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New tires: how important is load rating?

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
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1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
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JimBee
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New tires: how important is load rating?

Post by JimBee »

Stopped at Costco yesterday to check out tires. I asked about 205 55 16's. Clerk wouldn't give me options without the load rating, so he insisted on knowing the car make, model. Volvo 855 I think he said load rating is 89 v and no other load ratings are suitable.

I've seen several brands that I might be interested in, but they were listed without load ratings.

Any opinions on this?

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RussB
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Post by RussB »

I get a lot of tire info at,


discounttiredirect.com

tirerack.com
'00 S70, '04 S60 and the never ending quest for Stage Zero

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erikv11
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Post by erikv11 »

The load rating there is 89. I think that may be the minimum in a 16 inch tire, the 195-60-15s you can get in 87 or 88.

The V is a speed rating. Most will indeed be H or V.

Every tire has a load and speed rating, not sure what you are saying about not listed.
'95 854 T-5R, Motronic 4.4, 185k
'98 V70, T5 tune-injectors-turbo, LPT engine, 304k, daily driver
'06 S60 R, 197k
'07 XC70, black, 205k
'07 XC70, willow green, 212k
'99 Camry V6 :shock: 153k
gone: '96 NA 850 210k, '98 NA V70 182k, '98 S70 NA 225k, '96 855 NA 169k

precopster
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Post by precopster »

That load rating may prevent an insurance company from honouring a claim if they see a shredded tyre with a lesser rating than specified by the manufacturer, however the tyre got that way.

It's an all up rating including mass of car, 4 passengers, their luggage and about 50kg of down force on a towing hitch. In real world driving a lesser rated tyre would be fine.
Current cars VW Transporter 2.5TDI, 2010 XC90 D5 R Design

JimBee
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Post by JimBee »

Good points, thanks. The tire ads I've seen (on line) didn't specify the load rating. From what you're saying they'll be on the tires and info will or should be available from the seller, so a closer look before buying would be a good idea.

precopster
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Post by precopster »

Maufacturer's (USA) websites are the definitive place to go for load ratings. Dealer's websites may be incorrect or incomplete. Good luck with finding a good set!!
Current cars VW Transporter 2.5TDI, 2010 XC90 D5 R Design

Ozark Lee
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Post by Ozark Lee »

I got into it with Sams Club and they insisted that I buy 195-60-15s for my '94 since that is what the sticker in the fuel door said. Problem is that the car had 16" Columba's on it. They refused to sell me tires so I just went down the street.

It isn't my insurance they are worried about, it is theirs.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

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