Frustration - Tire dealers and speed rating (1 Viewer)

[cmassa]

I'm getting really frustrated. I have an '03 LC and my current Michelin Latitude tires are worn out and I want more of an A/T tire now, specifically looking at the Michelin LTX A/T2. Problems is I haven't found a trire dealer in town yet that will put on any tire other than the tires recommended by Toyota which are 275/60/18 with a speed rating of 111H. It's that speed rating which really limits the kind of tires that can be found. It's not like this car will go 130 mph. The dealer's argument is that it is a liability to go against the rating due to unforseen handling issues. All tires the I find in that speed rating are essentially highway tires. Any recommendations? Just call more places? Other tires?

Thanks.

 

[Gottagetone]

Go to Discount Tire, thats crazy. Look for my post on New Shoes, I got a set of 5 tires yesterday for under $1000 out the door. You can always order them online and have them put on locally.

 

[jonharis]

The tire rating of 111H is a combo of Load and speed. The 111 indicates the max rated weight per tire at the max rated air pressure. in this case it's 2403lbs. The H as you stated is a tire tested to 130mph. Speed ratings also play a role in stopping power and tire life because the higher the rating the softer the compound typically.

Wit regards to the shops not selling you any lower speed rated tire I would keep shopping around. Do you have a Sam's or Costco or Discount? I know that their computer systems will show lower speed rated tires as acceptable. You may also need to slightly change your tire size. In the case of the LTX A/T 2 you could go with a 275/65R18 or 275/70R18 which will fit with no problems stock. They are all a heavier weight rating but a lower speed rating of R which is typical of light truck tires. Tell them that you have a light truck and that its the same thing (we know its not but the tire monkeys don't know the difference) as a Tundra.

If all fails and no one will help get them from Tire Rack.

 

[cmassa]

I had figured out I would need to change size slightly, probably going to 275/65. With the 18" wheels Toyota lists only one speed rating - 111H. With the 17" wheels there are more options for speed and load rating but I'm not going to replace the rims. I'll call around some more.

Has anyone noticed a handling or other problem with putting on different spec tires. I would think not since so many do it. We are mostly on road obviously but are occasionally on dirt or gravel and pull a boat. The top of the ramp we use is gravel so I was hoping for a little more aggressive tire. We are also in the snow a fair amount in the Winter at Tahoe.

 

[cmassa]

I just had another thought, since I will be changing tire size a little will I have to replace the spare as well or would it be OK to run a short time on a 275/60 if the other three are 275/65? My spare is also original to the car (9 years old) and has about 500 miles on it.

Chris

 

[jonharis]

You would be OK in an emergency for a short time at low speeds but I would recommend getting a matching spare. When you have your tires rotated at 5-7K intervals have them rotate the spare into the mix. You will get longer overall wear and your spare will always match the rolling tires.

Search also provides more info.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/127558-tire-size-question-affect-awd-system.html

 

[taccruiser97]

I am tired of Tire Dealers trying to scam me and using their BS company policies to try to do it. I went in to have my BFG ATs rotated and the counter guy started off with, "I don't think we will be able to do your rotation, your tires are dated". I told him the sidewalls were fine, the tread depth was good, and if he ever wanted to sell me another set of high dollar off road tires again, he should the honor the original purchase agreement which included free yearly rotations by his store for the life of my vehicle.

"Well, I guess the tires are ok" was his response, and then they went ahead and did the rotation.

I do think tires have a service life, but I don't think a tire dealer should dictate replacement just because their chain policy book says to. The same goes for the speed rating, I don't care what their little book says about which tire speed rating is applicable to which vehicle, just sell me the damn tire I want to put on.

Rant off.

 

[hks3sgte]

You need to go to the local Latin tire shop... they'll install any tire you want for 5 bucks a pop! Balance and alignment extra but the end result is the same as the "known" places. (warranty may differ )

 

[cmassa]

I went to America's Tire (Discount Tire) and got some Michelin LTX A/T2 in 275/65/18. They even had them in stock. They didn't care they were not the size and speed rating specified by Toyota. I think they look good and the handling is great, of course I only have 50 miles on them so far. I'll pull the boat in a couple of days and try some light off-road next weekend to see how they do. I'm sure they will be fine.

Chris

 

[TheFuzz]

Been going to Discount Tire for about 6 years now with nary an issue. Free balance/rotations as often as I want for the life of the tires. Good folks, good company.