Tyre speed rating

[Johnwindwood]

Our car has a mongrel set of tyres. Two different sizes, four different makes and all hard and cracked!
Going to get a new set as a matter of urgency (The handling is pretty scary!) and I see that the suggestion is to
use 205/50x15 tyres. Question-what is the recommended speed rating?

Many thanks

[amarshall]

V (149mph) as a minimum. H is OK for winters.

I've just put Uniroyal Rainsport 3 on all round.

[Johnwindwood]

Thanks Angus.

One other related question. Two wheels have bolt in valves, the other two have normal rubber.
Is there any need for the bolt through type?

Thanks

[Lotus-e-Clan]

No need for the bolt-through - Motorsport yes (stop a valve ripping out /sudden deflation).

In fact bolt-through can have issues: 1) tend not to be renewed and rubber seal hardens/leaks 2) fitters overtighten them /leak. 4) alloy versions corrode and can't get caps off etc! 5) they are heavy and need extra counter-balance

For a road car, better to have rubber valves that are renewed with every tyre change.

[MrCoolA]

I use toyo tr1 215 45 15. And I am really happy with them, great on the track and great on the road.

I agree with Peter re the valves, I would suggest you make sure they are the correct length though, last time I had my tyres changed they only had long valves and it worried me that they protruded past the rim edge and I was concerned I could catch them on a curb and pull them out.

[Johnwindwood]

I use toyo tr1 215 45 15. And I am really happy with them, great on the track and great on the road.

I agree with Peter re the valves, I would suggest you make sure they are the correct length though, last time I had my tyres changed they only had long valves and it worried me that they protruded past the rim edge and I was concerned I could catch them on a curb and pull them out.

Thanks for that. Do the 45 profile tyres affect the speedo?

[MrCoolA]

I use toyo tr1 215 45 15. And I am really happy with them, great on the track and great on the road.

I agree with Peter re the valves, I would suggest you make sure they are the correct length though, last time I had my tyres changed they only had long valves and it worried me that they protruded past the rim edge and I was concerned I could catch them on a curb and pull them out.

Thanks for that. Do the 45 profile tyres affect the speedo?

Nothing that should concern e.g.
205 50 15 say 65mph
215 45 15 would read 63.72

[Phantasm]

I was looking to find a good compromise between cost/capability/ and in the original size. I wanted an All Season to get me through the winter and summer for the next year or 2. I am not tracking the car so no worries there and until I replace the suspension I'm even taking it easy on the corners. So I took a chance on these:
Maxxis AP2 All season (V Rated)

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Maxxi ... on-AP2.htm
at $58/corner, a pretty good bargain. So far they have held up nicely, but it's only been a couple of months of which 2 were spent in the garage getting the clutch replaced.

"As the cheapest tyre on test (of 6), Maxxis can be proud of their fourth place, finishing just 5% behind the winner overall. Seeming focusing on snow and dry during development, the Maxxis falls behind in the wet, finishing last in all the shallow water tests. It's better news in the dry and snow where the Maxxis gets close to the best, finishing third in dry braking, and second in the snow circle"
5th and 6th went to Pirelli and Bridgestone.

[amarshall]

I've just put Uniroyal Rainsport 3 on all round.

And I can now confirm that they work very well when the sky is flashing and falling.

[MrCoolA]

I've just put Uniroyal Rainsport 3 on all round.

And I can now confirm that they work very well when the sky is flashing and falling.

Same goes for the toyos, same storm as Angus just a little further norf