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sssstew
28-05-2003, 13:50
Hey Guys

Anyone know if you can fit the lower rated H tyres to the 110 sport TDI beezer? as its max speed is only 120mph, H tyres are rated up to 129mph. Oddly they come with V Rated tyres on which are upto 149mph but the 110 only does 120... any ideas?

Can i go and fit H rated ones legally?

m0rk
28-05-2003, 13:53
also the rating applies to constant speed round a radiussed corner too IIRC. prolly wrong.

Mark

mik
28-05-2003, 13:57
UK Leon 110's come with V rated.

My EU import came with H rated.

You can change them.

edc
28-05-2003, 14:02
Somebody previously mentioned this was an insurance no-no but I recall arguing to the contrary.

prc
28-05-2003, 14:20
Originally posted by edc
Somebody previously mentioned this was an insurance no-no but I recall arguing to the contrary.

Must keep the same rating here, otherwise your screwed with the insurance company.

orangesprout
28-05-2003, 16:26
As you are very insurance conscience SStew
Tyre ratings must be adhered to.

The V rating also implies a stronger wall to deal with higher torques
exerted by diesel cars.

In the past, I was going to fit H rated tyres to a Pug 306 where it required V rated tyres, purely for cost reasons and garage
bloke didn't want anything to do with it.

It's up to you, but insurance void if you have accident.

sssstew
28-05-2003, 16:37
:D yep thought the insurance would be picky.... typical!

Cheers orange! he he

edc
28-05-2003, 16:49
That makes no sense unless you are exceeding the speed rating of the tyres on the car!

In any case you should be able to run with tyres with a speed rating of 70mph cos really you should never exceed this speed.

prc
28-05-2003, 16:52
Yeah Ed, I think the whole discussion last time started over just that point. Think it's pretty stupid myself, but you know how insurance companies are.

sssstew
28-05-2003, 16:52
yep too right, but thats picky insurers for you!

mik
28-05-2003, 17:09
Speed rating provides speed rating. Load rating provides load rating.

An insurance company would have to prove that your accident was caused by a speed-related tyre failure in order to invalidate any claim.

In the case of my car (110Leon) an HR tyre is perfectly adequate for the book top speed. Which is why it was fitted with them from new. The fact that UK cars come with VR is irrelevant.

A previous colleague had a Merc 190 2.5-16 which came on ZR rated tyres. He requested clearance from his insurers to fit VR rated (claimed top whack about 145 from memory). They said "yes no problem". He got it in writing 'cos he was paranoid.

muddyboots
29-05-2003, 12:01
Am I right in thinking that higher speed rated tyres have stiffer sidewalls, which helps cornering and general handling ?

In which case you'd be better off sticking with the 'V's.

mik
29-05-2003, 13:40
Originally posted by muddyboots
Am I right in thinking that higher speed rated tyres have stiffer sidewalls, which helps cornering and general handling ?


No you're not. :)

muddyboots
29-05-2003, 16:02
Doh!

pkchiu
06-06-2003, 00:28
Originally posted by sssstew
Hey Guys

Anyone know if you can fit the lower rated H tyres to the 110 sport TDI beezer? as its max speed is only 120mph, H tyres are rated up to 129mph. Oddly they come with V Rated tyres on which are upto 149mph but the 110 only does 120... any ideas?

Can i go and fit H rated ones legally?

sssstew

Aswell as maintaining tyre wall strength, higher speed rating also refers to the tyres ability to maintain its shape and form over a prolonged driving period.

It's recommended that any extended driving, for over an hour, that you should stop and let the tyres cool down.

Higher rated tyre can therefore maintain its form and driving characteristics better than a lower rated tyre without a possibility of a tyre blowout.

So its actually safer to have a higher rated tyre, say 30mph, more than the top speed of your car.

pkchiu
06-06-2003, 00:34
sorry for being long winded

To cap it all if you drove constantly for 1 hour, say on the motorway, at 120mph the tyres would eventually deform from the amount of heat generated at that speed.

Not that you would drive 120mph on a motorway for an hour but I think you know wot I mean:D

Garth
06-06-2003, 08:56
Originally posted by pkchiu
Not that you would drive 120mph on a motorway for an hour but I think you know wot I mean:D
I managed a 3 hour drive at a constant 110mph, does that count? Stopped for lunch, then the same again!

What? you want to do me? Prove I did it then! It was in France anyway :p

sssstew
06-06-2003, 09:44
coor! must have been drinking the gas at a rate of knots!

should have had a diesel!! :D

bertie
10-06-2003, 18:10
Is it just my 110 that will go over 120? :D

orangesprout
11-06-2003, 08:00
Nope,

Mine sails past 120 and keeps going - for how long i've never had bottle to try.

:devil:

sssstew
11-06-2003, 09:29
ahhh, ok, ive never tried to test the top speed of my car... just read that it was 120mph on the data sheet on the home page.

Hmmm maybe i should try it some time... but then its sods law that the pigs will see me the only time i try.

I used to do that with all my other cars, go out on the A30 and put me foot down until it doesnt go any more to find their top speed, but the fuzz seems to be around more and more now, and as i now have the most powerful car in my driving career i dont wanna risk loosing me license..... hmmmmm

orangesprout
11-06-2003, 12:13
It's something i don't like doing often

Don't like flogging the car - I treat it with respect and every now and again unleash the beast

Just to keep me smiling.:D