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Got A Question About Tyres? Ask The Michelin Expert!


jamesm182
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Thanks for the response.

I haven't found any issues with the availability of either tyre as there are a number of specialist websites that can supply with prices that will include fitting for around £220 all in. I don't think that's at all unreasonable.

I've used the WillTheyFit site quite a bit already and found it a great resource which explains/displays comparative sizes really well. Would definitely recommend it. There would only b a 4% difference to standard if opting for the 185 which isn't really going to make much difference in my general day to day driving. If anything it would be safer as I will actually be going very slightly slower than what the speedo is reading.

You don't really expand on the point in your response so I'm just wondering what your main concern is about the size difference? Why surprised?

Thanks again for the input.

I was just surprised as the rallying mk2's used to run a wider tyre, but I think even the Rs models didn't go as wide as the Capri size

We normally say stay within 2% max tolerance, but it depends on what the standard size is for the cars gearing and speedo..

Plus obviously you need the right rim width and clearance under the arches..

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Thanks for checking anyway. I'm not surprised if this size isn't a very high volume because it can be hard to find other tyres available to fit, especially winter tyres.

Do you know if any car manufacturers are planning on putting Cross Climates on their cars from new? I think that would make a lot of sense for the UK market, and probably most other markets too.

It's coming.. First cars with an OE fit will be in the showrooms 2016. A lot of manufacturers think it's a great concept

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Hi

I have a 2010 Kuga 163 PS AWD Manual. My tyres 235/55R17 will shortly need replacing, the original tyres are Conti M&S, whilst they have been very good they are somewhat noisy.

Can you recommend a good replacement. My driving is mainly on country lanes (very muddy at times), local "A" roads and occasionally motorways.

Thanks

Peter401

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You don't really expand on the point in your response so I'm just wondering what your main concern is about the size difference? Why surprised?

Most people, if they are unsure between two tyre sizes, are unsure between two sizes with different profiles and/or wheel sizes, or maybe between two tyres with, say, a ten mm difference in width. You are unsure between two tyres with a 20 mm difference in width, and while there may be reasons for that, it is unusual.

You've currently got 175s, and in a fairly high profile (70s). Presumably, that works but you'd like more grip (or maybe it is all about appearance?). A relatively small upgrade, to say 185s is very likely to work, but you could have suspension geometry issues if you go too wild. The rear of a solid rear axle car is likely to be fine with more rubber on the road, but, with strut front suspension there can be issues if you go too far. Now, if you've driven the same car on this combination and you find it fine, then ok, that is genuine evidence, but at some point, there will be issues like sudden breakaway.

The exact point at which it gets problematic depends on a number of things, including driving style and your willingness to 'drive around' problems or possibly consider problems at the front to be a fair trade off for improved grip at the rear.

There is a definite case for caution, if you are not sure.

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Hi

I have a 2010 Kuga 163 PS AWD Manual. My tyres 235/55R17 will shortly need replacing, the original tyres are Conti M&S, whilst they have been very good they are somewhat noisy.

Can you recommend a good replacement. My driving is mainly on country lanes (very muddy at times), local "A" roads and occasionally motorways.

Thanks

Peter401

Peter

sadly the CrossClimate in this size isn't launched until Late 2016.

If you need something for good mixed use, I've a couple of suggestions

In Michelin we have a Latitude Tour HP which is a great All Season, all road type of tyre, whilst not a chunky 4x4 tyre, is a good option (I've a friend with a Freelander who swears by his compared to the Pirelli's it had from new)

The other option is the new BF Goodrich (whch Michelin make too..) Urban Terrain, which is a little different and may be a good price too. It's as sniff more off road design, but still designed for 80% road use

http://www.bfgoodrich.co.uk/gb/ranges/4x4-Range/BFGoodrich-Urban-Terrain-T-A

or

http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/michelin-latitude-tour-hp

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Question to the tyre expert:

On the same type/model of car which tyre does grip better 205, 215 or 225 wide? Such as the pressure is less on the tyre as the vehicle's weight the same but the area of tyre surface is bigger. Is the slip or grip is higher increasing the width of tyres?

Thank you in advance

Mike

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Hi Jamie,

I drive a 2005 US Ford F150 4.6L XLT. It has aftermarket 24" rims with Atturo AZ800 305/35/R24 V112 XL tyres. I'm running them at 40psi but to be honest I'm winging it as I don't know the correct pressure to put in the tyres. Every tyre shop I ask, will not give me an answer, I asked Atturo and they said it depends on my set up!!!???

Could you please advise on what the correct pressure should be?

Many thanks,

Howard.

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Question to the tyre expert:

On the same type/model of car which tyre does grip better 205, 215 or 225 wide? Such as the pressure is less on the tyre as the vehicle's weight the same but the area of tyre surface is bigger. Is the slip or grip is higher increasing the width of tyres?

Thank you in advance

Mike

I'm not the tyre expert but I'll give this one a go (just my opinions). I think on dry roads, wider tyres will always give slightly better grip in terms of cornering, acceleration and braking. When there is snow on the road the opposite is true up to a point, which is why rally cars always tend to have thinner tyres. The same is true for driving in very muddy conditions.

I'm nor sure about wet or icy conditions, but I would guess that thinner tyres are less likely to aquaplane because there is more downward pressure to displace the water.

The main reason I say that wider tyres will always grip better in the dry, is that this is what happens in realistic racing games such as Forza. That's probably not the best source for giving actual driving advice, but those games are based on real physics and wider tyres would give slightly better all-round grip. Although the older games I played only gave you dry weather so it doesn't tell you anything about wet or icy conditions.

Edit: I should have added I was only talking about wider tyres of the same type i.e. the tyre width is the only variable.

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Question to the tyre expert:

On the same type/model of car which tyre does grip better 205, 215 or 225 wide? Such as the pressure is less on the tyre as the vehicle's weight the same but the area of tyre surface is bigger. Is the slip or grip is higher increasing the width of tyres?

Thank you in advance

Mike

Mike

Sadly it's quite complex

Yes there will always be a level of grip increase from a wider footprint but that doesn't consider anything to do with the compound or the construction of the tyre.. Also there is a level of grip that the performance of the car requires.. Eg what width do you really need as again a wider tyre will have more rolling resistance and therefore the manufacturer will make a decision as to what the car needs

I'd always go for a better smaller tyre than a cheaper wider one as the compound grip is so key hence that is really the dominant factor

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Hi Jamie,

I drive a 2005 US Ford F150 4.6L XLT. It has aftermarket 24" rims with Atturo AZ800 305/35/R24 V112 XL tyres. I'm running them at 40psi but to be honest I'm winging it as I don't know the correct pressure to put in the tyres. Every tyre shop I ask, will not give me an answer, I asked Atturo and they said it depends on my set up!!!???

Could you please advise on what the correct pressure should be?

Many thanks,

Howard.

Howard it is really only the manufacturer of the tyre that can tell you as they will know what pressure their tyre needs to carry the load of the vehicle so what they will need is axle loads that will then tell you what pressures you will need

I can't tell you as I don't know the specs of their tyre hence you'll need to go back to them with axle loads

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  • 2 months later...

Well

Based upon the data I have showing the tests against the premium competitors and the Pilot Sport 3, the Pilot Sport 4 (which I've driven at our Test Centre in France) is a great step.

More grip (wet & dry), better lap time, more consistent balance, less understeer and importantly less wear (lasts longer)

It will also have a velvet sidewall look as like the Pilot Sport Cup2

Should you wait on them? Absolutely... I am for my car...

Ford are looking at them for 2016-> models already

Digging up this thread to ask once more about the PS4. January is here and I slowly see the new tyres getting launched. As of now not many sizes are supported, and more importantly for me 205/40/17 and 215/40/17 are not in the list. Should we expect more sizes to come?

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I'll have a look in the morning, however I know we've more sizes for Ford new vehicles coming out a little later in the year.

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According to tyre reviews, practically all of the initial sizes release on the 16-Jan. What I am not clear about is whether that date is 'stock at the factory' or 'stock in tyre dealers' (and prices, of course, which presumably become available from dealers then).

Actually, another good question, while I think about it, is that while most of the tyres are C A 71dB, a couple of sizes are E A 71dB (205/45 ZR 17 (88Y) XL, 215/45 ZR 17 (91Y) XL, 245/40 ZR 17 (95Y) XL). Is there some kind of constructional difference behind that, or is just the way it works out with those sizes?

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  • 4 weeks later...

Helo Jamie!I am going to change my tyres and i need your help!I have a Ford Fiesta ecoboost sport with 125hp!I have Continental ContiPremium Contact2 since i bought the car!They are 195/45/16!Can you suggest me a tyre?I can also go to 205/40/17!

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On 13/1/2016 at 1:20 AM, Jamie McWhir said:

I'll have a look in the morning, however I know we've more sizes for Ford new vehicles coming out a little later in the year.

Any updates?

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  • 4 months later...

Any further updates on new Michelin tyre sizes for the fiesta?? Thanks, Dan

Sent from my iPhone using Ford OC

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  • 3 months later...

Hi Jamie,

I've just recently bought a new car (Focus Zetec S Black Edition) which came with Continental Sport Contact 3's on them at 215/50 R17 W. Whilst the tyres are decent I'm looking to get a set of tyres with better fuel efficiency whilst maintaining decent grip and not to loud on the road either. Do you have any recommendations on which tyres I should get?

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22 hours ago, David990 said:

Hi Jamie,

I've just recently bought a new car (Focus Zetec S Black Edition) which came with Continental Sport Contact 3's on them at 215/50 R17 W. Whilst the tyres are decent I'm looking to get a set of tyres with better fuel efficiency whilst maintaining decent grip and not to loud on the road either. Do you have any recommendations on which tyres I should get?

goodyear grip are quality at affordable prices

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  • 3 years later...

Well I guess Jamie's not around here much these days so I'll throw this at whoever the expert is these days, [emoji4].

Looks like I need a pair of new tyres at the front, then I'll get those rear arm bushes replaced then wheel alignment. First though, tyres. Can any of you guys recommend a midrange tyre for my 2008 2.5T titx Mondy estate? Oh, 18" standard. TIA. [emoji4]

Sent from my I3113 using Tapatalk

Sent from my I3113 using Tapatalk

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