Date: Sun, 14 May 2006 21:01:55 +0100 From: Pooh Bear <rabbitsfriendsandrelationsnospamail.com> Subject: Re: Minimum Tire Load Rating for 2004 9-3 Aero
Fred W wrote: > Shane Almeida wrote: > > On Tue, 09 May 2006 19:50:10 -0400, Fred W wrote: > > > >>Shane Almeida wrote: > >> > >>>Anyone out there know what the minimum recommended load rating for a 2004 > >>>9-3 Aero (17" wheels) is? Any recommendations for replacement tires? I > >>>live in New England, but have dedicated winter tires and wheels. I'd > >>>appreciate any suggestions. > >> > >>Here's what I would (and will) do. Get a set of BFGoodrich g-Force Sports: > >> > >>http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+Sport&vehicleSearch=true&partnum=245ZR7GFSP&fromCompare1=yes&place=40 > >> > >>They are Z rated summer tires at very reasonable price and I have never > >>yet heard a bad thing about them. The price is low enough (~$100 ea) > >>that even though they may wear out like a z rated tire, you won't feel > >>the pinch of the high buck models. > > > > > > Thanks Fred. > > > > I checked BF Goodrich's site: they don't recommend the g-Force Sport on my > > car. Actually, they say they don't have any tires that fit my car. I'm > > guessing they're trying to meet or exceed the 94 XL load rating, which > > they don't offer in the 225/45-R17 size. > > > > I'm still not sure if the load rating matters, but I think to be safe I'm > > going to get a tire that's 94 XL. Kumho has three tires that meet the > > spec: Ecsta SPT, Ecsta AST, and Ecsta ASX. All of them are under $90 and > > have decent ratings for tread-wear (320, 400, and 420 respectively). The > > ASX is the only tire on Tire Rack in that size that has a tread-life > > warranty (30,000 miles). > > I would rather get a good tire (BF Goodrich) with a slightly lower load > rating than a crappy tire (Kumho) with the correct load rating. > > ...unless you plan on hauling cargo with the car I guess. You carrying > cement blocks or sand bags or something in the Aero? I'm really not convinced the load rating is very important. I reckon anything you buy ( with all the othe right specs ) will do the job. Graham
