Winter Tyre Query

[Ian P]

Hi,

 

We're making a trip to the French Alps in our 06 Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDi Zetec (not the new shape Galaxy).

 

I was thinking of buying some winter tyres for the trip but also to leave them on for the worst of the winter in the UK.

 

The car currently has : 215/55 ZR 16 97W Extra-Load (Michelin Pilot)

 

 

The Ford car manual specifies a number of tyre sizes for the vehicle :

 

For Ordinary Tyres :

 

195/60 R 16 C 99/97 H

205/55 R 16 C 98/96 H

215/55 R 16 95 o. 97 rf. H o. W

225/45 R 17 94 rf. V

 

For Winter Tyres :

 

195/60 R 16 C 99/97 T

205/55 R 16 C 94 Q

205/55 R 16 C 94 V

215/60 R 16 95 o. 97 H rf.

 

 

The car manual further says that snow chains (required to be carried by law in bad weather conditions where we're going) can only be used on the following tyres spec :

 

195/60 R 16 C 99/97 T M+S

 

 

The car manual is ambiguous (to me) as to whether only reinforced tyres should be used at all, or only reinforced tyres should be used on the wider tyre options (215 & 225)

 

 

Do I need reinforced tyres if I go for the 195 tyre size recommended in the manual for snow chains ?

 

Can anyone recommend a good winter tyre and supplier for what I'm looking for ?

 

Thanks very much for you help & regards,

 

Ian

[mumof4]

always reinforced or extra load tyres on the gal.To do otherwise may invalidate your insurance in the event of an accident.

[adrianf.]

Correct me if im wrong but it looks like the sizes you gave for 195 tyres are re inforced.

 

Isnt it the load index number (97/99 etc) that determines if its a heavy load tyre.

 

I may be wrong here but thats what i thought it meant.

Edited January 8, 2008 by adrianf

[MadBaz]

Correct me if im wrong but it looks like the sizes you gave for 195 tyres are re inforced.

 

Isnt it the load index number (97/99 etc) that determines if its a heavy load tyre.

 

I may be wrong here but thats what i thought it meant.

 

The load index DOES NOT indicate a reinforced/extra load tyre, the gal must have a minimum load rating of 95 + reinforced/extra load.

[adrianf.]

Correct me if im wrong but it looks like the sizes you gave for 195 tyres are re inforced.

 

Isnt it the load index number (97/99 etc) that determines if its a heavy load tyre.

 

I may be wrong here but thats what i thought it meant.

 

The load index DOES NOT indicate a reinforced/extra load tyre, the gal must have a minimum load rating of 95 + reinforced/extra load.

 

See i told you i was right

 

I WAS wrong :lol:

[mumof4]

your male..you cant help it :lol:

[big_kev]

I was thinking of buying some winter tyres for the trip but also to leave them on for the worst of the winter in the UK.

 

 

I am sure that winter tyres are compulsory in the best part of Europe and the legality of the use of summer tyres is a matter of debate in the uk.

The use of summer tyres could also have legal implications in the event of an accident.....its a grey area at the moment.

 

The basic rules are:

Winter tyres are great in the wet and good on a dry road.

Allweather tyres are fairly good in the wet and good on a dry road.

Summer tyres are absolutely brilliant on a dry road and absolutely lethal on a wet road.

 

 

 

As mentioned by others whatever type you have they must be reinforced/extra load unless you want your sidewalls to go pop when going around a bend.