I've just been enquiring into some new front tyres for my 57 plate Octy Vrs and have come into a bit of a problem! Tyres fitted at the moment all round are 225 40 R18 88Y Bridgestone. When I phoned a few places I was told that they should be a 92Y load rating? Not sure what to do as I don't want fronts to be different to rear ones. Rear tyres still have loads of meat!

Assuming you are talking Bridgestone RE050A's they are avaliable in a 88 and 92 load rating for that size.

On my 56 plate vRS the original tyres had a load rating of 92 (Dunlops) so I replaced them with Goodyear Asymmetrics with the same load rating. I am not sure though whether the vRS needs 88 or 92 load rated tyres, might be worth asking your dealer.

Still waiting for my dealership to get back to me but phoned 2 others and they said they only list the 92Y for the Vrs. The only thing they both said was make sure the load rating is the same front to back. Looks like 4 new tyres:mad:

Still waiting for my dealership to get back to me but phoned 2 others and they said they only list the 92Y for the Vrs. The only thing they both said was make sure the load rating is the same front to back. Looks like 4 new tyres:mad:

Sod that! Sounds like a tyre dealer trying to get extra sales. What's the point replacing perfectly good tyres because of a load rating, which is largely insignificant.

Edit: Found this which explains load ratings, amongst other things: http://www.blackcircles.com/general/sidewall

Sod that! Sounds like a tyre dealer trying to get extra sales. What's the point replacing perfectly good tyres because of a load rating, which is largely insignificant.

Edit: Found this which explains load ratings, amongst other things: Tyre Sidewall Explained

What is insignificant about having the correct load rating ? Its not even the tyre place that

have said about the ratings, its the dealers.

So when you end up in the wall and the insurance company won't pay out because of

the wrong tyres.

I know what I would do

Radiotwo

Simple answer - look in the car handbook, or vehicle sales brochure. Both clearly state the tyre size as either "18” ‘Zenith’ alloys 225/40 R18 92Y", or just the latter part without mentioningt he size and name i.e. 225/40 R18 92Y.

Did you not look in either?

The tyre sales company is therefore right, where did the 88Y tyres come from?

The load rating is EXTREMELY significant. The insurance company would use it to avoid paying out, but more importantly the Police would use it to prosecute. Anyone seen a recent case about a father who killed his kids and part of the case was the unsafely modified car?..........................

I've just been enquiring into some new front tyres for my 57 plate Octy Vrs and have come into a bit of a problem! Tyres fitted at the moment all round are 225 40 R18 88Y Bridgestone. When I phoned a few places I was told that they should be a 92Y load rating? Not sure what to do as I don't want fronts to be different to rear ones. Rear tyres still have loads of meat!

I don't believe it is the end of the world for you.

Yes ; you should have 92Y or better (my Ultrac Sessantas are 94Y extra load) but you can use, as you have, 88Y safely providing you raise the tyre pressures to compensate for the lower load rating IIRC by 1psi or 0.1bar (can't remember which) per digit lower in rating; so you should use 2.5bar instead of 2.1bar in the 88s.

Also, when you fit your new pair they should go on the rear so the part worn 88s will be on the front and wear out more quickly.

Fireftrm, the car came from the dealer with 88Y's and it now appears that other Vrs cars in their dealership have them on as well? I will be talking to them on Monday for advice.

I don't believe it is the end of the world for you.

Yes ; you should have 92Y or better (my Ultrac Sessantas are 94Y extra load) but you can use, as you have, 88Y safely providing you raise the tyre pressures to compensate for the lower load rating IIRC by 1psi or 0.1bar (can't remember which) per digit lower in rating; so you should use 2.5bar instead of 2.1bar in the 88s.

Also, when you fit your new pair they should go on the rear so the part worn 88s will be on the front and wear out more quickly.

This would seem the most logical and sensible solution to this problem.

Thanks for the advice Bahnstormer, will be adjusting the pressures:)

Let us know what advice the dealer gives.

Interesting that the dealer is running 88's instead of 92's, does that mean tyres are a little cheaper?