Any downside to using tires of a higher load rating than spec?

[ELarsen]

I'm interested in a set of Vrederstein Quatracs for my VW Golf. The vehicle specs for a load range 91SL tire. They are not available anywhere, however, the tire stores have the exact same tire in the same size but with load rating 94XL. The 94XL increase the load capacity by about 500lbs for the four tires.

Are there any drawbacks to going with the greater load rated 94 tires over the 91? Especially on such a small car and with the fact that I almost never have much of a load in the car beside me and a dog?

Tire sellers say "buy the 94XL -- it's fine."

Vredestein says "choose tires that meet or exceed the spec rating." They didn't answer my questions about any possible differences in rolling resistance, fuel mileage, weight, handling, etc.

Any tire experts that can weigh in?

Thanks up front!

 

[Gasbuggy]

Worse ride equality but likely better handling

 

[4WD]

That’s not a big step - should be slightly firmer …
Conversely - just shopped 315 70 17 for my Jeep. They only had the newer BFG KO3 in an “F.”
That’s just too harsh for a DD Wrangler IMO.
Ordered KO2 in C rating (it came with 285 “C”)

 

[Jetronic]

The load rating (on same size tyres) is tied to inflation pressure. If you keep the inflation pressure the same as before, it will actually have the same (or very, very close) load rating as before.

 

[krzyss]

The XL tire may have heavier carcass or just stronger one to handle higher pressures.
One may or may not be able to tell the difference at prescribed pressure (it is the same when going SL to XL).

Krzyś

 

[CarbonToast]

Look at the weight of the tire. It has an affect fuel economy.

 

[Kalle.J]

XL tyres have higher load rating WITH higher pressure (42psi+ from memory) Sometimes lower effective LI below 38 psi.
Difference wont be as big as 94-95 LI without XL.

 

[eljefino]

It would matter on a truck if you went up from P to LT, it would be like putting on clunky boots.

In your case it just means the tire's made better, will handle better. I assume they're fairly low profile, and so they may be substituted with oversize rims on a heavier car that takes a LR 94 tire normally.

 

[vwmaniaman]

Ride will be somewhat firmer.

 

[ELarsen]

Thanks everyone, all of that is helpful.

These are 205/55/16 and on a fairly light VW Golf (though it is a diesel). I was hoping the higher load rating wouldn't make the ride too "firm" but that might be the cost of doing business. Doesn't sound like anyone thinks that there are any deal breakers.

I still haven't totally ruled-out the Michelin Crossclimate2 which is available in the spec load range of 91 but they are pricier than the Vredestein Quatracs and not quite as highly rated in the wet/rain categories -- the performance area I'm most concerned with.

 

[jadatis]

In US they step over yust as easy for Jeeps and other, from standard load P-tire ( AT 35 psi), with already comfortable reserve, to even E-load LT tire ( AT 80 psi) , wich then need about 10 to 15 psi higher pressure for same load.

So here the swich from 91 loadindex AT 36 or 35 psi to LI 94 AT 42 or 41 psi, is a small step.
In theory the XL needs a tiny bit higher pressure for same load on it, but in practice this stays within the roundings.

If you calculate the load/psi, you see the XL a bit less then SL.

SL 91/ 615 kg AT 36 psi= 17.083 kg/psi
Xl 94/ 670 kg AT 42 psi= 15.952 kg/psi.

Determiining 99% acurate the axleload in your use, is the most tricky part in it all, and your responcibility.

 

[ELarsen]

In US they step over yust as easy for Jeeps and other, from standard load P-tire ( AT 35 psi), with already comfortable reserve, to even E-load LT tire ( AT 80 psi) , wich then need about 10 to 15 psi higher pressure for same load.

So here the swich from 91 loadindex AT 36 or 35 psi to LI 94 AT 42 or 41 psi, is a small step.
In theory the XL needs a tiny bit higher pressure for same load on it, but in practice this stays within the roundings.

If you calculate the load/psi, you see the XL a bit less then SL.

SL 91/ 615 kg AT 36 psi= 17.083 kg/psi
Xl 94/ 670 kg AT 42 psi= 15.952 kg/psi.

Determiining 99% acurate the axleload in your use, is the most tricky part in it all, and your responcibility.

Thank you for that information! I see that you're from Holland -- what do you think of the Vredesteins?

 

[KevinMalone]

Generally speaking, and there will always be exceptions, XL rated tires can have a higher load rating at higher pressures (above 36 PSI) compared to SL tires. XL tires have slightly stronger plies and belts but it's unlikely you would notice a difference.

You can look up the load rating and inflation table and adjust the pressure of the new tires to match the factory tires' load rating.

Eg:
91 SL @ 36 PSI = 1356 lbs
94 XL @ 36 PSI = 1312 lbs = too low
94 XL @ 38 PSI = 1356 lbs = same as factory

https://www.toyotires.ca/sites/default/files/loadinflationtable.pdf

 

[ELarsen]

Thanks for the link, Kantaro -- that's good info.

 

[johnmyster]

Difference from brand to brand or tire to tire will far exceed any differences attributed from a change to 94 load index from 91 (extended load rating.)

Extended load just means higher than what is standard for that size.

 

[ELarsen]

Difference from brand to brand or tire to tire will far exceed any differences attributed from a change to 94 load index from 91 (extended load rating.)

Extended load just means higher than what is standard for that size.

Thanks John

 

[jadatis]

Thank you for that information! I see that you're from Holland -- what do you think of the Vredesteins?

I have them under our Skoda Superb, yust because trusted brand with reasonable price.
But if next time for instance michelin is cheaper, I yust as well buy them.

From Vredestein I got the official european used formula to calculate ttrepressure for load end 2007, wich started my tirepressure calculation story.
In time they gave me also for other sidesubjects information, like rimmwidth calculation.
At some moment they wrote me to get my information elswere. They where done with me.

 

[BillyHW]

Higher load rating and higher speed rating should mean more robust tire construction, if that's something you want, possibly at the cost of ride comfort, if that matters to you.

Not sure why but I've noticed that more and more Michelins seem to be XL tires these days, for some reason known only to them.