uberwgn

Hedge, your Owner's Manual will tell you whether you need the XL rating for a given tire size.

uberwgn

I've got the Michelin X Ice tire on my A4. The first time in snow was a real eye-opener For me, this tire is slightly better than an "all season" tire. The tread pattern is too closed for any sort of serious traction in the snow. They're great in the wet, they're great on dry pavement and they're very quiet.





I've sampled all the mainstream snow tires and there are plenty of good choices. $ for $, I still think my best (recent) snow tire purchase was the Continental tire - - they have been excellent in all attributes.


If you travel frequently in deep snow, I think I'd look at one of the aggressive Nokians, assuming they have an appropriate fitment.

Sportstick

XL is an indication of a weight capability category. Here is a quote from the Tire Rack website:

"If your car normally uses a standard load tire, it is allowed to use an XL tire. They may have a slightly stiffer sidewall compared to their standard load counterparts, but the difference is not usually obvious. If your car comes with an XL tire, it is recommended to stick with XL options. However, standard load tires can still be used provided they meet the vehicle's GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) requirements. The vehicle's placard, usually located in the driver's doorjamb, lists the front and rear GAWR. With two tires per axle, the tire load rating must be at least half of the GAWR. The vehicle placard will also list the service description of the original tires. - See more at: http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/bens-blog/what-does-xl-stand-for#sthash.T9RPBJFc.dpuf"


Tire Rack raised the same question when I ordered the WS80, but then we did the math, as described, based on the door jamb label on our vehicle.

A6 GVWR = 5,412 lbs (max vehicle, passengers, cargo)
A6 GAWR Front Axle = 2,778 lbs (rear is ~20 lbs less)

225/50-18 Blizzak WS80 load rating = 1,521 lbs

1,521 x 2 = 3,042, or 264 lbs more than the front axle load capacity of 2,778

1,521 x 4 = 6,048 or 672 lbs more than the total vehicle load capacity of 5,412

We agreed this was acceptable and the order was shipped. Also, we never come close to fully loading the vehicle to its maximum capacity.

Baloo588

Yeah I 100% agree with you. Never used XL tires on sedans as we never come close to the full load. However for my X5d SUV or all SUVs prior, we always get XL with similar load rating to be on safe side.

Fithian

Quattro ice school for this coming weekend at Georgetown Lake in Colorado has been cancelled due to lack of safe ice. Global warming. 72F yesterday in Boulder.

Cuba

I've run Pirelli Sottozeros on a rwd CTS-V and they were great. I also had studded Blizzaks on a rwd G35 which was crazy, the traction was insane not only in acceleration and turning but actually stopping in the snow and ice. They were not quiet though.