Hello, does anyone know where I can get legitimate information about tyre specs from manufacturer, as I cannot find it anywhere on the car. 

 

I want to fit 215 55 r17 94H, some dealers say it's 98V, some 94h. But those come with index XL, and I don't want hard tyres. 

 

If i put wrong tyres on, there is possibility that I can not get my MOT.

for 17" i will recommend 225/55r17,

which gives:

extra 10mm in width

extra 5mm in height

closer values to reality on speedometer

 

https://www.tireoutlet.com/blog/2969/tire-speed-rating-codes-what-they-mean/

 

for extra comfort, search models with foam inside tire

-> https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/447954-tyreroad-noise-advice/?do=findComment&comment=5665235

 

 

@xess  worry more about a loss adjuster looking at the tyres and the Speed / Load rating than a MOT Examiner in the UK. 

?

What Octavia have you / engine=gearbox?

Just now, Ootohere said:

@xess  worry more about a loss adjuster looking at the tyres and the Speed / Load rating than a MOT Examiner in the UK. 

?

What Octavia have you / engine=gearbox?

Superb 2018 4x4 2.0tdi 140kw sedan

@Carlston will give you all the info, but just get the higher Load Rated tyres, even if All Seasons.

7 minutes ago, Ootohere said:

@Carlston will give you all the info, but just get the higher Load Rated tyres, even if All Seasons.

I dont want anything above spec, as they all go XL, very harsh ride on our "Europe" standard roads.

Not in my experience of every tyre i ever put on being XL, usually because they are low profile tyres, but even with smaller rims and more sidewall i go XL for the reinforced sidewalls.

 

Someone will be along then to confirm if 94 is OK as the load rating. 

 

?

What European roads are those, UK or Continental Europe.?

1 minute ago, Ootohere said:

Not in my experience of every tyre i ever put on being XL, usually because they are low profile tyres, but even with smaller rims and more sidewall i go XL for the reinforced sidewalls.

 

Someone will be along then to confirm if 94 is OK as the load rating. 

 

?

What European roads are those, UK or Continental Europe.?

94 is 200kg over the rating, so should be ok. I'm living in Latvia, roads are crap and XL tyres are hard as hell. I don't plan going crazy on curbs, so reinforced sidewall is not needed. 

The xl sidewall will help support the car under lower pressures and could well offer a better ride.  The tyre squish is part of the overall suspension of the car and can be used for tuning the ride.  A soft setup may not have the effect you are looking for.  Try reducing the pressure but 2-3 psi (0.2 bar) first to give you an idea of what a softer tyre will offer.  Also, a soft sidewall will deflect more on bad roads potentially giving less control.  For a rough road I would sooner go for more sidewall than a softer sidewall (smaller wheel with taller tyres).

Edited 9 October, 20241 yr by MarkyG82

8 minutes ago, MarkyG82 said:

The xl sidewall will help support the car under lower pressures and could well offer a better ride.  The tyre squish is part of the overall suspension of the car and can be used for tuning the ride.  A soft setup may not have the effect you are looking for.  Try reducing the pressure but 2-3 psi (0.2 bar) first to give you an idea of what a softer tyre will offer.  Also, a soft sidewall will deflect more on bad roads potentially giving less control.  For a rough road I would sooner go for more sidewall than a softer sidewall (smaller wheel with taller tyres).

I know the difference between 2.5 and 2.3 bar, much more softer, just thinking how much stiffness XL will give..

 

I already ride deflected tyres so my guess XL would be stiffer. With same pressure.

Edited 9 October, 20241 yr by xess

Its very difficult to out numbers against it.  The difference in stiffness of XL to non-XL will probably depend on pressure, tyre construction, tyre size.  Even between manufacturers it will likely differ.  You could put an arbitrary figure of 0.5 bar on it (2.8 bar on non-XL comparable to 2.3 bar on XL) but I don't think that is fair to the discussion.  Especially as a reduction in pressure will not necessarily have the same effect as changing the sidewall stiffness.

 

My best suggestion is find something that is legal and have a go.  Maybe keep the old tyres so you have something to go back to if needed.

13 hours ago, xess said:

Hello, does anyone know where I can get legitimate information about tyre specs from manufacturer, as I cannot find it anywhere on the car. 

 

I want to fit 215 55 r17 94H, some dealers say it's 98V, some 94h. But those come with index XL, and I don't want hard tyres. 

 

If i put wrong tyres on, there is possibility that I can not get my MOT.

 

Even in strict European countries such as Germany you can use a lower speed rated tyre than the car's top speed if it is winter rated. For example, a 150mph car can use 130mph tyres if they are winter rated...winter rated means the tyre has the 3PMSF symbol (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake). However, you mustn't drive at more than 130mph on a 130mph speed rated tyre.

 

In the UK, you can use different tyre sizes such as 215/65R16 instead of 215/60R16 provided the speedo doesn't under-read and the load index can support the weight of the car, etc.

 

When I spoke to my insurance company, they said that one size different from standard was ok. This makes sense, because some tyre fitters will use the next size up if they don't have your size in stock.

 

The 215/65R16 tyre size can be fitted to the standard 16" rim, ie. 6.5Jx16 ET41 5/112 57.1

 

The 215/65R16 tyre size will be in a different league when it comes to comfort than the 215/55R17 tyre size. You would probably have to over-inflate the 215/65R16 by at least 6psi to get a similar hard ride to the 215/55R17. However, all this is relative because a 215/55R17 is more comfortable than a 235/45R18.

 

Continental AllSeasonContact 2 215/65R16 98H (Euro label B B 70dB) (3PMSF = winter rated)

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8008p221955/Continental_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Continental_Conti_All_Season_Contact_2_215_65_R16_98H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_70dB

 

Edited 9 October, 20241 yr by Carlston

Marky's posts are very correct, it is very difficult to assess and provide an "unique" formula for ride/harshness/spec ... each person has its own way to feel and measure this.

You have to go and try, trial and error, even for expensive things as tires. No other way. To each its own.

 

The only thing you can be certain is on how strict if your MOT system, if you have some leeway, you can get around it. Martini above is from Latvia as well, if it worked for him, might do for you as well.

 

I have chosen 94H on 17s for my winters, discarding multitude of 101/XL options. Again, each one makes its choices.

Will see how they go this season, and this will give me some input for next year, as the summers are practically on their end-life (3y/45k km).

And I know is bread for pub talk, but I am not sure dealing with lots of mileage on 'rough roads', whether an XL tire has an edge over a "normal" one.

I mean, the reinforced sidewall has its advantages and disadvantages, on one side it holds better against a sudden impact (say a pothole taken at speed), but at the same time flexes less and transmits more the shock to the rim, and suspension components.

I guess there is no definitive answer, as there are a multitude of variables: in the example above, at what speed the pothole is hit, the tire load index, mass of the vehicle, and so on ...

Personally, I prefer to steer away from heavy/tough/rigid tires, my experiences with XLs, run-flats and in general "heavy duty" tires is that they provide a very rough ride, and I do not need such perfomance advantage they provide over a "regular" tire.

Looking to replace a pair of 215/55R17's on my Superb hatch. What tyres would be best suited? Looking for comfort and quiet. Thanks.

@kindalen

1. add extra 5 mm in heigh by change tire size to 225/55r17

2. as quiet i can recommend Michelin's

3. as noisy i would avoid Pirelli's P7

4. find some model with acoustic foam inside tire, mission impossible in last years

 

1 hour ago, kindalen said:

Looking to replace a pair of 215/55R17's on my Superb hatch. What tyres would be best suited? Looking for comfort and quiet.

 

This tyre won the 2024 allseason tyre review on tyrereviews.

 

2024 allseason tyre review (on tyrereviews) (Continental AllSeasonContact 2 won)

https://www.tyrereviews.com/Article/Best-All-Season-Tyres-2024.htm

 

Continental AllSeasonContact 2 215/55R17 94V (Euro label B B 70dB)

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m140b0s8825p220589/Continental_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Continental_Conti_All_Season_Contact_2_215_55_R17_94V_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_70dB

 

Edited 19 November, 20241 yr by Carlston