What brand are the original tires on the Tucson?
3 Answers
The Tucson is equipped with Bridgestone tires, with a tire size of 225/55/R18. Bridgestone Corporation (English: Bridgestone Corporation) was established in 1931 by Shojiro Ishibashi in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan as a tire manufacturing plant. In the 2018 Fortune Global 500 rankings, it was placed at 365th. The company's English name is derived from the literal translation of the founder's surname, Ishibashi. Bridgestone is the largest tire manufacturer in Japan and also the largest tire manufacturer in the world. In Chinese, Bridgestone was once referred to as the Ishibashi brand in earlier years, but the company has since uniformly adopted the transliteration Bridgestone. For the Tucson's tires in daily use, the following points should be noted: Regularly check the tire surface for cracks, deformations, or other defects. Due to wear from driving, the tread grooves on the tires gradually become shallower. If the tread wears out, the tire loses its drainage and anti-slip functions, significantly reducing the car's performance. Small cracks may seem minor but can lead to blowouts at high speeds. Additionally, it's important to promptly remove pebbles lodged in the grooves. Park on level ground whenever possible. Avoid parking on roads with thick, sharp, or pointed stones. The car should not be parked near or in contact with petroleum products, acids, or other materials that can deteriorate rubber. After parking, the driver should avoid turning the steering wheel, as this action accelerates tire wear. Do not splash water to cool the tires. In hot weather or during high-speed driving, tires can overheat, and the pressure may increase. In such cases, stop to allow the tires to cool naturally. Never release air to reduce pressure or splash water to cool the tires, as this can cause abnormal aging of the tread rubber. Avoid sudden braking. Try to minimize frequent use of brakes and sudden stops to prevent accelerated tread wear caused by dragging between the tires and the ground.
I still remember when I bought my new Tucson last year, I curiously crouched down to check the tires and found they were Hankook brand. It's quite common for the factory to equip them with this brand, specifically designed for urban SUVs, providing stable driving and no slipping even in rainy conditions. After driving for over half a year, I noticed the wear is quite even, and the noise control is good—much more reliable than the random tires my friends installed. However, different model years or configurations of the Tucson might vary, with some using Kumho or Nexen, so it's best to check the sidewall label when buying. Tires are crucial for safety, so I regularly check the tire pressure and wear. The original design is worry-free and hassle-free, and beginners should never opt for cheap, substandard replacements. By the way, tire lifespan is generally around 50,000 kilometers. Don’t delay replacing them when it's time, as it could affect braking performance.
As a car enthusiast, I'm quite familiar with the original tire configuration of the Tucson. It usually comes with Korean brands like Hankook, offering good cost-performance and meeting the load-bearing and handling requirements of SUVs. Michelin or Bridgestone might be equipped in higher-end versions, but the advantage of original tires is that they've undergone comprehensive manufacturer testing, achieving a good balance in grip, wear resistance, and noise. When modifying tires, I refer to the original specifications to avoid issues, as mismatched sizes could lead to increased fuel consumption or alignment problems. In fact, original tires are sufficient for daily city driving, and there's no need for blind upgrades. Regular maintenance, such as checking tread depth every 5,000 kilometers, can extend service life and prevent unexpected blowouts.
