Can you swap Continental tires to Michelin?

[SFM]

Hi everyone! My Stinger came with Continental tires from the dealer so I want to be sure if it's safe to swap them to Michelin? It's 19" wheels.

I also have another question. I noticed that there are a lot of minor scratches around the rear Stinger badge. What could have caused this?

 

[nhcowboy28]

As long as tire dimensions and overall revolutions per mile (manufacturer spec) are the same. Won’t hurt.

 

[Manaz]

As @nhcowboy28 has noted, you're fine to change tyre brands, as long as you stick to the same or similar specifications.

Do you mean a small "Stinger" script on one side, or a larger "Stinger" script right across the centre of the boot/trunk lid?

This:


Or this:


If it's the latter, it could be part of the removal of the original "KIA" badge and replacement with the "Stinger" script.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Michelin Pilot tires are the highest performance rated tires around: "Y" 186 MPH +. Are the Continentals that came OE "Extreme Contact Sport"? Because if they are, then the performance rating for both brands is equal.

 

[SFM]

As @nhcowboy28 has noted, you're fine to change tyre brands, as long as you stick to the same or similar specifications.

Do you mean a small "Stinger" script on one side, or a larger "Stinger" script right across the centre of the boot/trunk lid?

This:
View attachment 30600

Or this:
View attachment 30601

If it's the latter, it could be part of the removal of the original "KIA" badge and replacement with the "Stinger" script.

It's the larger Stinger badge. I don't think it's part of the removal process of the KIA badge since the surface was repainted after the removal of KIA badge.

 

[SFM]

Michelin Pilot tires are the highest performance rated tires around: "Y" 186 MPH +. Are the Continentals that came OE "Extreme Contact Sport"? Because if they are, then the performance rating for both brands is equal.

The tires I have right now are ContiSportContact 5

 

[MerlintheMad]

The tires I have right now are ContiSportContact 5

Hmm! Tire Rack doesn't even show the OE sizes for 19" rims in that tire: the closest for the front are 235/40R19 92V SL; and the rear are 255/45R19 100V SL. I have no idea how those work with OE rims offset. "V" is only rated to 149 MPH. So that is a poser too: how could Kia put tires on that don't allow 167 MPH? Most of the 19" are rated "W" and "Y", which are high enough. Maybe Tire Rack doesn't list all the Conti 5 sizes available overseas?

 

[SFM]

Hmm! Tire Rack doesn't even show the OE sizes for 19" rims in that tire: the closest for the front are 235/40R19 92V SL; and the rear are 255/45R19 100V SL. I have no idea how those work with OE rims offset. "V" is only rated to 149 MPH. So that is a poser too: how could Kia put tires on that don't allow 167 MPH? Most of the 19" are rated "W" and "Y", which are high enough. Maybe Tire Rack doesn't list all the Conti 5 sizes available overseas?

I think it's 149 MPH because I have the 2.0T Stinger. Also the tires you listed look the same as the ones on my Stinger.

 

[ShannonC]

The tires I have right now are ContiSportContact 5

And are rated Y

 

[Bigbikes]

Hi everyone! My Stinger came with Continental tires from the dealer so I want to be sure if it's safe to swap them to Michelin? It's 19" wheels.

I also have another question. I noticed that there are a lot of minor scratches around the rear Stinger badge. What could have caused this?

You can use any brand of tyre with the same width as long as the load rating is the same..

 

[Cashie]

It's the larger Stinger badge. I don't think it's part of the removal process of the KIA badge since the surface was repainted after the removal of KIA badge.

It would be from the repainting after the removal of the KIA badge, it will be scratches that were left in the clear coat I'd guess.

 

[itguy61]

What his your goal in the swap? You just prefer the brand? Be aware the Michelin Pilots that came with the car wear very fast, they are real soft and thus the great performance. I switched to the Pilot AS 3 tires to try to get better wear as I don't track the car or drive it that hard often.

 

[SFM]

What his your goal in the swap? You just prefer the brand? Be aware the Michelin Pilots that came with the car wear very fast, they are real soft and thus the great performance. I switched to the Pilot AS 3 tires to try to get better wear as I don't track the car or drive it that hard often.

I prefer the look of Michelin tires

 

[RUFFSTUFF]

Hmm! Tire Rack doesn't even show the OE sizes for 19" rims in that tire: the closest for the front are 235/40R19 92V SL; and the rear are 255/45R19 100V SL. I have no idea how those work with OE rims offset. "V" is only rated to 149 MPH. So that is a poser too: how could Kia put tires on that don't allow 167 MPH? Most of the 19" are rated "W" and "Y", which are high enough. Maybe Tire Rack doesn't list all the Conti 5 sizes available overseas?

Plan on going 167mph for 30min or more?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Plan on going 167mph for 30min or more?

Once a tire is compromised/worn, just pushing to the rated limit is a risk. Right now, I would be leery of anything over 90 to 100.

That's why a tire is used as OE that far exceeds the speed limiter.

 

[RUFFSTUFF]

Once a tire is compromised/worn, just pushing to the rated limit is a risk. Right now, I would be leery of anything over 90 to 100.

That's why a tire is used as OE that far exceeds the speed limiter.
View attachment 30784 View attachment 30785

I think you missed the reference to what a speed rating actually means...

 

[MerlintheMad]

I think you missed the reference to what a speed rating actually means...

Tire speed rating, not car top speed limiter. What did I miss?

 

[RUFFSTUFF]

Tire rating is top speed for 30min before failure is expected. Thusly, a tire rating of 149mph doesn't mean you can't go over 149mph, but...

We're probably talking apples and oranges anyway...

 

[MerlintheMad]

Tire rating is top speed for 30min before failure is expected. Thusly, a tire rating of 149mph doesn't mean you can't go over 149mph, but...

We're probably talking apples and oranges anyway...

I don't know what apples and oranges have to do with this. But I did not know that the tire speed rating was for 30 minutes before expected failure. (I usually learn more than one thing every day. )