Tyre sidewalls
Discussion
So I want to get some new tyres for my A3 and it seems I have the choice of quite a lot.
Looking at Continental SportContact 5's. BUT I can get either XL or normal, XL being stiffer sidewalls.
What are the advantages of this? my car is an SE so 17", non-low-profile tyres. I want low road noise and supreme comfort.
Thanks
Looking at Continental SportContact 5's. BUT I can get either XL or normal, XL being stiffer sidewalls.
What are the advantages of this? my car is an SE so 17", non-low-profile tyres. I want low road noise and supreme comfort.
Thanks
XL usually goes along with a higher load rating number - say 98 instead of 95.
Have a look in your handbook - it'll give the tyre spec as 225/65 17 95V, or whatever. It's that last couple of digits that are the load rating.
If your car doesn't need the higher load rating, then don't go for the XLs. They'll be stiffer-riding, probably without any handling or grip benefit.
Have a look in your handbook - it'll give the tyre spec as 225/65 17 95V, or whatever. It's that last couple of digits that are the load rating.
If your car doesn't need the higher load rating, then don't go for the XLs. They'll be stiffer-riding, probably without any handling or grip benefit.
I just typed the number plate into blackcircles and it came up with those choices.
The Audi OE symbol is also next to the one without the XL (but is £30 a tyre more???) should I have any issue choosing the non Audi OE one but otherwise same specs?
The profile, the Y and the number are the same but the stats are different? Bit confusing...
here is a pic
The Audi OE symbol is also next to the one without the XL (but is £30 a tyre more???) should I have any issue choosing the non Audi OE one but otherwise same specs?
The profile, the Y and the number are the same but the stats are different? Bit confusing...
here is a pic
XL tyres use a different load inflation table to determine how much load they can carry
typically XL tyres are rated to carry slightly less load at lower inflation pressures than standard load, but are rated for a higher pressure than a standard load tyre so ultimately are capable of carrying a greater load.
Running standard load where only XL is specified by the vehicle manufactuer or XL where only standard load is specified, would mean that the recommended tyre pressures for that vehicle are no longer particularly applicable
typically XL tyres are rated to carry slightly less load at lower inflation pressures than standard load, but are rated for a higher pressure than a standard load tyre so ultimately are capable of carrying a greater load.
Running standard load where only XL is specified by the vehicle manufactuer or XL where only standard load is specified, would mean that the recommended tyre pressures for that vehicle are no longer particularly applicable
Ozzie Osmond said:
twoblacklines said:
should I have any issue choosing the non Audi OE one but otherwise same specs?
Well, in theory it's a "modification" which you would need to disclose to your insurers. Tyre wall stiffness is something I've come to know of quite well recently;
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I've actually now got 4 of the same Dunlops on (hoping that 4 of the same might solve the 'squirm') but it is still no where as sharp as when the OE Bridestones were on.
I now firmly believe that easy to digest info should be relayed to customers.
Bridgestones:
Tread - 1 Polyester.
Sidewall - 1 Polyester + 2 Steel + 1 Polyamide
Dunlops:
Tread - 2 Steel + 3 Rayton + 1 Nylon
Sidewall - 1 Raych (or is it Ratch??)
???? Exactly!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I've actually now got 4 of the same Dunlops on (hoping that 4 of the same might solve the 'squirm') but it is still no where as sharp as when the OE Bridestones were on.
I now firmly believe that easy to digest info should be relayed to customers.
Bridgestones:
Tread - 1 Polyester.
Sidewall - 1 Polyester + 2 Steel + 1 Polyamide
Dunlops:
Tread - 2 Steel + 3 Rayton + 1 Nylon
Sidewall - 1 Raych (or is it Ratch??)
???? Exactly!!!
Fastra said:
Dunlops:
Tread - 2 Steel + 3 Rayton + 1 Nylon
Sidewall - 1 Raych (or is it Ratch??)
???? Exactly!!!
It's Rayon. Both are Rayon. Rayon is hardly an unusual material.Tread - 2 Steel + 3 Rayton + 1 Nylon
Sidewall - 1 Raych (or is it Ratch??)
???? Exactly!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayon
I thought SE's came with 16" wheels as standard.
That's probably you best option if you want low noise and better ride. There will probably be greater choice of tyres and cheaper too.
On my A3 I went from 17" on Pirelli Cintaurato onto 16" with Nokian WR D3 winter tyres. There's a noticeable reduction in road noise and less vibrations from rough surfaces. I previously ran Dunlop SportMaxx RT on the 16" wheels were similar to the 17"s for noise and comfort.
That's probably you best option if you want low noise and better ride. There will probably be greater choice of tyres and cheaper too.
On my A3 I went from 17" on Pirelli Cintaurato onto 16" with Nokian WR D3 winter tyres. There's a noticeable reduction in road noise and less vibrations from rough surfaces. I previously ran Dunlop SportMaxx RT on the 16" wheels were similar to the 17"s for noise and comfort.
twoblacklines said:
By low profile I mean 35's, these are 45's. My s-line had 35's I think and it was terrible!
So I still have no idea what tyres to buy for my car?
Anything below full section (which ironically is 80/82) is known as low profile - you need an extra adjective, eg super low profile.So I still have no idea what tyres to buy for my car?
With the requirements that are in your OP, I agree with the poster above: put the 17" wheels in the garage and buy a set of 16s.
To answer your question, ignor XL tyres. In 225/45/17 you have lots of choice - how about: http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110... that's a Dunlop with an A rain rating and 67db.
LeoSayer said:
I would take those dB ratings with a big pinch of salt.
I found Dunlop Sport Maxx RT with 67dB to have far more road noise than my current Nokians which are rated at 72dB.
Yes, I was half asleep there; the db ratings are drive by and one way to reduce that number is to have the noise bouncing round in the wheel arch.I found Dunlop Sport Maxx RT with 67dB to have far more road noise than my current Nokians which are rated at 72dB.
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