Tyre load ratings...

[brad]

How many seats is the CC compared to R36? What is the kg boot/load capacity of the two?

[Cads]

thanks brad....logic suggest that what's good for the passat CC should be fine for the r36...

I just changed my R36 from the standard 235 x 40 x 18 with 95 to 255 x 35 x 19 96. Tyresome in Darlinghurst is very recommended and the one thing they did say is that if you go below the 95 and you have some sort of accident then insurance companies can go to town on you if they find out. Just letting you know what i got told. The one thing they said was that maybe the car being heavy and AWD might be the reason for needed 95. The other thing is it is hard to get a reasonably priced good spec tyre in this weight of 95. i ended up with Michelin pilot sports but i wanted max grip..

[Diesel_vert]

I assume 235/35 R19 91Y XL is the homologated size for the optional "Omanyt" 8J x 19 wheels, since that's what's shown on the German sales brochures. So as long as you trust VW's judgement, no technical reason should deter you in fitting these tyres.

However, since a standard R36 comes with 235/40 R18 95Y XL tyres, and not 235/40 R18 91Y tyres, I assume the Australian tyre placard won't permit tyres with a load index of less than 95.

This would mean pinching a tyre placard (don't do that ) from a R36 or CC with factory-ordered 19" wheels, because I assume these vehicles would then come with a tyre placard that permits tyres with a load index "not less than 91". Maybe you could get them from a dealer???

You know, they really ought to update the Aussie tyre placards to include the homologated tyre size and load index for plus fitments.


Edit - if you plan on buying 255/35 R19 96Y XL tyres, it is recommended you fit them on 8.5J x 19 wheels or wider.

[Passat CC]

Did you end up finding 95 rated tyres? If so how much? I'm looking to upgrade to 19"

[Diesel_vert]

I was curious on exactly how much an R36 weighed, so I did some research...

                            R36        R36        CC V6
                            Sedan      Wagon      4MOTION

Weight (1)                  1736 kg    1800 kg    1702 kg
Maximum weight              2270 kg    2350 kg    2130 kg
Payload (2)                  609 kg     625 kg     503 kg

Maximum front axle load     1170 kg    1170 kg    1160 kg
Maximum rear axle load      1150 kg    1230 kg    1020 kg


(1) Includes 68 kg driver, 7 kg of luggage, and fuel tank
    filled to 90% capacity as per EU directive 92/21/ECC.

(2) Payload includes 68 kg driver and 7 kg of luggage.


Figures complied from Passat R36 brochure (in German) dated 05/11/2009

Now, for a vehicle weighing more than 1.7 tonnes, a load index of 91 might be deficient, so I did some more research...

Load capacity at various inflation pressures for EXTRA LOAD tyres with a load index of 91

Inflation pressure (bar)   1.9   2.0   2.1   2.2   2.3   2.4   2.5   2.6   2.7   2.8   2.9

Load capacity (kg)         440   455   475   495   510   530   545   565   580   600   615

Okay, so it turns out that 615 kg x 2 = 1230 kg per axle is not deficient (strictly speaking!) but only if the tyre is inflated to 2.9 bar (42 psi). Note that this has nothing to do with the maximum pressure of 3.5 bar (51 psi) that's indicated on the tyre sidewall.

This means that:
A maximum front axle load of 1170 kg would leave a margin of less than 5%.
A maximum rear axle load of 1150 kg (sedan) would leave a margin of less than 7%.
A maximum rear axle load of 1230 kg (wagon) would leave a margin of 0%.

This assumes the owner is vigilant in maintaining the inflation pressure at 2.9 bar (42 psi) and correctly calibrating the TPMS because these margins will only decrease further if the inflation pressure falls, unless the payload is reduced.


So in conclusion, pay careful attention to the tyre placard, never inflate below the recommended inflation pressures, and remember that the maximum load capacity for any XL tyre is only reached at 2.9 bar (42 psi).