Hi, I want the michelin defender tire for it's long tread life and good warranty. But costco won't install them on my civic(stock size is 195/65-15) because it came with H speed rated tires from Honda. But on the Michelin website, when I look up my trim model the defender is listed as an "acceptable alternative". So when they say acceptable, do they mean Honda considers them acceptable? Or just that michelin themselves consider them acceptable? The T rating on these tires doesn't bother me and wouldn't make me feel unsafe. They are the ones I want!

 

Go somewhere else?

 

But it's not just costco, most shops these days will not install tires will a lower speed rating then what is on the label on the door jam. And I called around and costco is the cheapest by far, and their road hazard warranty is excellent. Keep in mind I am in Canada and getting them through US sources is not an option.

I guess I will just go in and show them michelin's website that lists them as acceptable for my car. I just can't understand why michelin wouldn't manufacture these to meet spec of such a mainstream car.

 

I've never heard of this problem....

T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes

Who even brought up the tire rating? Just go speak with a manager. I don't think a 12mph speed difference is going to kill you or them.

 

Maybe it's a liablity issue? Since a lot of people tend to be lawsuit happy maybe they're worried about the car getting in an accident, then the tires cited as the cause of the accident, then they'd be sued for putting on tires with a different speed rating than what the car manufacturer stated.

I could be wrong but that's just my assumption.

 

Correct, they are not able to warranty the tires if the car has a higher performance spec than what the tires are rated for. You would not be able to hold them liable for damages in the event of a tire failure.

 

I believe this would be the case, Honda has a minimum speed rating for their vehicles, and for a shop to install something rated lower could put the shop in jeopardy for liability...They'd rather lose the sale. We have customers all the time who want the cheapest tires available.

*guess I should read all the posts b/4 posting up..."just like 97emsedan sez"*

 

Simply put, because the Civic does not have a speed governor that limits it to 118mph, installing a tire that has a lower speed rating than the car is capable of travelling makes installing T-rated tires a potential safety issue, which is why Costco won't do it. Discount Tire refused to install a pair of winter tires on the front of my old car, because it's also technically unsafe, even though my car had VSC and was theoretically incapable of spinning as a result.

That said, how much money are you really saving by putting cheapo tires on your car? Tires are the most important factor that determines your car's ride quality, noise level, handling, and braking. Car makers take this into consideration when designing a car, and have carefully chosen and tested the tires that they install at the factory. The few bucks you save at the outset are probably not worth the long-term tradeoffs.

 

I beleive it. It also has been a while since I did something outside of OEM, like +2. When I went to (America's) Discount Tire, it seems like I can get whatever I want. The set up is already outside of OEM (aftermarket wheels, suspension, etc.), so....

 

Yesterday, while buying my winter steel rims at local Honda dealer I asked which tires I should use for the summer. He said he would only use:
Michelin Defender for long lasting tread or Michelin Primacy for quiet ride. If the dealer recommends the tires, why Costco doesn't install them. Going to Michelin website and putting vehicle information also gives those tires as tires of choice. My Bridgestone Blizzaks WS-70 which I ordered at Costco are not H rated, but Honda dealer sells and installs them.
Go to the local Honda dealer and check if they sell Michelin Defender. If they do, get a printout with a quote and take it to Costco. If they refuse to install them ask to speak to the manager.

 

I work for Costco, they will never go lower then the recommended speed rating, ever. They are a multi billion dollar company, our tire center does not make any profit, let me repeat that, THE TIRE CENTER DOES NOT MAKE ANY PROFIT, just as the food court doesn't either. They break even and the way Costco looks at it is that their members like those services so they keep them. You are better off purchasing the tires from Costco and having some other shop install them.

 

To me that makes perfect sense... Costco could get sued and they don't want the risk for a lawsuit!

 

You are very fortunate they wouldn't install the Michelin Defender tires!

My tires lasted 30,000 miles and are shredding and losing chunks of rubber! There are many poor reviews on these tires on Consumer Reports web site, (even though they still recommend them!)
Their 90,000 mile warranty is useless. Michelin and the tire dealer will only cover a small portion of replacement tires.

Conservative driver. City & freeway driving. Honda Odyssey.

 

This. I've bought at Sam's and mounted at Discount Tire. Worth the $100 savings.

 

go to a ma and pa shop. or a lil hole in a wall shop or where you see mexicans.. lol they will do it.

 

It is a liability issue, and the NHTSA is very keen on tires. They say there is over 11,000 preventable tire related accidents a year. It is just best to have a policy where you wont get sued putting the incorrect tires on a vehicle, and tires are important. They are the only thing between you and the road. It is just not the speed rating. A lower rated tire can cause unwanted handling characteristics slow corner response and unpredictable steering.

so ya switching from an H to a T could actually contribute to an accident resulting in being killed.