Volvo - Winter Low Profile Tyres

Tiggy_Wiggy

We bought a 2009 Volvo V70 a few months ago. Unfortunately it came with low profile tyres with the size 245/40/R18, which might look good but as I've seen from quite a few posts are useless in adverse conditions.

We are looking to get a new set of winter tyres/wheels. When I am searching for the make and model on tyre sites, the results are completely different tyre sizes for this car, some say 16s some say 17s, which is confusing me no end!

Can you actually get winter tyres for low profile rims or are we looking at a complete set, tyre and rim - in a different size - for the winter?

When I got winter tyres for my Focus we just got a pair for the front.

So confused.

red_eye

Tiggy_Wiggy wrote: »

We bought a 2009 Volvo V70 a few months ago. Unfortunately it came with low profile tyres with the size 245/40/R18, which might look good but as I've seen from quite a few posts are useless in adverse conditions.

We are looking to get a new set of winter tyres/wheels. When I am searching for the make and model on tyre sites, the results are completely different tyre sizes for this car, some say 16s some say 17s, which is confusing me no end!

Can you actually get winter tyres for low profile rims or are we looking at a complete set, tyre and rim - in a different size - for the winter?

When I got winter tyres for my Focus we just got a pair for the front.

So confused.

I would get some cheap steels for winter, saves having to clean the muck off nice alloy wheels

molerat

Look in the handbook for the car and it will give you various tyre and wheel size options. The V70 in basic spec would probably come with 16 inch wheels and would be the cheaper, and probably superior, option for winter tyres. The problem is that if you have the sporty model, rather than a lower model with up-spec'd wheels, the winter tyres will not be to a suitable speed and weight rating which could cause insurance problems. This something that UK governments are going to have to sort out as they are now looking towards winter tyre legislation.

Tiggy_Wiggy

molerat wrote: »

Look in the handbook for the car and it will give you various tyre and wheel size options. The V70 in basic spec would probably come with 16 inch wheels and would be the cheaper, and probably superior, option for winter tyres. The problem is that if you have the sporty model, rather than a lower model with up-spec'd wheels, the winter tyres will not be to a suitable speed and weight rating which could cause insurance problems. This something that UK governments are going to have to sort out as they are now looking towards winter tyre legislation.

I think its the sporty model rather than the up-spec'd wheels.

And unfortunately we don't have the hand book.

PDC

If this is just in reaction to the recent snow then a set of tyre chains can be had for around £40 which might be more suitable.

Alternative call in to a Volvo dealer and ask their advice. The parts and serivcing dept have always been most helpfull in my local one.

StrongWork

Look in the manual for the suggested smaller 16/17 inch tyres sizes. If no manual, you can use an online tyre calculator so you can work out for 17/16s the correct profile to maintain the rolling radius.

I'd be looing at getting a set of (smaller) second hand alloys off ebay to put the winter tyres on.

Winter tyres are available in 18 inch size (check camskill.co.uk) but the smaller ones will be cheaper and better in snow (narrower).

I'd also be looking at getting 4xwinter tyres, rather than just two otherwise you may find yourself backwards in a hedge.

Mr_Toad

Tiggy_Wiggy wrote: »

Can you actually get winter tyres for low profile rims or are we looking at a complete set, tyre and rim - in a different size - for the winter?

When I got winter tyres for my Focus we just got a pair for the front.

So confused.

I put winter tyres on my SLK and they are exactly the same size as the normal tyres. 245/40/18 on the rear and 225/40/18 on the front.

It was undrivable in the snow without them now it goes anywhere.

I tried to get a set a few years ago but I couldn't find any the right size in the UK and getting them special order or from Germany was very expensive so I didn't bother and just left the car in the garage when it snowed.

This year they are a lot more readily available and they make such a difference. I'll never have another winter without them.

neilmcl

Tiggy_Wiggy wrote: »

I think its the sporty model rather than the up-spec'd wheels.

And unfortunately we don't have the hand book.

Contact your local Volvo dealer. They should be able to tell you which wheel and tyre sizes are suitable for your model of car. Then, as long as nobody has fitted larger, aftermarket brakes, go for the smallest you can get away with.

neilmcl

molerat wrote: »

The problem is that if you have the sporty model, rather than a lower model with up-spec'd wheels, the winter tyres will not be to a suitable speed and weight rating which could cause insurance problems. This something that UK governments are going to have to sort out as they are now looking towards winter tyre legislation.

Why does the government need to be involved. As long as you stick to manufacturer recommended wheel sizes you are perfectly OK to fit winter tyres (which nearly always come with lower speed ratings, as they should do) without any problems from your insurer. In fact, most insurers will not require notifying.

sunshinetours

Check on Volvo forums - they probably exist as plenty of people will dio this.
I drop from 19" to 17" for winters on mine as its the smallest I can go on my model and keesp teh cost of the rubber down.
Definitely get a second set of wheels rather than swap tyres.

Try someome like mytyres who do packages with steel wheels maybe

cootuk

You should get some 16" steels with the same pdc, offset, and number of boltholes. Then fit winter tyres to those.
Chains will rip up your tyres, your alloys, and the road.

The Volvoclub forum or Ebay might have steels secondhand