One tyre with a different speed rating

jessmist

Hi,
I recently purchased a used car.
And the dealer had replaced the 2 front tyres as they were really low on tread. The back tyres were ok.
I have never really bothered checking the tyres only the tyre pressures.
I had some work done on my car this week and when I collected my Car I noticed I had a rear puncture. It turns out the tyre need replaced. The dealer took the car to a tyre centre. And put a new tyre on without any cost to me.
When I had a look at the tyres today I noticed that the new tyre is a perfect match to my front tyres. Which are 215/55ZR 16 97 W
But the one tyre that is left on the back is
215/55 R16 97V
So is this tyre that is left a problem as it seems to be a lower rating.
Would this be legal and above board with my Insurance company.
Was the garage in the wrong for selling the car to me with 2 rear tyres that were 97 V

Hope you can put my mind at rest

Thanks

Gloomendoom

As long as you don't exceed 149 mph you will be fine.

Stop worrying.

jessmist

That's good to know
Thanks

force_ten

what is the OE spec for tyres for your car ?

this info is normally found on the door shut on the drivers door with tyres size and tyre pressure, you should always fit the same or a higher speed rating tyres that are specified by the manufacturer

if your door plate says 215/55 R16 97V then you are good to go if the door plate 215/55 R16 97W then you should not have the lower V rated tyre fitted to the car

we all know the insurance companies love a get out of jail free card

forgotmyname

I buy W rated tyres, only because in my cars size they are slightly cheaper then V rated for some odd reason.

Higher rated tyres are not a problem.

arcon5

Insurance company won't care. Stop being dramatic.


Op it doesn't mAtter!! It's a non issue. No more relevant than what screen wash brand they put in!!

vansboy

arcon5 wrote: »

No more relevant than what screen wash brand they put in!!

Try telling that to BMW, if you have NOT used their own product and have an issue with the washer system!!

VB

force_ten

arcon5 wrote: »

Insurance company won't care. Stop being dramatic.


Op it doesn't mAtter!! It's a non issue. No more relevant than what screen wash brand they put in!!

I am not being Dramatic I am being realistic,

How Tyres can Invalidate your Insurance

Basically, the insurance company states that your vehicle needs to be in ‘road-worthy’ condition at the time of the mishap to be eligible for the insurance
cover. ‘Road worthy’ can mean a number of things and it certainly includes the tyres of your vehicle. The insurer’s logic is that if due to some reason
(even those related to your car tyres), your car has been compromised, they will not honour your claim.

Your car tyres may be deemed as making your car ‘non-road worthy’ under the following conditions.

1. Wrong Fit Replacement Tyres

This does not apply to new cars with original equipment tyre fitting. After a period, when you change your tyres, it is best to stick to the original size
specifications recommended by the manufacturer. To be completely safe, you can even opt for the same tyre brand.

Original fitments have been carefully chosen by the manufacturer to ensure safe driving. And changing these tyres affects the vehicle’s handling, braking
ability and other factors, making the tyres not fit for safe driving.

There are 3 aspects of importance here.

a. Size

Stick to the original size recommended by the manufacturer. Are you considering plus sizing your tyres? Read the pros and cons of the move here. But that aside, plus
sizing your tyres without informing your insurer may invalidate your insurance.

In case of such modification, informing your insurer by phone (or writing) may do the trick. It may result in an increase in premium. But you get to do
what you want and still have a valid insurance.

Relationship Between Your Tyres And Car Insurance Choose The Right Size Tyres For Your Car


b. Speed Rating

If you fit tyres with lower speed rating than the original fitment, the new tyres will not support your regular speed. This can result in unfortunate occurrences. And the insurance company can refuse to entertain your claim, citing that the car was not road worthy and had been ‘modified’. In fact in some
countries, it is illegal to drive on tyres with lower speed rating than the original fitments.

c. Load Rating

Fitting tyres with reduced load rating would result in overloaded/underinflated tyres. This would lead to quicker tyre wear besides increasing chances of
tyre related accidents. And you car will not remain road worthy. Click here for an interesting case study
on this aspect.

that sort of information is all over the web and if you choose to ignore it then that is up to you but i would never go and a public forum and advise others to ignore it

if your accident was proved to be tyre related then the insurance company could well closely scrutinise that tyres that were fitted to your car

jessmist

force_ten wrote: »

what is the OE spec for tyres for your car ?

this info is normally found on the door shut on the drivers door with tyres size and tyre pressure, you should always fit the same or a higher speed rating tyres that are specified by the manufacturer

if your door plate says 215/55 R16 97V then you are good to go if the door plate 215/55 R16 97W then you should not have the lower V rated tyre fitted to the car

we all know the insurance companies love a get out of jail free card

Thanks for the info.
I have checked the door plate and it states 215/55 R16 93 V
So all the tyres on the car are above that.

bod1467

force_ten wrote: »

I am not being Dramatic I am being realistic,


that sort of information is all over the web and if you choose to ignore it then that is up to you but i would never go and a public forum and advise others to ignore it

if your accident was proved to be tyre related then the insurance company could well closely scrutinise that tyres that were fitted to your car

But the OP's tyres are higher rated than specified (except for 1 which is at the specified rating). You're right if people fit lower rated tyres, but higher rated tyres are NOT a get-out for insurance companies.

How many cars have a minimum rating of W? Even V rating is a step up in rating for most cars.

Joe_Horner

bod1467 wrote: »

But the OP's tyres are higher rated than specified (except for 1 which is at the specified rating). You're right if people fit lower rated tyres, but higher rated tyres are NOT a get-out for insurance companies.

How many cars have a minimum rating of W? Even V rating is a step up in rating for most cars.

They'd also never get a refusal to stick at legal speeds in this country with a lower rated that was rated so far above the speed the car was doing. Have an accident while doing 130+mph and they might be justified, but if that happens their refusal will be the least of your worries.

Regardless of the information that's "all over the internet", if a tyre is a road tyre (ie: not marked as not for highway use) and rated for greater than the maximum speed limit, within the UK the car is considered roadworthy with that tyre fitted. Which is why tyre speed ratings are NOT included in the MOT for private cars.

You'll be very hard pressed to find any road legal tyre on sale rated at lower than "S" (118mph) and an attempted insurance refusal for an accident at, say, 70mph on a tyre rated for 118mph would be laughed right out of the Ombudsman because the fitting is both (a) perfectly legal and (b) well within the capabilities of the tyre.