XC70: General Correct tyre choice

[Bulleidboy]

Following on from reviews on the forum I have opted for Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season tyres 235/50 R18V. I have ordered from Blackcircles. My current Nexens have a V rating of 101. On the Blackcircle site the rating was 97. I rang and they said I needed rating 101, and the price went up from £115 to £147. There was no original option to choose the 101 rating. I do appreciate having the correct V rating, but is there a vast variation available - 97,98,99, 101??????

My order confirmation says - Pirelli Cinturato All Season Plus Seal Inside 235/50 R18 V (101), Reinforced, Directional

I have at the moment cancelled the order, and will start again following the answers received. Many thanks.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Bulleidboy

Following on from reviews on the forum I have opted for Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season tyres 235/50 R18V. I have ordered from Blackcircles. My current Nexens have a V rating of 101. On the Blackcircle site the rating was 97. I rang and they said I needed rating 101, and the price went up from £115 to £147. There was no original option to choose the 101 rating. I do appreciate having the correct V rating, but is there a vast variation available - 97,98,99, 101??????

My order confirmation says - Pirelli Cinturato All Season Plus Seal Inside 235/50 R18 V (101), Reinforced, Directional

I have at the moment cancelled the order, and will start again following the answers received. Many thanks.

Suggest you read this : https://www.confused.com/on-the-road...rkings-ratings

They are two different things - the V is the maximum speed, the number is the load rating - i.e. weight of the car & load. Provided that the rated tyre load x2 is greater than the the higher maximum rated axle weight (of the front or rear axle) you can use them. Axle weights are on the door post of the o/s passenger door.

[V8XCV]

The correct way to do it is check the vehicle data plate and look at each axle weight.

https://www.volvocars.com/mt/support...eights/weights

Pick the highest axle weight, then halve it and that is the tyre max loading. Then check against the loading tables and see which load rating gives you enough:

https://www.blackcircles.com/helpcen...is-load-rating

I would expect that a 97 rating would be sufficient, but you should check for your car.

[Tatsfield]

I was surprised to see that 101 V rated tyres were fitted. The local main Volvo dealer fitted 97 V to my 2012 XCV70 215 bhp D5 which I feel are more than adequate. Did you have a Volvo recommendation for 101 V? I also have Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Weather

[Bulleidboy]

When I bought the car in August 2016 from Doves (Volvo) in Horsham, they had fitted a new set (4) of Nexen 235/50R18 v101. After four years the edges on the front tyres have worn slightly, and although the car passed its MOT a couple of weeks ago, I was advised to change the fronts in the next couple of months - so I have been looking to do so, and remembered that many on the forum had fitted the Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Seasons. The 101's are more expensive. I'm very happy to go with your recommendation. Thanks.

[Whyman]

Surely the correct size is in the manual?

I have downloaded the manual for the 2010 XC70 and the only size quoted for the 205 hp diesel is 245/40 R18. 97 gives an axle load of 1430 kg and 101 1650kg.

Check you vehicle plate to see which exceeds to front and rear axle loads.

[Bulleidboy]

The manual with the car clearly states that tyres for the XC70 on eighteen inch rims should be 235/50R18 - it actually states that on the Volvo sticker on the drivers door frame which gives information about tyre pressures. I could not find the VIN plate, the VIN number, yes, but not the plate. Since asking the question, I have seen four XC70's - one owned by a neighbour, and they all have 97 as the load rating on their tyres - so I will go with it. Thanks for all your assistance - now to find the cheapest deal.

[Bulleidboy]

Just out of interest while doing my search for the cheapest Pirelli (£113 - so far) one local tyre supplier is offering the Nexen 235/50R18 with 101 load rating for £99 fitted. I have not had any problems with the Nexens the car came with.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Bulleidboy

Just out of interest while doing my search for the cheapest Pirelli (£113 - so far) one local tyre supplier is offering the Nexen 235/50R18 with 101 load rating for £99 fitted. I have not had any problems with the Nexens the car came with.

Nothing wrong with Nexen tyres. I see plenty of vehicles with them, like SUV's & large saloons. I have two on my car actually & can vouch that they're decent (They're fitted on the same axle before anyone starts nit picking, both are identical tyres with the same tread pattern etc) .

Nexen's wouldn't be as good as the top end tyres like Michelin for example, but I guess they aren't designed to be. Michelin etc are premium tyres & are expensive, whereas Nexen are a quality mid-range option & are much cheaper.

You've had Nexen's on the car for a few years & by the sounds of things, they seemed to have served you well. No harm in using them again & save a bit whilst you're at it.

Also, I'd suggest you get the alignment checked too. If the tyres are worn on the edges, then that suggests it may need tweaking, or the previous tyres could have been under-inflated. Of course, it could well be just general wear & tear after four years, but its best to get the alignment checked if you're fitting new tyres, especially as you've noticed that the previous ones were worn on the edges. If you leave it, the same thing will happen the new ones over a period of time.