I just had my car's annual safety inspection and I was told it did not pass because the tread depth on the driver's side front tire (just one tire) was too low.


Time to buy a new tire.


I took it too my local BJ's Wholesale Club where I usually buy my tires and they presented the following conundrum (ie. mess).


The front tires and the rear tires are different on my 2002 Volvo s40. Here is the present situation.


Front: 88 H Continental
Rear : 91 T Michelin guaranteed to be 90000 miles


All tires are 195/60/R15.


They would not put on a 91 T tire. It is a Michelin tire rated at 90,000 miles and costs $ 116.00, plus $ 15.00 install cost. The load and speed ratings are not acceptable or so they say.


They want to put on a Michelin tire that is rated 88 V.


It costs $ 140.00 (plus $ 15.00 install) and is only rated at 60,000 miles.


Again, they will not put on the 91 T on the front drivers side because it was not rated high enough.


The load rating and speed rating are too low - they said. I want to put on another Michelin 91 T.


I really think that this is a distinction without a difference.


The mechanic consulted a large telephone book like directory on tires when he told me what should be on there is a 88 V, which as I said is a higher price, lower mileage rated tire.


Can I get by with a 91 T Michelin on my 2002 Volvo s40. Should I get by with a 91 T?


I think that is ok. It seems they want to sell me a more expensive tire.


Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Respectfully,


Newport_j

 

The numbers in question are a) the speed rating (T,H,V are the most common for passenger tires). T is speed rated to 118 mph, H to 130 mph and V to 149 mph. This means you can safely drive up to that speed for an extended time without risking damage to the tire. From a common sense perspective, this is an indicator of the tires ability to handle heat built up from the rapid flexing created by high speed driving. In a sense its telling you the quality of the construction more than your risk of a blowout - even on the Autobahn most drivers keep it below 100... b) the two digits refer to the tire's load rating - the higher the number the more load the tire can handle (better sidewall and belt construction). the 88s have a load rating of 1235 lbs, the 91s have a rating of 1356 lbs. Given the S40 isn't a heavy car with a high gross vehicle weight, both are fine (oddly the mechanic suggested a tire with a lower load rating but a higher speed rating... which tells me he simply looked at a recommendation chart or more likely what their store has in stock in a 195/60-15 size). In fact, most snow tires available in this size are 88Ts... With that said, it seems you are interested in a long wearing tire. There are three other rating items to be aware of when researching tires: Temperature rating (A,B,C), traction rating (A,B,C) and treadwear rating (a number typically from 200 to 800 - higher numbers have a longer projected tread life. Anything 500+ is a long wearing tire). I would not bother shopping BJs for tires due to the limited selection and the fact that their prices are not really that good. Quite often you get a name brand like Goodyear or Michelin but you are not getting to shop and compare their branded tire lines. Not sure where you are located but I am sure you can find a better selection of good tires at a much cheaper price than $116. Check out tirerack.com and tiresavings.com to get a good idea of options and brands that have 75,000 mile+ warranties. Also note most tires for your car will be 88Hs...

 

Somebody somewhere must have been sued by a customer who put on tires not rated for their car. I would listen politely to someone telling me that then either insist on my tire choice or go elsewhere. There are far too many tire dealers in this world. I cannot imagine any Michelin that would not work for our little car.

 

88V is the original equipment on the car.

For once, no. It's corporate policy to limit their liability.

You will have to find another tire shop.

 

And take responsibility for your tire decision, whichever it may be.

 

You can try to sign away their liability but in the end it's a corporate decision and if it's a company store there isn't much they can do but say no.
After all if they are saying no and losing the sale as you walk away you know they had no choice as they'd love to have your $$$.