I've recently discovered a small bulge in the sidewall of one my tyres and have been advised that it needs replacing - it's gutting especially as the tyre has only done 5000 miles :(
I've got a quote for a replacement but they can only supply a tyre with a higher speed rating, i.e. I need 225/45 R17 91W and they can supply the same brand and type of tyre but 'Y' rated instead. Would it be legal and/or cause any problems by fitting the higher rated tyre? I seem to remeber reading once that it was illegal to mix tyres, or was that only the load rating or tread pattern or something?
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I think you are remembering that you cannot mix radial and crossply tyres on the same axle. Other than for expedience, why would you want to fit a different spec. tyre on just one wheel. I am not a tyre expert but I would imagine that the composition/pattern of a "Y" rates tyre would be different to the "W" on the other wheels. Whether you would notice the difference is debateable, but you can bet your life that your insurance company wouldn't like it!
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As far as I am aware,as long as speed rating is either the same or slightly above recommended, there should not be a problem.
Not recommended to go below original spec,this I think would affect insurance
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Steve
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In Germany a tyre fitter will only supply tyres of the rating appropriate to the performance of the car, not the slow speed you may claim that you will drive it at! I would have thought it would have been better to match the speed ratings of the two tyres you are planning to fit, 'just in case'. Is there a supply problem with this particular size and rating?
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In Germany a tyre fitter will only supply tyres of the rating appropriate to the performance of the car, not the slow speed you may claim that you will drive it at! I would have thought it would have been better to match the speed ratings of the two tyres you are planning to fit, 'just in case'. Is there a supply problem with this particular size and rating?
They are only supposed to fit either of the two types stamped in the log book.You can fit other tyres but you have to take the vehicle to a testing station who will decide if it is permitable and then give you a certificate of compliance most used when fitting alloys or wider wheels.
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If the speed and load rating is higher than the original OEM tyres then you should be OK legally and insurance-wise, especially if it is the same brand and type of tyre.
If the damage is not due to abuse (kerbing etc.) why not ask the tyre company to investigate and provide a free axle set.
Kevin...
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The speed rating of a W tyre is 168 mph and a Y is 186 mph. What is more critical is the load index of the two tyres. If they have the same number before the speed letter then you will have no problem ie 98W 98Y . This is important as so many vehicles have extra load tyres fitted as OE and these must be replaced with a similar rating.
Price guide all W or Y rated
Avon ZZ3 £77 Bridgestone £99 Continental £99
Goodyear F1 £97 Firestone £86 Michelin £109
Pirelli P6000 £93 Uniroyal £76 Dunlop £97
Budget £52
All prices include VAT valve balance and casing disposal.
Extra load tyres approx 10% + Runflat 25%+
Hope this helps.............
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Thanks everyone.
I've now gone ahead and arranged for the fitting of this tyre through Blackcircles. They couldn't supply a 91W as it was out of stock so they're sending a 91Y instead. All in price of £97 (Continental Sport Contact 2, 225/45 R17) is not too bad, after quickfit and co were quoting circa £140.
Not too sure why the bulge occurred but suspect it may be due to driving through a rather seriously recessed drain (3 inches?) a number of months back. Was surprised at the time that there was no visible damage to the wheel and tyre....
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Do report that drain to your local highways authority. They depend to a surprising extent on reports from Joe Public. You can find their website here:
www.tagish.co.uk/links/
and they may well have a ready-made report form.
I find that Herts Highways are pretty good at responding to these reports, which I usually sprinkle with such phrases as "wheel-breaking pot-hole", "safety risk", etc., which help them understand that the report is to be taken seriously (safety and liability for damage being uppermost in their minds).
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Do report that drain to your local highways authority. They depend to a surprising extent on reports from Joe Public. You can find their website here: www.tagish.co.uk/links/ and they may well have a ready-made report form.
Thanks a useful site.
Yes. Do report potholes
This has reminded me to report a really nasty one on Hampton Court Bridge that is a real hazard for cyclists.
Since I first noticed it many thousands of vehicles have passed it and none reported it.
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"(Continental Sport Contact 2, 225/45 R17)"
Oooo Not a Laguna on Silverstone wheels is it? If you have balancing problems the wheel may have slightly buckled by the knock.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Oooo Not a Laguna on Silverstone wheels is it?
MKV Golf GTI - haven't noticed any problems whilst driving it for the last few months...
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Just for the record, I had a company Mondeo some years ago, and after a puncture I had to have one replacement tyre fitted. This was a higher speed rating than the other on the same axle. I called the insurance company and they were quite happy, as long as it was equal to or above the manufacturesr recommendation - irrespective of the fact that there were two different ratings on the same axle. They didn't mention load rating, but it wasn't something I asked about.
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