T rated tires on a 98 v70 NA Topic is solved

[kippster41493]

I did consult my friend who is an expert and was also the guy who trained me regarding tires and he indicated that based on my driving and the age of my car and how the car is being used that a T-rated tire is well within its design envelope. I'm not concerned about the safety aspects. It may cause me some problems getting them rotated and balanced .... I made a quick decision and probably would just buy the H-rated (unfortunately the store didn't have them).

I have a heartburn with tire stores telling me I have to use a certain tire just because that's how the car was delivered. Volvo probably actually needed a V rated for the S70 turbo and got a huge volume discount to put them on all the new Volvos that year. Marketing plays a big role on what is initially installed. Thereafter as consumers we're stuck with that.

I'll agree with that, there will always be butting heads when it comes to customers/ sellers for tires. Customers want the convenience/ cheapness of buying a differently rated tire, but the stores/ shops want to make sure the customers will be able to get everything that's available with properly rated tires i.e. "safety", balance and rotating, being able to mount the tires, mileage warranty, etc...

No shop wants to get in trouble for knowing something isn't right (non-OEM) and not fixing it because they can get in major trouble if the under rated tires were the cause of the accident. The only places that can get away with it are used tire shops.

[precopster]

Lately I self-fitted about 10 wheels and even though it takes some time I saved hundreds. We get charged about $15 for each tire for fitting and balancing here.

I used 2 tire levers and You Tube tutorials. Not that hard really. A couple of times I used the hairspray and stove lighter trick to make them seat. I have a compressor for inflation.

Over here in Oz we have new Chinese tires (195/60/15) for $60 each fitted made by BCT in a S600 series. They're noisy but they grip well and are correctly rated.

I recently bought 215/50/16 BCTs for my 2000na ($65 each fitted) and they are grippy and quiet. I've had them on for 2 months and couldn't be happier after previously spending over $130 per tire (Kumho, Pirelli etc) and finding that they go hard in 18 months of use, even though climate is only hot here for perhaps 14 days of the year (100F plus)

For my newly completed 2001 XC70 I purchased Chinese made Cronos 215/65/16s for $85 each fitted and balanced. They are 98 and V rated so well over the rating required. They have 500 wear rating Traction A Temperature A. They are quiet, ride well and have a very soft sidewall like Michelin tires.

Another highly underestimated Chinese tire brand is Rotalla. Shop around. Good cheap tires are finally here and with the ratings to avoid fitment denials.

I say buy what you want but don't risk insurance problems.

[kippster41493]

Lately I self-fitted about 10 wheels and even though it takes some time I saved hundreds. We get charged about $15 for each tire for fitting and balancing here.

I've done this as well to get out of a pinch, can be very sketchy sometimes You just have to make sure the weight is relatively close to where it was until you are able to get in properly balanced.