Tyre query

[domin8or]

Why when i go on the Michelin tyre checker and put in the details does it say 225-45-17 91w type tyres,which is not an XL tyre,yet everyone says XL is required /

I am baffled by this,and about to buy 4 new tyres,so want it right.

Comments please.

 

[03cupra]

what do you mean by XL tyre? the 'w' refers to the speed rating, i think the 'w' is for cars up to 168mph.. the 91 is the load rating.

 

[domin8or]

Sorry,badly worded perhaps.
I know about speed rating and i know about load,but i read a thing on here saying tyres should have an XL (extra load) marking on them,however Michelin say this is not required.
Confused

 

[G.P]

XL is for extra load, just means slgithy stiffer sidewall, which you will notice.

Depends if you want a comfort tyre like Mich or a sports tyre like Dunlop and what your used to and running on at the moment..

Michelin say this is not required.

They would say anything to make a sale..

 

[03cupra]

ah ok, well from what i understand XL is for heavier cars... i've never had an XL tyre fitted to my LC.. not even sure the pilot sports come in XL.. Just spoke to my mate with a 330d touring and he doesnt need XL tyres so wouldnt have thought the Leon would...

 

[BigJase88]

Leon doesn't need them

Tbh it doesn't make a monkeys nuts of a difference if they are xl or not

 

[domin8or]

Leon doesn't need them

Tbh it doesn't make a monkeys nuts of a difference if they are xl or not

I would have thought they being a harder sidewall would make it a harder ride ?

 

[AndyG_TSi]

as above XL simply means 'Extra load'

Tyres rated as XL are designed for loads and higher inflation pressures than the standard tyre and are usually fitted to heavier cars

this doesn't mean that an XL tyres are 'better' than a standard tyre, they just have a reinforced sidewall.

read this handy link:

http://www.ctyres.co.uk/tyre_info/tyre_load_index.html

from the link this bit of the text explains it best:

"The XL type are necessary for vehicles that carry more than 5 people and some estate vehicles that carry more wieght in the boot. A common car size 215/55/16 has a load capacity of 93 which reading of the chart equates to 650kg per wheel. Including the load of the vehicle anything extra including the passengers should not go over the 650kg or 1300kg (calculated for two tyres) over the axle distributed evenly. The same size 215/55/16 also comes in the XL version and this tyre has load rating of 97 which equates to 730kg, hence there is a clear advantage of 80kg per tyre."

so in other words, a non XL tyre with a load rating of 93 would be able to handle a maximum weight of 1300KG over the same axle(650kg x 2)
An XL rated tyre with a load rating of 97 would be able to handle a maximum weight of 1460kg over the same axle (730kg x 2)
an extra load carrying capacity of 160kg over the standard tyre over the same axle

For an XL rated tyre to have the same load carrying capacity as a non XL tyre, they will have to be inflated to a higher pressure than a non XL tyre

 

[03cupra]

I would have thought they being a harder sidewall would make it a harder ride ?

yeah thats what these guys say http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=61606

would make sense its a harsher ride

 

[G.P]

330d touring and he doesnt need XL tyres so wouldnt have thought the Leon would...

Would that not be on run flats?

Leon doesn't need them

Tbh it doesn't make a monkeys nuts of a difference if they are xl or not

My mk2 Leon needs XL to suit me, without the back sways around.

It atually makes a big difference depending on your driving style. A Mich XL will also have a softer wall compared to a Dunlop XL, all depends what you want/like..

 

[LEE69]

Only ever bought xl for mine :/

 

[domin8or]

I appreciate all the responses,but what is correct XL or not ?

 

[randomage]

I appreciate all the responses,but what is correct XL or not ?

Technically, both.

If you want a slightly firmer ride, with less flex in the sidewalls, go for XL. If you don't, don't. Apart from that, it's up to you

 

[6th.replicant]

FWIW, Camskill told me XL is 'a must' for an LCR, even mentioned the phrases 'legal requirement' and 'your insurer won't pay up' if i didn't fit XLs

 

[AndyG_TSi]

SEAT Leon Mk1:

Kerb weight from 1210 - 1628KG

at the maximum kerb weight of 1628KG, this means that each tyre must be able to carry at least
407KG (814KG across each axle)

if you look at the link in my original post, you will see a table that shows the Load Index and from that you will see that the Load rating 77 equates to 412 KG

The issue here is that the tyre, regardless of being XL rated or not must be able to handle the manufacturers permitted maximum laden weight.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 3's I have fitted to my MK2 Leon are not XL tyres & have a load index of 91, which if you cross reference this to the Load index on the link indicates a load rating of 615KG for each tyre 615 x 4 = 2460KG

so the crux of the issue is not whether you need to have XL tyres, but the need is to get tyres that have the right load index to carry the weight of the car + passengers + luggage and all the other crap you carry about (weight of fuel etc)

any tyre fitter that say's you specifically need XL rated tyre for your Leon is talking out of his ars3h0le


you don't need XL rated tyres for legal purposes, but you may choose to have them fitted if this is your preference

There is a subtle difference

 

[6th.replicant]

SEAT Leon Mk1:

Kerb weight from 1210 - 1628KG

at the maximum kerb weight of 1628KG, this means that each tyre must be able to carry at least
407KG (814KG across each axle)

if you look at the link in my original post, you will see a table that shows the Load Index and from that you will see that the Load rating 77 equates to 412 KG

The issue here is that the tyre, regardless of being XL rated or not must be able to handle the manufacturers permitted maximum laden weight.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 3's I have fitted to my MK2 Leon are not XL tyres & have a load index of 91, which if you cross reference this to the Load index on the link indicates a load rating of 615KG for each tyre 615 x 4 = 2460KG

so the crux of the issue is not whether you need to have XL tyres, but the need is to get tyres that have the right load index to carry the weight of the car + passengers + luggage and all the other crap you carry about (weight of fuel etc)

any tyre fitter that say's you specifically need XL rated tyre for your Leon is talking out of his ars3h0le


you don't need XL rated tyres for legal purposes, but you may choose to have them fitted if this is your preference

There is a subtle difference

Useful info, ta