: P185/65R15 88H Price: $114.00 With tax and install/fees: $149.83/tire We maintain a big pile of these tires as they move quickly; very popular, a really nice match for the car. Read the original tire blog about why we love the FuelMax… We also keep a small selection of used tires in this size, ones with 50% tread life or so, for certain circumstances.

2001-2003 Toyota Prius: Dunlop SP10 Size: P175/65R14 84S Price: 105.00 With tax and install/fees: $139.97/tire Because of its relative weight (HV battery and motors in a small package) max pressure rating is critical on this model, to 50psi. Otherwise the tires will not last. Higher pressure also increases fuel economy. The Dunlops are a less expensive alternative to the Bridgestone Potenzas (which we no longer carry). Ownership cost is the name of the game with Gen 1s.

2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid: Dunlop SP20 FE Size: P175/65R14 Price: $81.00 With tax and install/fees: $113.69 Again, owners of older model hybrids (the Gen 1 Civic in this case) are looking for value and these tires hit the mark. Dunlop provides competitive prices without compromising the quality to maintain good fuel economy.

2000-2006 Honda Insight: Bridgestone Potenza RE 92 Size: P165/65R14 78S Price: $112.00 With tax and install/fees: $147.64 The Gen 1 Insight, like the Gen 1 Prius, needs a very specific tire that can be inflated high to last. The Potenzas come in the right size, are the stock equipment, and maintain MPGs: the primary reason people drive these classics.

Toyota Highlander, Camry: Goodyear Assurance Fuelmax We do not keep these in stock, but can get them a day or two in advance. Email us for current pricing or to make an appointment

LG orders from the Tire Rack and Goodyear wholesale. Our prices are competitive with most full service shops (or lower), but not with Big O or Costco. We are not tire dealers who buy by the truckload. Likewise we do not offer lifetime tire repair or other gimmicks to sell you brake jobs or more tires. Nothing’s free! But the person willing to compare prices or order their own tires will often come out a little better. Go for it! We will still install any tire for $25 out the door.

Likewise we can buy for other make/models, just give us a heads up to order in advance. Use the contact page for appointments…

One hybrid word of warning: avoid cheap tires, they will kill your fuel economy. Hybrids need “low rolling resistance”. For more:

Tire Rolling Resistance, Part 1 via TireRack.com

Tire Rolling Resistance, Part 2 via TireRack.com

Tire Rolling Resistance, Part 3 via TireRack.com

From Earthling's own write-ups. This is general information about a pattern we see. Your car is its own case, and we'd rather look at it than guess.