I thought I'd done my due diligence when I ordered some Michelin tires from Costco online-- choices in the original size (175/65R15) are slim, but several sources said that I could run 195/60R15 tires on my original rims, so that's what I ordered. However, Costco says they can't install them-- their computer says the minimum rim width for that tire is 5.5", and that my rims are 5.0".

They're recommending 185/65R15's, which is fine, except that my original tire choice isn't available in that size.

I'm hoping that maybe their computer is wrong and my rims are actually 5.5" wide (as it indicates in the FAQ). The car is a 2005 base convertible -- how do I find out what width they really are? Is it stamped on the wheel someplace?

 

If you have factory wheels they are 5.5. So their computer is wrong.

 

That's what I thought, but the guy was adamant; not sure how to prove it to him. I couldn't find that info in my owner's manual, any ideas for another official source he might believe?

 

Have him dismount the tire and measure the rim. Also some tires stores may still haave a tool for measuring rims without removing the tire.

 

Almost all tire installers have one of these. The measure the width before they balance the tire. Ask for a manager.

 

Hey if they won't measure the wheel they obviously don't need your business. I have dealt with big box companies like this and I will never go to them for things like tires becuase most of them don't know what is going on.

 

wheel width is stamped inside / behind the spokes.
It should go by '5.5J' or something similar.

 

Okay, you guys convinced me that they really are 5.5", so I employed the time tested, "if dad says no, ask mom" method.

The manager was the one that refused to install the tires and didn't want to be bothered about it further-- but I figured him for a day shifter, so I went back in the evening. Young kid in charge, told him the story, took him five minutes to verify the wheels are 5.5", less than an hour later I drove home on the new tires.

Never had any sort of problem with Costco before, so I think I'll just chalk this up to a computer database error (it was actually some sort of dealer's Michelin website that showed the wheels as 5"), and one guy having a bad day.

Thanks much for the input!

 

I'm glad it all worked out for you. But now I would definitely climb the managers head for his **** poor customer service. Upper management needs to know about their managers in my opinion.

 

I think management of the local Costco is well aware-- on paper, I'd purchased a set of tires online, then "returned" them, then ordered another set, then "returned" them, then re-purchased the original set-- all in the space of a few hours. Straightening out the paperwork involved in all those transactions required three people, one of them a store assistant manager. He was interested in why I was making such vigorous use of their return policy-- and wasn't very happy when I told him.

 

The managers manager does not know why this was done. Plus on paper does not tell upper management about the poor
customer service that was given to the OP.
They need to know.

 

Costco has a comments welcome policy, you write down your concern and the manager will call you, if not then contact Costco national.

What you describe was folly and clearly a disservice to a member.

 

I'm in Kansas City and my Costco refused to even order any other tire than run flats, telling me that was the only tires they were allowed to install on a Mini!

 

A few years ago, as I understand it, Costco's tire installation shop had a policy dictated by their business insurance that they could only install "replacement" tires. That is, if you changed the size or type of tire to something that was not available stock, they were not insured if they did something wrong. Hence they did could not install the tire for you.

Our MINIs have runflat tires. I tried to have non-runflats installed on the 17" wheels of my car, and they told me they were not allowed to do it.

I also have another car that when new back in 1985, came with an H speed rating. Current tires available in that size only come with S speed ratings and Costco could sell me the tires, but were not allowed to install them. I would have to take them to a different tire shop to do that.

I know the explanation doesn't help you any in getting tires installed, but I hope, if the same rules still apply, that it explains why they won't or legally are not allowed to install the tires for you.

In your case, the other person saw fit to bend the rules a bit. So good to read.

 

Just go to Costco.com and put in you want 17" tires for a 2012 MINI hardtop for example-

You get-
http://tires2.costco.com/SearchResul...5-90effaa07d9c

There are three matches in the stock 205/45-17 size and only one is a runflat tire.

So have the costco salesman see that- it's their site.

 

Damn lawyers.

I've tried to get just two tires for my worn out front and America's Tire insists that they be mounted on the rear. I have to then swap them back to the front when I get home. 'Pain in the ***.

 

I didn't have any issues having my RE11s (non RFT) installed by the Costco in Salt Lake City. I've got an R53, so no spare. They did screw up the balancing due to a faulty machine.

 

America's Tire did the correct thing.

When replaced in pairs the tires with better tread go on the rears.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=52

In the wet the tires with less tread will loose traction and hydroplane first, if they are the fronts then you may understeer but if the worn tires are in the rear then you can oversteer which can cause you to loose control of the car unexpectedly.

 

Only under certain circumstances. I could come up with a litany of other circumstances where the front would break away first. And besides, I had plenty of tread left on the rears. Plus, what the hell is rain? (I live in California.)

Also, the fronts will usually displace a lot of water so the rears aren't as susceptable to hydroplaning. And there are plenty of situations where I'd much rather have the front sticking than the rear. Especially in a front heavy front wheel drive car.

It's a matter lawyers sticking their noses in places where they don't belong for the benefit of very few.

 

This is the standard and where they should go. You wouldn't want new tires with more grip on the front end, giving you a false sense of how much traction is available and possibly leading you to a spin or worse.

 

Again, the idea would be that once you started to feel the car hydroplaning, you would slow down to a speed where you had traction. If the new tires were on the rear end, you wouldn't be able to tell.

Obviously this is going to come down to a matter of preference, but this isn't a lawyers things so much as it is physics.

 

I just learned about the front vs rear thing myself last night (wondering why the dealer had put the brand new tires on the rear), and a buddy pointed me towards youtube. There is video after video showing tests of why you should put the new tires on the rear even on a FWD car. Professional drivers completely loosing control when the new tires are on the front and then having no issue when they are on the rear convinced me to keep them on the rear. Issue seems to be that if your front slips you get some understeer but this is manageable in an emergency situation. If the back slips you fishtail, spinout and end up sliding into another car or into the ditch. After watching the videos I'm convinced I would prefer the first.

 

Exactly.

Tirerack folks have already done the tests in the wet and proven that new tires should go on the rears. There is really nothing to debate.

If you don't like the idea of having better tires on the rears then you can rotate your tires enough to keep treadwear more even then change them all out as a set of four.

In a very dry climate one could argue that worn rear tires are usable especially on a front wheel drive car. Trouble is what if it rains, will you remember to slow down enough to reduce risk of hydroplaning?

Anyone that has driven and suddenly gotten into oversteer will tell you that it was hard to stop once it started. Your only chance is at the very beginning but it's tricky, you can make a slight correction, if not you go off roading and obey the laws for physics.

Consider this, what if you are not the only driver of your MINI, could your family member have enough skill to control a MINI in oversteer in rain? As a result it would be much safer for the average driver to have the better tires in the rear.

 

I would write a nice comment for the installer and call out the other guy without using a name or position. It is sad someone who should be the expert and willing to help did less than the bare minimum that his position requires. Atleast you got it solved...

 

I'm surprised they would mount an alternate size tire for you at all. I've tried numerous times over the years to get them to do it, and have been refused every time.

--Matt