fishacura

Does the TL warrant a Z or W rated tire?

The Turanza EL42s look like they're W to me and the door patch says W on it so I am assuming I need W rated tires.

The reason I ask is because I stopped at a tire place today and the guy was trying to tell me the EL42s are Z rated tires which I believe is wrong.

At any rate, he said it's important not only to keep the same size but the same speed rating.

Any insight/opinion is appreciated!!!

fishacura

Let me answer my dumb question and ask a follow up..

Looks like W is a sub-category of Z rated tires (sorry)

So the question becomes, can I get a generic Z rated tire or does it have to be Z W?

TLover

That's total BS that you need to keep the same speed rating. But you probably don't want to get less than a V-rated tire.

fishacura

OK! That makes some sense to me but he seemed very adamant about it. SO I won't worry too much about 1 size up or down about speed rating.

How about load? SO I see some Toyos that will fit but they're rated 97 W the TL is 93. I am assuming sinze they carry a heavier load it's okay and it's less than 93 I should worry about?

So if I find 235/45/r17 tires (forget about changing size for the purposes of my basic questions)...

...if I find this size can I get V and up on the speed ratings and 93 and up on the load?

BTW, Here's what I am looking at (obviously looking for some longevity here)

Dunlop SP Sport 9000
Dunlop SP Sport 5000
BFGoodrich G ForceTA KDWS
BFGoodrich G ForceTA HR4
Michelin Pilot XGT H4
Toyo Proxes T1r
Toyo Proxes T1s
Toyo Proxes 4

TLover

I wouldn't worry about load rating. A 93 means the tire can carry 1,433 pounds; a 97 means 1,609. This is what EACH tire can carry. Multiply those numbers by four, and it's way more than you'll ever need.

TLXLR8S

these are the load ratings.

Load ...... LBS ......... Kilo

86 ........ 1168 ........ 530
87 ........ 1201 ........ 545
88 ........ 1235 ........ 560
89 ........ 1279 ........ 580
90 ........ 1323 ........ 600
91 ........ 1356 ........ 615
92 ........ 1389 ........ 630
93 ........ 1433 ........ 650
94 ........ 1477 ........ 670
95 ........ 1521 ........ 690
96 ........ 1565 ........ 710
97 ........ 1609 ........ 730
98 ........ 1653 ........ 750

here is some info on speed ratings.

Beginning in 1991, the speed symbol denoting a fixed maximum speed capability of new tires must be shown only in the speed rating portion of the tire's service description, such as 225/50R16 89S. The most common tire speed rating symbols, maximum speeds and typical applications are shown below:

M .. 81 mph ... 130 km/h
N .. 87 mph ... 140 km/h ... Temporary Spare Tires
P .. 93 mph ... 150 km/h
Q .. 99 mph ... 160 km/h ... Studless & Studdable Winter Tires
R .. 106 mph .. 170 km/h ... H.D. Light Truck Tires
S .. 112 mph .. 180 km/h ... Family Sedans & Vans
T .. 118 mph .. 190 km/h ... Family Sedans & Vans
U .. 124 mph .. 200 km/h
H .. 130 mph .. 210 km/h ... Sport Sedans & Coupes
V .. 149 mph .. 240 km/h ... Sport Sedans, Coupes & Sports Cars

When Z-speed rated tires were first introduced, they were thought to reflect the highest tire speed rating that would ever be required, in excess of 240 km/h or 149 mph. While Z-speed rated tires are capable of speeds in excess of 149 mph, how far above 149 mph was not identified. That ultimately caused the automotive industry to add W- and Y-speed ratings to identify the tires that meet the needs of new vehicles that have extremely high top-speed capabilities.

W .. 168 mph .. 270 km/h ... Exotic Sports Cars
Y .. 186 mph .. 300 km/h ... Exotic Sports Cars

While a Z-speed rating still often appears in the tire size designation of these tires, such as 225/50ZR16 91W, the Z in the size signifies a maximum speed capability in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h; the W in the service description indicates the tire's 168 mph, 270 km/h maximum speed.

225/50ZR16 in excess of 149 mph, 240 km/h
205/45ZR17 88W 168 mph, 270 km/h
285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h

Most recently, when the Y-speed rating indicated in a service description is enclosed in parentheses, such as 285/35ZR19 (99Y), the top speed of the tire has been tested in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h indicated by the service description as shown below:

285/35ZR19 99Y 186 mph, 300 km/h
285/35ZR19 (99Y) in excess of 186 mph, 300 km/h

As vehicles have increased their top speeds into Autobahn-only ranges, the tire speed ratings have evolved to better identify the tires capability, allowing drivers to match the speed of their tires with the top speed of their vehicle.

richrath

Fishacura:
You can do your research online at TireRack.com about each of those tires except the Toyos. TireRack does not handle Toyo so there's no data there. I know where Phoenixville is, and if you intend to drive your TL in snow, I'd be wary of the Michelin XGT model, whether it's H4 or V4 (speed rating). Be aware of what you want from your tires, regarding comfort, noise, wet/dry traction, snow usage, steering response/handling, etc, so can compare the relative merits of each one. I read about tires for months and months while waiting for my Turanzas to wear out and I learned a lot and had fun too! (Yeah I can be a geek, so what :-) )

Good luck and have fun!

fishacura

Thanks! Went with the Falkens (512s) and love the look and feel so far!