tire question

i have a 2001 tl and need new tires. how important is it to stay with v rated tires? can i go lower if i replace all 4? can u have 2 of one rating and 2 of another? thanks,

Reply to
Skinzfan151
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"Skinzfan151" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@11g2000cwr.googlegroups.com:

You should stick with the correct speed rating.

Are the V's too expensive, or too hard to get?

Reply to
Tegger

neither, i just dont drive the car that much and when i do, its normally nowhere near the v speed rating!

Reply to
Skinzfan151

"Skinzfan151" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@q40g2000cwq.googlegroups.com:

Tire sidewalls have different characteristics depending on the speed rating. The more flexible, the higher the speed rating. Your suspension was calibrated for V-rated tires.

Changing to a stiffer sidewall in the same aspect ratio (lower speed rating) will alter the handling. You probably won't notice anything different in everyday driving, but there will be a small change.

As I understand it, the primary reason for automaker chice of tire speed rating is that it coincides with (or exceeds) the car's own maximum speed. This is desirable from a liability and safety perspective.

You can use a lower speed rating so long as you never exceed the speed for which those tires were designed.

Reply to
Tegger

I have moved down from V to H rated tires on several cars and it has worked out well for me. There are no US or Canadian roads where legal speeds tax the capabilities of either rating.

Check out the customer reviews on tirerack.com after you put in your make and model. That might help you choose a tire.

I do believe strongly in keeping the exact same tires on all four wheels. Sometimes mix and match is ok, sometimes it works out horribly.

John

Reply to
John Horner

I was in the same situation and inquired at the dealership about it. The dealer recommended I stay with the v rated tires. He told me of an instance where another customer went with h rated to save some money and was back within a couple of days to switch to the v rated because the h rated tires changed the handling characteristics so much he did not feel safe with them. I bought h rated myself because of the cost of the v's (the h rated were half the price) and there is a definite change in how the car handles. I notice it most when going over large bumps or heaves in wide sweeping turns at speed. The car wobbles and there is a moment when you feel you could lose control if your not paying attention. I'm sure the handling is still secure, but that strange little wobble is a bit disconserting. BTW 'Tegger', my understanding is that higher speed rating gives stiffer side walls, not more flexible, allowing quicker turn-ins and a generally more controlled ride. I believe the softer sidewalls are what's causing the handling anomaly I'm experiencing since my change to h rated tires. Cheers

Reply to
gp

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