Michelin "extra load" tyres, and wheel alignment

[ejstubbs]

I'm starting to research new tyres for the Yeti - current Dunlops are on 4mm but should be OK until I swap to the winters. Having always had Michelins in the past, I'm looking at the Primacy 3s. A lot of online sites are offering an "extra load" version: is there any point in having these? If the tyre meets the required load & speed rating (which it does) then what does "extra load" do, apart from emptying your wallet quicker?

As I happened to be passing the premises of a 'well-known tyre supplier' the other day, I popped in and asked for a quote. Apart from being *significantly* more expensive than the quote from their web site, they also advised having the wheel alignment checked "because you're having all four tyres changed". Is there any logic in this, or is it just an attempt to load the bill further? (Another discussion would be whether these outfits are any good at wheel alignment - I've been advised in the past that the independent operators are a much better bet.)

[Ryeman]

Maybe extra load equals heavier/industrial construction and a bit more clunky??

Out here you've got to fight to avoid a full 4 wheel alignment check ....for me, if there is no abnormal wear pattern, I tend to resist.

[weasley]

I think some cars specify the extra load as a requirement - I'm thinking of Audi Q5, BMW X5 and the like.

[Spaldi01]

Extra Load tyres are for heavy cars. I believe they can be inflated to higher pressures as well. I wouldn't have thought there would be any benefit for a Yeti

[Ootohere]

Extra Load tyres 'XL',

 are fitted as Standard even on a Mk2 Fabia vRS. ie 'Dunlop Sport Maxx 205/40 R 17 ZR 84W XL'

(actually these ones are not that good sidewall wise, they are reinforced but do damage easily, the Pirelli Zero Nero 

in the same size that are not 'XL' have a stiffer and stronger reinforced sidewall.)

http://pistonheads.tyregiant.com/205-40-17

 

Many SUV or MPV have them fitted and it is just a Reinforced Sidewall.

 

BF Goodrich (Michelin)  All terrain / Mud Terrain / KM2  'Extra Load' tyres a totally different kettle of fish.

[137699]

XL tyres usually go on 7 seaters & other very heavy cars.

They have stronger sidewalls so all you will do if you fit them to the yeti is lose some comfort and gain some handling.

[Llanigraham]

Stiffer sidewalls do not necessarily mean better handling. 

[nbramwel]

I'm with Ryeman on this.  If the tyre wear is even, I wouldn't bother with wheel alignment.  And I agree that independent specialists are probably better at adjusting alignment rather than the national chains.

[Helston Hauler]

I had a new set of tyres fitted and the garage had a Hunter wheel alignment system,I had all 4corners checked and all were out,once adjusted the car really felt much better.

[ejstubbs]

Seems a bit odd that a web site which asks me for my registration number and then works out the tyre size I need based on the vehicle make & model should then go on to suggest the BMW/Mercedes versions as well.  Blackcircles, I'm looking at you!

[eribaMotters]

Why fit extra load tyres, and by this I mean tyres designed to take a higher than required max load?

The tyre is part of the suspension to the car. A higher load rate will mean a stiffer/harder tyre and and a harder ride.

 

Colin

[DanHarper]

BMW/Mercedes versions as well.  Blackcircles, I'm looking at you!

 

They are not BMW/Mercedes versions. In some cases they are developed in conjunction with car manufacturers to suit the characteristics of some of their models, but generally it means they are just fitted as OEM. Its basically marketing! Fitting tyres marked on BC as 'BMW' doesn't automatically make you an outside lane hogger who doesn't use his/her indicators, don't worry :P

[Ryeman]

Why fit extra load tyres, and by this I mean tyres designed to take a higher than required max load?

The tyre is part of the suspension to the car. A higher load rate will mean a stiffer/harder tyre and and a harder ride.

 

Colin

I might have been interested in them Colin if I was to continue using it as a 4WD on our nasty rock strewn 'tracks' - ultimately, ground clearance and the standard soft sidewalls limit it on the high country tracks.

[ejstubbs]

I 'worry' (for which read: get confused) when the supplier offers tyres with identical-looking specifications ie - Primacy 3 225/50 R17 W94 - at three different prices: £114, or £121 for the one with a BMW logo next to it, or £134 for one with a Merc logo next to it, with no other explanation for the difference.  At least the "XL" ones do actually have a higher load rating - 98 vs 94 - which I obviously don't need.

 

Not that I'm planning to spend the extra for either of the 'branded' versions, but it does make me wonder what's different about them - or do they just quote special inflated* prices for BMW & Merc drivers?!!?

 

* See what I did there?

[Ryeman]

I might have been interested in them Colin if I was to continue using it as a 4WD on our nasty rock strewn 'tracks' - ultimately, ground clearance and the standard soft sidewalls limit it on the high country tracks.

Dave

Oops, what happened there??

Edited 10 August, 2015 by Ryeman

[Ryeman]

I 'worry' (for which read: get confused) when the supplier offers tyres with identical-looking specifications ie - Primacy 3 225/50 R17 W94 - at three different prices: £114, or £121 for the one with a BMW logo next to it, or £134 for one with a Merc logo next to it, with no other explanation for the difference.  At least the "XL" ones do actually have a higher load rating - 98 vs 94 - which I obviously don't need.

 

Not that I'm planning to spend the extra for either of the 'branded' versions, but it does make me wonder what's different about them - or do they just quote special inflated* prices for BMW & Merc drivers?!!?

 

* See what I did there?

Are there 'run-flat' tyres thus different prices?

[Llanigraham]

No, they are not "run flats", just the same tyres with either a BMW, Audi or Merc logo on them.

[Ryeman]

No, they are not "run flats", just the same tyres with either a BMW, Audi or Merc logo on them.

There's an express for that but not here )))

[Llanigraham]

There's an express for that but not here )

 

Do you mean "expression"?

 

If so yes, it's called pandering to those that are clueless.

[137699]

Stiffer sidewalls do not necessarily mean better handling. 

 

No but they have less flex in the sidewall which generally translates to less roll in cornering.

[Ryeman]

Not to forget the suspension engineers old bogey - unsprung weight.....trying to reduce weight without strength also.

[Llanigraham]

No but they have less flex in the sidewall which generally translates to less roll in cornering.

 

Err, not necessarily.

Stiff sidewalls can mean that part of the tread area may lift when cornering, whereas soft sidewalls mean that the trad area stays flat to the road, so improving grip.

Roll is controlled by the springs and shock absorbers more than the tyres.

[chocki]

Just to add my 2p's worth to the mix.

Identical tyres wth BMW or Mercedes on them are usually made of a different compound to better suit the intended car.

Some years ago Mercedes got continental to make them their at the time high performance tyre Super contact 3 out of a softer compound which helped the merc stick to the road better unfortunately at the expense of tyre life. I fitted a set of these to my somewhat tuned Vectra I had at the time and boy did it stick to the road.......for 7000 miles then they were shot!. (Sha'nt be doing that again).

 

I then tried some XL's in the same tyre which cost a little more but gripped just as well in corners as standard but lasted up to 16000 miles and made the steering response tighter than non XL tyres. The extra life points to a harder compound but with that I would have expected grip to reduce, after all, the pattern and dimensions are exactly the same, so maybe the stiffer construction helped the tyre stay better profiled to the road surface where it made contact, I certainly noticed less wear on the edges with these and more of an even wear along it's width.

 

Standard load Continental sport contact 3's lasted me typically about 13000 miles at which point the outer edges were bald with still a few mm of tread increasing away from this. The softer sidewall allowed the tyre to in effect roll underneath and I found myself actually starting to scrape up the side of the tyre a bit.

 

Now this is not to say all tyres behave the same way, but I'm just putting forward my own observations about how differences in the lettering and numbering on the same tyre make range and size can have quite a difference on how the tyre performs / behaves.

 

And don't trust the manufacturers, sometimes their decision is purely financial or cosmetic (Some numpty decided the Vectra looked better with 215 50 R17 for the British market and specified Goodyear NCT5's. One of the worst tyres I have had the misfortune to drive on, they were plain lethal and actually delaminated!.) Whilst the rest of Europe had 225 45 17s fitted.

 

 

Back to the Yeti. Tyres is one of those very subjective topics and most people have their own opinions, personally, if your happy with what you already have and enjoy the ride, then don't change them, it can make a huge difference to the ride, handling etc and to be honest most people don't drive towards the extremes of handling with YETI's (Except for possibly BOSS FOX), so don't need ultra high spec and load tyres and can get away with cheaper but still good tyres. I personally have a preference for Continental tyres as I do push my cars, but the ride is almost always harsh.

The Dunlops which came with my Yeti, seem quite hard and also lead to a somewhat skitterish ride, I'm looking to replace these with the Michelin cross climate but still waiting for some real world long term reviews on these before I swap them, then I will have to see what I can get for the Dunlops with plenty of tread on them!.

I'm a bit funny when it comes to brakes and tyres and always try to fit the best, after all it's all that's stopping you...If you know what I mean.

 

But meanwhile read what other people have experienced with their tyre choice and make up your own mind based on how you drive and what conditions are like for you most of the time.

Edited 11 August, 2015 by chocki