WARNING: *new* Winter tires
#2
grass hopper
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Guelph, Ontario
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makes you think. i saw a car blow a tire on the highway once. scary stuff. good rule of thumb, dont buy tires that they dont make new anymore, mainly because if you need a replacement, then you cant get one, but you also dont know how old it is. at the same time, dont think we have to worry too mcuh. 225/45R18s havent been a popular size for very long, i think youd struggle to find any new old stock older than a year or two, maybe three tops. The one lady they showd a clip of though said her tires were only 4 years old...if you put miles on, there isnt anything on the road thats gonna last you 4 years, and they looked like a truck tire so whos really at fault you know? alot of the tire problems are neglect. i had a customer come in for a rust check, and her tires were so warn that cords were hanging out and chunks were litterally missing from the tire. falling out even when i lifted the car on the hoist. checked with the service advisor, she had been worned to replace them 2 years ago and there was a measurment on record of 2/32nds. she said she was just gonna take it home and talk to her husband until i explained to her how she could very possibly not make it home. she hmm'd and haw'd and called her husband who got all mad about spending money...give me a brake. whats your wifes life worth man?
Greg
Greg
#6
I am The One!
I guess I'm a bit more fanatical when it comes to tires.
I thought everyone knew about this?
There's alot of people out there who don't like to spend money on their cars and are content with getting a bargain price on tires.
First thing I ask when I get new tires is "When were they made?"
The tires on the FD are only 2yrs old. I make sure I never run on tires older than 4yrs. Regardless of tread depth.
I thought everyone knew about this?
There's alot of people out there who don't like to spend money on their cars and are content with getting a bargain price on tires.
First thing I ask when I get new tires is "When were they made?"
The tires on the FD are only 2yrs old. I make sure I never run on tires older than 4yrs. Regardless of tread depth.
#8
Holy S&^% ... That sucks!!! Never buy from Sears, WalMart or other unknown dealers. Even Goodyear had old tires so I guess you never know...
I always buy the newest model out so I'm safe for now! Must spread the word on this...not only is it unsafe when these tires explode but try avoiding one on a busy highway!
I always buy the newest model out so I'm safe for now! Must spread the word on this...not only is it unsafe when these tires explode but try avoiding one on a busy highway!
#10
Guess what Neo: I went to the Stag shop and tried on this nurse outfit that I was planning on purchasing for you...lol... no lie... But is was see through and tight so I didn't bother...
![Lol2](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/lol2.gif)
![Lol2](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/lol2.gif)
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#11
You guys never cease to amaze me with all your "news" flashes etc. Did you ever think that ABC or any news station is always trying to top another. Remember the Firestone/Explorer bullshit from years ago? Every car magazine did test after test and couldnt get the tires to fail except when they did something stupid like under inflated them by 15 lbs. The chances of you buying tires that are so old they will blow are maybe 1%. The biggest reason for failure is under/over inflation or people using the wrong speed/load rating for that particular application. For all the people looking at snow tires right now instead of looking at the production date look at the size and load rating and make sure its right for an RX-8 not a Camry!
Last edited by 01Racing; 10-22-2008 at 11:58 AM.
#12
I am The One!
Well said Al.
Aside from the build date, the load rating and the proper size is essential for your particular vehicle.
We all know how crazy the media gets when it comes to a news story.
Leesha,
The next time we have a meet I'll make sure to PM you.
I'm gonna go look for that "nurse" outfit this weekend! I hope you stick to your word! lol
Aside from the build date, the load rating and the proper size is essential for your particular vehicle.
We all know how crazy the media gets when it comes to a news story.
Leesha,
The next time we have a meet I'll make sure to PM you.
I'm gonna go look for that "nurse" outfit this weekend! I hope you stick to your word! lol
![Wink](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/wink.gif)
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#14
You guys never cease to amaze me with all your "news" flashes etc. Did you ever think that ABC or any news station is always trying to top another. Remember the Firestone?Explorer bullshit from years ago? Every car magazine did test after test and couldnt get the tires to fail except when they did something stupid like under inflated them by 15 lbs. The chances of you buying tires that are so old they will blow are maybe 1%. The biggest reason for failure is under/over inflation or people using the wrong speed/load rating for that particular application. For all the people looking at snow tires right now instead of looking at the production date look at the size and load rating and make sure its right for an RX-8 not a Camry!
Thanks Al!
P.S: I love my steel rims carbon fiber look so far...lol
#17
The load rating is a number on the sidewall of the tire, the speed rating is the letter. Example on Kafka's Bridgestones the load rating is 91 and speed rating W
If you were to buy a tire that was say 87 load rating and speed rating of H you would be in a lot more trouble than a 4 year old premium tire.
The load index (87) is the tire size's assigned numerical value used to compare relative load carrying capabilities. In the case of our example the 87 identifies the tires ability to carry approximately 1,201 pounds
Beginning in 1991, the speed symbol denoting a fixed maximum speed capability of new tires must be shown only in the speed rating portion of the tire's service description, such as 225/50R16 89S. The most common tire speed rating symbols, maximum speeds and typical applications are shown below:
M 81 mph 130 km/h
N 87 mph 140km/h Temporary Spare Tires
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h H.D. Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Family Sedans & Vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport Sedans & Coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars
When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.
W 168 mph 270 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
Y 186 mph 300 km/h Exotic Sports Cars
While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.
225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h
205/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h
See its not complicated (lol)
#21
Zoom Zoom....
#84 Racing.
Hi. You mentioned in another thread that you would not install winter tires at your shop that were not speed rated appropriately for the RX-8.
Could you please expand on what speed rating we should be looking for on winter tires? in your post above, it says "Q".
Thanks.
Hi. You mentioned in another thread that you would not install winter tires at your shop that were not speed rated appropriately for the RX-8.
Could you please expand on what speed rating we should be looking for on winter tires? in your post above, it says "Q".
Thanks.
#22
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Thumper: We'll have more don't worry...I will meet you soon one day also...
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Kafka: LOL There is nothing about Neo/Leesha...Neo is just intune with his feminine side...
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Last edited by Leesha; 10-22-2008 at 01:35 PM.
#23
#84 Racing.
Hi. You mentioned in another thread that you would not install winter tires at your shop that were not speed rated appropriately for the RX-8.
Could you please expand on what speed rating we should be looking for on winter tires? in your post above, it says "Q".
Thanks.
Hi. You mentioned in another thread that you would not install winter tires at your shop that were not speed rated appropriately for the RX-8.
Could you please expand on what speed rating we should be looking for on winter tires? in your post above, it says "Q".
Thanks.
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 / Michelin Pilot PA3 are winter tires designed to "retain the precision of their Ultra High Performance sports car, sedan or coupe during winter conditions", and hence the higher speed rating.
The OEM Bridgestone Potenza RE040 18" summer tires are W rating, and hence the V rating as a one step down for winter is a logical choice to me (of course, who would have done 240 in winter anyways...oh wait I did 210 in H rated tires back in my Jetta 1.8T before I crash...)
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3
225/50R17
Load Index 98 = 1653lbs (750kg) per tire
Speed Rating “V” = 149mph (240kph) 98V XL
P.S: Hi Leesha!
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Last edited by Kafka; 10-22-2008 at 01:42 PM.