185/70 has an index load of 89 (I don't know what is the unit, sorry) whereas the 195/65 has a load rating of 91.
Tyre recommendations
Moderators: hot66, impmad2000, Barry, Viv_Surby, Derek, Mike Usiskin
Re: Tyre recommendations
Last edited by IanM on Mon Jan 02, 2023 2:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 18928
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: West Midlands
Re: Tyre recommendations
TYRE LOAD INDEX CHART
Each load index number is tied to a real weight, measured in kilograms, on the chart. A tyre with a load index of 91, for example, can hold a maximum load of 615 kg at the correct PSI up to its rated speed.
Each load index number is tied to a real weight, measured in kilograms, on the chart. A tyre with a load index of 91, for example, can hold a maximum load of 615 kg at the correct PSI up to its rated speed.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Re: Tyre recommendations
Thanks hillclimber. Just found this:
https://www.blackcircles.com/helpcentre ... oad-rating
https://www.blackcircles.com/helpcentre ... oad-rating
Last edited by IanM on Mon Jan 02, 2023 2:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Tyre recommendations
I'll dare go out on a limb here. I think there is some confusion. The load index is the max load for the tyre. It's not specific to the dimensions. Clearly it's related, but it's not correct to say that a specific width and profile of tyre has a specific load rating.
Also it's not specifically related to slow speed steering effort.
In general a higher load rating is going to be a tyre that is heavier in construction and thus stiffer so you want the right load rating for the car's weight.
Not enough and the tyre may fail, too much and the tyre may be too stiff as the dynamics of the tyre are integral in the suspension dynamics.
Back to my original question, I don't think that the load index is specifically related to turning effort at low speed.
I think that's primarily to do with the size of the contact patch.
The contact patch size is a function of the tyre dimensions, being radius and width.
Back to my previous suggestion, fatter tyres are harder to steer at lower speeds. Little to do with load index.
Right back to trying to sleep now. We've all got Xmas flu, sleep is not happening!
Also it's not specifically related to slow speed steering effort.
In general a higher load rating is going to be a tyre that is heavier in construction and thus stiffer so you want the right load rating for the car's weight.
Not enough and the tyre may fail, too much and the tyre may be too stiff as the dynamics of the tyre are integral in the suspension dynamics.
Back to my original question, I don't think that the load index is specifically related to turning effort at low speed.
I think that's primarily to do with the size of the contact patch.
The contact patch size is a function of the tyre dimensions, being radius and width.
Back to my previous suggestion, fatter tyres are harder to steer at lower speeds. Little to do with load index.
Right back to trying to sleep now. We've all got Xmas flu, sleep is not happening!
- KS
- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 14949
- Joined: Fri May 07, 2004 3:12 pm
- Location: Cornwall
Re: Tyre recommendations
I swapped from 195/65x15 Dunlops to 185/70 Blockleys on El Chucho and...absolutely zero difference in steering effort at any speed. There was also no appreciable difference in the way the car handled out on the road or, for that matter, on the test track. What did make the biggest difference was tyre pressures, whichever tyre was fitted.
-
- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 16857
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:48 pm
- Location: Worcs/W Mids border
Re: Tyre recommendations
.
You also have to realise that tyres of a given 'size' from different manufacturers can vary significantly in some of their dimensions - for instance if you compare Pirelli CN36/Michelin XWX/Avon CR6ZZ in 185/70 x15:
CN36 - overall width 196mm & overall weight 8 kg
XWX - overall width 189mm & overall weight 10 kg
CR6ZZ - overall width 198mm & overall weight 10.2 kg
.
You also have to realise that tyres of a given 'size' from different manufacturers can vary significantly in some of their dimensions - for instance if you compare Pirelli CN36/Michelin XWX/Avon CR6ZZ in 185/70 x15:
CN36 - overall width 196mm & overall weight 8 kg
XWX - overall width 189mm & overall weight 10 kg
CR6ZZ - overall width 198mm & overall weight 10.2 kg
.
Andy
“Adding power makes you faster on the straights;
- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”
“Adding power makes you faster on the straights;
- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”
-
- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 18928
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: West Midlands
Re: Tyre recommendations
^^^ My findings too, I've had around 6+ different tyre types and 3 different tyre sizes on my 73T over the last 32 years.
In all cases, the steering was only '911 light' as all the magazines go on about once, Goodyears (185 x 70 on 6" rims) after Bob Watson set the car up in 1990.
I called Bob when back home to say the steering was so light and wriggly there must be something loose. He laughed...
I put my heavy parking speed steering on too much caster, may be wrong.
That index is the max load the tyre can tolerate at the max speed given for long periods. Normal UK driving probably stresses the tyre about 30/40% of that capability.
Personally, I don't buy into the look of a tyre, the tread pattern, the profile is important to the look of the car itself, and if you need to go FAST then you should use a specialist tyre, KUMHO V70 soft compound is ridiculously grippy, no so in the rain and will do 3000 miles if lucky on the driven wheels. I went through 3 sets on my 911 when hillclimbing it, road legal, but looked a bit odd @ 50 x 205 on 7", the rims it is on now. (pic below)
The Dunlops are A rated in rain & noise.
Wet weather grip to me is very important, a lot depends on that!
You can do some nice road trips with the £1000 saving?
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/X7S6kz8s/lola-30-081.jpg)
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/dVhRQ5MK/P1080171.jpg)
In all cases, the steering was only '911 light' as all the magazines go on about once, Goodyears (185 x 70 on 6" rims) after Bob Watson set the car up in 1990.
I called Bob when back home to say the steering was so light and wriggly there must be something loose. He laughed...
I put my heavy parking speed steering on too much caster, may be wrong.
That index is the max load the tyre can tolerate at the max speed given for long periods. Normal UK driving probably stresses the tyre about 30/40% of that capability.
Personally, I don't buy into the look of a tyre, the tread pattern, the profile is important to the look of the car itself, and if you need to go FAST then you should use a specialist tyre, KUMHO V70 soft compound is ridiculously grippy, no so in the rain and will do 3000 miles if lucky on the driven wheels. I went through 3 sets on my 911 when hillclimbing it, road legal, but looked a bit odd @ 50 x 205 on 7", the rims it is on now. (pic below)
The Dunlops are A rated in rain & noise.
Wet weather grip to me is very important, a lot depends on that!
You can do some nice road trips with the £1000 saving?
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/X7S6kz8s/lola-30-081.jpg)
![Image](https://i.postimg.cc/dVhRQ5MK/P1080171.jpg)
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
-
- DDK 1st, 2nd and 3rd for me!
- Posts: 2108
- Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 12:42 am
- Location: Oxfordshire
Re: Tyre recommendations
I think we need a thread on "Which is the best oil for my 911" as we have not had one for such a long time.
Rust Never Sleeps
-
- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 18928
- Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: West Midlands
Re: Tyre recommendations
Ha!
Or which wax is the best.
Interesting to read other's experiences, but it all depends what you do with the car and makes you happy.
Or which wax is the best.
Interesting to read other's experiences, but it all depends what you do with the car and makes you happy.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
Re: Tyre recommendations
I entirely agree. You said it best.gridgway wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 5:03 am In general a higher load rating is going to be a tyre that is heavier in construction and thus stiffer so you want the right load rating for the car's weight.
Not enough and the tyre may fail, too much and the tyre may be too stiff as the dynamics of the tyre are integral in the suspension dynamics.
For rear tyres, 215/60 is perfect (and homologated) if you have 7RS wheels but not 7R. The latter requires a tube and the 60 profile is too low for tubes. Dougal explained elsewhere that tubes should not be fitted with less than 70 profile tyres. But I think you can cheat with 65 profile but definitely not less than that. For 7R I think 205/65 is the best size but unfortunately classic brands like CN36 don't make these.
.
Incredible. I didn't know that.Lightweight_911 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 28, 2022 9:28 am
CN36 - overall width 196mm & overall weight 8 kg
XWX - overall width 189mm & overall weight 10 kg
Saving unsprung weight is a big advanatge.
Last edited by IanM on Mon Jan 02, 2023 2:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Tyre recommendations
I've just remembered that the light steering at parking speed that I experienced was with 185/65 HR 15 (88 load). Stock Koni's all round.
BTW, el Chucho was a SWB and 4-cylinder?
- KS
- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 14949
- Joined: Fri May 07, 2004 3:12 pm
- Location: Cornwall
Re: Tyre recommendations
Re: Tyre recommendations
Anyway, for my next purchase of tyres, I'm thinking 185/65 front and 205/65 rear. (with tubes all round, of course)
Most, if not all, 185/65s are HR speed rated (88LI), but as far as I know Firestone Roadhawk is the only brand that is available in VR.
Below is the only reference picture I could find on the net of a 205/65 Firestone. The sidewall looks just right
Most, if not all, 185/65s are HR speed rated (88LI), but as far as I know Firestone Roadhawk is the only brand that is available in VR.
Below is the only reference picture I could find on the net of a 205/65 Firestone. The sidewall looks just right
![drunken :drunken:](./images/smilies/drunken_smilie.gif)
-
- Nurse, I think I need some assistance
- Posts: 16857
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:48 pm
- Location: Worcs/W Mids border
Re: Tyre recommendations
.
When you have different width wheels front & rear it's normal practice to reduce the aspect ratio of the rear tyres so that the overall diameter remains roughly the same - a 205/65 x 15 tyre will be approx 1in larger in diameter than a 185/65 x 15 tyre ...
.
When you have different width wheels front & rear it's normal practice to reduce the aspect ratio of the rear tyres so that the overall diameter remains roughly the same - a 205/65 x 15 tyre will be approx 1in larger in diameter than a 185/65 x 15 tyre ...
.
Andy
“Adding power makes you faster on the straights;
- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”
“Adding power makes you faster on the straights;
- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”