I am fitting winter tyres to my car (Citroen Berlingo). I have the option of 185/65/15 88T at £55 or 185/65/15 88H at £155. The OEM summer tyres on the car are 185/65/15 88H.
T ratings are good for 118mph, H for 130mph. Given that the top speed of the vehicle is given as 99mph, and I'm unlikely to go above 70ish mph, especially in winter, is there any reason to NOT fit the cheaper T rated tyres. Especially as the load rating is the same. If I hit 118mph this winter, I've driven out the back of a plane in flight.
As far as I am aware, fitting lower rating tyres is not illegal, and would not cause an MOT fail, although Tyresafe say:
[url=
]"It is strongly recommended to always fit tyres that have a speed capability and load index at least equal to or higher than those originally specified by the vehicle manufacturer."[/url]
I think a driver would be culpable if they drove at speeds outside the speed rating of the fitted tyres, as they're not fit for purpose, but at 118mph, I'd be culpable whatever...
I have checked with the insurance company (Elephant), and they said both winter tyres and lower speed rating are fine, and that as it was a temporary fitment I didn't need it in writing. Nevertheless I have a note of the time, date and operator spoken to.
I see no reason not to proceed with the T rated tyres, saving £100 per corner. Any thoughts?
the tyres you have chosen sound fine to me 🙂
out of interest the 88 is the load rating (you probably know that thought)
I have - among other vehicles - a Berlingo Multispace XTR which one have you got?
Insurance is the only issue. Seeing as you've spoke with them, you're good to go.
If paranoid, get it in writing from them though 🙂
I have a 2005 Berlingo 2.0 HDi. I think it's a Forte. The tyres are Vredestein Snowtrac3. I've used them for the past 2 years. The difference is incredible.
88 seems a little light for what's basically a van..
Do you only need them for the driving wheels?
Not that I'm even sure to get them, I'm torn at the moment between getting snow tyres (on steel rims) just for the winter, or getting all season tyres for, well, all-season use...
My advice would be to put them on all four wheels, and that's from someone who has driven with them on just the front two. You can accelerate, and brake in a straight line, but is is VERY easy to lose the rear end, and once gone, impossible to recover. I did a 180 on the A93 at about 50mph. When I was on full opposite lock and still spinning, I decided to to steer into the skid and aim for a convenient snowdrift. I was lucky to hit something soft and drive away. Purely down to overconfidence.
Winter tyres on all 4 whhels of all 3 vehicles in our household this winter - Berlingo, 206 and Transit motorhome.
Good prices from oponeo.co.uk (Polish based).
Thank you.
Reference where to buy, I'm sure there's a couple of online places that sell whole wheels, not just tyres. Figured I'd go that way!
Clearly you already have the only answer you need from your insurance company. Can't see any reason why tyres rated to a higher speed than your car will do would ever be a problem just because the manufacturer for some bizarre reason decided to put higher rated tyres on.
http://www.tyresafe.org/other-information/full-members
provides same information on why tyresafe recommend buying more expensive tyres than you actually need.
I got 12 steel wheels from the scrappy. You need to check diameter/bore/ofset and the width (J rating = just width of rim in inches).
Xsara Picasso wheels are identical to Berlingo ones. Got exact match for 206 from a 306, and funnily enough, a Transit for the Transit. Cost was £10 each and about 2 hours removing and collecting them.
Check Ebay too.
Check wheel details [url= http://www.wheelfitment.eu/ ]HERE.[/url]