[gar598]

helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd [updated]

It's that time again for some new tires or so that is what they're telling me. When I got my oil changed and wanted to get my tires rotated - they wouldn't because they they told me I need new tires and that they wouldn't rotate them unless I bought them. THERE ARE less than 30k on these tires which I bought from that same store. I can't believe this. I paid $360 bucks for three tires (I will give you the model when I go out to my car and look). They told me because the middle marker "thing" on the tires is below this particular level I need to get new tires. CAN I TRUST ANYONE?<p>I took it to pep boys and I asked one of the attendents to look at my tires. He told me they're fine and they were trying to rip me off.<p>Who do I believe? I don't want to be driving on unsafe tires. I don't know anything about cars!!!!!! Help plz<p>[Modified by gar598, 6:34 PM 10-2-2002]<BR><BR>
[Modified by gar598, 5:58 PM 10-7-2002]

 

[Lisa62]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (gar598)

That's a bummer. Hopefully somebody here can help you out with a little tire knowledge. Unfortunately, I'm a bit shy in that arena! However, I can definitely take a stab at the first few questions most members might ask as they try to help you out. If you answer, it may help somebody here offer up some solid advice!<p>Can <I>you</I> see the "wear markers" he's talking about? (On some makes/models, they are little bands (of black tire rubber) that span (go across the) the "grooves/valleys" in between the tread blocks.) <p>Or did they just measure tread depth (the difference in height between the tread surface and the bottom of the groove that runs alongside the treads)? Did he use a stick-ruler looking thing or a ball-point-pen looking thing, or did he just eyeball it vaguely?<p>Lastly, WHERE did they measure the tread depth (or point out the wear markers)? Was it in the center of the tire's tread or on the inboard or outboard side? The tread depth will vary from the inboard side of the tire to the outboard side as you measure it across the treads, but hopefully not drastically.<p>Do you run with very high or very low tire pressures? (Do you know what your recommended pressures are? If not maybe somebody here could suggest some.) If you <I>do</I> knowingly run with high pressures, perhaps you have crowning, which is when the center treads wear down to almost nothing but the outer treads (on the inboard & outboard sides of the tires) don't wear down much at all. That's bad for a tire, as is the opposite, running with too low of a pressure. You then get the opposite effect, worn down sides, but the center tread is fine. Either scenario could shorten you tire life by a lot. <p>Okay, one last question/comment to help you (and the gang here):<br>Maybe you could share info about the general type of place this shop is (a Sears service shop or something, or a chain?), and maybe folks in your general neck of the woods could recommend an <I>alternate</I> place to take your business, if you/they determine that this is a hoax. (Maybe you'd like to list a general "area" that you live in/near so that people can suggest nearby businesses?)<p>Lastly, at the risk of sounding like a cynic, yes, I'd be weary. Never know who you can trust. But hopefully the gang here can help you a little bit knowledge-wise more than I can, and perhaps at the very least you'll come out of this a bit wiser about tires & their wear characteristics (and maybe even with a few extra bucks in your wallet from not getting gouged price-wise)?! Ha ha. (Although I'm sure you're not laughing...) <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmile.gif" BORDER="0"> Good luck, and hopefully the other folks here can pitch in with some help.<BR><BR>
[Modified by Lisa62, 7:51 AM 10-3-2002]

 

[gar598]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (Lisa62)

The wear markers are a little below the tread - i'm not quite sure what that means. Again everytime I get my oil changed I have always assumed/asked for them to check the tire pressure. I always have wanted to become more self reliant in regards to auto-care but i'm just so scared of making a mistake. How do I know the correct tire pressure? <p>The middle seems to be wearing the most - the outside depth looks fine to me but what do I know.<p>thks<br>

 

[Lisa62]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (gar598)

Also, I forgot to mention this -- perhaps if the moderator of this forum could help you move this this topic over to the "Wheels and Tires" area (under the "Technical" heading, under "Swedespeed Community"), your post might catch a few more glances from people who know a lot about tires. ??? (I don't know how to look up who each forum's moderator is. Sorry.) Just a suggestion...

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (gar598)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>The wear markers are a little below the tread - i'm not quite sure what that means. Again everytime I get my oil changed I have always assumed/asked for them to check the tire pressure. I always have wanted to become more self reliant in regards to auto-care but i'm just so scared of making a mistake. How do I know the correct tire pressure? <p>The middle seems to be wearing the most - the outside depth looks fine to me but what do I know.<p>thks<br><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>Here is the scoop on tires. I sympathize with you and perhaps you are being taken to the cleaners...but in order to get maximum mileage out of all tires you must rotate them RELIGIOUSLY every 5,000 or 7,500 miles, check your tire pressure every week (if you drive a lot) or every two weeks (if you drive less than 1000 miles/mo.).<p>If the wear bar is on equal level with the tread, then you need a new tire. If one tire needs to be replaced, you don't have to buy 3 more. But you must have 4 tires that are of the same size, same brand, same speed rating, etc. No mix and match. Especially if you have anti-lock brakes which I am sure you do have.<p>If your tires are wearing in the middle, then you are overinflating them. The proper inflation pressures are listed inside the fuel filler door.<p><br>Yannis

 

[gar598]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (GrecianVolvo)

ahh I bought them at Atlantic Tire in cary, nc <p>here is how the tires read - MIchelin XGT V4 M+S raidal-x 205/55 R16 89V<p>I don't know how I could over inflate them since I never have inflated them myself. <p>I put much less than a 1000 miles a month more around the area of 400-500 miles.<p><br><BR><BR>
[Modified by gar598, 9:05 AM 10-3-2002]

 

[Lisa62]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (gar598)

I know someone who now lives in Morrisville, but used to live in Cary. I'll ask and see if I can drum up some info for you (reputable places in your general vicinity)! He's only been there 2 years, though, so anybody else with more "tenure" in that area, feel free to jump in.

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (gar598)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR><p>here is how the tires read - MIchelin XGT V4 M+S raidal-x 205/55 R16 89V<p>I don't know how I could over inflate them since I never have inflated them myself. <p>I put much less than a 1000 miles a month more around the area of 400-500 miles.<br><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>Those are nice tires (same as OEM) but pricey. I would suggest switching at some point in the future.<p>As far as overinflation, I can't asnwer the question...sorry!<p><br>Yannis

 

[gar598]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (GrecianVolvo)

the tires I have now are nice - they're touring tires for luxury cars (at least that is what they told me). I think I got a good price on them since I shopped around for those particular tires. They told me those were the only tires that would go with my model. I can't believe I fell for that..........<p><br>Can I buy a different tire and put it on there or will that cause something to go wrong?<p>what are some good prices for tires for my model? <p>What price range Do you recommend? I want something that I can get a lot of miles on (i.e. 60k) at a decent price. <p>Thks for all the advice<p>

 

[Lisa62]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (gar598)

Well, you won't like hearing this, but he says he goes to Atlantic Tire in Cary! (Could there possibly be two? I doubt it.) Oh, well... <p>He has been there on several occasions, and with both of their cars. He commented that he thought they were courteous, and that they had decent prices when they shopped aruond for an air conditioning repair, and they had a nice waiting area, for what it's worth. Those are all probably the same reasons you go there. <BR><BR>
[Modified by Lisa62, 2:49 PM 10-3-2002]

 

[gar598]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (Lisa62)

haha<p>They're courteous I admit that but i'm probably a little more suspectable to be taken for the avg upgrade since i'm a college student - so of course they think i'm on daddy's bank account (which I wish was true). <p>I just want something reliable - nothing fancy - all I care about is safety and longevity.

 

[Lisa62]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (gar598)

Well, then it's looking like you *are* going to end up with a new tire or tires... But this next time around, get yourself a tire pressure measuring slide-stick thing (super cheap, low tech) or a digital one, and just make it a habit to check the pressures every once in a while (once you determine what the correct pressures are). One buck or $9-$10 for a digital one, plus 2 to 3 minutes of your time every couple of weeks could possibly save you big bucks in a couple of years. (If you ran the tires at the right pressures, their wear characteristics would be MUCH better, meaning you'd be buying yourself longevity!) Just my two cents.<p>Lots of folks like the digital ones, but I don't. Mine never gave me consistent readings from one reading to the next. I have a sliding-stick one, and it works fine. I take a reading on a particular tire like 3 or 4 times to be sure I'm getting the pressure accurately, because sliding-stick ones are notoriously innaccurate. Just because I'm anal, I "calibrated" this one versus a few ones I had about 4-5 years ago, and this one is my tried-n-true one. Just get yourself one, and use it every once in a while, and whether it reads totally "true" or not is probably less important than the fact that you're keeping an eye on your tire pressures, you know? You're doing yourself more of a favor by checking the pressures with a cheapo one than not checking them at all (regardless of whether it's reading 1 psi too high or too low). It's the act of checking them frequently that's important! Also, scope out the local gas stations and find the one(s) that has/have free air. Then you're all set. Happy motoring... <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsmile.gif" BORDER="0">

 

[towerymt]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------

<A HREF="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/sidewall.htm" TARGET="_blank">http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/general/sidewall.htm</a><p>TireRack.com has LOTS of information.<p>First you should ask the people who tell you that you need new tires to explain why. Ask them what tread depth they consider to be "worn out" and ask them to show you how they measured the tread depth of your tires. If they point out that the wear bars are even with the tread, then you'll know they're worn, but otherwise I would expect a measurement in 32nds of an inch. Your Michelin XGT V4 tires start out with 10/32nds of an inch, and I would say that if you're at 4/32" or less that you should start shopping for tires. 2/32" is generally the point when tires really need to be replaced.<p>Buy a tire pressure gauge and check the pressure at least once a month. Check the tires when they're cold, meaning that you haven't been driving on the highway for 30min. Your tires may gain 5psi or more when they get really warmed up, so if your tires checked out fine after a long drive, they may be running several psi low at most other times.<p>Another reason to check the tire pressure is so that you can catch a slow leak before it becomes a problem. If you ever notice a tire that LOOKS low on air pressure, it's probably down 15-20psi from what it should be. At that point uneven wear will happen very quickly, and more than likely the tire has been wearing unevenly for days or weeks.

 

[gar598]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (towerymt)

I went to sam's club to look at prices <p>they said they could NOT give me with a warranty H-rated tires since Volvo recommends V rated only.<p><br>they did have BF goodrich TIA VR4 - for $90 bucks (30k mile warranty)<p>I want something I can get at least 60k miles on... - whats wrong with "H" rated tires?

 

[Spearzy]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (gar598)

That's strange, I thought my volvo came with H rated tires?! What model do you drive? That is just a speed rating, H is sufficient for any highway speed and some.<br>Back to the tire pressure guage thing I like the face guage ones, mine seems pretty accurate. I keep it in the glovebox at all times. Most air pumps here now have a guage built into that slides up as you fill the tire. It really isn't hard you shouldn't be timid about filling tires, you'll see just how easy it is.<br>

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (Spearzy)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>That's strange, I thought my volvo came with H rated tires?! What model do you drive? That is just a speed rating, H is sufficient for any highway speed and some.<br><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>If it's a non-turbo 850, then H-rated would be sufficient eventhough they came from the factory with V-rated tires. But if your car is Turbocharged, then V-rated tires are the right tires for that car.<p>Yannis

 

[gar598]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (GrecianVolvo)

I was looking through my glove box and found the old receipt from the tires - I can't believe I was that foolish to spend that much. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsad.gif" BORDER="0"><p>I bought 3 tires (I bought one 2 months before) - here is the price for the 3 tires - $164.50 for 1 and for 3 total it was 493.50 not including the 2% scrap (9.87), wheel balance (36) , valve stems (7.50) and tire disposal fee (4.50). For a grand total of 551.37 for 3 tires. <br>

 

[S.R.]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (gar598)

gar598,<p>I have H-Rated Goodyear Eagle HP's on my 960 and they are really great tires. They are fairly quiet and get good traction in the rain. I got them from Sears and didn't have any type of warranty claim problems at all.<p>-Drew

 

[gar598]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ ([email protected])

<A HREF="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ContiTouring+Contact+CH95&vehicleSearch=true&partnum=055HR6CH95BMW" TARGET="_blank">http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ContiTouring+Contact+CH95&vehicleSearch=true&partnum=055HR6CH95BMW</a><p>how are these tires?

 

[gar598]

Re: helppppp plz? Best price/best tires for volvo 97 960 sedan rwd ------------ (gar598)

My dad thinks I should buy these tires from pep boys they're "S-rated" Are these bad or what? They're are three steps down from what I have - here is his comments. <p>"$52.99 per tire for 2-tires with mounting, balancing,<br>valve stems, and warranty - $143.92.. Cooper Futera -<br>these are "S" rated tires.. "<p>55k mile warranty<br>Someone give me some advice (i'm paying for the tires)<p>Are those bad tires plz?<BR><BR>
[Modified by gar598, 6:35 PM 10-7-2002]