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I was at my local Costco and the salesperson informed me that they would not install the Bridgestone Potenzas RE980A/S W rated because my 2015 F Sports requires Y rated tires in the rear although, the fronts can take a lesser rated tire. They would only install Michellins due to the higher rating. So I went to a local Discount Tire and they said that the Bridgestones would work perfectly. I do not track the car. Just your typical spirited driving and from time to time your 80 plus highway speed. I cant imagine, I will ever go 160 miles per hour. I guess I would be more concern about the suspension if it makes a difference. As it is, I am going with a slightly wider tire. Any issues? Thoughts?
Oh for gosh sakes I am a Costco member, but would never buy anything automotive from them for the reason you just experienced. 168MPH vs 186MPH Discount Tire folks are real tire people and understand. If a tire is truly wrong for the vehicle, they will let you know and won't install. Costco will also not install tires unless they came stock with the vehicle As far as cars go - They are a bunch of idiots.
You wont have any problem with running a tire that is one rating higher or lower than your OEM tires. Keep in mind that those speed ratings typically don't play since we aren't traveling on those speeds - those speeds are indicators of the level of performance the tire can handle safely at that highest speed.
There may be minute differences in stiffness, sidewall, compound and rubber type used which will affect the overall ride. Think about the non F sport GS350 with the same engine/transmission/hp as an F-Sport RWD...the non F sport premium comes stock with 18" wheels and V rated tires (149mph).
F-sport or not, basically the same car, similar weight, same engine, same power to the wheels - you'd be fine running any tire rated H, V, Y, W or ZR...the only difference will be at the highest speeds and general performance characteristics which most of us won't feel at the speeds we are typically traveling.
Oh for gosh sakes I am a Costco member, but would never buy anything automotive from them for the reason you just experienced. As far as cars go - They are a bunch of idiots.
Lou
Originally Posted by mrminsky
"Oh for gosh sakes" "As far as cars go - They are a bunch of idiots." Sorry LMAO!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for answering my questions
Same goes for Walmart, Sam's Club and Victoria's Secret (just kidding!) or any other similar type store.
They are not idiots; they have rules and are following them.
I am not sure what the GS top speed is; perhaps Lexus might publish what ratings are appropriate.
I think Costco goes by OEM rating. Anyways, Wheel Works has always matched Costco prices, including sales, for me.
I love Costco...
They are not idiots; they have rules and are following them.
I am not sure what the GS top speed is; perhaps Lexus might publish what ratings are appropriate.
I think Costco goes by OEM rating. Anyways, Wheel Works has always matched Costco prices, including sales, for me.
I love Costco...
BC, I guess I struggle with the word evil; I save that word for evil people. Costco ain't evil.
While I don't buy tires from Costco, a whole lotta people do.
In the South Bay Area you need anappointment; the tire guys are packed all the time.
I do use their advertised prices as leverage.
One reason I buy from Wheel Works (Firestone Company) is I get an alignment, full brake inspection, etc.
They are not idiots; they have rules and are following them.
I am not sure what the GS top speed is; perhaps Lexus might publish what ratings are appropriate.
I think Costco goes by OEM rating. Anyways, Wheel Works has always matched Costco prices, including sales, for me.
I love Costco...
BC, I guess I struggle with the word evil; I save that word for evil people. Costco ain't evil.
While I don't buy tires from Costco, a whole lotta people do.
In the South Bay Area you need anappointment; the tire guys are packed all the time.
I do use their advertised prices as leverage.
One reason I buy from Wheel Works (Firestone Company) is I get an alignment, full brake inspection, etc.
I don't recall seeing the word 'evil' mentioned by anyone in this thread.
Costco as a corporation aren't idiots but ahead of the curve. 1) Get people to buy slightly pricier tires and 2) By forcing people to abide by OEM specs, they protect them selves from certain lawsuits. You know the lawsuits where McDonalds made someone fat, gun manufacturers kill people, screens are measured diagonally and not horizontally, ...etc.
If you truly read on Costco's business model, they are geniuses way ahead of the curve. Their stock prices shows it.
Actually, I ended up calling a few of the larger tire places here in Atlanta and I ended up getting a pretty decent deal on a set of Continentals DWS06 which are actually Y rated tires. The only reason, I brought up the differences between Y and W is because the service manager at Costco refused to sell me a set of Bridgestones RE980 all-season tires due to the W rating. He suggested the higher-priced Michelin A/S 3+.and. I honestly did not feel like spending the extra money. I never thought about the Y vs W until he brought it up. I figured these are all premium tires in a high-performance category probably well suited for a sedan such as a GS, Nothing against Michelins, I just don't think they are worth the extra 20 percent premium vs another high-end brand. I actually would have purchased the Bridgestones from the this tire center, but the Continentals were priced even better.
I don't recall seeing the word 'evil' mentioned by anyone in this thread.
Agreed. Mea Culpa BC.
I meant that idiot is not the term I would use to describe a business practice that I don't agree with.
At least Costco's practice of OEM tires.
Personally I use a full service vendor because they will do an alignment check, brake check, suspension check, etc.
Evil is the wrong word. Period.
All good.
Agreed. Mea Culpa BC.
I meant that idiot is not the term I would use to describe a business practice that I don't agree with.
At least Costco's practice of OEM tires.
Personally I use a full service vendor because they will do an alignment check, brake check, suspension check, etc.
Evil is the wrong word. Period.
All good.
Generally speaking, you need the same load rating or higher and you can do any speed rating you want, but do not exceed the rating on the tires, obviously.
Places like Costco have their own odd set of rules, and they basically won't do anything other than what the car came with, period. In the past when they had a good price on a tire, I just bought the tires because they wouldn't install them for me.
11-25-19, 02:29 PM
Y Rated vs W Rated tires
I am a Costco member, but would never buy anything automotive from them for the reason you just experienced. 168MPH vs 186MPH
Discount Tire folks are real tire people and understand. If a tire is truly wrong for the vehicle, they will let you know and won't install. Costco will also not install tires unless they came stock with the vehicle
As far as cars go - They are a bunch of idiots.
