Car Tyres

[Milkybow]

Evening all, we've just got back from a weekend rally and I've noticed my car tyres will need changing in the next few thousand miles or so. We have a '56 plate Nissan X-Trail 2.2dci and having never owned a 4x4 before or indeed ever towed a caravan until a year ago, I have little knowledge of which manufactureres make good towing vehicle tyres.

I'm looking for something that is hard wearing and long lasting. If I can find a long lasting tyre then I'm happy with a bit of road noise.

Can any recommend decent tyres?

P.S. The tyres fitted as standard are Dunlop ST20 215/60 R17 96H.

Many thanks,

Gareth

 

[Sproket]

you could have a look at 4x4tyres.com you can look at all of the 17" tyres & maybe get a wider one ??? so that you have more choice....

 

[Lutz]

I can't make a recommendation but I would like to point out that hard wearing and long lasting is a bit inconsistent with safety performance (braking and roadholding, especially in the wet).

 

[TD42]

I totaly agree with Lutz re long lasting/hard wearing compounds are not consistent with safety/wet performance

5th gear(I think) did a test comparison with Bridgestone tyre & a budget tyre BOTH identical tread patterns & there was over 25 mtr difference in braking distances. This was put down to the rubber compound used

 

[MikeyW]

Hi Gareth

I've just replaced the Dunlop tyres on my X-Trail with Bridgestone Duellers. I haven't towed with them yet and there is more road noise than before, which is acceptable to me.

The tyre fitter, also a friend, recommended these as they have stiffer sidewalls and maybe better for towing. I also found them recommended for the X-Trail on the Nissan forum website.

I'm no expert but thought this might be of help.

Regards

Mike

 

[Woody3]

Having had many company cars over the last 30 years I would always say go for Michelin. They last far longer than any other tyre I've come across, they give a quiet and supple ride as they have softer sidewalls than most other makes, and they handle water well. I had a Xantia estate about 12 years ago which di 74000 on one set of tyres in just about two years - admittedly the garage were swapping them around at each service.

Beware of putting tyres of a different size or rating on your vehicle unless you tell your insurance company and are prepared to face the (likely) premium increase. I think you will find that fitting tyres other than those recommended by the manufacturer (in terms of size) my infringe the tye approval of the vehicle which could in turn invalidate your insurance.

We have had an Octavia TDi 130 for four years (bought used) and it had some Russian made tyres FT501 fitted. These tyres have now done 56000 of which probably about 8000 towing all over Europe and they still have about 4mm left on them. When the car went in for MoT in March they noted a cut down to the cords on one rear tyre so I had a pair of Michelin HP Premacy fitted (205/55R16 93V) to replace them. The difference it made to the ride, to handling, and especially to the stability when towing is remarkable. I may get the front changed before we go off on our hols in a month or two!

 

[Bannedtom]

Hi Gareth

There is no compromise on tyres, thats the only contact you have with the road. I never ever buy cheap tyres and always match them on the axle, I do tend to buy Bridgestones but what you must ensure is that if you are only replacing front tyres you have to make sure that the best tyres are on the rear axle ie: put the new ones on the back and then have the existing ones off the back put onto the front, regardless of whether its front or rear wheel drive, always have your best tyres on the rear.

 

[MikeA]

Hi Tom,

Is there any objective evidence to support the view that the best tyres should be on the back? Perhaps a published study?

I only ask because as a layman in such matters I have been confused over the years by authoritative sounding staff of various tyre depots totally contradicting each other on this matter.

I have just had a new pair of tyres put on my Volvo XC90 and the tyre supplier (a longstanding specialist performance tyre depot in Cardiff) automatically put them on the front and moved the part worn pair from the front to the rear.

Regards,

Mike

 

[weejock]

The idea behind new tyres on the rear is that it should prevent lift off oversteer. This will mean that if you are a bit hot going into a corner all that should happen is understeer with the front of the car washing wide of the apex.

If you are a decent driver you will probably prefer it the opposite way around to allow you a measure of throttle steer adjustability mid corner.

As for the original question as to tyres can I suggest you ask about some back editions of Autocar magazine as every two years or so they visit one of the big tyre manufacturers testing grounds and put a sample of various tyres through their paces in the dry and the wet. As well as grip and braking differences they also measure subjective things like comfort and noise.

You will be amazed at some of the findings but more importantly how one good tyre on a particular car may end up being the worst tyre for a different car.