XC90 Tyre Choice

[SteelerSE]

Hi all - I'm new to this area of Pistonheads.

I've had an XC90 (2011 Executive) for about a year now and the rear tyres need replacing. Irritatingly I had a puncture a while back and all KwikFit had was an overpriced Hankook. The other front is a Conti that will need replacing soon-ish.

My local place has some General Grabbers available fitted for £115 each or I can order in some Nokian ZLine's for £130 fitted.

That still leaves me with the new Hankook on the front but I'm not sure I want to go and buy three Hankook's and be stuck with tyres that no one I've seen so far is recommending for it. Or are they?

Any suggestions?

[Murph7355]

The last tyres we put on ours were Dunlops (SP QuattroMaxx). We put them on to try and reduce road noise that was getting worse which started out as if it was tyres (it wasn't, it was the start of failing wheel bearings). They actually did an admirable job regardless, cutting road noise by a fair bit. If the last word in quietness is needed, these are a good shout ().

Prior to that we had Vredestein Wintrac Extremes. A little noisier than the Dunlops, but a very good all weather tyre that we tested in snow to good effect (never had snow while the Dunlops were on). If all weather ability is important to you, I'd recommend these.

We also had Pirelli Scorpion on. Pretty 'meh' and expensive. I wouldn't recommend them.

And finally the new XC90 we have now has Continental ContactSports on (I think). They're OK, but nothing to write home about.

I'll go either Vredestein or Dunlop when they need changing I suspect (assuming sizes are available etc). Though Michelin were in the process of releasing a new all weather tyre that's meant to be very good, quiet etc etc. And I've been impressed with Michelin tyres for my other cars. They just weren't doing the right sizes when we bought the Dunlops. May be worth searching them out.

[400SE Dave]

Always had Continental Cross Contacts on ours, decent alround tyre in all conditions and they went close to 25k miles on the front

[SteelerSE]

Thanks for the recommendations. As I'm in the south of England I'm less concerned about really bad weather tyre and the parking in a field somewhere will be about as off road as I'll get so something road based - quiet, good grip and decent wear rates sounds good. I'll see what I can find out about the Dunlop and Michelin.

[Murph7355]

Michelins were CrossClimates and I still don't think they do the right sizes for the XC90...

[Paw]

I have the same XC90, from the factory it was fitted with P-Zeros. These were not a good fit for the car, I changed these for General Grabbers or the recommendation of people on the XC90 forum.

Im very pleased with them.

Paw

[SteelerSE]

Thanks Paw. That's what I was planning on doing after some research this weekend but it's great to hear from someone else who has used the Grabbers.

[Bonefish Blues]

There's a mahoosive thread on exactly this on Volvo Forum BTW

[SteelerSE]

Yeah but it's so massive that it's really hard to find anything useful from it.

I've bought two Grabbers (232 fitted) and will wait until one of the fronts goes before updating the other two. Thanks for the feedback.

[gizlaroc]

Don't you need to change all 4 tyres at the same time on the XC90 so you don't wind up the transmission?

[SteelerSE]

No idea - I'm never sure whether that stuff is old wives tales or something that's actually got some basis in fact.

[gizlaroc]

Haha, of course it has truth, but it depends on the AWD system.


I have a feeling the XC90 may not be a true AWD system, well, it is but like a Haldex system you get on some Audis, which probably wouldn't be an issue.

But you need to be careful, different tread depths, hence rotational speed of front/rear axle can cause some expensive failures on some systems.

[SteelerSE]

Thanks for the heads up.

[400SE Dave]

Only ever changed 2 at a time on ours and we sold it with 95k miles on it with no transmission issues. Sounds like a load of rubbish as front and rear tyres wear at different rates anyway

[gizlaroc]

400SE Dave said:

Only ever changed 2 at a time on ours and we sold it with 95k miles on it with no transmission issues. Sounds like a load of rubbish as front and rear tyres wear at different rates anyway

It isn't a load of rubbish on many AWD systems, most of the Audi Quattros say to rotate tyres front and rear to keep the tread depths close so you don't wind the diff up, same with some of the BMWs and Range Rovers.
However, many are Haldex systems now where you can get away with far more difference.

Just keep an eye out for any droning noise or skipping on slow tight turns.

[Catchme]

I have used Grabbers for a good few years now. I get around 40k from the rears and 30k from the fronts. The UHPs are super quiet directional tyres - not sure you can still get them in the UK though.