Pleez Help Solve Oem Specs Mystery! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

camreality · 06-04-2006, 01:24 PM

HELP!!! I'm looking to replace the tires on my '96 Camry with the same speed rating called for on the original manufacturer's specs. (I bought the car used without the original tires on it.)
Just about all the Tire Manufacturer websites (BF Goodrich, Michelin, Kumho, etc.) list the OEM for the '96 Camry LE as 195/70R14S and list the performance H speed rating as OEM only for the XLE. I have an LE, but my glove box sticker has an H in the specs. Does anyone know what to make of this??? I would prefer getting T-rated tires that are slightly less expensive, wear better, give a better ride, perform better in snow, etc. ... but ONLY if my car's suspension, etc. wasn't originally designed for a performance H-rated tire. Advice, Please.

JMSinMD · 06-04-2006, 01:45 PM

1. LOSE THE BOLD

2. You can go either way H or T. I would suggest an H because you'll have a better handling tire. For a T to last as long as it does the tire compound is harder giving you a stiffer ride. My family has owned a 92, 96 and 00 Camry LE I4's (parents), 95 Avalon (mother in law) and mine is a 99 Camry LE V6. I have put on Yokohama Avid H4's on all of the vehicles and my parents couldn't be happier. The 1992 and 1996 were 14" tires, the Avalon is 15", my Camry is 16" for winter and 18" for summer all Avid H4's. I have had in the past Pirelli, Michelin, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Goodyear, etc and I have been most satisfied with Yokohama. They (parents and mother in law) are more conservative drivers but the extra grip is always helpful. The car's suspension is not dependent on H, S or T. It's an independent variable. Again I highly recommend the Yokohama Avid H4's, if you wanted to you could also go a bit wider and get a 205/65 14 and get a bit better handling. Jon. p.s. again sometimes the longest lasting, cheapest tires aren't the best route to go, if they were there wouldn't be alternatives.

JMSinMD · 06-04-2006, 01:56 PM

Look at treadwear rating when comparing tires. Most OEM (original equipment) tires are 220-260 which mean's they'll wear out QUICK. I would look at 400+ at a minimum, anything above 600 and you'll sacrifice ride quality for a longer lasting tire. Jon.

camreality · 06-04-2006, 04:11 PM

1. Sorry, the bold was by mistake (I forgot to click it off after I typed in the title ... forgive me ... I'm brand new here.)
2. Thanks for your information ... I had already checked into the Yokohamas you mentioned -- the downside is they get low marks for light snow traction and I'm here in New England. Yokohama's newer, T-rated Avid TRZ's seem to be more highly rated across the board as an all-season tire.
3. I'm feeling quite calm, thanks ... but my original question still remains as to what was the manufacturer designated speed rating for the 1996 Camry LE. (S or H?)

camryelaine · 06-04-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camreality

1. Sorry, the bold was by mistake (I forgot to click it off after I typed in the title ... forgive me ... I'm brand new here.)
2. Thanks for your information ... I had already checked into the Yokohamas you mentioned -- the downside is they get low marks for light snow traction and I'm here in New England. Yokohama's newer, T-rated Avid TRZ's seem to be more highly rated across the board as an all-season tire.
3. I'm feeling quite calm, thanks ... but my original question still remains as to what was the manufacturer designated speed rating for the 1996 Camry LE. (S or H?)

Manufactuer manual wouldn't designate any spcific speed rating for tire because that's kind of like personal preference and need since Camrys are selling nationwide. The manual will only tell you which tire to get (195/70/14).

touringcamry · 06-04-2006, 04:50 PM

I would go with what the sticker in your car states. Resellers' websites aren't always right as much as you'd like to believe them. There are so many cars out there with different configurations that they are bound to make some mistakes.

I once ordered brake rotors and pads for my Camry from Tire Rack, but they had the wrong size parts listed in their database and I didn't figure it out until I had all my brakes pulled apart. :/

Many places, however, often will not sell you, or install, tires with lower speed ratings than what they have listed for your vehicle. Sears and Costco definitely will not do it, most likely due to liability reasons.

JMSinMD · 06-04-2006, 05:12 PM

Go with an H. Maybe just get snow tires for year around if you're concerned.

or do what I did and got a Highlander for a second car. Jon.