Tyre decisions

[gldgti]

Was wanting info on a good set of tyres for my car. Passat TDI wagon 2008.

Currently have Dunlop 235,45 17inch 97Y and what does it mean where it says extra load. Does it mean I need to get a special tyre or something?

Thanks

you can get Conti sport contact 3's in that size from tempe tyres ebay store for $175 each delivered (I bought 4 last week)

[sn809]

Thanks was interested in Conti sport 5 as it is a better tyre, I dont know if its available in the size though. Also is it worth it getting the SSR version (does not go flat meaning should have stronger sidewalls.)

[ziggyboy]

Are you after all rounders or performance tyres? For all rounders don't overlook Kumho's. KU27 or KU31's are nice. Highly recommend KU27 for good (not excellent) grip in wet/dry and excellent treadwear! Very quiet too.

[sn809]

Essentially what is the difference between an all rounder and performance? I am not going to be hooning around or going to the race track.

[Diesel_vert]

Was wanting info on a good set of tyres for my car. Passat TDI wagon 2008.

Currently have Dunlop 235,45 17inch 97Y and what does it mean where it says extra load. Does it mean I need to get a special tyre or something?

Thanks

Passenger tyres may be designated as "standard load" or "extra load" (XL) or "reinforced" (same thing).

Extra load or reinforced tyres are designed to support higher loads at higher inflation pressures and have a higher load index compared to a standard load tyre. For instance:

Standard load tyres:

205/55 R16 91V
215/55 R16 93V
235/45 R17 94W
235/40 R18 91Y


Extra load or reinforced tyres:

205/55 R16 94V XL
215/55 R16 97V XL
235/45 R17 97W XL
235/40 R18 95Y XL

Thanks was interested in Conti sport 5 as it is a better tyre, I dont know if its available in the size though.

It is indeed a better tyre and is available as 235/45 R17 97Y XL, though obviously not all shops will have it in stock and may need to be ordered in.

Also is it worth it getting the SSR version (does not go flat meaning should have stronger sidewalls).

Most tyre manufacturers recommend that run flat tyres be fitted on wheels with an extended hump (EH2 or EH2+) which ensures the tyre won't slip off at zero pressure conditions. Whether or not run flats can be safely used on ordinary wheels depends on the tyre manufacturer. For instance, Continental says that their SSR tyres can be fitted on ordinary wheels.

Run flat tyres tend to be heavier than regular tyres due their construction, but this is meant to be offset by the vehicle only needing to carry four tyres, instead of the usual five (spare tyre), though it doesn't negate the effect of increased unsprung weight. One should also consider the potential loss of ride compliance, though the later generation tyres are getting better in this respect. Engineers from the vehicle manufacturer will try to compensate for these differences via different suspension tuning and/or components - but only for vehicles designed to use, or are originally fitted with, run flat tyres.

In case of pressure loss, run flat tyres are designed to allow the vehicle to continue its journey safely for a maximum distance of up to 80 km, at a maximum speed of 80 km/h, with minimal differences in road-holding. But this also means the driver will not be aware of any pressure loss, which can potentially lead to serious consequences if he or she doesn't realise in time! Thus, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is always required when fitting run flat tyres.

I recall that the Passat is equipped with tyre inflation pressure sensors, but I'm not 100% sure.

The Sport Contact 3 is available in 235/45 RF17 97W XL SSR, but not the Sport Contact 5 at this point in time.

Essentially what is the difference between an all rounder and performance? I am not going to be hooning around or going to the race track.

Tyres have many qualities - ride comfort, wear, noise, rolling resistance, aquaplaning resistance, grip, handling stability, steering response, etc. Altering one quality will invariably affect another (e.g. increased grip = increased wear).

The above qualities are inherent in all passenger tyres - it's just a matter of the desired balance.

So an "all-rounder" tyre might emphasise the former (ride comfort, wear, noise, rolling resistance) whilst a "performance" tyre might emphasise the later (grip, handling stability, steering response) but it doesn't mean these qualities are exclusive to each other.