So I am in the process of "searching" for new set of tires without using bailout money and/or taking a third mortgage :wave:, and I went to BJ's (like Costco or Sam's Club, for those of you who are not familiar) the other day and the guys of course tells me "we have the Michelin at $190 something". I say "OK, these are 91V, what about 91H, anything 91H you can offer me?"
The guys says:
"we cannot install anything other than V on your car, V is what the manufacturer recommends and we cannot put anything else. I can sell you the tires, but you will have to install somewhere else and you will have no warranty"

So of course I got upset and left while talking to myself "what the $%^& is he talking about?! Tirerack.com offers to sell you H tires for this specific model, and also a local dealer offered them to me".

And then I went to the car, opened the manual and indeed the specifications say "All EX models 91V"...it says LX or DX can go with H

So I am asking myself what's going on?!
First of all - what is the big difference between EX and LX? Why can't EX use H tire? I don't get it.
Second - I can't believe that local shops, as well as Tirerack.com will recommend/sell something outside spechs that could put them in jeopardy.

I would be happy to hear your opinion on the subject.

Thanks.

It is also about the stiffness of the side wall. I find that higher speed ratings have better side walls.

I will prob go with another tire not Michs.

As far as I know, you CAN use different speed rated tires because all it is, is the speed rating and how fast the certain tire can go without putting yourself in danger.

The warranty thing sounds pretty stupid as well but I have no idea about it but I'm pretty sure it's not true.

If I were you, find another tire shop.

So I am asking myself what's going on?!
First of all - what is the big difference between EX and LX? Why can't EX use H tire? I don't get it.
Second - I can't believe that local shops, as well as Tirerack.com will recommend/sell something outside spechs that could put them in jeopardy.

You can use whatever tire you want, tire shops and even the manual be damned. This car is not heavy, it is not powerful, it is not capable of generating lots of grip...it is not necessary to use any V-rated or high-performance tire. They will say that to cover their butts, except that what they say really has no merit. My Accord had S-rated tires (112MPH, from Costco too!) and all I'll say is that I forgot the speed ratings and went way over that and nothing happened. That's not to say that I wasn't just lucky, but your car only does 130 (even if you would never do that), and H-rated tires go up to 130, so really I don't see anything bad happening.

Speed ratings really don't have much of anything to do with sidewall stiffness or the load they can carry. Some European luxury manufacturers have used H ratings in the past with no problems. In fact, my uncles 1997 540i came with H-rated tires, and I would argue that car is more demanding on tires than any stock Accord on the road today. The General Exclaim UHP's on my Mazda are also V-rated and their sidewalls are notoriously known for their softness. It's debatable on whether V-rated tires have better construction quality, but let me point this out: would you rather use a H-rated Michelin/Goodyear/Continental/Bridgestone, or a V/Z-rated Nankang or other no-name brand? I know which tires I put on my cars :yes:

Just my 2 cents

Costco has the same rules.
They also will not install tires of a different size.
i.e. If Honda says the car uses 225/50/17, Costco will not install 235/50/17.

You can use whatever tire you want, tire shops and even the manual be damned. This car is not heavy, it is not powerful, it is not capable of generating lots of grip...it is not necessary to use any V-rated or high-performance tire. They will say that to cover their butts, except that what they say really has no merit. My Accord had S-rated tires (112MPH, from Costco too!) and all I'll say is that I forgot the speed ratings and went way over that and nothing happened. That's not to say that I wasn't just lucky, but your car only does 130 (even if you would never do that), and H-rated tires go up to 130, so really I don't see anything bad happening.

Speed ratings really don't have much of anything to do with sidewall stiffness or the load they can carry. Some European luxury manufacturers have used H ratings in the past with no problems. In fact, my uncles 1997 540i came with H-rated tires, and I would argue that car is more demanding on tires than any stock Accord on the road today. The General Exclaim UHP's on my Mazda are also V-rated and their sidewalls are notoriously known for their softness. It's debatable on whether V-rated tires have better construction quality, but let me point this out: would you rather use a H-rated Michelin/Goodyear/Continental/Bridgestone, or a V/Z-rated Nankang or other no-name brand? I know which tires I put on my cars :yes:

Just my 2 cents

That's what I thought, just wanted to confirm. This CYA thing is driving me crazy.
Of course I would put know H over unknown V, but of course the genius at BJ's wants to sell me the 91V Michelin which is outrageously expensive.

That is both funny and crazy. Not as funny for you I am sure. I'd go H, and did.

Costco has the same rules.
They also will not install tires of a different size.
i.e. If Honda says the car uses 225/50/17, Costco will not install 235/50/17.


So costco obviously wouldnt have installed my 18's hugh??? :dunno:

H rated tires are fine. They are just trying to sell you the most expensive tire.