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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: ricardopatrese on 07 December 2009, 13:48

Title: XL Tyres
Post by: ricardopatrese on 07 December 2009, 13:48

I've seen on the forum that XL tyres should be used for the GTI (I have 17" wheels if that helps) but looking at MICHELIN - PILOT SPORT PS2 of the size 225/45R17Y I can't find any mention of XL. Am I just being blind or have I misunderstood something? These are my current tyres:

(http://www.richardgiddings.co.uk/images/IMG_1324.jpg)
(miserable day out)

Do new ones need to be ZR to go with the ones already there too if only swapping two tyres?

Thanks.

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: DJGTi on 07 December 2009, 15:49

There's another figure on the sidewall whuch relates to load. I think standard load for this size is 91 and XL is 94. I don't think the PS2 is XL, but I'm sure it would be ok.

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: FamilyDub on 07 December 2009, 17:19

Quote from: DJGTi on 07 December 2009, 15:49

There's another figure on the sidewall whuch relates to load. I think standard load for this size is 91 and XL is 94. I don't think the PS2 is XL, but I'm sure it would be ok.

^^^^^^^ what he said. Nice choice of tyres.

I'm sure the speed rating for a standard GTi on 17" is  'W', not ZR, but if you're going higher it's ok :afro:

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: ricardopatrese on 07 December 2009, 20:58

I think I'm just confused because someone mentioned Michelin PS2s as a good tyre but in another thread mentioned that GTIs should have XL tyres to not invalidate insurance. Maybe there is a 94 version of the tyre and so XL  :undecided:

The four tyres I have at the moment are ZR so I guess I need to replace them with ZRs if i'm mixing tyres...

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: JonnyG on 07 December 2009, 22:09

I'm pretty sure it's only the 18"s that should be XL

If you look on Michelin's website the recommended 17" PS2's for the Golf GTi Mk V are just standard ZR 91Y as in your photo above with no XL or re-inforcement.

http://www.michelin.co.uk/michelinuk/en/car-4x4-van/tyre-selector/20061113094139.html

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: ricardopatrese on 08 December 2009, 10:35

Thanks I'll just look for 225/45ZR17Y. I suppose it should have been obvious really :)

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: ricardopatrese on 08 December 2009, 16:44

Just seen the full set of numbers on the factory fitted tyres I have (don't get out much):

225/45ZR17 91W

So maybe I should just be looking for more of this spec if I'm not replacing all of them.

Cheers everyone :)

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: Gene Hunt. on 09 December 2009, 01:13

Quote from: JonnyG on 07 December 2009, 22:09

I'm pretty sure it's only the 18"s that should be XL

...............when i changed my edition 30 tyres these are XL rated.

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: ricardopatrese on 09 December 2009, 10:09

I may just put some letters and numbers in a hat and see what I get. Be prepared to see the first Golf GTi with 335/30 18Y tyres :)

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: FamilyDub on 09 December 2009, 12:27

Quote from: ricardopatrese on 09 December 2009, 10:09

I may just put some letters and numbers in a hat and see what I get. Be prepared to see the first Golf GTi with 335/30 18Y tyres :)

^^^^^^^^  :grin:

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: Hurdy on 10 December 2009, 00:07

The XL simply means "extra load" and is a rating that refers to the load each tyre can carry and is simply a numbered scale that equates to a load in kg.

For example 94 = 670kg per tyre
                 91 = 615kg per tyre

ZR is a speed rating and means the tyre is rated to 150+mph.

On a GTI you will be okay with tyres rated at ZR, W or Y speed ratings. the W and Y ratings are higher speed ratings and so wouldn't invalidate your insurance if you smashed the car up. You would also need to match tyres up on each axle, so left and right front have to match and left and right rears need to match. Front and back don't need to match, but need to be the right standards for the car (load, speed rating etc.)

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: ricardopatrese on 10 December 2009, 23:16

Quote from: Hurdy on 10 December 2009, 00:07

The XL simply means "extra load" and is a rating that refers to the load each tyre can carry and is simply a numbered scale that equates to a load in kg.

For example 94 = 670kg per tyre
                 91 = 615kg per tyre

ZR is a speed rating and means the tyre is rated to 150+mph.

On a GTI you will be okay with tyres rated at ZR, W or Y speed ratings. the W and Y ratings are higher speed ratings and so wouldn't invalidate your insurance if you smashed the car up. You would also need to match tyres up on each axle, so left and right front have to match and left and right rears need to match. Front and back don't need to match, but need to be the right standards for the car (load, speed rating etc.)

Thanks. Thats brilliant :)

Title: Re: XL Tyres
Post by: ricardopatrese on 11 December 2009, 11:12

For anyone else who was/is equally confused as me (though I can't imagine such a person exists) I've also found this useful guide:

http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyrspeed.html

So it turns out the tyres I had in my original post (225/45R17Y) would be fine, just rated for a higher speed than the ZR W ones I already have.