 OT car tires
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OK so the wife needs new tires... She got 40K+ out of the originals, they badly need to be replaced...
So the question is, should I pop for tires with an 80K mile warrenty, or just have the dealer put on another set of originals? Does the 80K mile warrenty mean they will LAST that long? Or just they'll fix blowouts or whatever?
FYI it's a Ford Focus with 16" rims, Pirelly P6 (I think...) tires. Dealer wants 100 n change a corner. There's an STS down the street, and a Firestone not far that might have some sort of deal going with the 4th tire free, but price wise it would probably be similar.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64 |
It has been my experience that those tire warranties are a scam the way they prorate them if there is a problem or if they wear faster than the warranty states. You end up paying anyway. Best thing to do is find the best buy on the best tires you can.
The 80,000 mile warranty usually doesn't cover road hazzards, sometimes it does so ask ,but usually not, and it doesn't mean they will last that long it means they will knock a couple bucks off a new set if they don't. Better have all the paperwork for them and prove they were kept rotated and properly inflated if you plan on claiming the warranty.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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The mileage warranties are treadwear warranties. That is, they guarantee that the tread will last that long. But like Ian says, good luck trying to collect on that. They will simply claim that your tires show signs of under/over inflation and void the warranty. Now, with that said, treadwear warranties are a good indication of how long you can expect the tread to last. I've never had a tire wear out before the warrantied period, of course I do maintain correct pressure. Best to look at what you want from a tire. They have DOT ratings on the sidewall that tell you the ratings for treadwear, traction and temperature. Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires. Link to tire info page Often there is a tradeoff between treadwear and traction. But not always. Most tire stores offer a road hazard warranty. An educated consumer is a smart consumer 
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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They will also ask about wheel alignment. I made the mistake of getting some guaranteed tires from Sears once. They wore out before the warranty period was up but they wanted proof of all that stuff and even then prorated them for the mileage I had already gotten. I ended up getting a better deal by going somewhere else to just buy a set with no warranty for mileage.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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Ben, Check this site out. Lots of info, lots of customer reviews, and another source of prices to compare. Tire Rack I bought my last 3 sets of auto tires from them and I like it! You might even find the original tires and see what the mileage rating is for them and start your comparison. Don't skimp, whatever you do. Tires and brakes - never go cheap.
More flags
More fun!
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
I've been running Cooper tires on my p/up, bought & installed from a local guy. I always try to support the local guys. Last December, the tread was a little worn, after 60,000+ miles. There were some splits on the sidewalls of one or two.
Got the new set installed, then a few months later Cooper sent a check for something less than $300. Can't beat that. I don't know if Cooper "warranties" all of their stuff like that, but I'm happy.
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Driving my Altima 60k per year, I'm pretty familiar with buying tires....
Tire Rack is good, if you can locate a shop in your area that will install reasonably. I can't. So, I price match to the Tire Rack (buy four tires, add shipping, print that page with the total). Sears will match that cost or beat it.
I'm completely sold on Kuhmo tires and have been using them almost exclusively for the past 7-8 years. I have a set of their high-performance summer tires on our '96 Impala SS. It handles better in dry and wet than the OEM Bridgestones which were twice the cost of the Kuhmo's.
I had two sets of Kuhmo Ecsta (standard touring) on my Accord. Both sets went over 80k and were 1/3 the price of the OEM Michelins that only lasted 65k.
I just put a set of Kuhmo Ecsta on my Altima, so far they've equaled the OEM Bridgestones at about a 45% price reduction.
I put Kuhmo's on both my daughters car, each from Sears (Buick Lesabre & Accord).
I don't think you can beat this tire company. Prices have gone up somewhat, but they are still lower than the big brands.
Al
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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I never much pay attention to tire mileage ratings. My commute is about 7 miles each way. If it was longer I'd probably care. My favorite tire for my VW Golf is the Goodyear Eagle GT II. Good performance in all weather conditions (I've never run snow tires on that car and I've owned it for 11.5 years). I get a few years out of them. I need tires for the Dakota but I'll probably run some basic BF Goodrich Radial T/As on it (I have a good set of studded snow tires on it now).
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
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Thanks a lot guys. I was happy with the pirelli's until this winter... Granted they were pretty worn down, but last fall it was tough to justify buying new ones just for snow traction for the three storms we got, ya know?
I am familiar with tire rack, I got tires for my saturn from them back in the day. Problem again is the local shop...
Never thought of sears. I do like the Khumos too, my dad has some on his Jetta. Likes em, but he drives like Mr Magoo. Good to know Sears carries them, and that they last a long time! I'll check a local shop I heard about on the radio the other day too.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,048
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2008
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Quote:
Thanks a lot guys. I was happy with the pirelli's until this winter... Granted they were pretty worn down, but last fall it was tough to justify buying new ones just for snow traction for the three storms we got, ya know?
I am familiar with tire rack, I got tires for my saturn from them back in the day. Problem again is the local shop...
Never thought of sears. I do like the Khumos too, my dad has some on his Jetta. Likes em, but he drives like Mr Magoo. Good to know Sears carries them, and that they last a long time! I'll check a local shop I heard about on the radio the other day too.
Make sure you go to tirerack.com and do your research! There are some models of Kumhos that WEAR FAST, but they're designed that way.
I like the Solus KH16 version. Good wear and quiet too.
Clay
01010100 01110010 01101001 01110101 01101101 01110000 01101000 <3
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Typically the higher the speed rating, the faster the wear. I can't recall the car Benny needs shoes for, but bet it's not a summer-only tire car. I bet something from the Solus line will fit. Sears of course has their own version of Kuhmo, its labeled the "Ecsta" which was the Solus. Confused? http://www.kumhousa.com/Tire.aspx?id=56&cat=22Quote:
Quote:
Thanks a lot guys. I was happy with the pirelli's until this winter... Granted they were pretty worn down, but last fall it was tough to justify buying new ones just for snow traction for the three storms we got, ya know?
I am familiar with tire rack, I got tires for my saturn from them back in the day. Problem again is the local shop...
Never thought of sears. I do like the Khumos too, my dad has some on his Jetta. Likes em, but he drives like Mr Magoo. Good to know Sears carries them, and that they last a long time! I'll check a local shop I heard about on the radio the other day too.
Make sure you go to tirerack.com and do your research! There are some models of Kumhos that WEAR FAST, but they're designed that way.
I like the Solus KH16 version. Good wear and quiet too.
Clay
Al
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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OP
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Yeah the Sears had the Ecsta or whatever. But the website says they are out... Need to call and see if they can order them etc. We'll see...
The car is a Ford Focus with 16's. Nothin fancy, the wife calls it "the skittle" cause it's red. (Sangria red to be exact) Good little commuter car, even has remote start!
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
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Al, here's the quote I got from a local tire place... Quote:
RE YOUR TIRE REQUEST- 205/50R16 KUMHO ECSTA ASX A/S 87W $95.00 EACH ALL BUT TAX $15.00 EACH FOR ROAD HAZZARD. FREE ROTATION LIFETIME. A/SO KUMHO ECSTA KU25 87H $79.00 INCLUDES ALL BUT TAX ROAD HAZZARD $15.00 PER LIFETIME ROTATION
I'm thinking the KU25 tires, because I don't need the W speed rating, H (which is like 140 mph) is WAY more than she'll need! Tire rack has them cheaper, but I'm pretty sure shipping plus installation would make up the difference... Whacha think?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Over the years on all our vehicles I've replaced the original equipment tires with Cooper rubber.
Made in USA, reasonably priced, and great performance & wear.
Good luck & happy motoring.
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,525 |
Quote:
Over the years on all our vehicles I've replaced the original equipment tires with Cooper rubber.
Made in USA
Great Choice!! Cooper Discover HT or LT are my choice for light duty truck or SUVs or touring all season tires for cars
Erwin
05 America
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I kind of lean to Michelin, B F Goodrich, or Uniroyal myself. But maybe that's because they give me a paycheck ever week 
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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H speed rated tires is all you'll ever need for your daily-driver Ford. Tire speed ratings are a compromise between grip, wear and ride comfort. I've been using nothing but H-rated tires in my last two vehicles (Accord & Altima) and they do great - all year round including plenty of snow/ice use. I carry chains in my car, just in case but have never had to resort in using them. And I've been in some pretty wicked snow/ice storms (325,000+ East Coast miles in the past six years). I don't think those Kuhmo's will disappoint. Quote:
Al, here's the quote I got from a local tire place...
Quote:
RE YOUR TIRE REQUEST- 205/50R16 KUMHO ECSTA ASX A/S 87W $95.00 EACH ALL BUT TAX $15.00 EACH FOR ROAD HAZZARD. FREE ROTATION LIFETIME. A/SO KUMHO ECSTA KU25 87H $79.00 INCLUDES ALL BUT TAX ROAD HAZZARD $15.00 PER LIFETIME ROTATION
I'm thinking the KU25 tires, because I don't need the W speed rating, H (which is like 140 mph) is WAY more than she'll need! Tire rack has them cheaper, but I'm pretty sure shipping plus installation would make up the difference... Whacha think?
Al
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
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Thanks Al. I am going to call the garage back tomorrow and see if they have them there, if so I'm gonna grab em.
Thanks everyone else for the advice too!
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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go to tirerack and check out ratings and reviews
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
I just took your advice here Frank and checked out the reviews of the tires I have on my Silverado pick up: GoodYear's LS-2. And the reason I did that was that yesterday while driving from L.A. to my other place in Prescott AZ with my BA in the bed of the truck, I experienced my SECOND blowout in two years on the Interstate.
I wanted to see if anybody else had had the same issues with these tires. I couldn't find anyone saying anything about that particular issue, however it was kind of interesting reading the wide range of reviews by others out there...everything from, "These are the worst tires I've ever had", to, "These are the best tires, etc."
(tell ya one thing...it sure ain't no fun havin' these blowouts at 75MPH on these things!)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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 Re: OT car tires
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Joined: May 2005
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Quote:
I never much pay attention to tire mileage ratings. My commute is about 7 miles each way. If it was longer I'd probably care. My favorite tire for my VW Golf is the Goodyear Eagle GT II. Good performance in all weather conditions (I've never run snow tires on that car and I've owned it for 11.5 years). I get a few years out of them. I need tires for the Dakota but I'll probably run some basic BF Goodrich Radial T/As on it (I have a good set of studded snow tires on it now).
Dakota is a good truck. Ran over my first wife..with a Dakota 
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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OP
Should be Riding
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I saw mixed reviews too. It occured to me to see what people thought of the OEM tires too and the reviews were WAY worse! So if I sort of do a mental bell curve, and grade my experience with the OEMs compared to the reviews, I'd give them an A! That's how bad the reviews were... So if I think of the Kumhos that way, they would be like an A+++
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: OT car tires
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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They don't usually advertise it, but Sears will price match if you ask.
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Re: OT car tires
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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From my earlier post: "So, I price match to the Tire Rack (buy four tires, add shipping, print that page with the total). Sears will match that cost or beat it." You will probably have to explain this to the Sears sales associate, they never seem to be familiar with the process (at least at the Sears in my small town.) I think it is explained on their tire website. I typically order the tires thru the web, have them sent to my local Sears and than arrange for an install. Quote:
They don't usually advertise it, but Sears will price match if you ask.
Last edited by ssjones; 04/04/2009 6:48 AM.
Al
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Re: OT car tires
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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I didn't catch your earlier mention of Sears' price match. I use Michelin exclusively and have had Sears shoe 5 or 6 vehicles. You're right about having to walk them through the process, but it's usually worth the effort. That being said, the last set I bought for the Sierra (LTX A/T2), I picked up at BJ's Club. Sears couldn't order them yet.
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Re: OT car tires
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Should be Riding
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Follow up question... I know they put a little dot or circle on the tire to help the tech line up the valve stem... Is it a bad thing if that's NOT actually lined up? I mean the car rides just fine, real smooth, happy otherwise, and I think it's just a way to help get the ballance close from the start, but I figured I would ask.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: OT car tires
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Well, that is a general idea, but I bet the tech tells you they had to position where they did for the "best balance". That might be the truth or BS, who knows. Mine aren't exactly lined up either. (and I bought my installer lunch!) Quote:
Follow up question... I know they put a little dot or circle on the tire to help the tech line up the valve stem... Is it a bad thing if that's NOT actually lined up? I mean the car rides just fine, real smooth, happy otherwise, and I think it's just a way to help get the ballance close from the start, but I figured I would ask.
Al
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64 |
Quote:
Follow up question... I know they put a little dot or circle on the tire to help the tech line up the valve stem... Is it a bad thing if that's NOT actually lined up? I mean the car rides just fine, real smooth, happy otherwise, and I think it's just a way to help get the ballance close from the start, but I figured I would ask.
No it doesn't make a big difference as long as it was balanced, it probably took slightly more weight to balance it is all.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: OT car tires
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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OP
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Thanks guys. I can see where they took off old weights and put on new, so that's encouraging. Definitely smoother ride, and I feel much better! The wife even got pulled over this morning, apparently they make it easier to go faster! No ticket tho...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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