HELP! WTF! I emailed Michelin about my new PS2 tires and they sent me a WTF email...
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HELP! WTF! I emailed Michelin about my new PS2 tires and they sent me a WTF email...
I have an 04 S4 and wanted to know what they recommend for inflation pressure and they said the 235/35R19 tires with 91Y load rating do not have the load carrying capacity as the original Contis (at 95Y). They said they would not recommend the tires for my car! I got these tires from the TireRack.
I see on TireRack's website that 91Y is the max available for 235/35 R19 tires. Should I return everything, go back to 18" and get 95Y tires?
I see on TireRack's website that 91Y is the max available for 235/35 R19 tires. Should I return everything, go back to 18" and get 95Y tires?
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I've been researching this very topic tonight...
From what I can tell, they are correct. Factory load index on our fatter '04 and up S4s is 95 XL (extra load).
I don't really know how important it is but I would guess that when it comes down to it, someone would/could use it against you if you have "improper spec" tires on the car.
I came down to Goodyear F1s and Michelin PS2 and the GY have a load index of 91 while the PS2 are a 95 (for stock size).
So, I'm not much help in your case but looking forward to other expert input.
Eric.
I don't really know how important it is but I would guess that when it comes down to it, someone would/could use it against you if you have "improper spec" tires on the car.
I came down to Goodyear F1s and Michelin PS2 and the GY have a load index of 91 while the PS2 are a 95 (for stock size).
So, I'm not much help in your case but looking forward to other expert input.
Eric.
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I did that on my old A6...
...went on a 1300 mile road trip and had a tread separation in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately I had a decent spare. So if you're going to track the car or take any long trips, be careful.
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From: SF Bay Area / North Lake Tahoe
There is a reason Audi specs " XL " load rating on their S4s...
A 4000 lb AWD car with a top speed increased to 155 mph with a very low sidewall ( as low as on Porsche 996 series ). Notice they demand extra sidewall reinforcement . If you go aftermarket w/o " XL " load rating and have an issue , they could invoke this to get out of liabilty.
That's one reason I chose the Nokian WR in OEM size for my winter snow tires - they have an " XL " sidewall rating.
Michelin rep basically covering their a**es , since a 19 in tire will have an even lower sidewall on a heavy 5 passenger car able to hit 155 mph , perhaps loaded up with people and luggage running through the Mojave Desert in July on the way from LA to Vegas . They can't assume you'll be just putzing around by yourself going to the mall and work , where such a tire as you have would be OK.
That's one reason I chose the Nokian WR in OEM size for my winter snow tires - they have an " XL " sidewall rating.
Michelin rep basically covering their a**es , since a 19 in tire will have an even lower sidewall on a heavy 5 passenger car able to hit 155 mph , perhaps loaded up with people and luggage running through the Mojave Desert in July on the way from LA to Vegas . They can't assume you'll be just putzing around by yourself going to the mall and work , where such a tire as you have would be OK.
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From: SF Bay Area / North Lake Tahoe
Re: 235/35/19 PS2s are not "XL" on Tire Rack site , but 255s are .
I've not seen a tire with sidewall load index less than 94 labeled as extra load ( XL ).
On a 235/35 - 19 tire, you only have 3.2 inches of sidewall height ! That low a sidewall might be OK on a 3000 lb Honda rice rocket , but would make me nervous on a 4000 lb car like the S4.
As a 20 plus year 911 owner, they all had 25.2 outside rolling diameters from the late 70s through the 996 series . Owners of 996s who upgraded to similar diameter aftermarket 19 tires often had rear inside sidewall failures ( where the hot engine sits ). Porsche didn't introduce OEM avail 19 " tires until the 997 generation when they finally went to 26 " outside diameter tire to maintain safe sidewall height.
On a 235/35 - 19 tire, you only have 3.2 inches of sidewall height ! That low a sidewall might be OK on a 3000 lb Honda rice rocket , but would make me nervous on a 4000 lb car like the S4.
As a 20 plus year 911 owner, they all had 25.2 outside rolling diameters from the late 70s through the 996 series . Owners of 996s who upgraded to similar diameter aftermarket 19 tires often had rear inside sidewall failures ( where the hot engine sits ). Porsche didn't introduce OEM avail 19 " tires until the 997 generation when they finally went to 26 " outside diameter tire to maintain safe sidewall height.