Local Tire store refuses to install S rated tire on 2015 LR4

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Blake Middleton

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I bought a set of Nitto Terra Grappler G2 265/50/20 to install on my LR4, however, my local tire shop will not install them because they are S rated and not W or Y as recommended by LR. This seems rediculous since I'm not even sure the LR4 would get up to 112 mph, much less 160 or 180. Their excuse was that if they installed the tires and I got into a wreck, they would be liable for putting tires of a different rating than recommended by LR. Anyone else had this issue? Should I try another shop, or will they likely say the same thing?
 

Quijote

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OEM Contis are V-rated. Townfair Tire installed Conti Terraincontacts that are also V-rated. It's a freakin' heavy, capable SUV. They should let you install whatever you want.

I can see issues like installing different tires, or only 2 tires, etc. But a complete set of tires just based on speed rating? That's nuts.

I say go elsewhere.
 

ktm525

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Costco operate like that, they allow one deviation from what was original installed. A problem when Ys were installed as OEM. They eventually mounted my H rated Michelins but the wheels had to be loose from the vehicle. They would not mount the tire to the vehicle.
 

namenda

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I have the same-size Terra Grappler G2s installed by Discount Tire, no questions asked.
 

catman

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What your shop is failing to understand is that tire construction has many facets. A higher speed rating on the OEM tires helps compensates for a lower load rating. Most performance tires are not made for 3 ton vehicles and have lower load ratings! And no car manufacturer (non-exotic anyway) expects you to need to drive 160mph!

The OEM tires are probably load rated at 109 where the Nittos are 111. The extra load rating on the Nittos indirectly allows the tire to handle more heat/load stress similar to OEM tires that have a lower load rating but higher speed rating.

The performance between the 2 tires will be different because the treads are different but the SAFETY in terms of running under heavy heat/load stress will be on par with eachother and that is what they are actually worried about. LR itself specified that Goodyear make the Duratracs in the 255/55/19 size for their vehicles (this is what Goodyear told me) and they were Q speed rated, but 111 load rated
 
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gsxr

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Discount Tire stores will not install tires that have any specs below factory. They refused to let me order a set of Hakka snows that were load rated 107R, because their computer said the LR4 required a minimum load rating of 111. I ended up buying the tires from them online (had a great deal with coupon / free shipping), delivered to my house. I then brought the loose wheels & tires to a different shop which mounted & RoadForce balanced them.

I later discovered the owner's manual shows that a load rating as low as 107 was approved; however I doubt this would have changed their mind... they likely would have stuck with what their computer said.

:rolleyes:
 

ar077

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Discount Tire stores will not install tires that have any specs below factory. They refused to let me order a set of Hakka snows that were load rated 107R, because their computer said the LR4 required a minimum load rating of 111. I ended up buying the tires from them online (had a great deal with coupon / free shipping), delivered to my house. I then brought the loose wheels & tires to a different shop which mounted & RoadForce balanced them.

I later discovered the owner's manual shows that a load rating as low as 107 was approved; however I doubt this would have changed their mind... they likely would have stuck with what their computer said.

:rolleyes:
What you meant to say is that Discount Tire store [viz., the one you went to] will not install tires with any specs below factory. My Discount Tire store didn't bat an eye when installing S-rated 285/50-20 Nitto Terra Grappler G2s in place of the stock W-rated 255/55-20 Goodyear Eagles on my D5 (I also replaced the stock 20" x 8.5" wheels with 20" x 9.5" Redbourne wheels). Find another Discount Tire store.

New Tires.jpg
 

gsxr

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AFAIK, it's the official policy for the company. If a store doesn't follow policy, great. I was trying to give them money and they refused to take it!

They also won't service any tire more than 10 years old, but as you mentioned, some stores may not check the date code (or may ignore the policy):
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-safety

" At Discount Tire, we recommend replacing any tire that is 6 years or more past the date of manufacture, and will not service tires that are 10 years or more past the date of manufacture."

:confused:
 

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