I've just had the split Dunlops on my Octavia 4x4 replaced with some new Vredesteins and have noticed that the fitters have put on a higher load rated tyre.

The originals were 205/55/R16 91V and the new ones are 94V.

Now as far as I know the load rating is effectively the weight a tyre can withstand so there shouldn't be a problem but just thought I'd ask.

Also has anyone else on here got a 2.0TDi 4x4 on 16" Apollons? I was sure the original tyres were 205/60/R16 91V but when I checked they were 55 profile so would be interested to see if others have the same?

Ta

May be a little noise increase :confused:, but this is true for tyres from same brand and model...

If different brands, like in your case... God knows .

Not very good to change original 205/60R16 to 205/55R16 :thumbdwn:, must check with your installer.

The 16s that were on my Mk1 Octy were 205/55/16 and the same were on a VW Bora we had at the same time. I now have a 06 plate Passat which has 16s but it came as standard with 215/55/16.

Fairly positive all the Vag 16" wheels that are from 2000 onwards will be 55 profile.

Not very good to change original 205/60R16 to 205/55R16 :thumbdwn:, must check with your installer.

No the installer has been OK and put the same size on that he took off. Only the load rating was different.

What I was trying to check was that the original tyre size (55 profile) was right as I thought I had read in the manual or data sheets that the 16's should be 60 profile. Most of the tyre check sites show 60 profile for the car so I was trying to check what others had for comparison as it came from the factory wioth 55's.

Is that any clearer????:confused:

The 16s that were on my Mk1 Octy were 205/55/16 and the same were on a VW Bora we had at the same time. I now have a 06 plate Passat which has 16s but it came as standard with 215/55/16.

Fairly positive all the Vag 16" wheels that are from 2000 onwards will be 55 profile.

Ta - looks like 55's were right then and my memory and the online tyre sites are failing me!!!

Using 94V rated tyres as opposed to 91V should not cause a problem at all. You might just find the handling is the slightest bit more taut and the ride fractionally firmer; overall no harm in going up the scale, just don't ever go down.

The 16s that were on my Mk1 Octy were 205/55/16 and the same were on a VW Bora we had at the same time. I now have a 06 plate Passat which has 16s but it came as standard with 215/55/16.

Fairly positive all the Vag 16" wheels that are from 2000 onwards will be 55 profile.

I do not believe we should compare tyre sizes on Mk 1 Octy vs. Mk 2 Octy as overall, model for model, the Mk 2 uses a larger tyre.

For sure, on Octavia 4x4 original tires are 205/60R15 which corresponds to 205/55R16...

A few more bits of info to help clarify, or confuse, the situation;

1. Have a look at the label on the inside of the fuel filler cap. This gives the tyre size and pressure specifically for your car (mine being a vRS shows 225/45 17 and 225/40 18)

2. The spare wheel in my car has a 205/55 16 91V tyre

3. Does the 4x4 have the same tyre size as a classic/ambient/elegance, given a specific wheel size? I ask this as the Scout tyre are oversized; so perhaps the 4x4 are too.

Does this help?

For sure, on Octavia 4x4 original tires are 205/60R15 which corresponds to 205/55R16...

Thanks for this as you have confirmed what I checked myself again last night (I had obviously got confused yesterday). The normal 2.0TDi 4x4 tyre size is 205/60/R15 but with a wheel upgrade to 16" they are 205/55/R16. So the overall tyre size is correct.

Using 94V rated tyres as opposed to 91V should not cause a problem at all. You might just find the handling is the slightest bit more taut and the ride fractionally firmer; overall no harm in going up the scale, just don't ever go down.

A few more bits of info to help clarify, or confuse, the situation;

1. Have a look at the label on the inside of the fuel filler cap. This gives the tyre size and pressure specifically for your car (mine being a vRS shows 225/45 17 and 225/40 18)

2. The spare wheel in my car has a 205/55 16 91V tyre

3. Does the 4x4 have the same tyre size as a classic/ambient/elegance, given a specific wheel size? I ask this as the Scout tyre are oversized; so perhaps the 4x4 are too.

Bahnstormer - Thanks again for both of your posts. I had it in my mind that here would be no detriment with higher load ratings other than a stiffer sidewall and consequently a slightly higher noise level and slightly sharper turn-in compared to the 91V's (I'm aware that similar issues have been identified with incorrect higher load rated tyres are fitted to MX5's).

As for the fuel filler yes it does note 205/55/16 and the pressures but also noted 195/60/15 so I had obviously confused the two in my mind as 205/55/16 IS correct for the 4x4 with the optional wheel upgrade.

On the overall plus side, having got the tyres fitted, they seem at this stage to be very good. The grip seems pretty good at present even though they are not bedded in yet, although they did seem a bit noisy on the way in to work this morning but the weather was cold and again they are not bedded in so that may change. Regardless I'm sure they will be better than the cracked Dunlops that were on previously (I can honestly say I think I will never use Dunlops again after this as I have never seen tyres cracking in the same way before - thinking of the potential consequences with my wife and kids on board if one failed makes me shudder.