Original Tyres 1999 2.3 Auto

[RICHARD78]

Hi,

 

I have recently bought a 1999 2.3 auto Galaxy, told by seller it's a ZETEC although states on V5 it's an SI?

 

Anyway does anybody know what size wheels/tyres this would have had when new 15" or 16"? as I need to replace the tyres and not sure if it has standard alloys fitted or not.

 

It seems very difficult to obtain 215/60/15 95H or greater, only a few premium makes to choose from, with cheapest I can find at approx

[sparky Paul]

There seems to be some confusion over 1999 models as many were lacking boot badges for trim levels. I would tend to believe the logbook, and guess yours is indeed a Si, which is a trim level up from the Zetec IIRC.

 

1999 Zetec had standard alloys, so I would have thought the Si would too. :)

 

I currently have 215/60/15 95H there is no indication on tyre that it is X/L or RF, im told by local fitter that it will automatically be re-inforced. In Normal construction a 215/60/15 will have a load rating of 91-94, and in order to be rated higher than 94 this size has to be reinforced. I am thinking if I buy new tyres and it doesn't state reinforced but is a 95+ rated tyre then the fitter will claim it is reinforced, can anyone confirm if this is the case, i.e is it impossible to buy a non reinforced 215/60/15 with a load rating of 95 or higher?

The tyre fitter is correct, but any tyres which carry above the normal load would normally be marked as XL or RF. Standard tyres in 215/60x15 generally have a load index of 94, RF/XL tyres are generally 96 or 98. The important factor here is the load index, which determines the weight the tyre will carry... the RF/XL issue is a bit of a red herring.

 

Newer tyres tend to be XL, or eXtra Load, tyre manufacturers are moving away from using the term RF as it tends to infer a different tyre construction. Tyres are also manufactured with reinforced sidewalls, or RSW, which is a very different thing - this is to improve handling, and not for increased load bearing.

 

Note that according to my 1999 model handbook, the standard 94 rated tyres in the 215/60x15 size only, are suitable for the Galaxy... if in doubt, I would check your own handbook for the recommended sizes and minimum load index.

Edited August 30, 2009 by sparky Paul

[Saif Rehman]

IIRC, The Aspen was the entry level on the Mk1 back in 1995.with 5 or 7 seat option. Then came the GLX with 7 seats as standard plus swiveling front seats and electrically adjustable heated mirrors, then the Ghia version,

 

In 1996 alloy wheels and a heated windscreen where added. LX and Zetec models replaced Aspen and the GLX

 

March 1999. all Galaxys' were seven-seaters. Zetec has alloy wheels with locking wheel nuts, electric mirrors, front fog lights. Ghia X models came with three-spoke alloy wheels, fog lamps, cruise control, auto temperature control, a CD autochanger and the Ultima has leather upholstery, nine-spoke alloy wheels and traction control.

Si models (2.3 and 2.8 V6) looked sportier with alloy wheels, side skirts, spoilers, front fog lamps and sports seats. The V6 Si has cruise control. There were also four wheel drive Ghia and Ghia X 2.8 models ..

 

Now for the confusing part.........i've also heard from various sources that on some models of the Si did not have alloy wheels as standard... it all depended on how Ford felt the sales of new vehicles were going at the time.

 

I know for a fact, that whilst i worked at BMW they indeed took a similar stance. If sales were low they would add a package to the base model with minimum if at all price increase to make it more attractive to the potential buyer.

 

With regards to tyres and wheels then if it was up to me, i would upgrade to 16" with 215/55x16 tyres making sure the load index was equal to or higher than 94.

[RICHARD78]

Thanks for replies, at least i've got my head round what is mean't by reinforced now. Just need to find some standard 16" alloys, before I need to replace my tyres.

[sparky Paul]

Thanks for replies, at least i've got my head round what is mean't by reinforced now. Just need to find some standard 16" alloys, before I need to replace my tyres.

Sounds like a good plan! The alloys do look rather smart... :)

[big_kev]

I currently have 215/60/15 95H there is no indication on tyre that it is X/L or RF, im told by local fitter that it will automatically be re-inforced.

 

I would suggest using a reputable tyre fitter that knows what he is doing.

 

Reinforced tyres will be marked as such on the sidewalls ( either RF , XL or Reinforced ).

 

Do not confuse this with the Load Index as they are not the same.

 

The tyres on the Galaxy are designed to be capable to run with over 45 psi of pressure in them

and as such the sidewalls need to be reinforced with additional plys.

 

The use of non-reinforced tyres may lead to catastrophic failure of the tyre walls when cornering, regardless of the load rating.

[sparky Paul]

The tyres on the Galaxy are designed to be capable to run with over 45 psi of pressure in them

and as such the sidewalls need to be reinforced with additional plys.

Not for the OP's tyre size.

 

According to the Ford handbook, 215/60x15 tyres on the Galaxy do not need to be reinforced, the standard 94/95 load index tyres are specified... indeed 98 rated RF/XL tyres are difficult to obtain in this size. The tyre pressures specified by Ford are also much lower for this tyre size, 34-37psi at the front, and 31-40psi at the rear.

 

All other tyre sizes must be reinforced RF or XL to achieve the necessary load index - load index is the critical factor.

 

Personally, I would trust the vehicle manufacturer's specification - check the handbook.

 

 

I know this topic has been beaten to death before, but reinforced RF or XL tyres are not necessarily of different construction to standard tyres - hence to move to the XL or eXtra Load terminology. Another reason the term RF is being dropped in favour of XL is the confusion with the reinforced side wall RSW tyres popular in the US.

Edited September 1, 2009 by sparky Paul

[big_kev]

According to the Ford handbook, 215/60x15 tyres on the Galaxy do not need to be reinforced

 

According to my handbook there is no mention of any requirement for reinforced tyres at all.

But there again.....the handbook is full of errors.

 

 

 

The tyre pressures specified by Ford are also much lower for this tyre size, 34-37psi at the front, and 31-40psi at the rear

 

You would still need reinforced tyres for 40psi......also most people are unaware that this is a minimum pressure....under full load your rear tyres would need a minimum of 40psi .

For safety this should be several psi more ( cold ! .....it will increase when hot )

 

 

 

Load index is the critical factor

Never said it wasn't

 

 

 

Personally, I would trust the vehicle manufacturer's specification - check the handbook

 

So would I.......what do VW say then ?

 

 

 

 

 

 

But reinforced RF or XL tyres are not necessarily of different construction to standard tyres

 

I assume that this was a typo and you meant "colour" not "construction".

[sparky Paul]

According to my handbook there is no mention of any requirement for reinforced tyres at all.

But there again.....the handbook is full of errors.

 

...what do VW say then ?

The very early handbook doesn't give load ratings.

 

However, my Galaxy is a 1999 like the OP's, and now I have the handbook to hand, it clearly states 215/60R15 95H in the list of tyre options - not 94 as I previously said, I apologise.

 

However, this tyre is still not classed as reinforced and will not be marked as such, and before you say it, there is no such thing as a 95 rated RF/XL tyre in this size - the very few RF/XL tyres listed in this size are all now 98 rated - there doesn't seem to be any 96 rated RF listed now.

 

You seem to be saying that Ford would recommend and fit incorrect, and dangerous, tyres to their vehicles. To be honest I find this unlikely.

 

You would still need reinforced tyres for 40psi......also most people are unaware that this is a minimum pressure....under full load your rear tyres would need a minimum of 40psi .

For safety this should be several psi more ( cold ! .....it will increase when hot )

Most non-reinforced tyres are rated to 44psi.

 

The 215/60R15 will be too, so there should be no problem there either.

 

Fully laden rear pressures for 215/55x16 RF/XL tyres is stated as 48psi. By your reckoning, you would have to allow several more psi on top of this... Dunlop SP 2020E RF tyres are rated at 49psi maximum, so where's your safety margin?

 

 

The OP's 215/60R15 95 rated non-reinforced tyres are correct according to Ford, and I would replace them with like, or go for the 16" alloys.

Edited September 1, 2009 by sparky Paul

[jkspoff]

Just put two Continental Contact 2's on the front of my Galaxy, they are non standard sizes for my wheels, 235-40-18's and they stick to the road like glue compared to anything I've had before. Bit pricey though.