Tires: Tire speed ratings & Alignment, front wheel alignment, 2008 toyota matrix

Question
So I ordered a pair of tires online that consumer reports rated pretty good. Not the top but near there for a good price. Hankook Optimo H727.I arrive for my appointment and the guy says that i shouldn't get those but get a Mcraft Strategy (guess they're made by Cooper). He said that part of the reason is the Hanooks are T rated and the Mcrafts are H rated. He said go with the H because my vehicle has overdrive. Not really knowing I said yes. Looking now I think I've been taken for a ride. Would overdrive really make any difference? He also said that the Hanooks weren't warrantied.
Also - the tires came with a free front wheel alignment but the rear was $49. The printout I got says that the #s for the front are now normal but the rear are EXACTLY the same for camber and toe (and total toe for the rear). It also came with a sheet that said the manufacturer does not specify rear camber and toe adjustments. When I asked the guy at the counter he said it was a four wheel alignment as the steer ahead is now 0.01 (it was -0.14). Did they even touch the rear wheels? Did I pay for something they didn't do? It's a 2008 Toyota Matrix - front wheel drive.

Answer
Dave,

Your car came originally with H speed rated tires - and many tire shops will not apply tires that are less than what it originally came with.  Perhaps that was what was being alluded to.

I also did a little checking and I don't think the Toyo H727 comes in a size to fit your vehicle - and perhaps that is what was meant by "no warranty" - as in wrong tire size would void the warranty!

The alignment? It's a little hard to figure out from your description what is going on.

First, vehicle manufacturers specify camber and toe for the rear axle, but some do not provide adjustment - and I think the Matrix is one of those!  However, it can be adjusted with a kit (if it is out of spec), but that costs extra.

But the term "steer ahead" is not an alignment term and my best guess is that they were referring to "thrust angle" - and that at least seems reasonable for the values you quoted - and that would also mean the toe in the rear axle WAS adjusted.

Did you keep a copy of the Printout?  Is there anything out of spec?  Was the value you were referring to the last one on the sheet?  Id so, then post back with some of that and we can discuss this further, but overall, I think they didn't do a good job of explaining what was going on, but it doesn't seem like they cheated you.