My '09 Sonata has 37k and looks like the orginal tires will barely make it to 40k on the orginal Energy MXV4 S8(Grand Touring All-Season) tires. These are high speed 94v which are rated beyond the top speed of my car. Ii this normal?
I was at Sams' Club checking on tires and was looking at lower rated (less expensive) tires as I drive very convervative (I am in my 50s) was told that if Sams Club sold me the tires that WERE NOT the same speed rating of the orginal that there would be NO WARRRANTY. Any sugestions?

Thanks!

 

check out tirerack @ Tire Decision Guide


there you can reference the req'd speed ratings.

Sam's club or Costco are both decent and have average prices.

j

 

That is normal. There is more to the tire's speed rating than just top speed. Rubber compounds are different providing different wear characteristics and grip. Even if the car is not capable of that top speed the suspension is likely set up based on that type of tire.

The easy answer is you should stick with the specifications that the car manufacturer put on the car. My own feeling is you definitely want to match the 94 load rating but I don't think there would be too much harm in dropping down one speed rating to an H keeping in mind that there can be an effect on the steering, handling and braking of the car with that change. I've done it with no problem in the past but it was more of an issue with an obscure tire size that was not very common in the first place. Changing to an H speed rating opened up a bunch of other tires choices and lower prices.

In 27 years of owning cars I've never made a claim on a tire warranty so that would not be a deciding factor for me.

 

I have taken and stepped up from "S" rated and went to "V" rated.. good alignment,,,, and the car handled so well on the interstate at speed, cornered so smooth, and rode so much better.. I loved the tight turns on WV I-77 turnpike between the tolls, wife hated it. Like riding on a rail.

 

In Indiana, give Discount Tire a try. Discount Tire, Custom Wheels, Truck & Car Rims | Discount Tire

There's easily 10 or 12 alternatives, and DT has mount/balance packages that give you free rotations/rebalance every 6,000 miles.

 

Thanks! Will try DT as theere is one close by which just opened a couple of years ago.

Thanks for the help!

-Indiana Bob (Lafayette)

 

So what did you get? I have an '09 as well with similar milage and I need tires pretty bad. Just looking at my tires, I know I have failed the penny test.

If you did go to DT, I would like to know what you got and how they handle and what the ride feels like.

Thanks!

 

Discount Tire is good, but so is TireRack. Give Michelin HydroEdge tires a try. A very good tire. Others I would suggest:
- Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum
- Yokohama AVID TRZ
- Continental ExtremeContact DWS
- BF Goodrich Premier Touring
- BF Goodrich Advantage T/A

 

I still pass the penny test; waiting for tax refund to get tires; had oil change (Tuffy) and they said I was good for about 2k but I hate to wait. Will let you know what I go with.