GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I tried unsuccessfully to have Walmart mount and balance 4 new 195-65-15" Hankook 727 tires (2000 Chrysler Cirrus rims) on my 2005 Vibe. They were a little concerned about mounting 15" tires on a vehicle which only lists 16" rims available, but THAT wasn't the deal-breaker.
The Hankook 727's are "H" speed rated, not the higher "T" rated tires required by the Vibes door panel specification. For liability reasons Walmart wouldn't mount a lower speed rated tire on my Vibe!
Actually, one of the Managers tried to help me out but I missed his line of reasoning at the time. This Manager asked me if these Hankooks were my "Winter" tires. I answered "no, just normal use All-season tires". Had I said: "These are my Winter-only tires", I think they would probably have mounted them for me.
I'm having a small independent shop mount and balance the tires later today, I don't anticipate any speed rating discussion.

Chiadog wrote:I tried unsuccessfully to have Walmart mount and balance 4 new 195-65-15" Hankook 727 tires (2000 Chrysler Cirrus rims) on my 2005 Vibe. They were a little concerned about mounting 15" tires on a vehicle which only lists 16" rims available, but THAT wasn't the deal-breaker.
The Hankook 727's are "H" speed rated, not the higher "T" rated tires required by the Vibes door panel specification. For liability reasons Walmart wouldn't mount a lower speed rated tire on my Vibe!
Actually, one of the Managers tried to help me out but I missed his line of reasoning at the time. This Manager asked me if these Hankooks were my "Winter" tires. I answered "no, just normal use All-season tires". Had I said: "These are my Winter-only tires", I think they would probably have mounted them for me.
I'm having a small independent shop mount and balance the tires later today, I don't anticipate any speed rating discussion.

H is a higher speed rating than T, not lower.
See http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/ ... ?techid=35" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My Firestone store will go one rating below the factory spec and will go any rating above.

JPark wrote: H is a higher speed rating than T, not lower.
See http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/ ... ?techid=35" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My mistake! I had "H" and "T" mixed up! Sorry for any confusion.

beemerphile1 wrote:My Firestone store will go one rating below the factory spec and will go any rating above.

Very good to know! Thanks, Beemerphile1.

My local Sears store would not sell me any tires below a V rating for my Mustang many years ago, since it originally came with the V rated Gatorback tires. Didn't matter that I had H rated tires on it, and no way I would exceed 130 on them. So they just lost the sale.

BTW Good choice on the Hankook 727, you won't be disappointed.

They're covering their butts legally. I don't think you'll be driving much at 130 mph anyways. I haven't even reached 100 mph in mine. 85 mph is quite comfortable though. (closed course under adult supervision).

In your case, one speed rating lower is not an issue as long as the tire is capable of the proper load. As was mentioned above, we live in a very litigious society and they must cover the butts, and some their good conscious, with your safety in mind.

Any reason why you didn't go for an OE spec replacement?

Otherwise, enjoy some new tires! Just had some thrown on the RAV today.

ImUrOBGYN wrote: Any reason why you didn't go for an OE spec replacement?

Yes, I had a set of 727's on my old Saturn and I was thoroughly impressed with them, especially on snow! I like the 15" rims because the extra sidewall height softens the ride.
I had the opportunity to test the 727's in the rain today and I am very pleased with their grip on wet pavement!

I had a buick regal a couple years ago with a new set of the 727's and they were great in the snow. They would be at the top of my list if I were looking for all season tires, long tread life, good in all weather conditions, and a pretty low price.

I just looked on the door pillar on both Vibes and don't see anything at all related to load/speed ratings. Just two tire sizes and recommended inflation pressure.

Raven wrote:BTW Good choice on the Hankook 727, you won't be disappointed.

They're covering their butts legally. I don't think you'll be driving much at 130 mph anyways. I haven't even reached 100 mph in mine. 85 mph is quite comfortable though. (closed course under adult supervision).

I believe the governed speed limiter is at 110 mph anyway.