XL (extra load) tyres on cars that don't need them?

Shaolin_Monkey

Hi all. I don't need them just at the moment but I have been looking around at replacement tyres for when the time comes. I notice that in a lot of lines, there are both normal and extra load tyres, normally within a few quid of each other. My car (Audi A4) doesn't specify that extra load tyres are needed.

Something else I see is that the extra load versions of the tyre often have better rolling resistance (fuel efficiency) ratings. For example, my car uses 225/50/R17 tyres. As a typical example, the Uniroyal Rainsport 3 has two versions:

94Y - Fuel Efficiency E, Wet Grip A, Noise 71db.
98Y XL - Fuel Efficiency C, Wet Grip A, Noise 72db.

My question therefore is, is there any reason why XL tyres should not be used on cars that don't 'need' them? Apart from the 1db noise increase, which I doubt I'd notice, anything that improves fuel efficiency is of course welcome!

Thanks for any advice.

EdGasket

You can always fit a higher spec. tyre to the car than that recommended by the manufacturer. The only problem is with people who insist on fitting cheaper, lower spec tyres e.g. T-rated tyres claiming they never go above 70mph, on cars designed to have H rated or above tyres. Then the insurer might refuse to pay up in the event of an accident.

Inch_High_2

EdGasket wrote: »

You can always fit a higher spec. tyre to the car than that recommended by the manufacturer. The only problem is with people who insist on fitting cheaper, lower spec tyres e.g. T-rated tyres claiming they never go above 70mph, on cars designed to have H rated or above tyres. Then the insurer might refuse to pay up in the event of an accident.

I didn't think extra load was anything to do with speed rating.

gilbert_and_sullivan

I often fit extra load tyres, especially with winter tyres, stronger stiffer sidewalls more able to withstand dropping into unseen pot holes etc on dark wet nights.

Some say they give a harder ride, but can't say as i've ever noticed.

Always better to go up in spec than down, no idea if they are more fuel efficient, possible i suppose with less flex, but whether you'd be able to measure the difference at the pumps i doubt it, you'd get more improvement, and less grip, by increasing the pressures by 6psi.

Shaolin_Monkey

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

I often fit extra load tyres, especially with winter tyres, stronger stiffer sidewalls more able to withstand dropping into unseen pot holes etc on dark wet nights.

Some say they give a harder ride, but can't say as i've ever noticed.

Always better to go up in spec than down, no idea if they are more fuel efficient, possible i suppose with less flex, but whether you'd be able to measure the difference at the pumps i doubt it, you'd get more improvement, and less grip, by increasing the pressures by 6psi.

Thanks for the detailed answer. I had thought about the possibility of a harder ride, as like you said, I assumed they would have stiffer side walls. I don't think it would bother me if it's a fairly minor difference. The fuel efficiency was a trend I noticed while looking through the listings - in nearly all cases the extra load tyres have a better fuel efficiency rating under the EU labelling scheme compared to normal versions of the same tyre.

EdGasket wrote: »

You can always fit a higher spec. tyre to the car than that recommended by the manufacturer. The only problem is with people who insist on fitting cheaper, lower spec tyres e.g. T-rated tyres claiming they never go above 70mph, on cars designed to have H rated or above tyres. Then the insurer might refuse to pay up in the event of an accident.

Thanks. I'm definitely not one for risking it, particularly with tyres. It's my understanding that the speed rating is also linked to the quality of the tyre construction. Everything being equal a Y rated tyre should always be stronger than a H rated tyre. I don't think my car will do more than the V rated tyre speed limit (and no unrestricted autobahn nearby to test!!), but as it's supplied originally with Y rated tyres I'm inclined to replace them with at least the same spec tyre when the time comes.

thenudeone

The main problem is that XL tyres cost at least twice as much as standard tyres, which will outweigh a small change in fuel efficiency, and can be difficult to source.

My OH and I have cars which take exactly the same size of tyre, but one has to be XL and one is standard, so I am not exaggerating the price difference. Also, there is only one manufacturer who makes the XL version of the tyre. If they discontinue it, I'm stuck.

Shaolin_Monkey

That's strange, is that an unusual tyre size you have?

TBH that is not the case in the size I am looking at. In the aforementioned Uniroyal Rainsport 3 the XL is actually cheaper than the normal tyre on mytyres.co.uk (£110.90 vs £111.90)! Looking at the Pirelli Cinturato P7 (these are what are currently on the car) they are charging £13 MORE for non XL tyres.

neilmcl

thenudeone wrote: »

The main problem is that XL tyres cost at least twice as much as standard tyres, which will outweigh a small change in fuel efficiency, and can be difficult to source

Not really, and as the OP mentioned the ones they were looking at were in a few quid of each other.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Check out http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/ too whilst you're looking, i've now bought two sets from them and in both cases they've wiped the floor with everyone else's prices.

forgotmyname

The higher rated XL tyres maybe too firm and give you a bumpy ride on a lighter car. Also the tyre pressures will be off.

The tyres will be much stiffer in the sidewall than the standard tyres so may require lower pressures.
Get the pressures wrong and you may wear them rapidly.

thenudeone

Shaolin_Monkey wrote: »

That's strange, is that an unusual tyre size you have?

I don't think so. 205/55R16 H or V rated.

The only XL version I have ever found is the Bridgestone ER30C at £155 + each fitted, double the cost of a good branded non-XL version