Speed ratings for tires on different Vibe trim levels

[jdmccright]

My vibe (2003 AWD) is due for new tires, so I went to Tire Rack and bought some nice Hankook H727 tires. They have a "T" speed rating. However, when I went to have them installed, they told me that the minimum recommended speed rating for my car is "H". So I call up TR.They inform me that the Vibe has different OEM tire ratings available thus the "T" rating was okay to use. I asked them which trim level allowed it, but they couldn't answer me. So, I called up the Pontiac Customer Service line.They couldn't tell me either, and suggested I call a dealer.They told me to refer to the label on the door jam to get the correct rating. It's not located there, I found it in the glove box. And it indeed shows a minimum speed rating of "H" for my Vibe.Now I'm upset at TR for brushing me off, but my question to this forum is which Vibe models or wheel/tire combinations use "T" rated tires and which use "H"? Or other? I presume that the AWD and GT models would use at least "H" but I'd like to see it firsthand from you all.So, please respond with your year/model/trim and the OEM wheels/tires you have (or originally had). If it turns out they are all "H" I have something to wave in TR's face. Thanks.[UPDATE] I went back into the TR website and now they don't even have the 2003 Vibe listed...are they covering their asses?

[jdmccright]

[2ND UPDATE] They have credited me for the full amount including shipping due to the snafu. Nod to TR for the good follow-up, though they didn't really tell me they would do this yesterday. Back then they said they'd only refund the tire cost, not shipping.I've put in an order for the Goodyear Assurance Comfortred Touring tires. Yes, they're not as sporty, but for the type of driving the wife does, cornering ability is not high on her priorities.

[jake75]

T = 118 mphH = 130 mphIf you don't plan on driving over 118 mph then shouldn't the T be o.k.

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »T = 118 mphH = 130 mphIf you don't plan on driving over 118 mph then shouldn't the T be o.k.There's not a lot of places nowadays where you can even get up to that speed let alone drive for any length of time at said speed to shred a tire.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »There's not a lot of places nowadays where you can even get up to that speed let alone drive for any length of time at said speed to shred a tire.I wonder what the top speed of a Vibe might be. Probably more on a 2.4L than the 1.8L. Not even looking to find out. About 80-85 is my limit and not often. I usually max out at 4 mph over the speed limit thinking that is not likely to draw a ticket.

[jdmccright]

The question isn't a matter of practicality. I know that I'll never drive that fast in this car. I tried that line of thinking with the installer but they wouldn't not go against what was recommended.The question I posed was were OEM tires of different speed ratings installed on Vibes depending on their trim level or optional wheel/tire packages available?

[06pvibe]

2006 Base = 205/55HR-16.As I understand it, OEM speed ratings are not just about what max speed a tire can safely run at but about internal construction of the tire, such as: sidewall strength and reinforcements at the bead. Also what heat cycles a tire can tolerate to keep the tread from separating from the belts and other parts of the carcass.That said, I agree that most of us would never come close to reaching a tire's limits on the street. Question: Was your installer one of the TR "recommended" installers in your area? That could have made a world of difference in their thinking. Plus, as we all should know by their advertising, they are really pushing to be to be the #1 tire distributor in America and may not have yet reached the level they feel they can just blow-off a customers concerns, as so many other do these days.

[jake75]

A good question for Bob & Ray.I guess I would not have been concerned about a 118 vs 130 mph speed rating - and I doubt that most tire dealers do either.

[leemur]

I just bought Fusion Touring for the wife's 04 Vibe. They are T rated while the old Fusion HRi's were H-rated. The visual difference between the tires is that the tire has the beveled sides where tread meets the sidewall. The HRi's are very squared off. She had complained that there wasn't enough grip on iced roads and slush. The Touing has many more sipes in the tread. It's just an older style non performance difference to me. Her max speed is 85mph.

[Salsa Guy]

Yea when I bought my new tires and was told they didn't have any "H" rated tires in stock for my car. I think it's funny they have a "H" rating for the 1st gen 4WD Vibe/Matrix. It's the slowest of them all.

[Bedlam]

people put way too much thought into the tire ratings for max use.The vibe is quite light, so pretty much any tire out there make in our sizes will cover the corner load rating by a large margin. 99% of Vibe owners would be hard pressed to push over 100mph. non GT models are all limited to ~115mph anyway. a T rating is plenty for any non-GT vibe of any year. Manufacturer ratings are conservative from the respect that you can exceed the speeds slightly and for a period of time before degradation begins. it's not a point of detonation if you are somehow able to finally reach that speed.

[Salsa Guy]

Quote, originally posted by Bedlam » a T rating is plenty for any non-GT vibe of any year. .I agree but most tire shops won't put T rated tires on the 4WD Matrix/Vibe. They can get into trouble. I had to go down the street to get the "H" rated ones.

[circuitsmith]

There's more to the difference between T and H rating than just top speed.The H rated tire has better handling characteristics at all speeds.http://www.barrystiretech.com/speedratings.html