When is there a need for XL tyres?

GTE

I got a set of tyres with the XL mark on them.

Reason being my current tyres always seemed to look like they were under inflated and when I did inflate them a bit more I got uneven wear.

So, I went for a punt and decided on the XL. I had a bit of an information overload and the most I can be is wrong and have a bit of a harder ride.

When they were fitted the person asked me did I know they were XL so my suspicions were raised that I was an idiot to get them.

They are on now and they do look like they take the weight of the car much better then the older ones but Im just wondering when is the technical need for these tyres.

They are on the back now and will be moving to the front in the next few months and Im open to getting non XL ones next.
Advantages and disadvantages?

Rovi

To the best of my knowledge (very much open to correction), XL = eXtra Load.
Tyres specified and built for heavy cars that go fast; think: top end Autobahn cruisers and the like.

Fiesta

Ah man, I hoped you would buy the Michelins and let me know what ya thought of them!!

No expert, but would one by an XL tyre as a replacement tyre for a vehicle which was originally specced to use such a tyre. I think the Renault Grand Espace uses XL tyres, whearas the regular Espace doesn't specify the XL mark. Don't slate me if I'm wrong on that!!

johnos1984

Rovi wrote: »

To the best of my knowledge (very much open to correction), XL = eXtra Load.
Tyres specified and built for heavy cars that go fast; think: top end Autobahn cruisers and the like.

I think we used to have them on cattle trailers on the farm although I may be wrong

GTE

Sorry Fiesta but I went for the Hankooks

They are Extra Load indeed but I was so fed up at looking at the same tyre with slightly different prices I took a punt on the XL's.

More letters = better lol

Once they get up the front they may be more at home with the heavy diesel engine but they may just be overkill, unless indeed, the TDI90 becomes an absolute animal (like it will) after my remap.

The new tyres are 195/65 R15 95H XL
The H is ambitious at best
There are 91H on Eiretyres so they could be more suitable, and maybe cheaper.

Tragedy

XL = stiffer sidewall. A lot of performance cars have them fitted as standard(leon cupra r, saab aero's etc).

GTE

Tragedy wrote: »

XL = stiffer sidewall. A lot of performance cars have them fitted as standard(leon cupra r, saab aero's etc).

I guess the Coopers I have on the front now have a weaker sidewall though they are 91H. I am presuming they are at the correct pressure now and they do look a little squashed, nothing horrible though. When I had them pumped up as I said I got uneven wear, so it seemed.

Tragedy

I have low profile tyres, they always look flat. Also, I've had a flat on the rear and I honest to god couldn't feel it, only noticed extra noise going over cats eyes.

PaulKK

bbk wrote: »

I guess the Coopers I have on the front now have a weaker sidewall though they are 91H. I am presuming they are at the correct pressure now and they do look a little squashed, nothing horrible though. When I had them pumped up as I said I got uneven wear, so it seemed.

If your tyres are wearing unevenly get your tracking done and get your suspension checked.

XL tyres can take higher pressures than standard tyres, they have the same load index, but you need to inflate them to a higher PSI.

The major difference is stiffer sidewalls on the XLs afaik.

Owen

I have to use these, the 75 tourer weighs way too much as it is, then throw in about a ton more with all the gear I carry. Before them, my car always looked under inflated.

ColmSewell

When you want to run down an extra large old lady.

OldmanMondeo

XL tyres would usually be on commerical vehicles, SUV etc. As pointed out above the walls are stronger to allow the extra weight and kerbing by drivers.. Normal cars should not need them.

R.O.R

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

XL tyres would usually be on commerical vehicles, SUV etc. As pointed out above the walls are stronger to allow the extra weight and kerbing by drivers.. Normal cars should not need them.

I think Passat's were coming in with XL tyres on them. We always replaced them with standard tyres - as long as the load rating was high enough.

bazz26

My S40 has XL spec tyres too.

tossy

I've always used XL tyres on all my cars be the just plain heavy like a mk4 TDI golf or a performance and also heavy car like my old Bora.

stealthyspeeder

What are these XL tyres you speak of? is this an R.O.I. thing?

I only know the load and speed ratings?

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/load-rating

http://www.blackcircles.com/general/speedrating

GTE

I got a set of Hankook Optimo 4s tyres and when I was in Eiretyres I opted to go for the XL's over the "standard" ones.

The 195 65 R15 with a 91 load thing didnt have the XL but the ones with the 95 did.

http://www.hankooktire-eu.com/tires/tire-presenter-single-view/view/singleView.html?aoetirepresenter[offset]=0&aoetirepresenter[tire]=7&aoetirepresenter[back]=216&cHash=1261c854ba&aoetirepresenter[tab]=tab1415

click sizes if its not open already.

Mycroft H

If your concerned about the load rating, would you not buy a commercial tyre, rather then some ambiguous XL rating thats open to interpretation by the manufacturers ??


At least on a commercial tyre you have a specific load index that you know that can take a specific weight ect.

GTE

landyman wrote: »

If your concerned about the load rating, would you not buy a commercial tyre, rather then some ambiguous XL rating thats open to interpretation by the manufacturers ??

Im not too concerned about the load rating, at least not at the moment. The XL purchase was just out of Ahh feck it":p

But taking your point looking at the Hankook page it doesnt seem like its ambiguous. They seem to offer tyres with certain load indices but then certain ones of those have the XL's which is the reinforced sidewall. Thats just to someone who doesnt know too much about it yet.

tossy

landyman wrote: »

If your concerned about the load rating, would you not buy a commercial tyre, rather then some ambiguous XL rating thats open to interpretation by the manufacturers ??


At least on a commercial tyre you have a specific load index that you know that can take a specific weight ect.

Can you get me a price on a comercial 225/40/18 ?

PaulKK

landyman wrote: »

If your concerned about the load rating, would you not buy a commercial tyre, rather then some ambiguous XL rating thats open to interpretation by the manufacturers ??

At least on a commercial tyre you have a specific load index that you know that can take a specific weight ect.

ALL tyres have a load rating on them.

As I stated earlier the only difference is that XL tyres can take a higher pressure(as in psi) than standard tyres, BUT you need to inflate the XL tyres to a higher pressure to take the same load as a standard tyre with the same load index at a lower pressure.

The XL tyres have a stiffer sidewall, and in my opinion the reasoning behind this is that this is to protect alloys with low profile tyres.

http://www.tyre-shopper.co.uk/article.asp?id=271

mathepac

There is a need for EL or XL rated tyres when you are driving a heavy, high performance vehicle (that's an AND condition - heavy AND high performance), so think 2.5 tonnes+ kerb weight AND 190+ MPH like say a Bentley Continental of some description.