So where can we read this recommendation sometimes made by manufacturers about 'placing the small note next to the instrument panel', 

& how often does anyone on here see one of these small notes in cars they have driven where lower speed rated tyres are fitted?

British Tyre Manufacturers' Association: If the maximum speed of the tyre as indicated by its speed symbol is lower than the maximum speed of the vehicle, a visual reminder of the tyre’s maximum speed capability should be placed on the dashboard.

 

Marangoni Tyres: For winter tyres, the speed rating (maximum) can be lower than the limit specified for the vehicle, however never less than Q (=160 km/h). In this case, the new maximum speed limit must be highlighted inside the car, in a position that is clearly visible to the driver, for example a sticker on the steering wheel or on the dashboard.

 

mytyres: The speed rating is important and therefore a sticker marked with the permitted maximum speed for these tyres should be placed in a visible position in the car interior.

 

The Octavia Mk2 Owner's Manual refers to a speed warning function that can be enabled on some models if winter tyres having a lower maximum speed rating that the maximum speed of the car are fitted, likewise the Fabia Mk2 Owner's Manual.

 

FWIW most Owner's Manuals for Skoda cars say something like: Winter tyres of a lower speed category can be used provided that the permissible maximum speed of these tyres is not exceeded even if the possible maximum speed of the vehicle is higher.

 

As far as I can tell, Austria is the only country in Europe in which it is mandatory to have speed rating sticker.

Seem to remember something my mate was sayin about the standard GTR tyres not actually bein speed rated for the max speed of the car.

Cant remember exactly though. Only ever went 175 in it i think. So didnt need to worry too much

 

I find that very difficult to believe.

I find that very difficult to believe.

The tyre description says over 186mph so I'm reading it as they will withstand it as they are the highest speed rated tyre you can fit to any car.

The tyre description says over 186mph so I'm reading it as they will withstand it as they are the highest speed rated tyre you can fit to any car.

 

I was also refering to the stupidity of claiming you did 175mph.

Which with my track day experience (in the same car) was most certainly on the public highway.

And writing it on a public forum.

 

But of course I'm sure his mate took him to Germany...

 

Maybe we were supposed to be impressed.

I wasn't.

AnotherGareth,

i have both speed warnings set in my MK2 Fabia, the Speed & the Winter Tyres Warning,

1 at lose your licence setting and the other at possibly lose you liberty setting (using the Winter Tyre Message).

 

Mytyres  & ATS Euromaster, McConechy's etc need to remind the Fitting Centre they use about putting stickers on vehicle when they fit tyres that should have the sticker displayed.

Edited 14 January, 201511 yr by goneoffSKi

I find that very difficult to believe.

I dont see why. I went 160mph in it with him n it was still pulling well.

I was also refering to the stupidity of claiming you did 175mph.

Which with my track day experience (in the same car) was most certainly on the public highway.

And writing it on a public forum.

But of course I'm sure his mate took him to Germany...

Maybe we were supposed to be impressed.

I wasn't.

So who said anything about a public highway?

Because i didnt...

<yawn>

 

Not sure which "track" you were on but even at Silverstone on the GP circuit we can't get close to that before having to brake for the next corner.

Mytyres  & ATS Euromaster, McConechy's etc need to remind the Fitting Centre they use about putting stickers on vehicle when they fit tyres that should have the sticker displayed.

 

Well, having a sticker is not a legal requirement in the UK, and it would only be useful if the maximum speed of the car is greater than the maximum speed of the tyres.

<yawn>

Not sure which "track" you were on but even at Silverstone on the GP circuit we can't get close to that before having to brake for the next corner.

Its irrelevant richard.

It wasnt on the road, i never said or implied it was

Bit of jumping to conclusions here mate

I seem to remember reading that if you have a plug patch puncture repair then you need to consider the tyre one less on the speed rating. Is that still correct?

Its irrelevant richard.

It wasnt on the road, i never said or implied it was

Bit of jumping to conclusions here mate

 

Fab.

It'd be nice if, when people spout rubbish, they try to back it up by pointing out where this 'law' is written.

 

If that comment is directed at me, which presumably it is, then that is a personal insult which violates the rules of the forum.

 

If you want to find the Law, it comes under EU Type Approval Conformity which trumps any UK "Construction and Use" regulations. 

Edited 15 January, 201511 yr by bealine

No idea why everybodys shooting at each other in this thread :S

No idea why everybodys shooting at each other in this thread :S

I find that a bit weird too!

If that comment is directed at me, which presumably it is, then that is a personal insult which violates the rules of the forum.

 

If you want to find the Law, it comes under EU Type Approval Conformity which trumps any UK "Construction and Use" regulations. 

 

Given that you wrote as if with authority, if you think what you wrote is correct please point to the specific regulation that backs up your point.

 

I'll try to help; by "EU Type Approval Conformity" I imagine you mean the UNECE Regulations? (The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations) So far I've been unable to find the specific regulation that refers to tyre speed ratings but I have found a synopsis:

 

"For maximum safety, it is important that the tyres you choose are suitable for the maximum speed at which your car can be driven. The law requires that in terms of load carrying and speed capability the tyre fitted must be suitable for the purpose to which the vehicle will be put."

 

Neither the first sentence nor the second support what you have claimed. The first just says that from a safety point of view, if a car is to be driven at maxximum speed it should have tyre capable of sustaining that speed. The second puts it a different way - for instance if the purpose is to use the car in such a way that the UK national speed limit is not exceeded, then make sure that the tyres can sustain that speed.

Okay, I stand corrected somewhat.   I was speaking from the standpoint both of one who was instrumental during my time in the Royal Corps of Transport (now Royal Logistics Corps)  assisting with research for the European Type Approval and Conformity project at the Road Transport Research Laboratory during the early 1980's, and as an employee of a leading brand tyre manufacturer.   The Type Approval legislation was introduced during the 1990's and subsequently amended in 2006 and, certainly, if it is not written into law that tyre speed ratings were not to be changed from the OEM (instead of a rather woolly reference to significant changes) the spirit in which the European Type Approval Legislation was introduced certainly had that intention.   Prior to the 1990's, there were many unnecessary, and often fatal, accidents caused by fitting unsuitable parts or modifications to vehicles including incorrect wheel and tyre fitment.

One could argue that with the legal maximum speed in the UK, all cars require nothing more than "S" or "T" speed ratings.   However, if the car is subsequently sold on and used, legally, on the German Autobahn at sustained speeds of 120 mph, there is a strong likelihood the tyres would fail catastrophically.   In these days of "compensation culture", I suggest the insurers would be chasing the previous owner to recover some of their losses.   In any case, if the new owner was killed in the accident, taking a few other motorists with him, could you live with that on your conscience?   

 

I certainly couldn't!

The EU Type Approval Legislation is explained here:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/vca/vehicletype/ecwvta-framework-directive.asp

Edited 16 January, 201511 yr by bealine

What is actually the difference between tyres with different speed ratings?

I know theyre tested and certified to different speeds, but physically, whats the difference in the tyre?

The same tyres can be purchased in different speed ratings cant they.

The Type Approval legislation was introduced during the 1990's and subsequently amended in 2006 and, certainly, if it is not written into law that tyre speed ratings were not to be changed from the OEM (instead of a rather woolly reference to significant changes) the spirit in which the European Type Approval Legislation was introduced certainly had that intention.

 

The trouble is when, for example, my Fabia was almost certainly supplied 83W tyres but Skoda (Germany) say that, depending on wheel & tyre size, either 83V or 83H are the minimum required.

Generally, lower speed and load rated tyres would be fitted to lower spec (lighter and less powerful) versions of the same model. So saying all Fabias can use the lowest rated tyre which was fitted to the range is not logical.

Generally, lower speed and load rated tyres would be fitted to lower spec (lighter and less powerful) versions of the same model. So saying all Fabias can use the lowest rated tyre which was fitted to the range is not logical.

 

 

Hopefully it is clear that I didn't suggest otherwise; I was talking to the specifics of my car.