Volvo - Winter Low Profile Tyres

agrinnall

I've used mytyres to buy steel rims fitted with winter tyres for my last 2 cars, you may find that if you put in your model of car it will come up with options that fit (it worked for the first car but not the second, I had to do more research to be sure what I was buying would fit).

DUTR

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.

Blackcircles appears to have your size, all season is also an option.

molerat

neilmcl wrote: »

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.

Which is entirely my point. Car manufacturers, insurers and government departments need to ensure that there is no ambiguity in the use of winter tyres.

cootuk

Also never just fit winter tyres on the front driven axles, or you will find your rear overtaking yourself

gord115

http://lovetyres.com/search/tyres/245-40-18/season/Winter

From £106

vaio

my audi runs 225/40/17 both summer & winter

If you are tempted to move away from standard make sure the new ones will clear the brakes & suspension. Mine has less than a little finger width between wheel & calliper and between tyre and suspension so 16 inch wheels is out as is wider or higher tyres

vikingaero

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.

There are generally no problems with insurance problems. The ABI has sorted this in the last couple of years and gives a list of companies that do require you to notify them:

http://www.abi.org.uk/Information/Consumers/General/Winter_Tyres__The_Motor_Insurance_Committment.aspx

The only factor you need to worry about is the correct load index rating for the tyre and your car. You don't need to worry about the speed rating because "the majority" of winter tyres are rated to around 112mph. Even if your car can exceed 112mph then you can still use them.

Lum

how much of a gap is there between the outside edge of your brake callipers and the inside edge of your wheel? (check both front and back)

If the gap is over an inch then get a set of cheap 16" wheels.

If the gap is between half an inch and one inch, then go down to 17s.

If the gap is less than half an inch, you are stuck with 18s.

If you can go down to 16s then do so, winter tyres are much much cheaper at 16" and below and there are loads of Volvo 16" wheels on eBay.

Tiggy_Wiggy

Just wanted to thank everyone for their advice, very much appreciated.

Lum - hubby will need to measure this at work, if he gets a chance. No street lights where we are so it's nigh on impossible to do anything during the week in winter.

Thanks again.