T rated tires on a 98 v70 NA Topic is solved

[98v70dad]

I found some T rated Michelin Primacy tires on sale for a great price (< $100 each). The volvo v70 NA drives like bus as far as acceleration goes and because of it superior handling is a moot point really (at least for my commuter driving habits). I've found the Michelin Primacys to be excellent tires and I'd rather have a T rated primacy than a cheaper H or V rated tire. I know that you get more plies (which is a better quality tire) with a higher speed rating but for a family "boat car" I don't see why Volvo initially specified V rated tires. I never exceed about 70 mph and seldom engage in slalom courses.

Any thoughts? Would you hesitate to put T rated tires on your V70 NA used for commuting? Will I have a problem getting someone to put them on? Usually one lower rating is no problem, tire installers are sometimes hesitant to go two speed ratings.

[tryingbe]

I like tires that are 300 or lower wear rating, A for temperature and AA for traction because I live in AZ.

I wouldn't hesitate to use tires rated for 112mph.

[98v70dad]

I like tires that are 300 or lower wear rating, A for temperature and AA for traction because I live in AZ.

I wouldn't hesitate to use tires rated for 112mph.

I like 600 range wear rated tires. I've read that the speed rating has a lot more to do with handling characteristics than actual speed. I drive in a straight line (more or less) at about 65 mph for about 100 miles total every day to and from work.

[tryingbe]

Tires dry rot way before the thread gets worn down in the heat. No point to use 600 thread wear tires here as they would be hard as rock at the end of 12 months.

[98v70dad]

Tires dry rot way before the thread gets worn down in the heat. No point to use 600 thread wear tires here as they would be hard as rock at the end of 12 months.

My current Michelins with about a 600 rating are starting to crack in an alligator pattern. They are 4.5 years old and have over half the tread left. They have about 60,000 miles on them. 4.5 year old tires have exceeded their service life even though they have half the tread left. I bought some 450 or so rated tires here and they lasted just about one year. They were way too soft for the climate here and the number of miles I put on them. The Michelins are probably a little too hard but they wear like iron and they are the smoothest running tires I've ever bought. They are pricey though.

[E Showell]

The Michelins have crappy snow traction once the tread gets hard and not that great traction in the wet when the tread hardens. Not sure that's an issue in Arizona or the Southeast though.

[misha]

T rated tyres will be fine for your v70.My winter tyres are usually T rated for both of my cars.
They are approved for up to 190km/h and your N/a,if have auto transmission,have factory speed limit of 205km/h.Manuals have a bit more...around 210.
H or V rated tyres are cheaper in U.S than T reated ones?They should be more expensive.

[98v70dad]

T rated tyres will be fine for your V70.My winter tyres are usually T rated for both of my cars.
They are approved for up to 190km/h and your N/a,if have auto transmission,have factory speed limit of 205km/h.Manuals have a bit more...around 210.
H or V rated tyres are cheaper in U.S than T reated ones?They should be more expensive.

I have had more than one installer in the past week tell me that they WILL NOT put a T-rated tire on V70 since the owners manual says to use V-rated tires. As you say T rated should be fine for my car- it accelerates like a fully loaded dump truck. Usually (not always) the T rated ones have a longer tread life and that's why I want them. There are limited options at discount tires places in the 195/60-15 tire size in V rated.

My first choice tire would be 88H rated Michelin Primacy, but they were on sale over the weekend and they are out of stock everywhere except the full price places. I had resolved to buy 88H rated General Altimax RT 43 since at least on paper they get good reviews. I went into talk to the installer who doesn't sell tires and has nothing to gain and he told me that in his experience the Generals don't balance well and he would not recommend them. SO I've been trying to find an alternate....getting frustrated.

[scot850]

There are a few issues I guess with fitting lower speed rated tires than a manufacturer recommends. In the word we are now only too happy to sue someone when something goes wrong, that installers don't want the liability if you do something stupid and it comes back on them.

Don't know about the US, but some insurance companies insist that you fit appropriate manufacturer rated tires because of the 'potential' for your vehicle to do a certain speed.

I guess for 99% of drivers we never get to the speed rated by 'T' tires, but I find up here in Canada we often get offers of H and V rated tires for the same price, or even V for less. It comes down to popularity and sales volume.

I can't recall the General model of tires we have had on our Saturn Aura for 5 years, but they have only been rebalanced once due to a slow puncture. Tires have worn well and were not expensive compared to others. My daughter did complain about wet weather traction, but when I had the car home I discovered the tires were 4psi too high and were wearing in the middle. Reduced the pressure and car is now fine.

It is hard to recommend tires to someone who lives in such a different environment and does a lot of miles. Hopefully someone can get you a better suggestion.

Neil.

[misha]

...I have had more than one installer in the past week tell me that they WILL NOT put a T-rated tire on V70 since the owners manual says to use V-rated tires.

V rated tires are for these cars with Turbo engine.V rated tires are for speeds up to 240km/h(149mph).
N/A cars are factory limited to 205/210 km/h.There is NO purpose for V rated tyres on n/a V70.

H rated tires are right in spec(up to 210km/h or 130mph) but V is too much and totally useless.