Tyre weight rating and XL question

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Yes, I know it has been asked many times, but usually can lower ratings be used.

I'm looking to get some 225/45 R17 91V tyres (Vredestein Quatrac 3), but most shops seem to only stock 225/45 R17 94V XL.

Can I use 94 XL instead of 91 normal load? Seems I should be able to, but still unsure and its quite an expense so I don't want to get it wrong.

Thanks.

[Jimmyarm]

They exceed the load rating of the 91v gyres so I see no issues.

[Stitch]

With XL being for use on SUV's I would have thought it would be overkill on a normal car.

I imagine that the tyre wall is reinforced so putting on a car rather than an SUV would have the effect of making the ride harder.

Everyone complains about BMW's switch to run flats (negative impact on ride) and I think that you would be doing the same thing by going XL on a car.

[Jimmyarm]

Stitch said:

With XL being for use on SUV's I would have thought it would be overkill on a normal car.

I imagine that the tyre wall is reinforced so putting on a car rather than an SUV would have the effect of making the ride harder.

Everyone complains about BMW's switch to run flats (negative impact on ride) and I think that you would be doing the same thing by going XL on a car.

Why is XL just for use on SUV's ?

It nearly indicates the tyre can be inflated to higher pressures than a normal tyre....

[lemonslap]

My Saab 9-3 has 235/45/17 XL tyres as standard, so it's not only SUV's that use them.

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Thanks guys.

Gave up on the Vredestein as mytyres didn't want my money so went elsewhere for a set of Falken Ziex ZE-912 225/45 R17 W (94).

94 rating, but not XL so should be fine. £300 cheaper!

[Stitch]

Jimmyarm said:

Stitch said:

With XL being for use on SUV's I would have thought it would be overkill on a normal car.

I imagine that the tyre wall is reinforced so putting on a car rather than an SUV would have the effect of making the ride harder.

Everyone complains about BMW's switch to run flats (negative impact on ride) and I think that you would be doing the same thing by going XL on a car.

Why is XL just for use on SUV's ?

It nearly indicates the tyre can be inflated to higher pressures than a normal tyre....

No it doesn't, it means that the tyre is built for extra load on low profile tyres, that is, for heavier cars - typically SUV's.

I didn't say that it was not possible to put on a car just that being reinforced it was likely to firm up the ride as the runflats do on BMW's cars.

What XL has no bearing on at all is whether the tyre should be pumped up more.

Edited by Stitch on Sunday 28th August 11:24

[DavidHM]

An SUV will also need a higher load rating than 94 typically.

[TonyRPH]

Audi recommend XL tyres for the A4 Quattro (and presumably A6 / A8 models too).

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Ended up with 94Z XL continental. Garage and blackcircles both recommended 94xl. Audi said either 91 or 94, but didn't know what I meant by XL!

[Puddenchucker]

Stitch said:

Jimmyarm said:

Stitch said:

With XL being for use on SUV's I would have thought it would be overkill on a normal car.

I imagine that the tyre wall is reinforced so putting on a car rather than an SUV would have the effect of making the ride harder.

Everyone complains about BMW's switch to run flats (negative impact on ride) and I think that you would be doing the same thing by going XL on a car.

Why is XL just for use on SUV's ?

It nearly indicates the tyre can be inflated to higher pressures than a normal tyre....

No it doesn't, it means that the tyre is built for extra load on low profile tyres, that is, for heavier cars - typically SUV's.

I didn't say that it was not possible to put on a car just that being reinforced it was likely to firm up the ride as the runflats do on BMW's cars.

What XL has no bearing on at all is whether the tyre should be pumped up more.

Uniroyal don't necessarily agree with your statement:





You'll notice how, for example, a standard tyre with a load index of 91 requires 2.5bar for a 615kg rating, but an XL tyre with the same load index requires 2.9bar for the same 615kg rating.

Edited by Puddenchucker on Sunday 28th August 15:22

[Deva Link]

Puddenchucker said:

You'll notice how, for example, a standard tyre with a load index of 91 requires 2.5bar for a 615kg rating, but an XL tyre with the same load index requires 2.9bar for the same 615kg rating.

That's interesting - the XL tyres have a lower weight rating at "normal" pressures than standard tyres. Not what I would have expected.

Wonder if that's due to re-inforced sidewalls generating more heat?