winter tyres

allanmc · Unread post by **allanmc** » 19 Dec 2010, 14:48

Hi, I have a Xantia 110 HDI year 2000 and I want to fit winter tyres my Insurance Company want to know the size of tyres I am gong to fit, the tyres on the car are 205-65-15 would it be ok to fit 195-65-15 as they seem to be easier to get. Thanks
allanmc

Sid_the_Squid · Unread post by **Sid_the_Squid** » 19 Dec 2010, 16:28

A 195/65/15 tyre will fit on the standard Xantia wheels just fine, I've got winter tyres in that size fitted to standard Xantia alloys.

Just one question though is your standard tyre not 205/60/15 not 65? I ask as I'm sure mine are all 205/60/15's

dieselnutjob · Unread post by **dieselnutjob** » 19 Dec 2010, 20:36

I suspect that the insurance company will want you to fit the correct size of tyres (as specified by Citroen) to the car.
Otherwise it counts as a modification.
I believe that the correct size/spec is 205/60R15 91H but don't take my word for it.
You can always ask the insurance company what the implications of the other size are. As long as you are honest with them it shouldn't be a problem.
I haven't told my insurance company that I have winter tyres, but they are the correct size, load and speed rating for the car so I don't think there's anything to tell them.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 19 Dec 2010, 20:47

65s will fit and indeed Old V6 originally had 205/65s on the back and 205/60s on the front.

It was terrible at 70mph and over; the two different sizes seemed to set up a beat between them

A most odd sensation.

Having said that, the 65s didn't give any clearance problems.

205/60 R15 is the correct size for alloy wheels fitted to the 110HDi, V6, Activa, Turbo CT and 2.1TD.

It is recommended the Activa has V rated tyres fitted.

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 19 Dec 2010, 20:50

CitroJim wrote:It is recommended the Activa has V rated tyres fitted.

I thought it was a W rating for the Activa and V for everything else?

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 19 Dec 2010, 20:56

Im guessing fitting a slower speed tyre to what the car should have will also effect insurance?

My C5 should wear Ws, and at the moment it does, but its been on Vs before, as has our C5 estate. Though V is still 149MPH, W rated at 168 seems a slight overkill ...

I cant find winter tyres in W rating, Vs would have to do for my car, and even they are in limited supply.

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 19 Dec 2010, 20:58

Citroenmad wrote:Im guessing fitting a slower speed tyre to what the car should have will also effect insurance?

My C5 should wear Ws, and at the moment it does, but its been on Vs before, as has our C5 estate. Though V is still 149MPH, W rated at 168 seems a slight overkill ...

I cant find winter tyres in W rating, Vs would have to do for my car.

PSA seem to use W rated tyres for the extra sidewall strength rather than the speed rating. The Activa, for obvious reasons, has W specified as standard as does the 406 Coupé

I believe my Uniroyal Rainsport 2 are classified as a winter tyre. If they aren't they should be as they are fantastic. These I found online in the Coupé's 215/55/16 size and 93W load and speed index.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 19 Dec 2010, 20:58

Toby_HDi wrote:
CitroJim wrote:It is recommended the Activa has V rated tyres fitted.
I thought it was a W rating for the Activa and V for everything else?

Quite right Toby

Thanks, got my ratings all mixed up there

It's been a long day, spent mainly writing the February column for the Citroenian.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 19 Dec 2010, 21:43

Toby_HDi wrote:
Citroenmad wrote:Im guessing fitting a slower speed tyre to what the car should have will also effect insurance?

My C5 should wear Ws, and at the moment it does, but its been on Vs before, as has our C5 estate. Though V is still 149MPH, W rated at 168 seems a slight overkill ...

I cant find winter tyres in W rating, Vs would have to do for my car.
PSA seem to use W rated tyres for the extra sidewall strength rather than the speed rating. The Activa, for obvious reasons, has W specified as standard as does the 406 Coupé

I believe my Uniroyal Rainsport 2 are classified as a winter tyre. If they aren't they should be as they are fantastic. These I found online in the Coupé's 215/55/16 size and 93W load and speed index.

Interesting, though the C5 SX we have with smaller wheels only has H rated tyres and they have a bigger sidewall. Though they do squidge about a bit.

Uniroyal Rainsport 2s aren't classed as a winter tyre i dont think, a mate has them on his VW GTi, im sure they are a summer tyre. They are pretty good though, better in the wet than the dry, oddly enough.

I almost bought them when i got my C5s tyres, but went for Michelins.

allanmc · Unread post by **allanmc** » 20 Dec 2010, 08:42

Thanks for the information youre right Sid the tyres should be 205/60/15 I,ll contact my Insurers again and see what they say