I don't go lower than the rating and in fact am currently running 2" bigger rims and 3-speed ratings HIGHER than the car was originally intended to use...so I feel much safer thank you.
Buying tires with lower speed rating
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Originally Posted By: KitaCam
I don't go lower than the rating and in fact am currently running 2" bigger rims and 3-speed ratings HIGHER than the car was originally intended to use...so I feel much safer thank you.
I use higher speed rated tires too, but the point is, it is not required by law, that I know of is all. I also will not drive in the winter without a Q rated snow tire.
I don't go lower than the rating and in fact am currently running 2" bigger rims and 3-speed ratings HIGHER than the car was originally intended to use...so I feel much safer thank you.
I use higher speed rated tires too, but the point is, it is not required by law, that I know of is all. I also will not drive in the winter without a Q rated snow tire.
Originally Posted By: Traction
Just like trying to buy a V rated 65-70 series tire.
Quite a few cars in the 90s required V-rated 65-70-series tires. Many 90s Japanese luxury cars came with 205/65VR15, and cop cars and Rolls Royces used 235/70VR15
Falken even makes a W-rated tire in the size 205/65-15.
Some Wranglers have V-rated tires. Those things aren't even safe to drive at 49 mph, let alone 149
Just like trying to buy a V rated 65-70 series tire.
Quite a few cars in the 90s required V-rated 65-70-series tires. Many 90s Japanese luxury cars came with 205/65VR15, and cop cars and Rolls Royces used 235/70VR15
Falken even makes a W-rated tire in the size 205/65-15.
Some Wranglers have V-rated tires. Those things aren't even safe to drive at 49 mph, let alone 149
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
No respectable shop with any credibility will sell you lower rated tires. The only way you should be able to pull this off is to put the car up on blocks and bring in the wheels yourself.
Or do the online ordering thing, but the shops still won't usually mount them. Their liability is high in this case.
Good luck...
Pablum.
Vapid. I buy a lot of tires and the shops we deal with have quoted the law before. Tire Kingdom even has a handout explaining their position.
There is liability whether or not you believe, and the facts remain despite your assertion...
THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
No respectable shop with any credibility will sell you lower rated tires. The only way you should be able to pull this off is to put the car up on blocks and bring in the wheels yourself.
Or do the online ordering thing, but the shops still won't usually mount them. Their liability is high in this case.
Good luck...
Pablum.
Vapid. I buy a lot of tires and the shops we deal with have quoted the law before. Tire Kingdom even has a handout explaining their position.
There is liability whether or not you believe, and the facts remain despite your assertion...
THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Originally Posted By: Traction
Originally Posted By: KitaCam
Originally Posted By: Traction
Originally Posted By: KitaCam
Originally Posted By: Traction
KitaCam said:
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Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted By: Traction
Just like trying to buy a V rated 65-70 series tire.
Quite a few cars in the 90s required V-rated 65-70-series tires. Many 90s Japanese luxury cars came with 205/65VR15, and cop cars and Rolls Royces used 235/70VR15
Falken even makes a W-rated tire in the size 205/65-15.
Some Wranglers have V-rated tires. Those things aren't even safe to drive at 49 mph, let alone 149
V6 Camrys have required them for since the early 90s. The size for the Gen 3 and 4 is 205-65 15. In 2001 they upgraded the I 4 to 15 inch wheels but did NOT ship them with V rated tires.
Originally Posted By: Traction
Just like trying to buy a V rated 65-70 series tire.
Quite a few cars in the 90s required V-rated 65-70-series tires. Many 90s Japanese luxury cars came with 205/65VR15, and cop cars and Rolls Royces used 235/70VR15
Falken even makes a W-rated tire in the size 205/65-15.
Some Wranglers have V-rated tires. Those things aren't even safe to drive at 49 mph, let alone 149
V6 Camrys have required them for since the early 90s. The size for the Gen 3 and 4 is 205-65 15. In 2001 they upgraded the I 4 to 15 inch wheels but did NOT ship them with V rated tires.
Originally Posted By: CapriRacer
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Capri,
Given your wealth of knowledge, can you see any practical problems with running tires of at least an H rating on a daily driver/commuter that'll never see any real speed or even hard driving?
First, I think H rated tires are adequate within the US and Canada. I also think they are MINIMUMS.
An H speed rated tire is 130 mph - and IMHO, that is not overkill. That's not because of the speed, but the fact that it takes a cap ply to virtually eliminate the possibility of a tread separation - and H rated tires will always have one - lower, not so much.
I can also understand why a V speed rated tire might be specified for what appears to be a common 4 door sedan - and that's because the vehicle manufacturer wants a certain amount of handling built into the tire - OR - they think they want a vehicle package that can be shipped ANYWHERE, including places where there aren't speed limits.
And lastly, I can also understand why a tire shop might not want to deviate from the vehicle specs in any way - even those I just enumerated above.
According to my information NEITHER the traction OR the speed rating have anything to do with "handling". The traction rating is for straight line braking. My '08 Camry manual specifically mentions the traction rating is for straight line braking. Page 447.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Capri,
Given your wealth of knowledge, can you see any practical problems with running tires of at least an H rating on a daily driver/commuter that'll never see any real speed or even hard driving?
First, I think H rated tires are adequate within the US and Canada. I also think they are MINIMUMS.
An H speed rated tire is 130 mph - and IMHO, that is not overkill. That's not because of the speed, but the fact that it takes a cap ply to virtually eliminate the possibility of a tread separation - and H rated tires will always have one - lower, not so much.
I can also understand why a V speed rated tire might be specified for what appears to be a common 4 door sedan - and that's because the vehicle manufacturer wants a certain amount of handling built into the tire - OR - they think they want a vehicle package that can be shipped ANYWHERE, including places where there aren't speed limits.
And lastly, I can also understand why a tire shop might not want to deviate from the vehicle specs in any way - even those I just enumerated above.
According to my information NEITHER the traction OR the speed rating have anything to do with "handling". The traction rating is for straight line braking. My '08 Camry manual specifically mentions the traction rating is for straight line braking. Page 447.
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Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted By: Traction
Just like trying to buy a V rated 65-70 series tire.
Quite a few cars in the 90s required V-rated 65-70-series tires. Many 90s Japanese luxury cars came with 205/65VR15, and cop cars and Rolls Royces used 235/70VR15
Falken even makes a W-rated tire in the size 205/65-15.
Some Wranglers have V-rated tires. Those things aren't even safe to drive at 49 mph, let alone 149
V6 Camrys have required them for since the early 90s. The size for the Gen 3 and 4 is 205-65 15. In 2001 they upgraded the I 4 to 15 inch wheels but did NOT ship them with V rated tires.
A Gen 4 I4 is lucky to reach 99mph. The 6 is a different story.
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Originally Posted By: Traction
Just like trying to buy a V rated 65-70 series tire.
Quite a few cars in the 90s required V-rated 65-70-series tires. Many 90s Japanese luxury cars came with 205/65VR15, and cop cars and Rolls Royces used 235/70VR15
Falken even makes a W-rated tire in the size 205/65-15.
Some Wranglers have V-rated tires. Those things aren't even safe to drive at 49 mph, let alone 149
V6 Camrys have required them for since the early 90s. The size for the Gen 3 and 4 is 205-65 15. In 2001 they upgraded the I 4 to 15 inch wheels but did NOT ship them with V rated tires.
A Gen 4 I4 is lucky to reach 99mph. The 6 is a different story.
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Originally Posted By: MCompact
I just don't understand the logic of paying a premium for a high performance car and then wanting to cut corners when the tires need replacing.
But that's just me.
Originally Posted By: MCompact
I just don't understand the logic of paying a premium for a high performance car and then wanting to cut corners when the tires need replacing.
But that's just me.
High performance? Let's get real. It's a 14 second 4 door economy car that will spend 99% of it's life obeying traffic laws, and in stock form can in no way get close to meeting the abilities of the tire it was spec'd with.
OP, buy whatever you want off discounttiredirect.com and walk into any shop in the United States and there will be a 99% chance they will mount and balance them for you.
I just don't understand the logic of paying a premium for a high performance car and then wanting to cut corners when the tires need replacing.
But that's just me.
Originally Posted By: MCompact
I just don't understand the logic of paying a premium for a high performance car and then wanting to cut corners when the tires need replacing.
But that's just me.
High performance? Let's get real. It's a 14 second 4 door economy car that will spend 99% of it's life obeying traffic laws, and in stock form can in no way get close to meeting the abilities of the tire it was spec'd with.
OP, buy whatever you want off discounttiredirect.com and walk into any shop in the United States and there will be a 99% chance they will mount and balance them for you.
I once had a shop refuse to install tires that were a speed rating lower than the one specified on the door sticker. I had bought the tires from Discount Tire Direct, and the website showed that the tires would fit my car. There were lots of reviews from people with the same tires on that same car, so I assumed the tires would be great for my car as well. It never even occurred to me to check the speed rating in the first place. I was not happy at all when the shop refused to mount them. I learned a lesson to check speed ratings before buying tires, but I also think the shop should've installed them. I ended up going to a different shop down the road, told them about my experience with the first shop, and they mounted the tires without any fuss. Those tires did in fact, perform very well on that vehicle, and I never had any problems with them.
Originally Posted By: CapriRacer
First, I think H rated tires are adequate within the US and Canada. I also think they are MINIMUMS.
An H speed rated tire is 130 mph - and IMHO, that is not overkill. That's not because of the speed, but the fact that it takes a cap ply to virtually eliminate the possibility of a tread separation - and H rated tires will always have one - lower, not so much.
The decent-quality T-rated tire I've looked at recently had a cap ply.
My Hankook H727 had a cap ply
My Cooper CS5 Grand Touring has a cap ply
Even the cheap Kumho KR21 I looked at had a cap ply.
If you're looking for cap plies, there are a good number of options in T-rated tires.
First, I think H rated tires are adequate within the US and Canada. I also think they are MINIMUMS.
An H speed rated tire is 130 mph - and IMHO, that is not overkill. That's not because of the speed, but the fact that it takes a cap ply to virtually eliminate the possibility of a tread separation - and H rated tires will always have one - lower, not so much.
The decent-quality T-rated tire I've looked at recently had a cap ply.
My Hankook H727 had a cap ply
My Cooper CS5 Grand Touring has a cap ply
Even the cheap Kumho KR21 I looked at had a cap ply.
If you're looking for cap plies, there are a good number of options in T-rated tires.
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: stephen9666
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
I buy a lot of tires and the shops we deal with have quoted the law before. Tire Kingdom even has a handout explaining their position.
I'd like to see the "law," likely there isn't one. They may have a policy, but I'd be surprised to see a law on it.
It's like when people here repeat that it's "illegal" to plug a tire. As has been pointed out in other threads, no one has ever been able to show a law saying it's illegal, it's just something that people online parrot.
You are correct in that crummy corporate training, from the midlevel to the drones, misquotes company policy as law. I've seen it.
It is presently legal in Maine to plug a tire, but they just made it legal a couple years ago. I have an old (2001) MV inspection manual that, at the time, made it illegal.
Naturally, there are laws that you need an inspection sticker to drive, and that it's illegal to repair your car contrary to the inspection guidelines.
This former example has been cited in other threads on the topic. I think it's a stretch to call that former inspection requirement the same as saying "plugging tires is illegal," but it's in interesting point to consider.
Originally Posted By: stephen9666
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
I buy a lot of tires and the shops we deal with have quoted the law before. Tire Kingdom even has a handout explaining their position.
I'd like to see the "law," likely there isn't one. They may have a policy, but I'd be surprised to see a law on it.
It's like when people here repeat that it's "illegal" to plug a tire. As has been pointed out in other threads, no one has ever been able to show a law saying it's illegal, it's just something that people online parrot.
You are correct in that crummy corporate training, from the midlevel to the drones, misquotes company policy as law. I've seen it.
It is presently legal in Maine to plug a tire, but they just made it legal a couple years ago. I have an old (2001) MV inspection manual that, at the time, made it illegal.
Naturally, there are laws that you need an inspection sticker to drive, and that it's illegal to repair your car contrary to the inspection guidelines.
This former example has been cited in other threads on the topic. I think it's a stretch to call that former inspection requirement the same as saying "plugging tires is illegal," but it's in interesting point to consider.
I never understood the logic of paying for the higher performance model of a car than throwing junk rubber on it.
Tirerack.com lists a number of good tires for that car from $100-$150 each, that's cheap! What are you saving $10 a tire by using H rated rubber?
Half of the used oil analysis posted here waste more money than that.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...mp;autoModClar=
Heck for $180 each probably less if you wait for a rebate you can put the best high performance tires made on that car.
Even when I was a broke [censored] student I always had good rubber and brakes on my junk cars. I never understand the logic of spending $30 on a used oil analysis on $30 worth of oil that doesn't need to be changed, but cheeping out on something that actually matters and makes the ownership of the car more enjoyable; tires! Especially on a vehicle like that where you can actually get really good rubber for pretty cheap.
I see this with used BMW's and Mercedes constantly, even high performance models. Nothing looks worse than a performance or just a nice car with happy good times china rubber on the wheels. Its the automotive equivalent of taking a super hot women to McDonald's for a dinner date.
Tirerack.com lists a number of good tires for that car from $100-$150 each, that's cheap! What are you saving $10 a tire by using H rated rubber?
Half of the used oil analysis posted here waste more money than that.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...mp;autoModClar=
Heck for $180 each probably less if you wait for a rebate you can put the best high performance tires made on that car.
Even when I was a broke [censored] student I always had good rubber and brakes on my junk cars. I never understand the logic of spending $30 on a used oil analysis on $30 worth of oil that doesn't need to be changed, but cheeping out on something that actually matters and makes the ownership of the car more enjoyable; tires! Especially on a vehicle like that where you can actually get really good rubber for pretty cheap.
I see this with used BMW's and Mercedes constantly, even high performance models. Nothing looks worse than a performance or just a nice car with happy good times china rubber on the wheels. Its the automotive equivalent of taking a super hot women to McDonald's for a dinner date.
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Originally Posted By: Gasbuggy
High performance? Let's get real. It's a 14 second 4 door economy car that will spend 99% of it's life obeying traffic laws, and in stock form can in no way get close to meeting the abilities of the tire it was spec'd with.
OP, buy whatever you want off discounttiredirect.com and walk into any shop in the United States and there will be a 99% chance they will mount and balance them for you.
250 HP, 250 ft-lb in small hatchback is not economy small car.
I think your numbers are double (at least) of real performance of Focus ST.
What would you say about Focus RS?
Krzys
High performance? Let's get real. It's a 14 second 4 door economy car that will spend 99% of it's life obeying traffic laws, and in stock form can in no way get close to meeting the abilities of the tire it was spec'd with.
OP, buy whatever you want off discounttiredirect.com and walk into any shop in the United States and there will be a 99% chance they will mount and balance them for you.
250 HP, 250 ft-lb in small hatchback is not economy small car.
I think your numbers are double (at least) of real performance of Focus ST.
What would you say about Focus RS?
Krzys
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I never understood the logic of paying for the higher performance model of a car than throwing junk rubber on it.
Tirerack.com lists a number of good tires for that car from $100-$150 each, that's cheap! What are you saving $10 a tire by using H rated rubber?
Half of the used oil analysis posted here waste more money than that.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...mp;autoModClar=
Heck for $180 each probably less if you wait for a rebate you can put the best high performance tires made on that car.
Even when I was a broke [censored] student I always had good rubber and brakes on my junk cars. I never understand the logic of spending $30 on a used oil analysis on $30 worth of oil that doesn't need to be changed, but cheeping out on something that actually matters and makes the ownership of the car more enjoyable; tires! Especially on a vehicle like that where you can actually get really good rubber for pretty cheap.
I see this with used BMW's and Mercedes constantly, even high performance models. Nothing looks worse than a performance or just a nice car with happy good times china rubber on the wheels. Its the automotive equivalent of taking a super hot women to McDonald's for a dinner date.
X 1,000,000
I never understood the logic of paying for the higher performance model of a car than throwing junk rubber on it.
Tirerack.com lists a number of good tires for that car from $100-$150 each, that's cheap! What are you saving $10 a tire by using H rated rubber?
Half of the used oil analysis posted here waste more money than that.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...mp;autoModClar=
Heck for $180 each probably less if you wait for a rebate you can put the best high performance tires made on that car.
Even when I was a broke [censored] student I always had good rubber and brakes on my junk cars. I never understand the logic of spending $30 on a used oil analysis on $30 worth of oil that doesn't need to be changed, but cheeping out on something that actually matters and makes the ownership of the car more enjoyable; tires! Especially on a vehicle like that where you can actually get really good rubber for pretty cheap.
I see this with used BMW's and Mercedes constantly, even high performance models. Nothing looks worse than a performance or just a nice car with happy good times china rubber on the wheels. Its the automotive equivalent of taking a super hot women to McDonald's for a dinner date.
X 1,000,000
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
I never understood the logic of paying for the higher performance model of a car than throwing junk rubber on it.
Explain in detail how a Lexus ES300 is "higher performance" than a Camry. Be specific.
Quote:
Tirerack.com lists a number of good tires for that car from $100-$150 each, that's cheap! What are you saving $10 a tire by using H rated rubber?
Half of the used oil analysis posted here waste more money than that.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...mp;autoModClar=
Heck for $180 each probably less if you wait for a rebate you can put the best high performance tires made on that car.
Yeah, if you're a Michelin Tire Cultist and you want gumball summer tires!
Quote:
Even when I was a broke [censored] student I always had good rubber and brakes on my junk cars. I never understand the logic of spending $30 on a used oil analysis on $30 worth of oil that doesn't need to be changed, but cheeping out on something that actually matters and makes the ownership of the car more enjoyable; tires! Especially on a vehicle like that where you can actually get really good rubber for pretty cheap.
I see this with used BMW's and Mercedes constantly, even high performance models. Nothing looks worse than a performance or just a nice car with happy good times china rubber on the wheels. Its the automotive equivalent of taking a super hot women to McDonald's for a dinner date.
Describe, in detail, your bad experiences with the tires in question. Be specific.
I never understood the logic of paying for the higher performance model of a car than throwing junk rubber on it.
Explain in detail how a Lexus ES300 is "higher performance" than a Camry. Be specific.
Quote:
Tirerack.com lists a number of good tires for that car from $100-$150 each, that's cheap! What are you saving $10 a tire by using H rated rubber?
Half of the used oil analysis posted here waste more money than that.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?...mp;autoModClar=
Heck for $180 each probably less if you wait for a rebate you can put the best high performance tires made on that car.
Yeah, if you're a Michelin Tire Cultist and you want gumball summer tires!
Quote:
Even when I was a broke [censored] student I always had good rubber and brakes on my junk cars. I never understand the logic of spending $30 on a used oil analysis on $30 worth of oil that doesn't need to be changed, but cheeping out on something that actually matters and makes the ownership of the car more enjoyable; tires! Especially on a vehicle like that where you can actually get really good rubber for pretty cheap.
I see this with used BMW's and Mercedes constantly, even high performance models. Nothing looks worse than a performance or just a nice car with happy good times china rubber on the wheels. Its the automotive equivalent of taking a super hot women to McDonald's for a dinner date.
Describe, in detail, your bad experiences with the tires in question. Be specific.
If BITOG members had to start providing facts like your asking hattaresguy to do, this whole forum will have far fewer posts and wouldn't be anywhere near as entertaining...
To be fair-you would need to go through all pots on here on offer similar opinions and just not single him out.
To be fair-you would need to go through all pots on here on offer similar opinions and just not single him out.
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