2013 LR4 New tire question

[Mike Pugeda]

Hi, new member here. Hope you don't mind me asking what might be a question with a simple answer, but need to find out as soon as possible.

I have a 2013 LR4 which seems to eat tire tread for breakfast. The local dealership tried to schedule me an appointment with them for a new set of four tires. Their prices seemed to be a little on the high side, so I called a tire specialist to schedule the installation. The service guy at the dealership called me back and I told him I had scheduled an appointment elsewhere. He then went on to say that the tire specialist doesn't have the right equipment to install the tires properly, and that I would subsequently have to bring my LR4 back to the dealership to have everything calibrated (I think that's the word he used) and pay an additional $350 to have this done.

So, I guess my question is, can I have tires put on anywhere? Is there anything special that needs to be done that could only be done by the dealership? Is the service guy trying to just get me to buy tires at the dealership? I figured putting on new tires isn't that difficult, but didn't know if there was anything with the electronic suspension that requires the dealer to do it.

By the way, I called a different dealer because I was skeptical, but he basically said I could take it anywhere. I just wanted to make sure. Sorry for the long-winded question and thanks in advance.

Mike

 

[ryanjl]

Your dealer is full of it.

If you still have the stock Continentals, I would get a different kind of tire. There are many threads on here that will guide you with regard to what's good.

 

[umbertob]

Make sure that the shop you choose uses a Hunter Road Force computerized spin balancer, that's what LR dealers use and the only one Land Rover recommends in its workshop manual to properly balance tires (Hunter has an online database of shops that use their balancers, if you want to see what's nearest your ZIP code: http://www.hunter.com/gsp9700) Other than that, no special precautions and you can go anywhere you want - as long as it's a reputable place... I have read of horror stories where shops used a floor jack on the EAS compressor cover while attempting to jack up a Land Rover. Then again, if they weren't reputable they probably couldn't afford to buy a Hunter wheel balance machine.

 

[mpinco]

Bought tires from (Discount), who also do rotate and balance at my interval (cost built into purchase), and dealer for alignment ($119). Alignment interval based on my adventures.

Tires are General Grabber AT2 which are E-rated. So far 20K miles with excellent tread remaining. Previous owner had Pirelli P-rated on the truck. Felt squishy and not up to towing. Suspect tire wear would be higher for those stock like tires.

 

[AxelR]

As a matter of fact not all dealerships are created equal and therefore don't all use Hunter equipment.
That being said your dealership service person is a crook.

 

[Mike Pugeda]

Thanks for the responses all. The LR4 came stock with Continentals and they only lasted approx. 22,000 miles. Stupid me, I put them on again when they needed to be replaced the first time.

This time I'm going to try Michelin Premier LTX's. I have them on my Nissan Armada, and the tread life seems to be holding up much better.

 

[PaulLR3]

I have the Michelin Premier LTX's on both our LR4's in the summer. Very quiet and hold up well despite their rather shallow tread pattern when new. I run winter tires but if you are going with these tires year-round, your best bet may be the Nokian WRG3. Much better in winter than the Premier LTX.

 

[AxelR]

I hear that the LTX is a great tire, supposed to be good in snow too.
Good choice.

 

[GBRover]

I just replace my Toyo's with the Nokian WRG3 and love them. Waiting anxiously for the first big New England snow!

 

[richpike]

Here's a quick compare from Consumer Reports. The LTX is their highest rated SUV all season. The Nokian rates well too. I threw in a tire I haven't heard a lot of discussion around but does offer a 255/55R19 size - Firestone Destination LE2. I rarely think of Firestone, but it was rated pretty high.

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-Rich