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any tyre geeks....

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Old 06-10-2012 | 06:46 PM
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Default any tyre geeks....

on here?

just a question on a saturday night in with the family, need to get 4 new tyres for the RS so looking around at deals etc and it got me thinking about load and speed ratings.

we obviously buy our tyres in the right size, but do we need to stick to the original load/speed rating, i assume higher speed rating will mean the obvious but how do load markings affect performance and handling?

i know this is pretty insignificant but it does the fact the tyre is designed to carry more load make it harder and less grippy, should we stick with the optimum or decide our tyres on budget....as there is a difference in price and availbilty of different brands/types

your thoughts?
Old 06-10-2012 | 07:01 PM
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stiffer sidewalls would, i expect, lead to more grip up until the limit followed by a quicker transition from full grip to no grip
Old 06-10-2012 | 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by dojj
stiffer sidewalls would, i expect, lead to more grip up until the limit followed by a quicker transition from full grip to no grip
so the load rating is based on the sidewall stiffness then?

i was thinking this as i need some 18s and have several to choose from

88W
90Y
92Y
......?
Old 06-10-2012 | 07:07 PM
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the load rating would HAVE to come from the sidewall wouldn't it?

cant come from anywhere else
Old 06-10-2012 | 07:27 PM
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As far as I can recall load rating deals with ply ,case construction ,compound and how the casing deals with not just load but heat so with a shift in load spec can be reffering to changes in as said, ply , compound an costruction
Old 06-10-2012 | 07:33 PM
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i dont know if this helps, i cant be bothered reading it.
Part of the tyre size are two digits that most motorists are unaware of or don't know what they mean. The two digits before the speed rating symbol as show in the diagram as 91V are the load rating. The load-rating is essentially the maximum weight the tyre can carry. Tyres have different load ratings but generally a tyre of the same size usually are the same. Lower profile sizes tend to have lower load ratings compared to higher profile ones. If you are considering changing your tyre size either up sizing or down sizing the load rating should be the same or higher than the original fitment. Fitting an incorrect load rating is seriously compromising on safety and can result in a serious accident. Load ratings can vary even when the size is the same as some tyres come as standard load ratings and others have been further strengthened. These types usually have the acronym 'XL' or 'RF' on the sidewall this means the tyre structure has been reinforced meaning it can more weight. The XL type are necessary for vehicles that carry more than 5 people and some estate vehicles that carry more wieght in the boot. A common car size 215/55/16 has a load capacity of 93 which reading of the chart equates to 650kg per wheel. Including the load of the vehicle anything extra including the passengers should not go over the 650kg or 1300kg (calculated for two tyres) over the axle distributed evenly. The same size 215/55/16 also comes in the XL version and this tyre has load rating of 97 which equates to 730kg, hence there is a clear advantage of 80kg per tyre. Generally speaking if you fit the correct size you should have the correct rated tyres but make sure as mentioned above you may need the XL and RF version read the load index rating as well before you make any purchase
Old 06-10-2012 | 07:35 PM
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I have heard that if you have an accident and upon inspection you have a lower rated tyre than originally fitted then they wouldnt pay out.

How true that is I don'y know.
Old 06-10-2012 | 07:51 PM
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Edited

Last edited by RSargie; 06-10-2012 at 07:53 PM.
Old 06-10-2012 | 07:54 PM
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Check your cars F/R max axle weights. Divide by two ( ie per tyre ) and you MUST have a tyre with a load rating higher than this in order to be legal.
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