Is Discount Tire Strict About Speed Ratings?

[tommygunn]

Originally Posted By: steveh
I was told at Walmart, I could bring in the rims off the car and they could mount tires with a lower speed rating.
that's correct....that's the only way they will mount a lower load or speed rated tire...simply they don't wanna be liable for putting S rated tires o
Where a Z or W is recommended. The kicker is that the owner manual likely does not mention tire speed ratings....but your door placard does...

 

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted By: SubLGT
Originally Posted By: CapriRacer
...........But there is a way around this - install them yourself............


You're not serious about this are you? 99.9% of us don't have a tire mounting machine in our garages.


Maybe it wasn't obvious, but I meant bring the tire and wheel assemblies in separately - that is not mounted on a vehicle.

 

[SubLGT]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
SubLGT, yes, it was a serious suggestion. Many of us here on BITOG - myself included - have the $40 Harbor Freight tire changer and mount our own tires.


This one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-tire-changer-69686.html

Does it work well with low profile tires, such as .45 aspect ratio?

 

[Kestas]

Yes, that's the one. I've never used it for low profile tires, so someone else will need to comment.

A couple of caveats:
- it's a workout to change tires with this unit
- this setup will mar aluminum rims

It's great for setting up spare tires. No need to pay the shop $10 to mount a $5 tire.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: SubLGT
Originally Posted By: Kestas
SubLGT, yes, it was a serious suggestion. Many of us here on BITOG - myself included - have the $40 Harbor Freight tire changer and mount our own tires.


This one?
http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-tire-changer-69686.html

Does it work well with low profile tires, such as .45 aspect ratio?


Watch a video:

 

[Ken2]

No problem having the local DT put T-speed rated tires on my turbo Volvo. I was trying for a less harsh ride. It worked somewhat. I know that the H tires are better tires, but the T's did OK.

 

[UG_Passat]

luckily.... mine only has an H-speed rating

but have W-rated Kumho ECSTA Platinum LX tires on it

 

[DuckRyder]

RE: Harbor freight tire changer and video...

That would be a lot easier with the changer mounted to the floor or something.

Something a little nicer if you have many tires to change.

http://www.nomartirechanger.com/

(yes it will change car tires.)

Many years ago I had a set of BBS wheels from Tire Rack which I was having some issues with. Since I was going to be in the area Tire Rack arranged for me to take the car by BBS (USA) and let them have a look.

Guess how thy changed tires/wheels? Yep something that looked an awful lot like the Harbor Freight tire changer (but with very nice nylon tools).

Excellent service BTW from birth BBS and Tire Rack.