Correct tyre specs?

[LeeT5]

I have had P Zeros on my old R and yes they did go out of shape and they are bloody expensive!

I also had Vreds Ultracs and they were excellent. No tyre noise and excellent handling. Good price too. Tread pattern was sexy as hell too.

On my current car i had Vred sessantas fitted all round when i first got her and they are excellent. Still got 5mm + of tread and they were fitted 18 months ago!

Only thing to remember with Vredestein Sessanta tyres is you MUST inflate the them by an extra 4psi over whatever the manufacturer states. ie..on my R the tyres should be 36 psi all round (as per hand book and car sticker). So i run them at 39psi. Any Vredestein main stockist should tell you that. He did explain it to me but its to do with the tyres construction. The Sessanta is a High Performance tyre and therefore is expected to be fitted to a car that goes round corners fast! So Vredestein contructed the tyres shape in such a way that its stronger on the outside edge, (Difficult to explain on here). A brand new tyre (any brand) will stand up straight on flat level ground, a Sessanta won't, due to its construction! The additional 4psi is to allow for this and prevents the tyre scrubbing on the outside edge. They are a directional tyre and must only be fitted the correct way. If fitted the wrong way they will seriously affect the cars handling.

As always, a FULL 4 wheel alighnment is a must when you have new tyres.

[Nick0]

Thanks for all your comments guys. Vreds and Barums will get a oggling! Not sure about getting to Walthamstow or the Ace Cafe, missus, nippers and the ****ing North Circular A406 will all undoubtedly conspire to frustrate me. I'll meet you boys one of these days though for sure.

[Nick0]

I have had P Zeros on my old R and yes they did go out of shape and they are bloody expensive!

As always, a FULL 4 wheel alighnment is a must when you have new tyres.

Thanks Lee - were the PZeros 95 load rating?

Would I need to take my S60R to a my main dealer (who in spite of never having seen a S60R before have been quite good) for 4 wheel alignment?

What should I bank on the alignment costing?

[M-R-P]

Protyre are good (main stealer don't usually have alignment kit) If you go the protyre website, there's a £5 off voucher. Mine cost £26 to have the front sorted. If they don't need to adjust anything, they don't charge.

[Jimmie]

As always, a FULL 4 wheel alighnment is a must when you have new tyres.

Im confused by this statement.Surely if that was the case you would have to get the tracking done all the time as your tyres were wearing down.
Were did you get this info from because as far as i know the system that volvo use now does not wind up like the old one did.

[Pauld]

As LeeT5 says, it is recommended to have a 4 wheel alignment when fitting new tyres.

If you have invested upwards of £400.00 on new tyres it is beneficial to have the tracking done at the same time. This will ensure that the wheels are pointing as the manufacturer designed and will increase the longevity of the tyres.

It does no harm to have the tracking checked on a regular basis, as well as when new tyres are fitted.

The best equipment for tracking is made by Hunter, if you have a local company with this equipment go to them, even if there is a slight premium to pay.

[Jimmie]

Well all i can say is that Volvo should be informed as well as the tyre fitting companies about this!

[Nick0]

This is for four wheel drive models Jimmie - personally I would want to get this done.

[Jimmie]

Yes i knew it was for that models and its your personal choice to get it done.
But why get something done that is not needed,all you are doing is wasting money just like buy one get one free offers a lot of the time.
More profit for the companies.lol

[Pauld]

Every tyre fitter I have used, I have never used a main dealer for tyres, have always recommended checking the alignment.

Most do not charge for this unless adjustments are needed.

This is for both 2 and 4 wheel drive cars.

[volvokid]

I just got my wheel alignment done when it was into volvo. Heres my problem im putting my dads 17" pegs on the car for winter, i just rang volvo up and they said there is no need to do it again.

[M-R-P]

Once everything points the right way, provided you don't hit a kerb or a big pothole, there's no need to worry. Just best to check the tracking when fitting new rubber, to make sure you don't wear it out unevenly/prematurely.

[Nick0]

Once everything points the right way, provided you don't hit a kerb or a big pothole, there's no need to worry.

True! Two hopes of not hitting a kerb or pothole, Bob, and No !

[LeeT5]

Im confused by this statement.Surely if that was the case you would have to get the tracking done all the time as your tyres were wearing down.
Were did you get this info from because as far as i know the system that volvo use now does not wind up like the old one did.

No, as a driver it is your responsibility to check your tyre pressures are correct. This has a major affect on tyre wear. Ultimately, if your alignment is not correct or within spec then your tyres WILL suffer. Other things that affect tyre longevity are making sure your shock absorbers are not worn, Suspension bushes have no play. Things that are out of your control are road surface, weather but if you drive like a lunatic and hank your car round corners then this will also decrease tyre life!
Have your wheel alignment checked every 12000 miles or when ever you have new tyres fitted is not uncommon and i would say an absolute must. You don't have to hit potholes and kerbs to knock out your wheel alignment!
This info is from my 21 years driving experience, take it or leave it. Your tyres will last longer if you consider the above facts.

Well all i can say is that Volvo should be informed as well as the tyre fitting companies about this!

Informed about what exactly?? They ALL know that alignment is key and will always be recommended when having new tyres or after so many miles.

Yes i knew it was for that models and its your personal choice to get it done.
But why get something done that is not needed,all you are doing is wasting money just like buy one get one free offers a lot of the time.
More profit for the companies.lol

Unless you have your wheel alignment checked then you will never know if its within spec or not, will you!?

I highly recommend HUNTER alignment centers as they are the best on the market and the most accurate. Try to avoid Kwik fit type places as its wholly inaccurate and most of the guys using them haven't a clue what their doing.

[LeeT5]

I just got my wheel alignment done when it was into volvo. Heres my problem im putting my dads 17" pegs on the car for winter, i just rang volvo up and they said there is no need to do it again.

They are correct. Tyre/wheel size will not affect the alignment.

[AndysR]

They are correct. Tyre/wheel size will not affect the alignment.

3rd'd

[Jimmie]

Lee i never said never get your tracking checked just that you dont need to do it everytime you change your tyres.Can you imagine the amount of queueing at the tyre fitting centres if drivers had this done everytime,you never get your tyres fitted.
I note you said that you have 21 yrs driving experience which would make you still a youngster.

[LeeT5]

Lee i never said never get your tracking checked just that you dont need to do it everytime you change your tyres.Can you imagine the amount of queueing at the tyre fitting centres if drivers had this done everytime,you never get your tyres fitted.
I note you said that you have 21 yrs driving experience which would make you still a youngster.

Youngster i may well be, but if you don't have your wheel alignment checked/adjusted when you have new tyres then your a mug! Why on earth would you want to spend lots of money having new tyres fitted only to have them being scrubbed the moment you drive off into the sunset just because you didn't get your alignment checked?? If you must adopt that practise then you will be in a minority group.
It is a fact that if your tyres are to be expected to last a long time then the wheel alignment must be a key factor. Anyone that says otherwise is also a fool and wrong. If you wanna prove me wrong then go ahead but i know i am right on this one. I will always have my wheel alignment checked and adjusted as necessary when having one, two or four tyres fitted!

Doing the job i do, i see peoples cars with tyres scrubbed and worn daily and the reason for the excessive tyre wear is becasue they can't be asked or are naive to the fact that they need to check wheel alignment. Not to mention basic servicing and maintenance. For a large majority of people, even checking their tyre pressures is non existant!!

[Jimmie]

Lee i aint no mug nor am i foolish,but i know that a lot of people think that there motors will run for ever for no expense.
If my motors need anything they get it regardless.

[Erik The Viking]

Hi Nick,

i was in the market for the P rosso's - thats what everyone recommended when I rang round.

I,ve just had Continental Sp 235 40's (reinforced side wall) and tracking on my S60 T5 In my humble opinion - tracking is a must - and with new rubber bands it feels like a new car !
Not too much road noise - sticks like the prevebial to a blanket wet or dry.

Got them from National in the end, tried blackcircles.com but they forgot to put them on the van !

Hope my 2p's worth helps.