Have I Bought The Wrong Tyres For My 1.9tdi?

[rwtomkins]

My handbook definitely states 215/55R16 95H - which of course must be reinforced or 'extra load', as the standard tyre in this size is 93 rated.

 

I don't think the very early handbooks stated load index or reinforced, but it's on the sticker on the car.

 

At last I got around to checking the handbook and the sticker. Neither really tells you what tyres to fit to your car - all they do is tell you the correct tyre pressure for your tyres, whatever they may happen to be.

 

So for example in the handbook there is a section on p238 headed "Tyre pressure" which gives the correct pressures for many different tyres.

 

On the next page, p239, there is a section headed "Renewing tyres". All this says is: "Refer to your vehicle documents (where applicable) for the correct authorised tyre/wheel combinations for your vehicle or ask your Ford dealer." Needless to say there are no applicable vehicle documents.

 

Having said that, the tyre pressure table on p238 includes mention of only one 215 tyre and that is the 215/55 R16 95 rf so I suppose the 95 is probably a reference to the load rating. But there is no mention of load rating anywhere in the text and there is no advice at all on what minimum load rating is required.

 

Similarly on the door pillar sticker there is reference to only one 215 tyre which is listed as the 215/55 R16 rf 95 or 97 so again there is an implication there that you should have a tyre with a load rating of 95 or 97. But how many drivers have ever heard of a load rating or have any idea what it means? Bearing in mind also that even KwikFit had no hesitation at all in recommending and fitting the wrong tyres!

 

I do think it's a minefield for the unwary. Having followed this forum for a few years I think it's not very widely known even here what tyres you need to fit to the 1.9TDI and I think the manufacturer should have spelled it out a bit more clearly. Anyway, I am much the wiser now so than you very much indeed for your advice!