Why are all all-season tyres XL rated?

[Toyoda]

Been looking at getting some new tyres for the missus's Clio and fancy some all weathers. Any reason why they all seem to be extra load rated and if this will be a problem on a small hatchback? e.g. Michelin CrossClimate, Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen2.

[Toyoda]

bump

[Truckosaurus]

There's no problem going up a load rating, the ride might be slightly worse due to the sturdier construction.

[Toyoda]

It's not so much the load rating I'm talking about e.g. going from an H to a V, rather it's the XL (extra load) marking on these tyres.

[marshalla]

Toyoda said:

It's not so much the load rating I'm talking about e.g. going from an H to a V, rather it's the XL (extra load) marking on these tyres.

H and V are speed ratings (130 and 149 mph, respectively from memory). Load rating is maximum weight per tyre.

[lostkiwi]

Truckosaurus said:

There's no problem going up a load rating, the ride might be slightly worse due to the sturdier construction.

This is exactly right. XL rated tyres have stiffer sidewalls. You may also need to refine tyre pressure with XL rated tyres.

[Toyoda]

lostkiwi said:

This is exactly right. XL rated tyres have stiffer sidewalls. You may also need to refine tyre pressure with XL rated tyres.

OK sorry I meant 84 vs 88.... this is one thing but the XL is another isn't it?

[loskie]

http://www.nordiccartyres.com/nokian-winter-tyres/...

various load ratings here/\

[Sheepshanks]

lostkiwi said:

You may also need to refine tyre pressure with XL rated tyres.

I asked Michelin about this (as XL tyres have a lower load capacity at normal pressure than non-XL) and they said to use the same pressures. When I queried their answer they sent me a hefty handbook listing tyres and pressures etc that was about 3 yrs old and didn't mention Cross Climate.

I bought a set from Costco and the guys there are apparently Michelin trained. The one who dealt with me told me XL means the tyres can be used year round without overheating.

I *think* what he was trying to say is winter / all season tyres get hotter in winter than summer tyres do and therefore have a tendency to overheat in summer. To stop them exploding, Michelin made them all XL. I can't say this is wrong, but it sounds like bks.

Anyway, they seem fine on the Golf in terms of ride - although they did replace Bridgestones which are noted for having stiff sidewalls.

[thegreenhell]

I always thought it was to compensate for the softer rubber compound and more flexible tread blocks, and help maintain some contact patch stability.

[Toyoda]

Thanks Sheepshanks, good to hear from someone who owns some cross climates. So in the end I take it you've just gone for the normal pressures?

[Sheepshanks]

Toyoda said:

Thanks Sheepshanks, good to hear from someone who owns some cross climates. So in the end I take it you've just gone for the normal pressures?

Yes. The Golf's normal pressures are only 2bar (29lbs) all round and the difference in load capacity between standard tyres (91) and XL (94) at 2 bar is 15kg (91 is 515kg, 94XL is 500kg). 2.1bar (30.5lbs) takes the 94XL's to 520kg.

I decided it was neither here nor there and left them at 29 for day-to-day use.

[350zStee]

I went to a course at Michelin for CrossClimate tyres. The reason all their tyres are XL is to allow the tyres to fit a wider range of vehicles to include vehicles where XL is fitted as standard fitment.

Thanks

[tgr]

Any direct experience of their performance either in conditions where ordinarily one would have used winter tyres, or in summer heat (30C plus)?

[jon-]

350zStee said:

I went to a course at Michelin for CrossClimate tyres. The reason all their tyres are XL is to allow the tyres to fit a wider range of vehicles to include vehicles where XL is fitted as standard fitment.

Thanks

Exactly this.

Tooling machines and moulds is difficult. While the tyre is new and they're only making limited sizes, they're going to make the size which can be fitted to the widest range of cars, so they make the higher load rating as that has more applications.

[rich888]

Toyoda said:

Been looking at getting some new tyres for the missus's Clio and fancy some all weathers. Any reason why they all seem to be extra load rated and if this will be a problem on a small hatchback? e.g. Michelin CrossClimate, Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen2.

Take a look at the list of suitable tyres for the Clio: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyres_For/Renault/

And to anyone else with a different car, take a look at: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyres_For/

[jon-]

On the CrossClimate / All Season / Summer / Winter subject, you might enjoy this video we hacked together on one of our recent tests:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNuqGUgbcIk