Calling MY03 & MY04 Astra owners - Tyres

[SmellyTofu]

imay, I don't think it's to do with Opel, but more so the ADR rulings. But how does Ford do it on their Focus? They run 195/60R15 88H on their CL and Ghia models yet have an option for 215/45R17 87V.

[rjastra]

I am not sure what the issue is here?

Is it the fact that the City/CD has a placard that recommends a 205/55 x 16 with a load index > 90?

If so, i think you will find that ALL the tyres from Michelin that match that size have a load rating that matches or exceeds that. That even includes a version of the new Preceda.

[SmellyTofu]

Rj, it's coz the fact that the original Equipe/CD has a placard that says tyres must have a weight index of 88 or higher. Something that is not achieveable with 205/50R16 nor 205/45R17 nor 215/45R17 (some tyres). 205/55R16 89V is larger than 195/60R15 by 16.x mm which is also "legally" not allowed under the RTA rules. The only option I see is 215/50R16 90V but is a very rare size in Australia (but plentiful elsewhere in the world).

The issue also is how Holden managed to get away with this technicality which I'd like to know so I can do the same thing so that I can continue to run 205/50R16

[NUTTTR]

Ah, so after reading this is the SRi affected at all? It comes with 205/50/16's..... have to check them tomorrow to see the load index.... after 11,000k's my fronts are half well done, they are pirelli P6000's, but they aren't that good
Aaron

[edit - according to pirelli website, in aust, only comes in 87W
!]

[SmellyTofu]

No. It's only for any Astra that has 195/60R15 fitted as standard.

Btw, the turbo rubber may give owners difficulty finding another suitable tyre coz of the 87 rating. 205/45R17 is normally an 83 rating. The stock rubber is an extra load tyre. I presume 215/45R17 87V (some 91) will be the popular choice if you don't intend to buy the standard Dunlop SP8000

[rjastra]

Not quite true Smelly.

At least Pirelli and Michelin make tyres of the correct size and load index for the Astra Turbo

[SmellyTofu]

Extra load tyres are not popular in Australia. There is a 205/50R16 in 91V that Toyo makes but they are not importing such a tyre from the US.

[craig.j]

Rj, it's coz the fact that the original Equipe/CD has a placard that says tyres must have a weight index of 88 or higher. Something that is not achieveable with 205/50R16 nor 205/45R17 nor 215/45R17 (some tyres). 205/55R16 89V is larger than 195/60R15 by 16.x mm which is also "legally" not allowed under the RTA rules. The only option I see is 215/50R16 90V but is a very rare size in Australia (but plentiful elsewhere in the world).

The issue also is how Holden managed to get away with this technicality which I'd like to know so I can do the same thing so that I can continue to run 205/50R16

I have a new Astra SXi (it's the model below the SRi). It came with 205/50 R16 87V Continental Sports, and it's fine - chews the rubber a little bit, but never mind!!

[euro_stylin]

ok im confussed...i put 205x55 on my astra! so does this mean that my speedo is out? and if yes, am i going faster or slower than what my speedo says and by how much?
also if i ever have to put the spare tyre on which is just the standard 195x60 will it make a difference when i drive it? and stuff my car?

[SmellyTofu]

Yes, your speedo will be reading almost 3% out. You're actually driving at 103 when the speedo says 100.

If you put the stocks back on the front wheels, your steering will be tracking straight but the steering wheel aimed at the opposite side to where your spare tyres is on to compensate for the variation in height.

Craig, our SXi came with 195/60R15 and it is also affected in this stupid legal issue.