My 1998 S70 needs new tires. My mechanic (who I trust) says that because it's a Volvo it needs higher rated tires than normal. It's something about keeping its handling etc.
I'm looking for a moderately priced all season tire. This is not a sports car or an SUV. Does anyone know what I am being steered to higher rated tires than one might expect for a passenger car? (And I don't think it's because he's trying to upsell me.)
Ian
You should have "H" rated tires or better. If he's trying to get you to buy "V" or better ask him why. With anything less than H, you'll get soft sidewalls that effect the cornering of the vehicle. Go to
Consumer Reports rated tires not too long ago. I think it was in November 2003 ???.
I noticed that on my 740, seems to "need" higher rated tyres that the car's top speed would suggest. If you pause to reflect though, Volvo always over engineer for the safety factor. I'd sooner use tyres that were rated higher, rather than take a lower rate to it's limit.
Hi Ian,
I know a thing or two about tires. I race cars, and the tire is the single most important part of a car's suspension. Without a proper tire to comply with the rest of the suspension, you will affect the car's performance in several different ways:
Stopping ability Cornering ability and of course, ultimate traction especially in diverse climates like those in Canada
You would be best off buying an EXCELLENT name brand tire that has been rated well. Tire manufacturers that are involved in auto racing learn a lot from their experience at the track, and apply that technology to their tires (hence, we don't have biased ply tires on our cars anymore, rubber compound technology is far better than before, etc...).
I had a set of BFG Commercial tires on my full size Chevy Van, and I could not believe how good these tires were!!! They were expensive as hell, but worth every penny.
Some better tires are less susceptible to tread shifting, out of round conditions, balance easier (without the requirements of tons of weights), etc....
I'd also suggest a decent all season, but for winter, pick up a used set of S70 steel wheels and buy yourself winter tires. Even though it doesn't snow a lot in Toronto, I picked up a set of winter tires (Gislaved) for my sister's 850, and the tires work great (winter tires are able to work in low temperatures, where all season tires loose their pliability at low temps, loss of traction on wet pavement, etc..... increased stopping distances, especially with ABS.
So don't take buying tires lightly, make it a performance decision. Wal-Mart Ulysses tires won't make your Volvo all that pleasant to drive!!, cheap to buy yes, but.........
Speed rating, even though you will never exceed the speed limit matters (Speed rating is the ability to dissipate heat at a specific km/h over a certain amount of time). Also, if you fill your car up with a family, a trunk full of beach stuff, and a tank of gas, suddenly, the load on the tires have increased exponentially!!!
You have a great car, buy good tires to match ;)
(On my Volvo 760 GLE, I have Michelin MX-1, and I am amazed at their "all season" performance, except in heavy snow conditions, the car is impossible to drive.
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You race cars but can't get a Volvo though snow?????? Don't tell Volvo !!!!!!
LOL!!!!
Ok, I can't get my Volvo through the snow without purposely drifting and sliding through turns!! (which makes RWD without traction control A LOT of fun). I don't have a problem once I'm going, but to get going in my Volvo is hell!! I'd be a horrible rally racer, but as a pavement (circuit) racer (Mosport), I do alright ;).
Actually, if anyone ever watched the 1994 BTCC (British Touring Car Challenge), you would have seen Volvo use their 850 Estate (Wagon), it was incredible. Didn't do very well overall, but, it was certainly interesting to watch. (I'm really an Italian car nut, Alfa Romeo won that year with the 155)
If Volvo wishes to contact me and get me into a S60R to race here, I'll do it!!
Get at least H rated.
This is what we have always had on the Volvo's, and believe it or not, this is what we have on our new VW Golfs.... except mine had its tires replaced, and the PO put on S rated tires I think they are (180kph).... Well this car loses traction easily in hard cornering (like me trying to avoid having an accident with a car, then ending up slamming into a curb because the tires plain ran out of grip) they are awefull for hard braking (ABS comes on quickly, my dad has Goodyears on his Dub, same ones we used to have on our
960, which has Michelines now... in his car I can't get the ABS to come on with dry braking except just at the end of the stop and slightly during to balance the car out).
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Italian car nut, Alfa
I'm with you now !!!!! LOL. Once it's going it's good, lots of sideways, thats why I thought you'd like that. ;-) I did see the 850 in the BTCC, best bit I saw was when the 850 overtook on the outside, past an Audi and a BMW I think it was. I've forgotten the track and the time, but the image stays with me, like the one of the Norton rotary outdragging the japs and italians at ummmm, one one the tracks down south, see I'm great for places !!!! and times.... Don't tell me about Alphas, me best mate is a tally, and loves them. He raced for a while, then I made him admit that his rover sdi 3.8 with turbo was better. LOL He now is "retired" and drives diesel, where you have to have plannning permission to overtake.
Hi, Ian - - -
In the U.S., it's simply a matter of liability issues - though you may hear otherwise. You will find that Dealers will fit tires that are rated no lower than the OEM equipment.
The first replacement set purchased for our '98 V70XC came from Costco, who responded to my question with "Well, it's the law, you know." One can take that response or leave it, but in shopping, I did hear it elsewhere, as well.
Following the advice of my German e-mail friend, Juergen Schrader, I have run toward the lower end of the tire pressure scale and find (on our '02 S60AWD) that the car is much more stable at speed. Since that equates to some added heating of the tires, the higher ratings are certainly sensible. In Germany, I seem to recollect that he stated that S60's are fitted with "V" series tires. The better to cope with Autobahn speeds, no doubt.
bob noble Reno, NV, USA
Best option : Z-rated tires for summer, winter tires for winter. The trade off is the Z-rated tires will transmit almost everything on the road (including every Toronto pot hole). The good is that it will feel like a slot car compare to OE tires.
I had Pirelli P-700 Z in the size of 205/50/15 on my Alfa Romeo Milano, and in the dry they were fantastic!!! Try stopping in the rain, and well, you just better pray.
Michelin Pilots (forget the exact model, but it's the top one or the 2nd from the top) have a Z rated model... It is incredible bot wet and dry.... and apparantly it's useable in the snow as well, tho my friend who has these tires refuses to test this claim, and has winters.
His car has better rain grip then my tires have on dry pavement... it's incredible. But the tires are well beyond what I would pay, or could afford to pay.
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