Bazza Posted January 10, 2011 Report Posted January 10, 2011 Hello Gal owners across the land! I have had a look through many posts but need to ask in a new topic the following,,, I am about to replace my wheels on my 2003 1.9Tdi 115ps, I am putting some 18" rims on and will be buying them in a wheel/tyre package deal. The tyres the wheel company said I need are 225/40/18 which are rated with XL on the wall, now I know the profile and diameter are correct, but just having XL on the wall with no Load Index figure I can't be sure they are up to spec. I know the Li should be 95> and above but someone has stuck a spanner in the works saying that to achieve an Li of 95> the tyre needs to be a 235/40/18. Can anyone clarify what I need on the new rims to be sure? Regards Bazza Quote
cyborg Posted January 10, 2011 Report Posted January 10, 2011 I put 18" on a gal once ,whilst handling improved it turned it into a bumpy ride.In retrospec given the same option I would not have waisted the money. Am not sure you should mess will wheels if you have ABS or ESP traction control, As all originals calculation's are done on a set or tyre and wheel combination.maybe it is a safe thing to do maybe someone who understands the dynamics could explian. Quote
zorgman Posted January 10, 2011 Report Posted January 10, 2011 since going from the nor 165/65/15 tyres upto 235/45/17 my speedo is now deadly accurate by gps, better handling and no increase in road noise, never bothered with tyre loading as tyres go up to 186mph off an 2.7 twin turbo. im trying to find my handbook see what it says about load rating Quote
sparky Paul Posted January 11, 2011 Report Posted January 11, 2011 The highest load index available in 225/40R18 reinforced/extra load tyres is 92, so definitely not suitable for the Galaxy. 235/40R18 RF/XL are available with a 95 LI, so just high enough. They do sound a bit skinny for a bus though! Quote
Ghia-X Posted January 11, 2011 Report Posted January 11, 2011 235 / 40 x 18`s are the correct size and load index for the Galaxy / Sharan / Alhambra . Any smaller and you wont get the required load index and any wider and you may have clearance problems on the front when on full lock . Ive got 235 / 40s on the front of my Mk1 and 265 / 35 x 18`s on the rear and it drives spot on. Quote
Bazza Posted January 12, 2011 Author Report Posted January 12, 2011 Thanks people,, I guess it'll have to be the 18's with 235's on them,, but they are not cheap to replace in the future,,, decisions decisions! :18: Quote
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