Topic: Opinion on advice

[avro206]

My parents were in town this last week and one day before leaving he got a flat tire. Since he had 72,000kms on the set he decided to get them all replaced.

The car is a 2002 Cvic LX with 185/65/15 Firestone FR690s (think that is right)H rated

Went around and got some quotes.

One tire guy was real adamant that putting a T rated (118 mph (190 kph)tire was dangerous  
and he wold not sell us these tires. He was hinting he could be held liable. He really predicted doom if we had these tires on the car.

Now the H rated are up to 130 mph (210 kph). My Dad drives like a grandpa (okay he is). Never sqeals the tires or corners fast. Once in awhile on the highway he'll go up to 140km/h for a shot period.

Can you give your honest opinion on what this guy said? Wa he over reacting? He also said the Civic LX has a sports suspension-----it does not---beleive me.

Went some where else and got the Toyo TPT--T rated, 195/60/15 (same a a 2 dr coupe Si) whats your t thoughts on those?


thanks very much Tiretrends--my Dad bought winter tires from you and my wife bought some Falkens. If he was in his hoime city he would have bought from you again.

[Erich H]

Last fall I replaced a set of 205/55R16 H-rated tires (Goodyear Eagle RS-A) with T-rated tires (Michelin HydroEdge) on a '96 Cavalier Z24. Now I'm no Colin McRea by any means but I do tend to have the occasional aggressive streak and I didn't find my driving style was compromised in the least.

Doing average highway speeds of 120-130 km/h was perfectly fine. One of my rims was slightly bent and the RS-As (2 successive sets) always had a tendency to vibrate but the vibration actually disappeared with the HydroEdge tires, so they ended up feeling more stable at high speeds. The HydroEdge tires were infinitely better in the wet although the road noise factor due to the harder compound ended up being a bit more than I would have liked.

So, based on your father's driving style, I wouldn't worry about the speed rating drop, as long as you're dealing with a quality tire. That's my opinion.

[ovr50]

I would agree, based on dad's driving, the "T" rated should be just fine, maybe even "Q" rated is OK. Just my opinion.

[avro206]

Thanks for the replioes guys---thats what I was thinking.

care to chime in Morty?

[quadzilla]

There should be nothing wrong with driving on the lower rating with those habits.  

I went to California late in the year once and put my snows (Q rated) on before leaving so that I could get though the mountain passes.  I had no troubles with those even under warm conditions.  Sure they weren’t as stiff as my V rated summer tires but they did the job.  I don’t think that the average driver could tell the difference anyway.

Maybe that salesperson was saying that to make more money?

[morty]

This is a delicate one. In his mind the dealer is doing the right thing here. He is sacrificing the sale of 4 tires to give you the proper advice. However, the LX also came with S-rated tires and was probably upgraded to 15" H-rated. If you are just going by looking at the tires, H would be the correct. However, I would look in the owners manual or the door jam and it will give you the goods. I think you will find that the T-rating will be more than fine in this case as it is still higher than the original equipment 14" option.

FYI it is not recommended to go below the original equipment speed rating. Tires are part of the brakes and suspension...downgrade the tires and you lower the braking and handling that was designed into the car. That means your car isnt as safe.


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