Tyre speed rating
 

It’s time to get new tyres and for the ones I fancy (Michelin Pilot Primacy) there is £25 per tyre difference between W (168mph) and V (149mph) rated tyres. A UK V50 downloadable handbook says: “The car has "Whole Vehicle Type Approval", which means that dimensions and speed ratings must not differ from those specified on the vehicle’s registration document.” But on my V5 there is no mention of tyre specs. Any thoughts? I obviously want to get the right tyres but a 100 quid is a 100 quid.:mumbles:

I’ll probably end up with Ws as currently fitted but I’m quite interested in the handbook quote.

Doesn't the hand book give the recomended rating?

Or ask the dealer

Steve

The hardcopy of the handbook says more or less the same as the pdf handbook that I have downloaded ie "speed ratings must not differ from those specified on the vehicle’s registration document". But they aren't specified.

Hence my question.

And for people PMing, thanks, I know I have to use the correct spec tyre but where does it tell me what the correct spec is? :mini023:

You don't say what the tyre size is.
I found the following online at Link:
195/65R15 91V
205/55R16 91V
205/50R17 93V Extra load
215/45R18 93W Extra load

I'm guessing it's one of the last two.

Thanks for the link and yes, sorry, I should have said my current tyres are:

205/50R17 93 W

The link suggests 205/50R17 93V would be OK. but it is a US link...

If you're going to drop a speed rating check with a dealer, and get it in writing too, then confirm it with your insurance company.

If you do go down a speed rating and have a bad accident your insurers may look at any way to get out of paying out, and tyres are just one way for them to do that.

Cheers,
John

Which is flippin' rediculous because technically you can't do more than 70 on a public highway so T rated tyres would suffice for everyone. Even H tyres could be classed as over specing.
Yet another GB rip-off. Oh oh ! I feel a rant coming on, better stop now.

Until you go on holiday to Germany. Or sell the car to a person who works in Germany. Or have a medical emergency (God forbid). You are right, really, but it's a 'lowest common denominator' approach that is there to protect the people who don't check their tyre rating before going to the Nurburgring... :speechless-smiley-6

Hi my handbooks the same !

Again nothing on the V5

Perhaps it's a standard translation in the hand book and other countries have this info on there V5 equivalent!

:) You have a spare set of touring tyres which would last for many years and buy the cheaper T rate for 'home' use in a similar way to drivers in other countries having summer and winter wheel and tyre sets. :speechless-smiley-6

Most of the time the tyres are grossly over spec'd on a car. How many times have you seen early S60 D5's on Z, W or Y rated tyres. The car has a top speed of 130mph which is the top end of H or V if you want to add in some margin. Putting Y (186mph) tyres on just seems like a waste but if that's what Volvo put on because they did a deal with a tyre manufacturer then you are stuck with it from an insurance point of view.