Toyota Camry: Q: Special tires for '99 Camry LE V6?

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On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 05:32:59 GMT, com (James Bond 007)
wrote:
 
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I see no reason why not. Of course, you usually get what
you pay for, so better tires cost more than cheap ones.

I'm sure its the speed load rating of the OEM tires (for which the car
suspension was designed). I went to buy cheap $64 each Michelin tires for
my '93 4 cyl and was told it took 90H or 91H rated tires and they were $109
each (CostCo). SAM's said they would put lower rated tires on only if I
bought 4 of them (and initialed a statemnt on the sales slip) --- they
stated the same safty/handling issue. I ended up with properly rated
Bridgestones from CostCo at $69 each (195/70x14). They were great tires
(sold car). Tires and brakes are too important to try to save a buck by
under spec-ing on! Check www.tirerack.com and see what their site says.

"James Bond 007" <com> wrote in message
news:att.net... 

com (James Bond 007) wrote in message news:<att.net>... 
Specifically which type of tires is recommended?
Higher speed rating?
The specification does call for "H" rated tires, but if you keep the
speed below 112 mph, the "S" rated should be OK.
Check tirerack.com for suggestions.

"Daniel M. Dreifus" <com> wrote in message 

The relationship between speed ratings and your actual speed is often
misunderstood. DO NOT think that if you have S rated tired and stay below
112 miles per hour you will OK.

There are a number of factors involved, including air pressure of the tire.
A tire that is even slightly under-inflated (which happens to all of us at
least occasionally, and happens frequently to most people) will have its
maximum safe speed significantly reduced. Also important are ambient
temperature, road surface (a rough surface is worse) and other factors that
exist in real world outside of the lab.

Remember Firestone tires on the Explorer? They were S/T rated tires (don't
remember which), and not H rated like Ford now uses.

In news:JlEIb.38$uswest.net,
Mark A <net> being of bellicose mind posted: 

"Underinflated" by the vehicle manufacturer recommendation OR ....
underinflated by the maximum pressure on the tire sidewall? Hmmm?

--

-Philip

"Whatever is a choice will become chosen"

"Philip®" <net.invalid> wrote in message
newsOFIb.14297$news.pas.earthlink.net... 
I certainly don't mean under-inflated by the maximum pressure on the
sidewall. No one should have a tire inflated to that pressure.

But the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation for tire pressure may not be
"safe" either, as we have found out with the Ford Explorer.

"Mark A" <net> wrote in message news:<JlEIb.38$uswest.net>...

.. DO NOT think that if you have S rated tired and stay below 

That's probably true for most people.
As it happens, I check the tire pressure every Saturday morning and
adjust as required -- most often due to ambient temperature changes.
To my thinking, having the tire pressure perfect, is one of the most
inexpensive and effective performance enhancements available.
As it happens, my tires are rotated and inspected regularly, alloy
wheels cleaned inside and out, lug nuts torqued in multiple passes,
all fluids and filters serviced regularly, and the the car
mechanically checked thoroughly at regular intervals.
As it happens I've experimented with tire inflation pressure in half
pound increments over several years, and settled on final numbers
considering the load rating of the tires, manufacturer
recommendations, and handling and ride characteristics.
So yes I do believe this particular car is safe up to 112 MPH,
although I don't believe it's ever been over 95 -- at that speed it is
rock solid, quiet and smooth. Plus, I'm running a nearly new set of
really excellent tires.
Actually, the Owner's Manual specifies an alternate set of inflation
pressures for sustained speeds over 100 MPH where such speeds are
legal.
I drive gently for the first few miles, allowing the engine,
transmission, and tires to warm up gradually. Speeds over 85 MPH
should be treated with extra caution, but for the original poster, and
the average person, the tires will likely never see speeds over 75
MPH, so "S" rated tires would seem to be sufficient -- if you
disagree, you're always free to buy the higher speed rating. IIRC the
rating is primarily a measure of the tire's ability to dissipate heat
-- so you're right about under inflation lowering effective safe top
speeds.
 

This is the _second_ time Firestone has had serious tire problems. I
didn't consider buying Firestone tires after their episode with tread
separation on the "7-2-1" tires a while back.