Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Martin_1962 on 08 January 2010, 20:55:47

Title: Tyres
Post by: Martin_1962 on 08 January 2010, 20:55:47
Is it 225/55R16 95V or 95W?

Thanks

Martin
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 08 January 2010, 23:46:56
V is upto 149 mph or 240 km/h
W is up to 168 mph or 270 km/h
(W) over 168 mph..

if you are going to buy new tires V is adequate imho..
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: Broomies Mate on 09 January 2010, 00:08:05
I agree with cem.

The difference in V and W rated tyres for normal road use is Zero.

Three important things to look at when buying tyres (some dont have these ratings).


Traction (Rated A, B, C etc) 'A' Giving the best traction.
Temperature (Rated A, B, C etc) 'A' being best.
Treadwear (Rated 100, 200, 350, 400 etc) The higher the number, the harder the compound which *should* last longer, but suffers with traction.  Most are between 300 and 400.

Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: TheBoy on 09 January 2010, 08:54:06
**IMPORTANT**

You *MUST* always put the speed rating as stated by the manufacturer on the car, irrespective of how fast you drive.  You may invalidate your insurance otherwise.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: TheBoy on 09 January 2010, 08:56:37
To OP - its in the back of your handbook ;).  Prefacelift 225/55/16 (only fitted to elites) were Vs. May have changed for facelifts.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: GPar on 09 January 2010, 09:13:24
My CDX 2.5 pre-facelift has these tyres so it's not just Elites. My handbook says it's only 3 litre cars that have W rating tyres.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: TheBoy on 09 January 2010, 09:27:07
Quote
My CDX 2.5 pre-facelift has these tyres so it's not just Elites. My handbook says it's only 3 litre cars that have W rating tyres.
Either non original, or specced as an option I believe.

PM me your reg and I'll check if you want :)
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: Boracic on 09 January 2010, 13:29:30
If I remember right they changed the rating a few years ago, so the V got a higher rating, my old senator used to have Z, but then the V was changed so I could use those, but that was a while ago :D
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: Martin_1962 on 09 January 2010, 13:56:16
Handbook has gone walkies :-[

Vs were on it.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: TheBoy on 09 January 2010, 15:22:37
Quote
Handbook has gone walkies :-[

Vs were on it.
http://images.omegaowners.com/documents/UserGuides/OmegaJun2002.pdf

and

http://images.omegaowners.com/documents/UserGuides/OmegaOct2002.pdf
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: bigdods on 09 January 2010, 22:14:14
Quote
**IMPORTANT**

You *MUST* always put the speed rating as stated by the manufacturer on the car, irrespective of how fast you drive.  You may invalidate your insurance otherwise.

Yep, you must either have the correct rating OR tell your insurer that you have changed. My F/L 3.0 Elite has ZR rating - which is an old obsolete 'high performance' indicator (cant recall what it meant but it was the highest speed rating of its time). The Falkens I have show both ZR and W ratings (old and new system).

So its W's you need.

Its not (as most people think) matching the tyre rated speed for the car in question. The rating also relates to sidewall strength, flex etc.

So a big heavy bugger like an Omega may well need a W rating not because it can do 170MPH but because it needs a stronger sidewall and tyre makeup due to the extra sideways load from the weight of the car.

ETA that handbook isnt very clear. It gives an example of how to read the numbers on the side of the tyre and uses V as part of that example but I cant find anywhere that explicitly says if it should be H, V or W. Or maybe I just looked in the wrong place ?
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: TheBoy on 09 January 2010, 22:17:11
Quote
Quote
**IMPORTANT**

You *MUST* always put the speed rating as stated by the manufacturer on the car, irrespective of how fast you drive.  You may invalidate your insurance otherwise.

Yep, you must either have the correct rating OR tell your insurer that you have changed. My F/L 3.0 Elite has ZR rating - which is an old obsolete 'high performance' indicator (cant recall what it meant but it was the highest speed rating of its time). The Falkens I have show both ZR and W ratings (old and new system).

So its W's you need.

Its not (as most people think) matching the tyre rated speed for the car in question. The rating also relates to sidewall strength, flex etc.

So a big heavy bugger like an Omega may well need a W rating not because it can do 170MPH but because it needs a stronger sidewall and tyre makeup due to the extra sideways load from the weight of the car.
Z = 'above 150mph'
W = has a specific top speed rating.

If your car specs Zs, Ws are equivilent.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: bigdods on 09 January 2010, 22:34:30
IIRC load index is also important , I believe my falkens are 91W , with 91 being the index. I know there are higher indexes available but I believe if you go for a higher number you get into re-inforced sidewall tyres and ride quality suffers.

The higher the index number the more weight the tyre can support.

In reality 99.9% of people dont understand all this gobbledegook (and nor do I really!) so best bet is replace with like for like.

Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: GPar on 09 January 2010, 23:18:23
In the tyre specification section in the two handbook links posted by TB the speed rating is not listed at all for these facelift models yet it is in my pre-facelift handbook. I wonder why? OP's (Martin's) car is a 2.6 so I would have thought V's as these are specified for my 2.5. W's on the 3.2 I would have thought, as these are specified for the pre-facelift 3 litre. Just my thoughts.

Geoff

p.s. just noticed that Martin's car is fitted with three litre cams so not sure where that leaves us  :-/ perhaps W's to be sure.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: goonv6 on 10 January 2010, 00:10:17
Quote
**IMPORTANT**

You *MUST* always put the speed rating as stated by the manufacturer on the car, irrespective of how fast you drive.  You may invalidate your insurance otherwise.

Not strictly true. You can go up but not down. Similarly, you can go wider but not narrower. However, your profile must be the same.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 10 January 2010, 00:59:43
Quote
Quote
**IMPORTANT**

You *MUST* always put the speed rating as stated by the manufacturer on the car, irrespective of how fast you drive.  You may invalidate your insurance otherwise.

Not strictly true. You can go up but not down. Similarly, you can go wider but not narrower. However, your profile must be the same.


If you go wider without altering the profile the speedo reading will be out.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 10 January 2010, 01:07:59
Any alteration from the standard spec.  Tyres, suspenspention, engine, running gear or body work should be mentioned to insurance.  In the event of a claim the insurance could well be voided on a non standard car.  (and we all know how petty insurance companies can be - dont we.  :-X )
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: Mr Skrunts on 10 January 2010, 01:09:18
Quote
IIRC load index is also important , I believe my falkens are 91W , with 91 being the index. I know there are higher indexes available but I believe if you go for a higher number you get into re-inforced sidewall tyres and ride quality suffers.

The higher the index number the more weight the tyre can support.

In reality 99.9% of people dont understand all this gobbledegook (and nor do I really!) so best bet is replace with like for like.


What if they were the wrong tyres fitted to the car before replaceing like for like.  :-/
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: Kevin Wood on 10 January 2010, 01:23:59
Quote
Any alteration from the standard spec.  Tyres, suspenspention, engine, running gear or body work should be mentioned to insurance.  In the event of a claim the insurance could well be voided on a non standard car.  (and we all know how petty insurance companies can be - dont we.  :-X )

Agreed. Whilst common sense might tell you otherwise, if you don't mention something to the insurers you are stating that your car is factory spec.

If you subsequently land that insurer with a large bill they will go over your car with a fine tooth comb until they find something like an incorrect tyre spec.

Kevin
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: Road Hog Mad on 10 January 2010, 08:33:59
I have the 3,0 MV6 with low profile tyres, I hate the ride, if you drive over some snail poo your fillings come out! I take it is OK to put normal tyres on from it from a 2.2CD? Might soften up the ride somewhat.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: cruisetopoland on 10 January 2010, 08:35:46
Quote
I have the 3,0 MV6 with low profile tyres, I hate the ride, if you drive over some snail poo your fillings come out! I take it is OK to put normal tyres on from it from a 2.2CD? Might soften up the ride somewhat.

One of the reasons I bought the 2.2 was the sensible wheels-I hate low profiles for the bumpiness and kerbing  :y

Does that mean a 4-pot finally has something over a V6  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: tunnie on 10 January 2010, 08:37:29
Quote
Quote
I have the 3,0 MV6 with low profile tyres, I hate the ride, if you drive over some snail poo your fillings come out! I take it is OK to put normal tyres on from it from a 2.2CD? Might soften up the ride somewhat.

One of the reasons I bought the 2.2 was the sensible wheels-I hate low profiles for the bumpiness and kerbing  :y

Does that mean a 4-pot finally has something over a V6  ;D ;D ;D

I do find my 2.2 is smoother on a run than mother tunnies 3.0 Elite Estate, more rubber to absorb the bumbs in the road i guess.
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: cruisetopoland on 10 January 2010, 08:46:44
Quote
Quote
Quote
I have the 3,0 MV6 with low profile tyres, I hate the ride, if you drive over some snail poo your fillings come out! I take it is OK to put normal tyres on from it from a 2.2CD? Might soften up the ride somewhat.

One of the reasons I bought the 2.2 was the sensible wheels-I hate low profiles for the bumpiness and kerbing  :y

Does that mean a 4-pot finally has something over a V6  ;D ;D ;D

I do find my 2.2 is smoother on a run than mother tunnies 3.0 Elite Estate, more rubber to absorb the bumbs in the road i guess.

This warrants an OOF press release-an advantage of a 4pot over a V6 (besides simplicity, economy, etc.....)
 
;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Tyres
Post by: Bent valve on 10 January 2010, 09:22:26
Quote
To OP - its in the back of your handbook ;).  Prefacelift 225/55/16 (only fitted to elites) were Vs. May have changed for facelifts.
I think The Tourer and Reflection variants had them fitted as standard.