What are the best tyres to put on an XC90?

[gibbo37]

Just thought I would update everyone on the original fit 17" Continentals that came with my 2010 Active.
Like everyone, I was concerned that I'd only get 12 to 15,000 miles out of them but so far I've done 23,000 miles and they still have life left.

I did rotate them front to back, at around 12,000 miles and I would say the rears are only half worn and the fronts probably now three quarters worn.

Most of my journey's have been on the motorway but even so I'm still impressed with the way they've lasted and will probably buy another set.

[Ron_XC90]

Originally Posted by gibbo37

Just thought I would update everyone on the original fit 17" Continentals that came with my 2010 Active.
Like everyone, I was concerned that I'd only get 12 to 15,000 miles out of them but so far I've done 23,000 miles and they still have life left.

I did rotate them front to back, at around 12,000 miles and I would say the rears are only half worn and the fronts probably now three quarters worn.

Most of my journey's have been on the motorway but even so I'm still impressed with the way they've lasted and will probably buy another set.

If the Conti's last you that long, the Vredestein or GoodYears will go at least twice that distance
Another reason for me was the performance in snow/mud where the Conti's are far more road orientated than the other 2...
I would have changed to Vredestein, but are still very hard to get as they are winter tyres. The Goodyear's have performed very well over last 2 Years of snow and would go anywhere I wanted them to go, and are readily available.

[Shahie]

After reading most of this thread I bought

4 x Goodyear Wrangler HP All Weather - 235/65R17 104V TL

From Camskill @£128.99each +£2.49pp - excellent price

[jimbo77]

Ron/JimG et al - what pressure do you run your Goodyear wranglers at? i see that about 40psi is the Volvo recommended 'Eco' pressure but i wondered whether they might wear unevenly at that pressure, especially when the vehicle is not heavily loaded? no doubt off road they should be much lower (30ish?).

[Ron_XC90]

Originally Posted by Shahie

After reading most of this thread I bought

4 x Goodyear Wrangler HP All Weather - 235/65R17 104V TL

From Camskill @£128.99each +£2.49pp - excellent price

Thats a great price, unfortunately the 18" are a lot more expensive. I paid £170 each at my local fitter (incl everything) which was similar priced to online shopping...

[Ron_XC90]

Originally Posted by jimbo77

Ron/JimG et al - what pressure do you run your Goodyear wranglers at? i see that about 40psi is the Volvo recommended 'Eco' pressure but i wondered whether they might wear unevenly at that pressure, especially when the vehicle is not heavily loaded? no doubt off road they should be much lower (30ish?).

I keep mine at 37 front & back, with or without load. For offroad use the ideal pressure would be 10 psi or lower to make a real difference.
I would keep them as they are as you will not notice an improvement lowering to 30

[RPA]

I've read that narrower Tyres work better on snow and also that people lower the pressure on their Tyres in snow. These two statements seem contradictory.

Is there any benefit to lowering tyre pressure in snowy conditions?

Also, our Grabbers are going onto the car this morning, so we now have a pair of Wranglers and an odd pair to get rid of (all nearly new) where is the beat place to advertise them.

Thanks

M

[ted striker]

Have read all of the thread, but wondered if anyone had experience of the Michelin Latitudes that Costo have on special offer?

Tyre Thread

[JimG]

Originally Posted by RPA

I've read that narrower Tyres work better on snow and also that people lower the pressure on their Tyres in snow. These two statements seem contradictory.

Is there any benefit to lowering tyre pressure in snowy conditions?

Also, our Grabbers are going onto the car this morning, so we now have a pair of Wranglers and an odd pair to get rid of (all nearly new) where is the beat place to advertise them.

Thanks

M

Narrow tyres do better in snow because they cut through to the tarmac rather than having a wide surface area that could "float" on top. Lowering the tyre pressure on snow (and off road use too) helps the tyre flex so that the lugs and sipes are able to "bite" into the loose surface. I remember a Top Gear challenge to somewhere very snowy where they ran with very soft tyres. I'm not sure how low the pressure was but it looked like 15-20 psi.

[JimG]

Originally Posted by Ron_XC90

I keep mine at 37 front & back, with or without load. For offroad use the ideal pressure would be 10 psi or lower to make a real difference.
I would keep them as they are as you will not notice an improvement lowering to 30

I agree. 36 - 40 psi should be fine. 38+ and you might sacrifice a bit of comfort but try it and see. You shouldn't get uneven wear at any of these pressures.