Does anyone else pay particular attention to the ratings that tyres are given? Or is it just me?

When I'm choosing tyres I try and go for one that have as high rating as possible and are within a reasonable price range. Obviously you can't have the best of all categories in one tyre, but the reason I went for my Hankook V12 Evo's a couple of years ago is because they were rated C for wet grip, C for rolling resistance and about 68/69 decibels. I'm not sure what rating the Pirelli P Zero Nero's that my Fabia vRS from the factory have, but there was an instant and noticeable difference in improved fuel economy and reduced road noise once I'd fitted the Hankooks. Plus the set has lasted me well over 30,000 miles I think.

So I don't really care what brand they are if those ratings are good. The difference in the rolling resistance rating of say, C and F over the life of the tyre in terms of fuel economy would probably be quite large.

Is it wrong to just focus on these ratings? I suppose they're there for guidelines on the performance of the tyre and you should still factor in price and wear of the tyre etc, but does anyone else pay much attention to them?

Your probably not alone. It's one thing I have looked at just recently for the brother in law. He set a budget for each tyre then found the best based on those ratings.

One thing to bare in mind is the cheap Chinese or remoulds can have any rating they want as there is no governing standard or test

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Remember that the noise rating is based on the noise level measured a certain distance from the car as it drives past on a 'standard' road surface at a set distance from the measuring equipment. The noise rating has no bearing on the road/tyre noise level heard from inside the car.

Wet grip is by far the most important of the three ratings for me.

Edited 13 February, 201610 yr by philbes

Yes and no. There are a few things to hear in mind. The ratings are self-certified by the manufacturer and from what I know the test conditions are strictly summer (about 20c). So this means they are useless and misleading for winter tyres, for one.

I go by a combination of the rating (wet A being mandatory) backed up by third party reviews.

Price more or less doesn't come into it as the cost different over the life of the tyre, compared to other motoring costs isn't significant whereas safety is paramount.

Ok, I'll keep that in mind in regards to the road noise. Just comparing the 2 tyres I've had before again and the hankooks were definitely quieter than the Pirelli's. I'm pretty sure they were rated at 68/69dB compared to 71/72.

As for the cheap Chinese ones, when I said I didn't really care what brand they were, I'd stil avoid those ones lol.

I don't because I think they are useless.

I better read bunch of internet reviews. At least people say what did they like/dislike. If plenty of them complain about road noise then these tyres might be noisy and it's better than seeing A or C as the noise indicator.

I see your point. But what I was finding yesterday when looking that a tyre on one review website has got loads of good reviews and on another it gets slated. Guess it's sort of just luck as to what tyre works for you/your car and if it's been recommended by people with the same type of car

There have been plenty of vRS Twincharger Tyre Recommendations over the past 5 years.

 

It is a case of what you are after to reduce wheel spin, and location location location and seasons.

My recommendation is fit 215/40 R 17 rather than the standard 205/40 R 17's.

 

And if you are running Remapped in Summer fit tyres that suit, or All Seasons that suit Wet Weather and Winters

if required.

As to winter, i think the Maxxis AP2 are wonderful in cold & wet and i will see come the summer.

 

As to Chinese, Korean, from Taiwan, Middle Eastern, Asian etc Tyre Manufacturers and UK Retail Prices and Cheep or not,

it is best to see where some 'Top Brand' tyres actually come from, 

because it is not actually a given that Michelins manufactured in Dundee are better than some Performance Tyre made in China.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tire_companies

Edited 14 February, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

I tend to pay more attention to the results from places like Evo / AutoBild. I think you're generally fairly safe with the big Euro companies putting the right information on the label but would question what the likes of Linglong would put on. Having had Jinyus with a C for wet weather rating that were more like Z; I find it not a good guide. 

 

The label information is self certified.....