Hello all,

I bought the last 4 new tires (Michelin Defender 185/65R14 86T) at Costco, and yesterday they found a nail in the side wall of one, but they no longer carry 14" tires, let alone the same Michelin, which apparently has been discontinued, so they put on my spare, which I noticed has cracks (see attachments) on both the tread & side walls. The date code on the spare is 3206 (32nd week of 2006), so I'm thinking it may be time to replace it as well.

Obviously, I'll have to shop elsewhere for tires, but I'll still get a proration credit from Costco on one new tire, which should be decent, since I've only put about 10,000 miles on the tires. That said, at least one of the remaining 3 original tires got quite a bit of uneven wear, while I was saving up for a power steering rack replacement, which took longer than expected. Therefore, I'm considering the following options, on all of which I'd get a proration credit from Costco for one tire:

1) I found the same Michelin available locally, but only with the H speed rating not T, like my original tires; it costs $111.99 + installation = $135.48.*
2) If it's best to replace the spare, I could get 2 of the Michelin's, but again I'd be mixing speed ratings, costing $111.99 ea + installation = $270.96.*
3) I could get 3 new Michelin's and replace the tire that got quite a bit of uneven wear, still mixing speed ratings $111.99 ea + installation = $406.44.**
4) I also found $100 off, if I buy 4 new tires, where I can get a similar tire (General Altimax RT43) for $89.99 ea + installation - $100 off = $339.92.

*Options 1 & 2 would most likely allow me to keep Costco road hazard warranty coverage, until it expires in November as well as free lifetime maintenance services.
**Option 3 is the least cost effective, so if I were going to considering it, I'd just go with option 4.

That said, what would you do?

 

According to Tire Rack H is better then T speed rating.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...g&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'd at minimum do the 2, however looks cheap enough for option 4.

 

You don't need to make a second thread.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...tires-3361879/

 

Unless you’re a H-T Moderator or have something to contribute to either thread, you need to STFU.

 

Thanks!

I'm not really sure what that link was supposed to lead me to, other than TR's homepage, but as far as an H speed rating being "better then T," yes H (up to 130 mph) is higher than T (up to 118 mph), but unless you're a street racer, which I'm not, the maximum speeds of other than the very low categories are in the range that I'll likely never see, so I don't tend to obsess over speed ratings. That said, when I the OEM spec was S (up to 112 mph).

FWIW:
T speed ratings are most associated with standard touring tires, and everyday passenger vehicles like family sedans and minivans. While an H speed rating is at the low end, or at the start of the performance tire speed ratings; ideal for sport and luxury coupes and sedans, but not typically considered full-fledged performance vehicles, and are common in the grand touring all-season tire category.