I recently had a tire replaced under warranty for a manufactures defect and was given a 93W (93 being the load index) instead of the OEM 98W. After reading a thread here last night, I decided to check my replaced tire for the load index. Sure enough I was given a 93W. There were also some minor cosmetic differences.
Fast forward to this morning. I called the dealership who had replaced the tire to inquire about the situation, and was told that the 98W had been discontinued and no longer available.
So I call a local Goodyear store and they tell me they have 98W’s in their warehouse.
I call back the dealership and was then given the phone number to their tire supplier. I was told by their “tire guy” that there was indeed a difference in load ratings (about 200lbs) but that the 93W was the only one available as the 98W’s were no longer being produced. I proceeded to tell him that the retail Goodyear I called says they’re available. His response “Oh, they must have found a leftover tire.” He then went on to say “If you can get me the name of the warehouse I’ll see if I can order them, but it will be up to my dealership as to whether or not the tire will be replaced.
At this point I call back my dealership to inform them that their “tire guy” said he would look into the 98W tire in the warehouse. My service advisor said it might be a couple of days before they got back to me.
Not satisfied in the response from the dealership, I called Goodyear Corporate. They confirmed the difference between the 98W and the 93W, and then went on to tell me they are still available. “Over 1,000 of them in warehouses across the country, and more being produced this week.”
After one more call to the dealership, my new tire with the correct load rating will be here next week.
Sorry for being so long winded but I thought this might help others who are in a similar situation.
Fast forward to this morning. I called the dealership who had replaced the tire to inquire about the situation, and was told that the 98W had been discontinued and no longer available.
So I call a local Goodyear store and they tell me they have 98W’s in their warehouse.
I call back the dealership and was then given the phone number to their tire supplier. I was told by their “tire guy” that there was indeed a difference in load ratings (about 200lbs) but that the 93W was the only one available as the 98W’s were no longer being produced. I proceeded to tell him that the retail Goodyear I called says they’re available. His response “Oh, they must have found a leftover tire.” He then went on to say “If you can get me the name of the warehouse I’ll see if I can order them, but it will be up to my dealership as to whether or not the tire will be replaced.
At this point I call back my dealership to inform them that their “tire guy” said he would look into the 98W tire in the warehouse. My service advisor said it might be a couple of days before they got back to me.
Not satisfied in the response from the dealership, I called Goodyear Corporate. They confirmed the difference between the 98W and the 93W, and then went on to tell me they are still available. “Over 1,000 of them in warehouses across the country, and more being produced this week.”
After one more call to the dealership, my new tire with the correct load rating will be here next week.
Sorry for being so long winded but I thought this might help others who are in a similar situation.
