I was changing lane, then I hear "bom", TPMS light was on shortly after, and showing the pressure was dropping.

because i was close to costco (they already closed) , so i parked at their tire service lot. Checked the tires, the right rear tire looks like something cut through. even the rim has .5 cm cut. What the...@%&**^%$.

I was thinking to have Porsche Roadside Assistance to tow to dealer, so i called, the lady at Roadside Assistance told me that because tomorrow is Sunday, all dealership are closed, they will first tow my car to some securey place keep it until monday, then tow to Tysons, VA dealer.

So I told her since I am already at Costco and they do open on Sunday, I would like to change the tire at Costco.

then this lady said "if you have your tires changed at Costco it will void your warranty. if you don't want to have warranty for your car, then do it."

I said "but Porsche warranty doesn't cover tires any way."

then she said "let me check" and put me on hold.
(after couple mins) she said "you can have Costco to replace your tire, but it has to be the exactly same tires that come with the car. Otherwise it will still void the warranty of your car."


Is this true?
I can hardly believe that use a different tire will void the entire warranty.

I went to Costco.com, and didn't find the tire [ Pilot® Sport PS2™ 265/35ZR19 (94Y) ] that come with my car. The only tire i found at Costco is [ Michelin - Pilot® Sport PS2™ 265/35R19/XL (98Y) ]

Can I use 265/35R19/XL (98Y)? (just checked on Michelin.com, 35R19/XL is for BMW, except load index and 50 psi, every thing is the same)
and will 98Y void the Porsche warranty?

there is a Goodyear nearby my house and open 9am tomorrow, should I buy the Pilot® Sport PS2™ 265/35ZR19 (94Y) and bring over to Costco and let them install it?

Also, if I let the dealer to replace the tire, how much will it cost part + labor?
last time I changed my engine oil at Tyson HBL, VA, they charged me $270, and overfiled twice (put 10 qt) and refused to drain out. So I really don't want to go over there again.

Can i ask Roadside Assistance to tow my car to one of Tire Rack Recommended installers?


thx

I've never heard such silliness before. For one thing, in the US it's illegal to specify a particular brand and model of replacement part to maintain the warranty, unless they provide it for free during the warranty period. The law governing this is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Unless the replacement part causes a failure it's illegal in the US to void a warranty because of the use of a substantially equal replacement part. (Same size & speed rating of tire, for example.) And even if the part does cause a problem, the auto manufacturer is not allowed to void the warranty on parts unaffected by the errant part. (For example, they can't deny coverage on the radio because you used improper tires.)

The only catch is that if Porsche decides to void your warranty improperly you have to pursue them in the courts, which is often more expensive than just swallowing the repair.

I'd feel comfortable replacing the tires with any brand of the same type, size, and speed rating as the originals. Otherwise, how could you ever mount snow tires and not void your warranty?

thanks for the fast reply, i was waiting online for the answer.

you have a point.
its ridiculous, sound like that lady just want to me get me car towed and send to dealer.

What benefit will they get from this?

by the way, Pilot® Sport PS2™ 265/35ZR19 (94Y) is for Porsche, load index 14,xxx lb, 51 psi max
Pilot® Sport PS2™ 265/35R19/XL (98Y) is for BMW, load indes 15,xxx lb, 50 psi max
all the number and size are the same, the only differences are load index and max psi.

is it ok to use it? or should i buy the 265/35ZR19 (94Y) from Goodyear and bring to Costco?

thx

If I were in your predicament I would get the Michelin PS2s from Costco.

I just looked at the Tire Rack web site, and there are three variations of the PS2 in that size, two Porsche N-spec versions, both on backorder, and the BMW version you mentioned. Every spec except the load rating is identical. I'd be really comfortable going with it in this situation.

The jacked up part is almost all the N-spec tires are on back order. Then the few that are coming in go straight to the Porsche dealers FIRST! You bet the prices reflect dealership marked up prices too. Sad to say that I don't buy into the hype of N-spec, its just PAG way IMO to get even more of your $$.

Our cars have no speed gov and it would be a bad move for PAG not to PRE-SELECT tires for the owner that knows little about just how important tires really are. It also protects the Costco's,Wal-marts, and many other minimum wage tire sales shops around the world. I went into a firestone once, told them about the car and checking their prices, the sales guy said "all the N-specs are no good your lucky to get 10k miles out of them". HE WAS A JOKE!

Point is read and learn, you will be buying several sets of tires so learn it now, and save the heart ache, or allways buy N-Spec and your $+$ will protect you.

+1 on this idea

I think the person you talked to over the phone about the warranty just threw out a blanket statement. Next time you hear stuff like that, just tell them that they are incorrect and that they need to follow up with their facts. All that lady did was repeat a statement that her manager ordered her to repeat, she has no idea on what it means and when it is applied.

The tires you mention should be fine, and Costco does tons of tire changes a day, so you should be in good shape.

thank you, thank very much everyone, I am n00b, a lot of stuff need to learn......

I finaly can have a good rest for the rest night......

have to get up really early in order to get in the line at Costco.



To ul2fly: I know in order to get the best out of N tires is on the track. Since i am not going to track it, I guess it is ok to use other long last tire. Any hint, what should i get?
thanks

Just in case that Costco doesn't have the tire, if I buy the tire in other store and bring over, can they still install it with install fee? or they will only install the tire when we buy tire from Costco?

Also, should I replace both rear tires to make them balance?
I have 8K+ mile on 4 tiers right now.

Tires are not covered under the Porsche warranty, period. You will have to pay for the new tires and mounting. If you don't trust the dealer in Tysons, then have them tow it to the dealer in Alexandria (I forget the name) - probably about the same distance... The 19" P2s are on back order all over, but yes, dealers can get them - PCNA has a deal with Tirerack to be thier exclusive provider for OEM N-spec tires. So they usually have a supply set-aside for the dealers.

You should not put one Goodyear tire and leave the remaining three Michelins on it... the tires really should match. In this case, since you have about 8k miles on all the tires - that's a little less than 1/2 worn, you should replace both fronts, and leave the rears as they are. The dealer will only replace your tires with N-Spec, it's the Porsche rules that dealers have to abide by,

Tires for this car also need to be mounted correctly and road-force balanced - it's rare that a Costco would have this kind of equipment. The dealers do.

Let me also say that I don't necessarily endorse always buying your tires from the dealer there are better deals out there, but in this case, I think it's your best course of action, considering your experience level, and the fact that the tires are on back-order. At my dealer, they will match the Tirerack price for tires, if you ask them.

The N-spec has nothing to do with whether or not you're going to use the car on a race track. The N-spec means the tires have been tested by Porsche to meet certain performance parameters that Porsche specifies for wet and dry performance street driving. On some tire models, specifically some of the Bridgestone tires, even the tire tread pattern can be different from non-N-spec tires. If you can get N-spec Michelins, I would recommend you use them.

Unfortunately, you've bought a an expensive sports car, where all the systems, including the tires have been engineered to work together, and the care and upkeep of a car like this can, and will be expensive, too. I don't view the use of N-spec tires, and Porsche's insistence that we do so, as some nefarious plot to make us part with more money - for one thing, this money for tires doesn't go into Porsche's pocket.

Good luck,
brad

__________________
21-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

If I were you, I would trust the dealer in Tysons VA. They are HBL and that is where I get my car serviced. They are real honest and have a very quick turn around time.

In contrast, my local dealer Rockville Porsche Audi, is the complete opposite. If you call them, they will give you an appointment about a week and a half after HBL could fit you in. Plus, HBL will give you a free loaner car if your car is under warranty, EVEN IF YOU DID NOT BUY YOUR PORSCHE FROM THEM.

Rockville Porsche Audi does not do this, they only provide one if you bought your car from them.

You are absolutely correct about the Costco line, for other cars Tuesday and Wednesday mornings seem to be the best time, but then you either need a ride or would have to wait for it.

Just drop it off at HBL, get a free loaner car and you should be good to go.

Costco normally does not install someone elses tires for you, they only do their own stuff. This is because Costco has their own "Road Hazard" program that is included in the cost of every tire they sell and install. The amount of money you would have to pay to ship/drive the tire to Costco would wash out any savings if you had Costco install it.