I do not want to carry any extra load, I've just ended up with XL rated tyres on my Octavia due to availability. I'm running on the standard pressures as specified on the fuel cap. The online advice, including that from tyre suppliers, seems to refer to upping the pressures to carry heavy loads.

Am I OK to stick with standard pressures?

I've got XL rated tyres on mine and I run 32 psi all round.

Normal pressure should be fine.

The xl simply means the sidewalls are reinforced.

I've had XL rated tyres on my car for some years and I've always run them at the standard pressures given on the fuel filler.

Higher pressures are sometimes quoted for when the car is actually heavily laden, not for when XL tyres are fitted.

My tyre fitter recommends 34 psi all round

OK guys thanks for that. Standard pressures then.

Just got rid of the car. Ran standard tyre pressures on the XL tyres and the wear pattern was fine.

I find 32psi at times on my 224/45/17 is to high as I feel every little bump and ripple in the road and dropped them to 30psi all round which made an anormous difference ...

SII 225/40-18, 2.6 bar front, 3.0 bar rear. Even tyrewear.

I run at 34 all round.

 

On a side note as we have answered the original question...

 

Is there a downside to XL tyres? I've ran XL since new and always ordered XL as that's what it came with.

 

Like the idea that the side is reinforced, helps when zooming round the bends? Esp on track where I have a little wear on the tyre shoulder, mines a Diesel and its probably heavy to be lobbing round bends at warp factor 10 on the track - For a family car its impressive all the same.

Some say that the stiffer sidewalls give you a harder ride; other that they support the tread better; all we know is that...