I went to Costco yesterday to get a quote on the Mich. Energy Saver tire. Costco would not bother to quote me because they said they will not install them on my Camry, because the tire's speed rating goes against the manufacturers recommendation. This, despite the fact Belle Tire was EAGER to install them.

So this leaves me as a confused consumer.
Belle Tire did mention the speed rating on the tire, but added, you will never go that fast in that car.

So- Should I be concerned with the speed rating of any tire I install on my Camry? Should I pester Costco some more? (or thank them?)

Better yet- Should I skip energy saver tires, and get a tire with a 60k+ tread life?

 

I ran into the same problem with Costco many years ago with my '92 Camry.

I believe the lawyers must have got involved somewhere along the line and they're concerned with possible liability issues.

They offered to sell me the tires I wanted but absolutely refused to install them.

I went somewhere to purchase my tires.

Never had any issues as far as driving on lower speed rated tires in the time I owned the vehicle which was another 12 years after that.

 

I called my local dealer and talked to the Service Rep. (who used to manage a Belle Tire, he said)

He advised against installing this tire in a Snow Belt state, and said he thinks the OE Michelin on the '09 Camry is an outstanding tire.

He said he didn't think there was enough data and research on the new EnergySaver. As for the speed rating, he thought that going down from V to H would be quite noticeable as far as ride quality.

 

IMHO, you should thank Costco. The speed rating is not just about how fast you go, it also has to do with sidewall stability/flex in a turn (at speed or not). These cars weigh almost two tons (litterally). How important is it to you to keep control of your car and keep the occupants alive? If completely unimportant, by all means, get the cheaper tires (but disclose that the car is unsafe in this regard if you ever sell it with those tires).
Just my $0.02.

This has already been debated ad nauseum. Search is your friend...

 

Were you by chance trying to get Costco to install only 2 tires and on the front only...??

That would raise a rather serious question of liability on Costco's part.

Otherwise the only difference I know of is that higher speed rated tires have more ability to endure a serious rise in temperature with any adverse effects. Harder rubber (??) might mean a seriously ROUGH ride on such a lightweight vehicle as a result of the factory suspension tuning now being far out in left field. And adverse suspension tuning will affect driveability and controlability.

Add all those up.....

 

"..you will never go that fast in that car..."

Sorry, missed that the first time.

The installing dealer has no guarantee of that. Lots of idiot drivers on the road today.

 

I looked at Tirerack.com, I even looked at Michelin website and the only 215 60/16 (TCH original size) Energy AS I found was T rated, no V or H rated. So where did you find Energy AS H rated? T rating may be too soft/slow, but I don't think H rated should be a problem if you can find one. Costco being large corporation doesn't want to be exposed to liability in case something does happen to the tire at high speed causing accident. I mean who would think a CHP would not be able to resolve issue of floor mat stuck accelerator and killing 4? Anyhow, if small tire shop is willing to do it, why not?

 

Isn't it Costco's policy to only install replacement tires as long as they are the same or higher rated than your OEM tires?

 

"..stuck accelerator..."

Maybe, maybe not.

Throttle plate stuck open but why...?

 

Yeah, but the TCH is governed to 120 or so to avoid MG1 overspeed. 120 is well within "H" speed rating.