As we transferred ownership of our new car, the past owner had me drive it over to the tire place for new tires. They installed and performed an alignment. Today I took it over to jaguar for its annual check up and service they told me that the front tires should be 245/40zr19 and the rears 275/35zr19. But the tire place installed 275/35zr19 all around. I was told that the tires should be changed to factory spec.

So the question, should I worry about this? Will it hurt anything leaving it as is, or should I go back and ask the tire place to make it right? Any thoughts?

 

I would also suggest factory specs.

 

275 will not fit properly on the rim, may well not fit into the front wheel wells either... definitely take it back let them deal with their total lack of knowledge and research.

They're are MANY posts/pages regrading tires on this forum you may want to peruse through

 

Research? All they had to do is look at the door sticker. Evidently they can't even do THAT.

 

There you go thinking tire places would use logic and common sense again CeeJay. There's no doubt I'd head back, sit with the owner/mgr and kindly but firmly insist they make things right with ZERO flack back... if that doesn't fly I'd put a stop-payment on my CC immediately.

All too often I've seen tire places put on whatever brand/model, even sizes they have in stock and want to push rather than what is advised... just happened to my buddy with his Infiniti G37 a month or so ago. They are about profits and availability not performance, longevity, or what the mfg recommends so buyer beware.

 

What idiots install the same width tires all around?

 

'Maybe' that's all they had in stock, or since the price of the rear tires is usually significantly more (percentage wise) than the fronts, it was a way to make a quick buck.
In any case, you need the narrower tires up front, and somebody (either you or the previous owner) is due a refund of the price difference.

 

This leads to an interesting discussion. If you go with all the same size tires it gives you the ability to rotate which will extend your wear. If I were to do it I would go with the 245/40's all around but if the 275's work without rubbing it may work out. I don't think the size difference would damage the suspension but with the proper alignment you shouldn't have a problem. The car was designed for normal performance with staggered tire sizes so I would prefer to stay with that but if it works and you get extended tire life it may be worth it. For normal driving I can't see this making to much of a difference.

 

Jagtoes is correct about the ability to properly rotate tires, and I have done similar on past cars, but to be honest, it was done by buying equal sized aftermarket rims as well. (Are your rims factory?)

Really puzzled how they got 275s mounted up front at all, and wonder if aggressive driving might just force them to unseat the bead and go flat in an instant. A unnerving thought when I think about it. It will certainly affect the handling dynamics, and probably make the car much more difficult to drive distances.

I run oversized on both my XK and XKR with 285/35-19s on the rear and 255/40-19s up front, and have for 4 or 5 years now.

I don't advocate that you must, return to factory, but I would probably get those 275s off the front.

Vince

 

I was just going to ask this! If the OP has four REAR-sized wheels, maybe that was the basis for the tire selection.
I dunno.
Speculation.

 

I would check the wheel with of OEM wheels. Usually there is maybe a 1/2" difference on staggered wheels . So if I were to mount all of the same size tires I would get an extra pair of rims for the rear which would be the same as the fronts. just my opinion.

 

The OP did not say when he bought his XK. He said that he took it to the dealer yesterday for its annual check up, which leads me to believe that he's been driving on those tires for a year. Good luck getting that tire dealer to replace those incorrect size front tires if he's an independent retailer. Hopefully, he's part of a national chain that will make it right, presuming it was their fault and the OP'S car doesn't have incorrect size front wheels.

Rule#1: Be safe. Tires are of critical importance because they're the connection between the car and the road and affect everything from braking to handling and comfort. But that's just common sense.

 

Based on this thread:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...007-xk-167355/

The new owner just picked up the car this passed Monday, so its only been 3-4 days since the tires were installed. Think there's a reasonable chance the tire shop will make it right.

 

Thanks, kj07xk, for clarifying the timeline. Bobioknight should play the "nice guy" card first and, hopefully, the tire dealer will replace the front tires with the proper size. If that doesn't work, and if he paid with a credit card, I agree with Leeper and recommend that the OP should dispute that charge in writing within 60 days from the date of purchase.

 

Thanks guys! I gave him the specs and he appeared to be pretty embarrassed. He will have the tires there in about a half hour or so to reinstall correctly. I am glad I asked the right people, appreciate all the suggestions and fortunately this turned out in our favor without a fight.

 

by the way, yes the rims are stock, so the fronts are narrower, and the tires did fit differently on those rims (obviously). and I did notice a funny buzzing vibration on the front since the new tires were put on. Not sure if it is related but in an hour or so I expect that will be gone.

 

Glad it all worked out for you without any problems. Hope you enjoy your new XK as much as I enjoy mine!

 

Excellent!

 

Another testament to the knowledgeable, friendly and helpful people on this forum. Well done gentlemen!!!

 

By the way, the vibration buzz I was feeling through the steering wheel is gone now also