08 Base Tire Question

[Ed-Pa]

2008 Highlander Base.

Time to replace the original Bridgestone Dueller H/L 400 245/65/R71 105-S
tires. I have gone through the tire review archive and need some clarification on speed rating.

My Toyota service advisor recommended I stay with the OE 105-S rating. I told him I was interested in either the Bridgestone Alenza or the Michelin Latitude Tour. His comment was "They are not rated for your vehicle".
My guess is the dealer has the OE H/L 400 Bridgestone in stock and just wants to move these.

Tire Rack, as well as 2 local sources show the Alenza's in black lettering speed rated at 105-H and the white letter at 105-T. The Michelin Latitude Tour is 105-T.

1. Any Highlander 245/65/R71 owners that now use either of the 2 replacement tires mentioned above. Specifically, is your Alenza the 105-H or the 105-T tire? If so, do you notice any adverse handling/road noise when you made the change from the originals?

2. Any other suggestions for replacement?

Thanks.

[Dergara]

I have not but I just replaced the stock TOYO Open Country A20 tires on my new 2012 HL with Michelin LTX M/S in the same size 245/65/17. It was the rating of the Michelin tires that sold me. I researched them on Tirerack.com.

The LTXs offer better all season traction and are super silent.

[sweeneyp]

Well I don't have the 17" rims on the base model, but I just switched from the H/L 400's to the Alenza's (255/55R19), and can say it rides smoother, a little quieter, and it gets much better traction in the rain.

105s = 112mph &2039lb
105t = 118mph & 2039lb
105h = 130mph & 2039lb

anyway, the speed limiter on the HL is 112mph , the duelers HL 400's are 105s. The latitude's are 105t. The black walled alenza's are 105h while the white text ones are 105t. I have no idea why he said they weren't rated for the vehicle, they exceed the OE tire in every comparison (traction, life, and speed).

I would take it to a tire store instead of a dealership (someone who either will be more honest with you or more knowledgeable (whatever the dealer wasn't in this case haha)), it would probably be cheaper anyway (Costco and Discount Tire were both cheaper than my local dealership last time I got tires)

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by sweeneyp

I have no idea why he said they weren't rated for the vehicle, they exceed the OE tire in every comparison (traction, life, and speed).

I would take it to a tire store instead of a dealership (someone who either will be more honest with you or more knowledgeable (whatever the dealer wasn't in this case haha)), it would probably be cheaper anyway (Costco and Discount Tire were both cheaper than my local dealership last time I got tires)

Ditto on both points.

[roadrunner117]

I replaced my OEM Toyo Open Country A20 105S with Toyo Open Country H/T 105H. Couldn't be happier.

[Subaryota]

The speed-rating relates to how well a tire handles heat-buildup. A tire heats up not just based on the speed, but also load and inflation pressures.

I would suggest meeting at least the minimum "speed" rating on account of making sure the tire can handle the heat-buildup. More so if you run lower pressures and/or carry heavier loads.

Cheers

[05Moose]

Originally Posted by Dergara

I have not but I just replaced the stock TOYO Open Country A20 tires on my new 2012 HL with Michelin LTX M/S in the same size 245/65/17. It was the rating of the Michelin tires that sold me. I researched them on Tirerack.com.

The LTXs offer better all season traction and are super silent.

Got the same tires in same size installed last night (did a TON of research too).

FYI to the OP, Americas Tire meets all competitor prices (OTD with installation) including Costco (with their current $70 off on Michelin). I thought it was just the price of the tire they match, but I was pleasantly surprised to be wrong on that.

[Dergara]

Also, I am selling the TOYO Open Country A20s 245/65/17 for $325 on Ebay and Criagslist. Shipping might be a problem since it is so pricey so I'm hoping for local PU.

Love my Michelins.

[Ed-Pa]

Thanks everyone for your comments. With winter driving upon us here in the Northeast I had replacement tires installed today after a lot of research.

I decided on Michelin Latitude Tour. At least with the 17" rims I had choices.
Almost went with the Bridgestone Alenza but decided I didnt want to give Bridgestone any of my $ after the dismal wear on the OE Bridgestone H/L400s. I do believe the Alenza's wear well but it was a matter of principal!

I do think the Michelin LTX MS are also a very close contender. I had no experience with Toyo so I passed on them.

So my first impression after driving a whopping 18 miles is that the Michelin's are much quieter than the OE Bridgestone now and when they were new.

After some mileage on them I will post my experience with these tires.

Thanks again everyone.