Fitting Lower Load-Rated Tyres

[David87]

I have a new Hyundai i10 for work and the tyres are knackered. It's still on its OEM 175/65 R14 86T XL Continentals, but I'd like to fit all-seasons that, as far as I can see, only come in the non-XL 82 load rating.

I can't understand why such a small and light car would be on the XL tyres from the factory anyway, especially when the eco version (which must pretty much weigh the same) comes with 155/70 R13 75T tyres. The 82-rated tyre is, therefore, going to be absolutely fine, but might there be insurance issues?

[rallycross]

That model is unlikely to need XL rated tyres, unless they specified that (which is unlikely).
One way to check is put the reg in Tyre shopper or National and see what they recommend off that reg.

[Bluebarge]

There should be a page in the manual telling you what tyres you can fit. Failing that, Event Tyres are offering the Goodyear Vector 4 season with the load rating you have now.

[AnotherGareth]

David87 said:

I have a new Hyundai i10 for work and the tyres are knackered. It's still on its OEM 175/65 R14 86T XL Continentals

Are you sure this is the original fitting? WiseBuyersGuide suggests that 165/60R14 could also have been the oem size.

David87 said:

I can't understand why such a small and light car would be on the XL tyres from the factory anyway

It isn't the XL designation that's important so much as the Load Index marked on the tyres. XL tyres have a higher load index than non-XL tyres in the same model and from the same manufacturer, and while load index values tend to be similar for all available non-XL tyres, likewise all available XL tyres, there can be differences between manufacturers and models.

Look in the engine bay for the ministry plate, (possibly a paper sticker), which shows the maximum permitted axle weights for front and rear axles. Divide by two and add a margin for safety, and then look up the load index conversion.

FWIW 165/60R14 tyres seem to mostly have a 75 (normal) or 79 (XL) load index, while 175/60R14 seem to be 79 (normal) or 83 (XL), (the latter seem uncommon). This compares with 155/70R13 which are 75 (normal) or 78 or 79 (XL).

Finally, there seems to be a wide choice of all-season tyres in 165/60R14.

[TA14]

AnotherGareth said:

David87 said:

I have a new Hyundai i10 for work and the tyres are knackered. It's still on its OEM 175/65 R14 86T XL Continentals

Are you sure this is the original fitting? WiseBuyersGuide suggests that 165/60R14 could also have been the oem size.

The i10 owner's manual (page 9/3) would seem to agree with you that 165/60/14 is the correct tyre size: https://www.myhyundai.ie/myHyundaiIE/myHyundai_ie/... unless we've both got the wrong version of the car.

[TooMany2cvs]

Have a look on the VIN plate under the bonnet. Take the higher of the two maximum axle loads, halve it, and see what the lowest load rating that exceeds that figure is :- http://www.blackcircles.com/general/load-rating

So if the maximum front axle is 750kg and maximum back axle is 850kg (both wet-finger-in-air figures, btw), then 425kg per tyre gives you 78 load rating as being adequate.

[David87]

Thanks for the help, guys. Yeah, I'm sure I have the right size - the owner's manual above is for the old i10, not the new model.