Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

Apologies for the double post - I was lurking in a KISS newsgroup for some
strange reason and inadvertently x-posted to it instead of
rec.autos.makers.honda. :-/

Again...

I've had my 2004 Civic LX for a few days now and I really like it. I do
have one concern, however. The dealer replaced the original Firestone tires
with Bridgestone Insignia's, which I know are low end OEM-type tires. My
concern is that these tires are S-rated, but my manual says that H-rated
tires are recommended for the LX model (S is acceptable for the base DX).

I know that the maximum speed capability for an S-rated tire is 180km/h
(112mph). Because I never approach anywhere near that speed, I figure the
S-rated tires should be OK on my LX, notwithstanding that they probably
won't last long with all the driving I have been doing as of late. But what
I would like to know is if I could use a Q-rated winter tire on the car
during the winter months, or if this is too big of a drop from the
recommended H.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

In article <fnsudr0fzh3v$.dlg@hightech.misfit>,
High Tech Misfit <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>I've had my 2004 Civic LX for a few days now and I really like it. I do
>have one concern, however. The dealer replaced the original Firestone tires
>with Bridgestone Insignia's, which I know are low end OEM-type tires. My
>concern is that these tires are S-rated, but my manual says that H-rated
>tires are recommended for the LX model (S is acceptable for the base DX).

Usually (though not always), the lower speed rated tires are less sporty
in terms of handling and braking capabilities (which affect safety).
They may be designed more for comfort; some are designed for long tread
wear and low rolling resistance (better fuel economy), while others are
just cheap.

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy J. Lee
Unsolicited bulk or commercial email is not welcome.
No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

In article <fnsudr0fzh3v$.dlg@hightech.misfit>,
High Tech Misfit <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>I've had my 2004 Civic LX for a few days now and I really like it. I do
>have one concern, however. The dealer replaced the original Firestone tires
>with Bridgestone Insignia's, which I know are low end OEM-type tires. My
>concern is that these tires are S-rated, but my manual says that H-rated
>tires are recommended for the LX model (S is acceptable for the base DX).

Usually (though not always), the lower speed rated tires are less sporty
in terms of handling and braking capabilities (which affect safety).
They may be designed more for comfort; some are designed for long tread
wear and low rolling resistance (better fuel economy), while others are
just cheap.

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy J. Lee
Unsolicited bulk or commercial email is not welcome.
No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

In article <fnsudr0fzh3v$.dlg@hightech.misfit>,
High Tech Misfit <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>I've had my 2004 Civic LX for a few days now and I really like it. I do
>have one concern, however. The dealer replaced the original Firestone tires
>with Bridgestone Insignia's, which I know are low end OEM-type tires. My
>concern is that these tires are S-rated, but my manual says that H-rated
>tires are recommended for the LX model (S is acceptable for the base DX).

Usually (though not always), the lower speed rated tires are less sporty
in terms of handling and braking capabilities (which affect safety).
They may be designed more for comfort; some are designed for long tread
wear and low rolling resistance (better fuel economy), while others are
just cheap.

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timothy J. Lee
Unsolicited bulk or commercial email is not welcome.
No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

Some additional thoughts:
Some lower speed ratings also have a lower load rating. Probably not too low
for your Civic, but something to keep in mind as you lower the speed rating
and perhaps up the speed. It can overheat the tire if excessive and cause
failure at the most inopportune time.
Howard
"High Tech Misfit" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:fnsudr0fzh3v$.dlg@hightech.misfit...
> Apologies for the double post - I was lurking in a KISS newsgroup for some
> strange reason and inadvertently x-posted to it instead of
> rec.autos.makers.honda. :-/
>
> Again...
>
> I've had my 2004 Civic LX for a few days now and I really like it. I do
> have one concern, however. The dealer replaced the original Firestone
> tires
> with Bridgestone Insignia's, which I know are low end OEM-type tires. My
> concern is that these tires are S-rated, but my manual says that H-rated
> tires are recommended for the LX model (S is acceptable for the base DX).
>
> I know that the maximum speed capability for an S-rated tire is 180km/h
> (112mph). Because I never approach anywhere near that speed, I figure the
> S-rated tires should be OK on my LX, notwithstanding that they probably
> won't last long with all the driving I have been doing as of late. But
> what
> I would like to know is if I could use a Q-rated winter tire on the car
> during the winter months, or if this is too big of a drop from the
> recommended H.
>
> Thanks in advance.

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

Some additional thoughts:
Some lower speed ratings also have a lower load rating. Probably not too low
for your Civic, but something to keep in mind as you lower the speed rating
and perhaps up the speed. It can overheat the tire if excessive and cause
failure at the most inopportune time.
Howard
"High Tech Misfit" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:fnsudr0fzh3v$.dlg@hightech.misfit...
> Apologies for the double post - I was lurking in a KISS newsgroup for some
> strange reason and inadvertently x-posted to it instead of
> rec.autos.makers.honda. :-/
>
> Again...
>
> I've had my 2004 Civic LX for a few days now and I really like it. I do
> have one concern, however. The dealer replaced the original Firestone
> tires
> with Bridgestone Insignia's, which I know are low end OEM-type tires. My
> concern is that these tires are S-rated, but my manual says that H-rated
> tires are recommended for the LX model (S is acceptable for the base DX).
>
> I know that the maximum speed capability for an S-rated tire is 180km/h
> (112mph). Because I never approach anywhere near that speed, I figure the
> S-rated tires should be OK on my LX, notwithstanding that they probably
> won't last long with all the driving I have been doing as of late. But
> what
> I would like to know is if I could use a Q-rated winter tire on the car
> during the winter months, or if this is too big of a drop from the
> recommended H.
>
> Thanks in advance.

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

Some additional thoughts:
Some lower speed ratings also have a lower load rating. Probably not too low
for your Civic, but something to keep in mind as you lower the speed rating
and perhaps up the speed. It can overheat the tire if excessive and cause
failure at the most inopportune time.
Howard
"High Tech Misfit" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:fnsudr0fzh3v$.dlg@hightech.misfit...
> Apologies for the double post - I was lurking in a KISS newsgroup for some
> strange reason and inadvertently x-posted to it instead of
> rec.autos.makers.honda. :-/
>
> Again...
>
> I've had my 2004 Civic LX for a few days now and I really like it. I do
> have one concern, however. The dealer replaced the original Firestone
> tires
> with Bridgestone Insignia's, which I know are low end OEM-type tires. My
> concern is that these tires are S-rated, but my manual says that H-rated
> tires are recommended for the LX model (S is acceptable for the base DX).
>
> I know that the maximum speed capability for an S-rated tire is 180km/h
> (112mph). Because I never approach anywhere near that speed, I figure the
> S-rated tires should be OK on my LX, notwithstanding that they probably
> won't last long with all the driving I have been doing as of late. But
> what
> I would like to know is if I could use a Q-rated winter tire on the car
> during the winter months, or if this is too big of a drop from the
> recommended H.
>
> Thanks in advance.

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

Howard wrote:

> Some additional thoughts:
> Some lower speed ratings also have a lower load rating. Probably not too low
> for your Civic, but something to keep in mind as you lower the speed rating
> and perhaps up the speed. It can overheat the tire if excessive and cause
> failure at the most inopportune time.

Good point. I should have added that the S-rated tires that are on my Civic
do have the load rating that Honda recommends for the LX.

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

Howard wrote:

> Some additional thoughts:
> Some lower speed ratings also have a lower load rating. Probably not too low
> for your Civic, but something to keep in mind as you lower the speed rating
> and perhaps up the speed. It can overheat the tire if excessive and cause
> failure at the most inopportune time.

Good point. I should have added that the S-rated tires that are on my Civic
do have the load rating that Honda recommends for the LX.

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

Howard wrote:

> Some additional thoughts:
> Some lower speed ratings also have a lower load rating. Probably not too low
> for your Civic, but something to keep in mind as you lower the speed rating
> and perhaps up the speed. It can overheat the tire if excessive and cause
> failure at the most inopportune time.

Good point. I should have added that the S-rated tires that are on my Civic
do have the load rating that Honda recommends for the LX.

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

"High Tech Misfit" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:1nbfetuv2bzkk$.dlg@hightech.misfit...
> Howard wrote:
>
>> Some additional thoughts:
>> Some lower speed ratings also have a lower load rating. Probably not too
>> low
>> for your Civic, but something to keep in mind as you lower the speed
>> rating
>> and perhaps up the speed. It can overheat the tire if excessive and cause
>> failure at the most inopportune time.
>
> Good point. I should have added that the S-rated tires that are on my
> Civic
> do have the load rating that Honda recommends for the LX.

My concern is the dealership downgraded the factory recommended tires for
your car. It's riding on a harder rubber so you'll probably get a few more
miles out of it but you're sacrificing the handling and performance
characteristics of the car. As someone else mentioned it affects safety as
well.

True the speed rating determines how fast you can safely drive with those
tires but it will also affect the heat index and often wet weather traction
(the traction rating on the tires). Most people will never drive as fast as
the speed rating on the V and Z rated tires but they still make them for
performance reasons since it will affect slower speeds as well. The tires
will still work and you can drive safely on them. It's just a trade off.

-Dave

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

"High Tech Misfit" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:1nbfetuv2bzkk$.dlg@hightech.misfit...
> Howard wrote:
>
>> Some additional thoughts:
>> Some lower speed ratings also have a lower load rating. Probably not too
>> low
>> for your Civic, but something to keep in mind as you lower the speed
>> rating
>> and perhaps up the speed. It can overheat the tire if excessive and cause
>> failure at the most inopportune time.
>
> Good point. I should have added that the S-rated tires that are on my
> Civic
> do have the load rating that Honda recommends for the LX.

My concern is the dealership downgraded the factory recommended tires for
your car. It's riding on a harder rubber so you'll probably get a few more
miles out of it but you're sacrificing the handling and performance
characteristics of the car. As someone else mentioned it affects safety as
well.

True the speed rating determines how fast you can safely drive with those
tires but it will also affect the heat index and often wet weather traction
(the traction rating on the tires). Most people will never drive as fast as
the speed rating on the V and Z rated tires but they still make them for
performance reasons since it will affect slower speeds as well. The tires
will still work and you can drive safely on them. It's just a trade off.

-Dave

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

"High Tech Misfit" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:1nbfetuv2bzkk$.dlg@hightech.misfit...
> Howard wrote:
>
>> Some additional thoughts:
>> Some lower speed ratings also have a lower load rating. Probably not too
>> low
>> for your Civic, but something to keep in mind as you lower the speed
>> rating
>> and perhaps up the speed. It can overheat the tire if excessive and cause
>> failure at the most inopportune time.
>
> Good point. I should have added that the S-rated tires that are on my
> Civic
> do have the load rating that Honda recommends for the LX.

My concern is the dealership downgraded the factory recommended tires for
your car. It's riding on a harder rubber so you'll probably get a few more
miles out of it but you're sacrificing the handling and performance
characteristics of the car. As someone else mentioned it affects safety as
well.

True the speed rating determines how fast you can safely drive with those
tires but it will also affect the heat index and often wet weather traction
(the traction rating on the tires). Most people will never drive as fast as
the speed rating on the V and Z rated tires but they still make them for
performance reasons since it will affect slower speeds as well. The tires
will still work and you can drive safely on them. It's just a trade off.

-Dave

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

Dave L wrote:

> My concern is the dealership downgraded the factory recommended tires for
> your car. It's riding on a harder rubber so you'll probably get a few more
> miles out of it but you're sacrificing the handling and performance
> characteristics of the car. As someone else mentioned it affects safety as
> well.
>
> True the speed rating determines how fast you can safely drive with those
> tires but it will also affect the heat index and often wet weather traction
> (the traction rating on the tires). Most people will never drive as fast as
> the speed rating on the V and Z rated tires but they still make them for
> performance reasons since it will affect slower speeds as well. The tires
> will still work and you can drive safely on them. It's just a trade off.

Also good points. My plan was to ride out the Insignia's for the next month
or so before I put my winter tires on. The winter tires I used on my '93
Accord last winter will fit on my Civic, although I have to change the rims
due to different bolt setups between the two cars. Come next spring, I will
likely look for good H-rated all-season tires to replace the Insignia's.

For the record, I am not an aggressive, performance-minded driver, even
though I do tend to go about 5-10mph above the speed limit. :-)

Re: Speed rating on tires - question (Take two)
 

Dave L wrote:

> My concern is the dealership downgraded the factory recommended tires for
> your car. It's riding on a harder rubber so you'll probably get a few more
> miles out of it but you're sacrificing the handling and performance
> characteristics of the car. As someone else mentioned it affects safety as
> well.
>
> True the speed rating determines how fast you can safely drive with those
> tires but it will also affect the heat index and often wet weather traction
> (the traction rating on the tires). Most people will never drive as fast as
> the speed rating on the V and Z rated tires but they still make them for
> performance reasons since it will affect slower speeds as well. The tires
> will still work and you can drive safely on them. It's just a trade off.

Also good points. My plan was to ride out the Insignia's for the next month
or so before I put my winter tires on. The winter tires I used on my '93
Accord last winter will fit on my Civic, although I have to change the rims
due to different bolt setups between the two cars. Come next spring, I will
likely look for good H-rated all-season tires to replace the Insignia's.

For the record, I am not an aggressive, performance-minded driver, even
though I do tend to go about 5-10mph above the speed limit. :-)