General Car Tyres Load Index 81T vs 85T (mixed pairs front and back)

[AyLa]

Hi,

I'm looking to change my front two tyres as they are due (punto is mk2b).

My current tyres are 165 / 70 R14 81T

My car manual states it supports:

165 / 70 R14 81T
185 / 60 R14 82H
185 / 55 R15 82V

So naturally I am looking to replace them with the same dimensions.

I'd really like to get a pair of MICHELIN CROSSCLIMATE but it seems the only ones available close to my current tyres are:

165 / 70 R14 85 T

Would I matter if I had 165 / 70 R14 85 T at the front and 165 / 70 R14 81T at the rear?

Also would this affect insurance in anyway?

Thanks.

 

[Ziggy122]

The number is the tyre weight capability
The letter is max speed rating
Iirc t is 118mph which for an 1.2 8v is enough as they are maxed at 96mph (according to parkers)

Having 81 over 85 means the sidewalls are gonna be thicker to cope (more cords inside) to cope

So this may make the tyres a little firmer and less flex

Insuranance probably wont care as its a tyre still
Police and mot wont care as long as its legal (tread and inflated / no damage etc)

What websites you using?
I use Camskill for my rubber - they may have your requirements

Ziggy

 

[AyLa]

The number is the tyre weight capability
The letter is max speed rating
Iirc t is 118mph which for an 1.2 8v is enough as they are maxed at 96mph (according to parkers)

Having 81 over 85 means the sidewalls are gonna be thicker to cope (more cords inside) to cope

So this may make the tyres a little firmer and less flex

Insuranance probably wont care as its a tyre still
Police and mot wont care as long as its legal (tread and inflated / no damage etc)

What websites you using?
I use Camskill for my rubber - they may have your requirements

Ziggy

I was looking at ATS Euromaster as they seem to be the cheapest for those specific tyres with the two promotions they have on currently (£26 off 2 Michelin tyres and 10% off weekend fitting).

 

[AyLa]

If all else failed, the next pair I was looking at was:

Firestone Multihawk 2 (165/70 R14 81T) from halfrauds.

https://www.halfordsautocentres.com/tyres/firestone/multihawk-2/165-70-r14-81t-69ec

 

[Ziggy122]

I think the cross climate only comes in a 85t
Which is an all season tyre
(Not a full summer but not a full winter tyre)
Which has advantages over summers espically now its getting colder

The firestone hawks are a summer tyre
So now your looking at a different style


I did have the firestones and i found them alright and much better than crappy toyo 350s i had once....

Ive got uniroyals, one of the best wet tyres you can get these days!
So much so
The mrs has summer set
And i have summer and winters

Very soft for good around grip
Alot of people like uniroyals
Id never hesitate to fit em....

Ziggy

 

[The Panda Nut]

Hi,

I'm looking to change my front two tyres as they are due (punto is mk2b).

My current tyres are 165 / 70 R14 81T

My car manual states it supports:

165 / 70 R14 81T
185 / 60 R14 82H
185 / 55 R15 82V

So naturally I am looking to replace them with the same dimensions.

I'd really like to get a pair of MICHELIN CROSSCLIMATE but it seems the only ones available close to my current tyres are:

165 / 70 R14 85 T

Would I matter if I had 165 / 70 R14 85 T at the front and 165 / 70 R14 81T at the rear?

Also would this affect insurance in anyway?

Thanks.

Cross climates are a decent tyre with decent grip wet and dry and they wear well too. In auto express tyre test their weakness is cornering aquaplaning and this is noticeable but the grip never caused me issues with a recent set and I would recommend them.

Speak to ATS about placement on the car their advice will be sound and based on proper expert training.

The 85T rating will relate as said by others to construction and should not be an issue if the tyres are on the right axle. Any decent tyre specialist should give good advice. If the tyres are of the correct size and rating my understanding is that means correct for model and therefore no effect on insurance. I found the tyres took a while to wear in and grip improved markedly after 1000 miles or so.