Tyre Load Rating - Can't Google answer :-(
Discussion
Hi all. Hoping you can help me please.
My daughter has had from new a July 2011 Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.25L. Tyre size is 195/45 R16 84V.
She drives in all weathers and I really want to make sure she has the best tyres on for wet/snowy conditions. I really want to get her four Michelin Crossclimates BUT these only come in 195/45 R16 80V (note the load rating is 80 and not 84).
80 = 450 KG
84 = 500 KG
I notice that some tyre supplier has in fact installed a single 80V on her car so she has 3 that are 84V and one that is 80V. I'm not very happy about that because I think they should all be the same and should be as per the original OEM 84V.
But I have no idea what I am talking about; I know nothing about tyres.
So what do you think? Can I safely fit 4 x 195/45 R16 80V in place of the OEM 195/45 R16 84V ?
The user manual doesn't actual give the load rating to be used it only gives the 195/45 R16 V bit but not the load rating.
(PS further question, would the tyre pressures need to be non standard if I did?)
Many thanks for your advice in advance.
(PPS It is the safety issue I am predominantly interested in but any views on Michelin Crossclimates also appreciated).
My daughter has had from new a July 2011 Ford Fiesta Zetec 1.25L. Tyre size is 195/45 R16 84V.
She drives in all weathers and I really want to make sure she has the best tyres on for wet/snowy conditions. I really want to get her four Michelin Crossclimates BUT these only come in 195/45 R16 80V (note the load rating is 80 and not 84).
80 = 450 KG
84 = 500 KG
I notice that some tyre supplier has in fact installed a single 80V on her car so she has 3 that are 84V and one that is 80V. I'm not very happy about that because I think they should all be the same and should be as per the original OEM 84V.
But I have no idea what I am talking about; I know nothing about tyres.
So what do you think? Can I safely fit 4 x 195/45 R16 80V in place of the OEM 195/45 R16 84V ?
The user manual doesn't actual give the load rating to be used it only gives the 195/45 R16 V bit but not the load rating.
(PS further question, would the tyre pressures need to be non standard if I did?)
Many thanks for your advice in advance.
(PPS It is the safety issue I am predominantly interested in but any views on Michelin Crossclimates also appreciated).
Dear all, many thanks for taking the time to reply.
The annoying thing is that of the 4 tyres on the car at present one is a completely different make/tread pattern/load/speed rating than the other 3 and it was fitted by a Ford main dealer during a service. I never even bothered checking it as I had assumed they would fit OEM like all the other tyres. I've learnt a lesson there.
Still not decided what tyre to go for but thanks to the last poster for suggestions.
The annoying thing is that of the 4 tyres on the car at present one is a completely different make/tread pattern/load/speed rating than the other 3 and it was fitted by a Ford main dealer during a service. I never even bothered checking it as I had assumed they would fit OEM like all the other tyres. I've learnt a lesson there.
Still not decided what tyre to go for but thanks to the last poster for suggestions.
ZaphodBeeblebrox1 said:
I'm fairly astonished that this should be even remotely a contentious issue. The information is all out there. The minimum tyre load rating will be in the handbook or on a sticker on the car, often just inside the driver's door metalwork if you open the door. The load rating is a 2 digit number and following it is a single letter speed rating. The load rating is a minimum legal requirement but a bigger number is fine. The MOT regulations specify a check for load rating for each tyre but in the real world I've never noticed anyone bother much. Tyres don't just go pop.
http://www.blackcircles.com/general/load-rating
Enter the reg number here if opening the car doors is a chore.
Opening the door was never a chore! You may be surprised to know that the plate doesn't give the load rating. Nor does the user handbook see page 150 here http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/cat... No idea why not. The question I asked was whether it was safe to use a lower load rating than is currently on the car not what the load rating was. The consensus seemed it's not and your point about mot is a good one. I have no idea why a ford main dealer fitted one tyre with a lower load rating than the tyres fitted as Oem. http://www.blackcircles.com/general/load-rating
Enter the reg number here if opening the car doors is a chore.
Edited by ppsh1944 on Saturday 3rd December 01:16
CarsOrBikes said:
on that fiesta an 80 would be fine really, the car is most likely less than a 1000kg, and winter tyres aren't necessarily a match for the original specs anyway.
mot regs used to allow a fail on mismatched speed ratings etc but not now, so a load rating is not going to be looked at in the U.K.
the sheer fact it has winter tyres fitted below 7 degrees is safer than any issue over the load rating concern, so i'd fit them, although nothing out there says Michelin are the best tyre, so you may find another make in a 84, it also doesn't need a V rated tyre as the fiesta will never achieve 140mph, so look for H which is still 130.
only my 2p
Thanks - good advice.mot regs used to allow a fail on mismatched speed ratings etc but not now, so a load rating is not going to be looked at in the U.K.
the sheer fact it has winter tyres fitted below 7 degrees is safer than any issue over the load rating concern, so i'd fit them, although nothing out there says Michelin are the best tyre, so you may find another make in a 84, it also doesn't need a V rated tyre as the fiesta will never achieve 140mph, so look for H which is still 130.
only my 2p
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