Tires

camper guy · Post by **camper guy** » 20 Apr 2004, 09:54

Friday night I pulled out the four rims and summer tires that came with my car. Turns out 3 of the 4 have "issues" so I need to replace them before inspection. The winter tires are 16's, the ones on the summer rims are 215/70/ZR17. $138 + M,B & each for new Dunlops just like the ones on there. I got a price of $107 complete each for Falcon? Z rated same size. Anyone heard of these? I also was quoted $87 complete each for H rated tires. What is the difference between H & Z? The guy at the tire place said it's higher profile but tires really confuse me.

rainman · Post by **rainman** » 20 Apr 2004, 17:00

I'm reading this website from Europe so DOUBLE check the info I am giving you is the same in the US. H & Z are speed ratings. If the tires are correctly inflated for high speed driving, the H or Z rating stipulates the maximum speed that the tires should be driven at. In Europe the H rating is up to 130 mph, and the Z is 150mph. Hope this helps..

camper guy · Post by **camper guy** » 22 Apr 2004, 06:49

I have also been told it's the height of the side wall and flexibility of the rubber. I've been told the "H" rated tires last longer as well. I don't plan to go much over 75 - 80 any time soon so if the speed rating is the only factor I will probably go with the H tires.

rainman · Post by **rainman** » 24 Apr 2004, 08:25

The height of the tyre (profile) compared as a percentage of the width of the tire is the 'aspect ratio' H or Z has nothing to do with this measurement (although for sidewall stiffness and stability reasons, you will not find a 'normal' profile Z rated tire,a s they are primarily used on performance cars).
My tyres are 195/60 R15s meaning the tire size is 195, the height of the tyre sidewall is 60% of its width, the R stands for radial and 15 is the size of the wheel rim in inches.
I hope I haven't told you stuff you know already!

camper guy · Post by **camper guy** » 24 Apr 2004, 20:06

Thanks, I didn't know all of those things, it makes sense. I don't plan to drive my car at sustanied speeds above 70 any time soon so I think the H rating tires will be fine.

Post by **matthew1** » 25 Apr 2004, 19:13

This might help (from TireRack.com):

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/ ... dewall.jsp

guest · Post by **guest** » 04 May 2004, 19:03

camper guy wrote:Friday night I pulled out the four rims and summer tires that came with my car. Turns out 3 of the 4 have "issues" so I need to replace them before inspection. The winter tires are 16's, the ones on the summer rims are 215/70/ZR17. $138 + M,B & each for new Dunlops just like the ones on there. I got a price of $107 complete each for Falcon? Z rated same size. Anyone heard of these? I also was quoted $87 complete each for H rated tires. What is the difference between H & Z? The guy at the tire place said it's higher profile but tires really confuse me.

215/70/ZR17 ??? Are you sure that they're 70 profiles? That seems like an awfully odd size to fit in the volvo wheel well, and I've never seen Z rated tires with a 70 profile (although that doesn't mean they don't exist).