Tyre load rating question

[SteveMor]

I have a 2007 DB9, I want to change the front tyres from the current Bridgestones to Michelin PSS, the current tyres, Bridgestones are 235 40 19" load rating 92. I can only find the Michelin PSS the same size but the load rating is 96. The owner handbook states a load rating of 92 for the front tyres.

Will the 96 load rating be ok & what difference will there be compared to the 92 load rating, will I notice any difference, & is OK to go for the 96 load rating?

Thanks

Steve

[divetheworld]

It just means they can handle extra weight. With PSS, the higher load rating will make them feel sharper.

[Sheepshanks]

divetheworld said:

It just means they can handle extra weight.

Well, only at higher pressure and only if they're XL.

The 96's will be likely be XL and for any given pressure their load capacity is the same as 92 non-XL. However they can go to higher pressures than non-XL and then their capacity is greater.

[Frances The Mute]

There's no problem changing to a 96. You have to maintain or improve upon the rating. Never go down.

[SteveMor]

Thanks for the feedback, so it sounds like it is ok to go to 96 load rating, I guess the down side will be that the ride might be harder, assuming that the side walls will be stiffer than the 92 rated tyre?

Steve

[Gday2]

I got the PSS, the sidewalls are softer you get a smoother ride, You may want to reduce the tyre pressure to 2,2 front and 2,3 rear, with the original AM pressure (2,3/2,5) they 'dance' when spireted driven. I am running the reduced pressure and they are far better then the Bridgestones, a little bit more comfy and much more grip, they need about 10 Km to warm up and then you have the full grip. When I installed mine it took about 1000 Km 'breaking in' in this time the performance was Ok and constantly improving.
Enjoy these great tires
Christian

[Frances The Mute]

SteveMor said:

Thanks for the feedback, so it sounds like it is ok to go to 96 load rating, I guess the down side will be that the ride might be harder, assuming that the side walls will be stiffer than the 92 rated tyre?

Steve

Not necessarily. The tyre construction mat we'll be the same as the 92 rated version. As tyre testing is quite exhaustive (read; time consuming and expensive) it's not uncommon for tyres of different ratings to share the same construction so they can be effectively down-rated to satisfy certain markets/requirements etc.

Outside of that, you'd need to be an experienced subjective test-driver to notice the difference in ratings so don't worry about it.

[Ken Figenus]

Had to put 99Y on my fronts with 95Y rating being specced (20") - zero issues. Probably slightly stiffer sidewalls as they will have more layers in their structure. Still far better and more compliant than the Bridgestone AMR approved ones.