Tires: Are dealers trying to sell me more (quantity) than I need?

[atomicbob]

Let’s just say I am skeptical of business practices when I get “conflicting” information from multiple dealers; more so when I get conflicting information from the SAME dealer.

Here is the situation. I have 20K miles on my OE Dunlop AT20s. I picked up a drill bit that destroyed a tire beyond repair. I see my options as follows (in order of preference):

1. Find, as best I can, a matching used tire (no luck).
2. Replace only two tires and leave on same axle (Michelin LTX M/S 2)
3. Replace all 4 Tires at Once (Michelin LTX M/S 2)
4. Move Spare to Aluminum wheel and replace spare with junker or “cheap out”.
5. Move spare to Aluminum wheel and no spare

I am asking y’all about option 2 as I get the following conflicting information:

Dealer A – Toyota requires all 4 tires be replaced at the same time as not to mess up differential/transmission. Tread depth needs to be the same.

Dealer B – We will not sell only two tires unless they are the same brand, tread pattern and tread depth. Mixing tires front to back causes safety issues as well as unnecessary wear/tear on transmission and differential and violates dealer recommendations.

Dealer A (yes, Dealer A again) – We will mount the spare on aluminum and give you a cheap-o for the spare steel-y. You’ll be fine.

First of all, I cannot find any reference to a Toyota recommendation, let alone mandate, that all tires match (brand/tread/wear). In fact, in the OE Tire Warranty book it clearly states, “Don’t Mix Tires of Different Sizes and Types on the Same Axle”. The 2011 SR5 Owner Manual appears to be silent on the matter.

If I had the full time 4WD system, I can see potential issues with different diameter tire front to back or side to side. However, the SR5 is part time and I only use it in situations where there is “tire slip” (i.e.- snow, gravel, sand, etc.).

My plan… buy two new tires now (Michelin LTX M/S 2) for the rear; rotate left right only (not front/back). When the OE Dunlop tires wear out on the front, replace them with Michelin LTX M/S 2. I see two benefits: 1) solve my “flat tire issue” with the tires I want; and, 2) rather than buying 4 tires every $60K Miles, I buy one pair every $30K miles).

I followed this method with my 2000 SR5 (Part Time 4WD) and had 247K great miles absent transmission/differential issues.

Thoughts or suggestions as it relates to my 2011?

Thanks
Bob

 

[kingpin748]

I suggest going to a tire shop. Dealerships can be very hit or miss and some of what you posted seems like they are taking a grain of truth and trying to make a profit off of it.

 

[homeyclaus]

I vote option 4.

When you do replace your tires, do them all at once.

Dealer A is full of it. That's what differentials do, account for the different rotational speed of tires in things like turns and stuff. A 0.1 inch difference in circumference does not matter.

Dealer B: Same as dealer A, they just used different words.

Get the tires elsewhere is the obvious conclusion.

 

[atomicbob]

I suggest going to a tire shop. Dealerships can be very hit or miss and some of what you posted seems like they are taking a grain of truth and trying to make a profit off of it.

I should have qualified "Tire Dealer". I didn't even bother with the "Toyota Dealer" as the last time I asked them, all they did was call the Tire Dealer down the street and then add 10% profit to bill.

 

[STLDAVE]

I'd say have the spare mounted to the aluminum wheel and get a cheapo spare. Drive them until the other three need replacing, then go for a full set. Why waste the remaining life of the other three because one is bad? The tread depth will cause an insignificant difference in the rolling diameter compared to the others, no more than having a tire with one or two pounds of pressure different than the others would have.

 

[Jtraskell]

I'd say have the spare mounted to the aluminum wheel and get a cheapo spare. Drive them until the other three need replacing, then go for a full set. Why waste the remaining life of the other three because one is bad? The tread depth will cause an insignificant difference in the rolling diameter compared to the others, no more than having a tire with one or two pounds of pressure different than the others would have.

What tread depth is left on the other tires? Since you are still running the OEM tires, and IMHO they are crappy tires, I suspect you will not have much time left before you have to buy new ones anyways. If I am right, I would strongly consider replacing all 4 now (before the winter weather) with the proposed Michelin's. I have those tires and you will be amazed!

 

[bluebullet]

My advice: Keep the spare where it is and go get 4 Michelins at CostCo. I believe they have $70 off a set of 4 right now. That covers their $60 mounting/balancing fee + $10 in your pocket. I still have the original stock Dunlop spare on my 99 SR5. It has never seen the ground. I just go get 4 Michelins when needed. Plan to do the same with my 2011 TE. The tread on the Bridgestone passenger tires on the TE are definitely not M/S. Salesman told they were good for 20K miles then replace.

I have never had a bad Michelin tire in 20+ sets over the years.

 

[sandcrawler]

i'm for option 4. but given that you're @ 20k on the Dunflops and another New England winter (worse than last, Farmer's Almanac predicts) is bearing down on us, i would seriously consider replacing all 4 with something better (and almost anything will be). the Dunlop AT20s suck; been there. good luck.

 

[PracticalFJ]

My advice: Keep the spare where it is and go get 4 Michelins at CostCo. I believe they have $70 off a set of 4 right now. That covers their $60 mounting/balancing fee + $10 in your pocket. I still have the original stock Dunlop spare on my 99 SR5. It has never seen the ground. I just go get 4 Michelins when needed. Plan to do the same with my 2011 TE. The tread on the Bridgestone passenger tires on the TE are definitely not M/S. Salesman told they were good for 20K miles then replace.

I have never had a bad Michelin tire in 20+ sets over the years.

Personally, I've found BJ's has better prices on tires up here in the Boston area versus Costco.....but to each their own.

 

[bluebullet]

Personally, I've found BJ's has better prices on tires up here in the Boston area versus Costco.....but to each their own.

Had not heard of BJ's. Not an option where I live. Les Schwab is big in the Northwest, but they are not price competitive with the Michelin brand. I like CostCo b/c they are somewhat nationwide and can replace a road damaged tire when you are traveling away from home. Happened to me in Albuquerque, NM several years ago. Saved me a few bucks vs a brand new tire somewhere else. I also can shop at CostCo while they rotate tires for me.

I have always considered running good tires as cheap insurance. I understand auto makers cannot satisfy everyone with original equipment tires but to save a few bucks with inferior tires is short sighted. By the same token it is interesting that any tire maker will supply an automaker with inferior tires just to get the volume even though the tire has their name on it. All tire makers are guilty of this including Michelin. I wonder if the auto maker, say Toyota, advertised that they were running top of the line tires stock, would that make a difference to the potential buyer. It has always just aggravated me a little that all auto makers play this game to keep costs down.

 

[PracticalFJ]

Had not heard of BJ's. Not an option where I live. Les Schwab is big in the Northwest, but they are not price competitive with the Michelin brand. I like CostCo b/c they are somewhat nationwide and can replace a road damaged tire when you are traveling away from home. Happened to me in Albuquerque, NM several years ago. Saved me a few bucks vs a brand new tire somewhere else. I also can shop at CostCo while they rotate tires for me.

I have always considered running good tires as cheap insurance. I understand auto makers cannot satisfy everyone with original equipment tires but to save a few bucks with inferior tires is short sighted. By the same token it is interesting that any tire maker will supply an automaker with inferior tires just to get the volume even though the tire has their name on it. All tire makers are guilty of this including Michelin. I wonder if the auto maker, say Toyota, advertised that they were running top of the line tires stock, would that make a difference to the potential buyer. It has always just aggravated me a little that all auto makers play this game to keep costs down.

Agreed, and I knew BJ's doesn't operate in your geography. I just wanted to mention it, as it is an option for the OP or anyone in most of the east coast.