Ok to purchase different tire speed rating?

rstock2
Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:56:19 +0000
Maintenance/Repairs

HI, I have a 1997 Volvo S90 (205/55VR16, 91V) w/Michelin MXV4+ tires that need replacing. I put about 2k mi/yr on the car, mixed city and hwy. So, CA and no snow, but winter rain. So I suppose I need an all purpuse/all season tire? Went to tirerack.com and found by filtering for test results and surverys, the Michelin Harmony #1 followed by the Michelin Hydroedge GreenX and the Goodyear Assurance ThipleTread as #3 but all really good survery satisfaction numbers. Problem is that the Harmony is only rated T and Volvo recommends V. The service dept at Volvo says don’t even think of putting on a tire w/a lower rating (especially a T which is two levels below) and Costco says shouldn’t be a safety problem but they’d want me to sign a waiver that I know this is two levels below the Volvo recommended rating. Michelin makes a Primacy and Energy MXV4 H and T ratings. Anyway, tirerack’s best tires that fit my all-season criteria are Ts and Hs with 1 Yokohama V.
So, should I be comfortable going down one rating level to the H and get a Michelin or Goodyear, or should I just stay w/the best V rated I can find because it’s a safety issue, a couple of hundred more for 4 tires, and just not complicate my life? What am I really losing from the V to the H? Any thoughts in general about what’s smart vs. stupid way to look at this purchase? I don’t buy tires often enough to be educated in this and would really appreciate some advice.
Thanks in advance.

18 posts - 12 participants