All Season Tyres poll

[JuanVecino2023]

I’m in the market…..

Wanted - OEM 17” Wheels

I’m after a set of original alloys (not steel) to fit winter tyres. Rims only is ideal, or with worn tyres for removal, but may consider a set already fitted with decent winter or all season rubber. Wheels must be in good condition.

vwcaliforniaclub.com

Which wheels/tyres did you get in the end?

Might be interested.

 

[WelshGas]

speed index is wrong for T6.1 4m 204 hp, max speed is more than 190 km/h, also doubt load index. These would not pass MOT in Belgium.

Not sure what you mean. Speed ratings are sufficient.

 

[m10chkcalifornia]

Not sure what you mean. Speed ratings are sufficient. View attachment 126617

Isn't it a case of what is approved for use on the vehicle - as in what is on the door plate? The standard van tyres are speed rated T at load rating 107 and H at 104. Since VW specifies H they are fine. But anything rated T at say a load rating of 103 would not meet the requirement?

Michelin Cross Climates are H at 103 - so that is fine obviously. Great tyres in my experience as well.

 

[Roger Boeken]

Which tyres are you talking about ?
There are two tyres in my post.

Good Info for Belgium if you live there.
My Bio shows I live in the UK.

Tyre size is
Comforser CF1100
255/65/r17 102 T M&S but no 3 peak’s.
255/65 is out of range and T is only 190 km/h
I agree Belgium seems to be less tolerant than most other countries
regarding these specs. circumference of car tire tolerance here is -2% and +1,5% max. Tire center even refused to mount 2 exactly same tires but with different speed index on same axle.So be warned the bridgestone ao005 you get from VW is no longer available as H only V.

 

[WelshGas]

Tyre size is
Comforser CF1100
255/65/r17 102 T M&S but no 3 peak’s.
255/65 is out of range and T is only 190 km/h
I agree Belgium seems to be less tolerant than most other countries
regarding these specs. circumference of car tire tolerance here is -2% and +1,5% max. Tire center even refused to mount 2 exactly same tires but with different speed index on same axle.So be warned the bridgestone ao005 you get from VW is no longer available as H only V.

Well in the U.K. and for Insurance purposes the speed rating doesn’t matter AS LONG as it is the same or greater than the Manufacturers minimum requirement.

 

[Roger Boeken]

Well in the U.K. and for Insurance purposes the speed rating doesn’t matter AS LONG as it is the same or greater than the Manufacturers minimum requirement.

On which document does a manufacturer state the minimum speed index of tires for a vehicle? There is a table with tire sizes and recommended tire pressure on the one hand on the other hand a specified maximum speed. In Belgium it is required that the tires are at least suitable for the maximum speed of the vehicle specified by the manufacturer.
Unfortunately, rules are rarely logical, because although a 204hp California has a maximum speed of more than 190km/h, there is no road in Belgium where it is allowed to drive faster than 120km/h.
Some rules only apply to residents of a country, others also apply to visitors from other countries.. it drives you crazy sometimes.
Some rules are stupid: you can't have a spare bulb with you if you have LED headlights for example. But that is perhaps better a topic for another thread.

 

[WelshGas]

On which document does a manufacturer state the minimum speed index of tires for a vehicle? There is a table with tire sizes and recommended tire pressure on the one hand on the other hand a specified maximum speed. In Belgium it is required that the tires are at least suitable for the maximum speed of the vehicle specified by the manufacturer.
Unfortunately, rules are rarely logical, because although a 204hp California has a maximum speed of more than 190km/h, there is no road in Belgium where it is allowed to drive faster than 120km/h.
Some rules only apply to residents of a country, others also apply to visitors from other countries.. it drives you crazy sometimes.
Some rules are stupid: you can't have a spare bulb with you if you have LED headlights for example. But that is perhaps better a topic for another thread.

Example

 

[pjm-84]

I would avoid the A005s...

I've had 3 set of these on my Cali as they were the only all season offering at the time I changed to 18in. Camber pull and poor life (9 to 11k) which I only realized when I made the move across to CC. I've now had the CC on for the last 10,500 miles and the front tyres are at 5.5mm and consistent wear.

I added the A005 to my XC70 Volvo (before the issue was apparent) , and these exhibited the same issue (i.e not isolated to the vehicle). Replaced yesterday at 19k miles for CCs and the Volvo/ like the Cali, no longer has the camber pull....bliss

 

[Kernowboy]

Have you used the CC in proper winter conditions? I’m wondering if I can get away with CC on 18s instead of a set of full winters really only needed for 3-4 trips to the Alps a year.

 

[This_one_goes_to_eleven]

I am suprised at the shade on A005. I ran a set on a Tesla model 3 and they were decent, no punctures and got 25k out of them. With the reports in here I 100% would not get for my Cali now though.

 

[Carabiner]

Hi, I 'think' I want to get CC2 for my 17" wheels when the next tyre change is needed. I'm going round in (ahem) circles trying to fine some that meet the specs (or exceed them), but loads of folk on here seem to be using them. For those of us with 17" wheels, which specific tyres are you using?

The closest I seem to be able to find on Blackcircles is: 215/65 R17 V 103 or 225/50 R17 V (98). I'm a bit concerned about the load rating for the latter. Ideally, I'd like to be able to use chains (for if the weather is really grim) too, but recognise that might need to be compromised for a wider tyres (and reduced clearances etc.)

Many thanks.

 

[Californication69]

Hi, I 'think' I want to get CC2 for my 17" wheels when the next tyre change is needed. I'm going round in (ahem) circles trying to fine some that meet the specs (or exceed them), but loads of folk on here seem to be using them. For those of us with 17" wheels, which specific tyres are you using?

The closest I seem to be able to find on Blackcircles is: 215/65 R17 V 103 or 225/50 R17 V (98). I'm a bit concerned about the load rating for the latter. Ideally, I'd like to be able to use chains (for if the weather is really grim) too, but recognise that might need to be compromised for a wider tyres (and reduced clearances etc.)

Many thanks.

Go Michelin Aligis cross climate for higher load rating.

 

[Lost Boy]

My van came with Winter Tyres (with the 3 peaks), they are Bridgestone Blizzak LM005. I have never had winter or even cross climate tyres before and on my previous T5.1 always ran Continental Summer tyres, which never seemed to last that long but gave good road holding and cornering in most (UK) conditions. These winter tyres (unsure if its the same for all) are truly awful, traction seems fine but they give a kind of vague, wandery feeling and I seem to be eating through them too. I had a full 4 wheel alignment as i was so concerned about the handling and whilst it was out, explaining the uneven wear on the fronts, the handling still leaves alot to be desired. I intend to finish them off and then either replace with summer tyres or maybe the cross climat2 2's that you all seem to rate. Can anyone tell me if they have the same slightly wandery feeling vs a summer tyre?

 

[Carabiner]

Go Michelin Aligis cross climate for higher load rating.

Great, thanks for clarifying that, I thought the Aligis were non-winter tyres.

 

[sidepod]

I don’t get the All Season thing? Why compromise so much performance just to drive around with a Winter capability when , in reality, you only require that a few days per year. Personally, I’d rather have the full performance of a summer tyre and a separate set of winters. Compromise, awful word!

 

[Californication69]

Great, thanks for clarifying that, I thought the Aligis were non-winter tyres.

Think they have 3peak & snowflake ?

 

[Californication69]

I don’t get the All Season thing? Why compromise so much performance just to drive around with a Winter capability when , in reality, you only require that a few days per year. Personally, I’d rather have the full performance of a summer tyre and a separate set of winters. Compromise, awful word!

Full performance of a summer tyre, what for, couple of laps round Nurburgring ?

 

[JuanVecino2023]

Try Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws you look back.

Chunky profile, great on and off road manners. Massively quieter than BFGs.

 

[Resfeber]

Hi, I 'think' I want to get CC2 for my 17" wheels when the next tyre change is needed. I'm going round in (ahem) circles trying to fine some that meet the specs (or exceed them), but loads of folk on here seem to be using them. For those of us with 17" wheels, which specific tyres are you using?

The closest I seem to be able to find on Blackcircles is: 215/65 R17 V 103 or 225/50 R17 V (98). I'm a bit concerned about the load rating for the latter. Ideally, I'd like to be able to use chains (for if the weather is really grim) too, but recognise that might need to be compromised for a wider tyres (and reduced clearances etc.)

Many thanks.

Think you need to use the search by tyre size function rather than accept BC default size.
See this search which produces the correct 235/55 R17 103 (the correct load rating) and W or Y speed ratings

Buy Michelin 235/55 R17 Tyres | Fitted Locally | Blackcircles.com

Buy tyres online and get them fitted locally with Blackcircles. Lifetime Guarantee now on all car, van & SUV tyres. Peace of mind, at no extra cost.

www.blackcircles.com

 

[Carabiner]

Think you need to use the search by tyre size function rather than accept BC default size.
See this search which produces the correct 235/55 R17 103 (the correct load rating) and W or Y speed ratings

Buy Michelin 235/55 R17 Tyres | Fitted Locally | Blackcircles.com

Buy tyres online and get them fitted locally with Blackcircles. Lifetime Guarantee now on all car, van & SUV tyres. Peace of mind, at no extra cost.

www.blackcircles.com

Great, thanks. I guess I need to choose between the wider all seasons ones and ability to use my chains (not enough clearance with the 235s?). I’m in Scotland and, excepting global warming, often get out in the winter in the hills.

Thanks.

 

[WelshGas]

I don’t get the All Season thing? Why compromise so much performance just to drive around with a Winter capability when , in reality, you only require that a few days per year. Personally, I’d rather have the full performance of a summer tyre and a separate set of winters. Compromise, awful word!

But you are compromising.
Which tyres do you use in Spring and Autumn?
All Season Tyres - as the name suggests cover All Year travelling not just a Summer holiday and a Winter ski trip.

 

[sidepod]

I’d rather take a punt on a non winter tyre performing better over three seasons than an all year unit.

It’s not about out and out grip it’s about optimising what’s available to you.

How many days, on average, is the temp sub 5deg? Less than 20 I’d wager.

You might hop in the van on a winter frosty day and feel smug that you’ve got 4 seasons tyres but, all you have is the same compromise you had back in summer, certainly not the performance of a full winter tyre. So overall, sub optimal performance 365.

In the grand scheme of things, what’s the cost of an extra set of steels and winter tyres? Bugger all.

You wouldn’t walk around all year in a 4 seasons jacket would you?

Marketing BS IMO.

 

[pjm-84]

Lol....I do with footwear. I'm on 22k on my CC and they are at 3 to 4mm. The fronts are looking a little sad from a failed steep hill climb recently.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

I’d rather take a punt on a non winter tyre performing better over three seasons than an all year unit.

It’s not about out and out grip it’s about optimising what’s available to you.

How many days, on average, is the temp sub 5deg? Less than 20 I’d wager.

You might hop in the van on a winter frosty day and feel smug that you’ve got 4 seasons tyres but, all you have is the same compromise you had back in summer, certainly not the performance of a full winter tyre. So overall, sub optimal performance 365.

In the grand scheme of things, what’s the cost of an extra set of steels and winter tyres? Bugger all.

You wouldn’t walk around all year in a 4 seasons jacket would you?

Marketing BS IMO.

Agree - ‘Summer’ tyres generally have the best wet & dry stopping distances in +5 degrees, and will give best mileage between changes. The word summer is a bit misleading.

 

[Resfeber]

Great, thanks. I guess I need to choose between the wider all seasons ones and ability to use my chains (not enough clearance with the 235s?). I’m in Scotland and, excepting global warming, often get out in the winter in the hills.

Thanks.

Wasn’t aware of your chain requirement. This thread covers the issue in more detail and has workable solutions

Snow Chains for 235/55/R17 size tyre looking to buy/advice

Hi all, now I never thought it would have been such an issue to find a cost effective snow chain for the size tyre 235/55/R17 we have on our Cali. If anyone has any second hand/new they're willing to sell please let me know. I've seen them upwards of £60.- £300 but I'm only likely to use them...

vwcaliforniaclub.com