Downgrading tire speed ratings - manufacturers have differing views. (1990 Custom Wheel and Tire Style Guide)

In a perfect world, you would get all the tires you need when you need them, warehouse clubs would sell just office supplies and chewing gum, and your customers would understand what makes a performance product a performance product and buy two sets of tires and wheels each year.

Unfortunately, this isn't nirvana. Supply problems exist, you battle daily with warehouse clubs offering the lowest prices in town and customers don't seem to know the first thing about tires and wheels,

Specifically, customers don't understand tire speed ratings. My," they query, do I need a tire capable of going 149 mph when I exceed the speed limit only rarely, on warm spring afternoons? Give me a lower-speed tire."

How do you reply in a situation like this? Do you tell the customer that lowering the speed rating is wrong and that tire manufacturers advise never changing speed ratings,

If so, you're wrong.

Surprisingly, major tire …