I had a new set of Bridgestone RE960AS Pole Positions installed on my "05 Sedan yesterday. These tires aren't available in the OEM size of 215/55-17, so I went with 235/50-17. These have exactly the same diameter as stock, and are well within spec for the width of the wheels.

I asked the shop to do a wheel alignment at the same time, just in case the potholes had tweaked anything over the winter. When I picked it up, they told me that they couldn't guarantee the alignment because of the non-stock tire size. I think they're full of ****. Have any of you heard any reason that this might have some basis in fact?

 

I think your hunch is right. IIRC the optional OE tire (aero / performance package) on the sedan was a 245 45 18 which would be even wider and about the same diameter. Would they not warrant the alignment if you had 18" wheels and that size tire?

 

^^^What Deane said

 

+1
They're so full of it their eye's are brown.

 

Yep, weasel-words so they don't have to stand behind their work. I suppose if the car drives fine, you can just let it go, but then you have no recourse if your tires wear unevenly due to alignment issues. I suppose you could point out to them that you are running a standard size for your car and ask them to provide the guarantee.

EDIT: oh, and pretty chicken move to tell you AFTER the fact. Nice tires, btw!

 

the unfortunate reality is that there are a bunch of morons working at dealerships these days. I've had my alignment done many times at an INFINITI dealership (mod friendly) with my 19" wheels. I always ask for a before and after printout. Depending on the info, I keep an eye on my tires wear over time, and allows me to swap them left > right and right > left to get a more uniform wear.

 

Thanks guys, that's what i thought. It wasn't a dealership, it was a Bridgestone/Firestone shop. They gave me the printout (after I asked for it) and everything looks good there. I may be imagining things, but I think the steering wheel might be a little off center. I'll know better after the weekend.

If I have to I'll pay somebody else to align it again. Fargin' bastages.

 

^they'll probably "warranty" the steering wheel being off center, since that's fundamental to start off at "12:00. With that and their initial reluctance to cover their it's understandable if you were to go elsewhere unless they're cooperative.

 

I run 265on the front and 305mm on the back and the shop stood behind my last alignment