Minimum Tire Load Rating for 2004 9-3 Aero

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Shane Almeida - 10 May 2006 00:03 GMT

It's time to replace my Pirelli PZero Rosso tires (225/45-R17 94W XL).
I'd like to get something cheaper and with a better tread-life. I don't
drive hard or even particularly fast, so I don't really need an
"ultra-high performance" tire.

Tire Rack has a bunch of options in that size, but I'm wondering how much
the load rating matters. I've called three local tire shops: one said I
had to stay at 94 or above and the other two said it didn't matter much.
Tire Rack said to stay above 90 or 91 in order to protect the wheel. I
called Saab USA, got transferred to a local dealer, and the service
department had no clue about load ratings. I get the feeling no one
really knows what the load rating really means.

Anyone out there know what the minimum recommended load rating for a 2004
9-3 Aero (17" wheels) is? Any recommendations for replacement tires? I
live in New England, but have dedicated winter tires and wheels. I'd
appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks.

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Fred W - 10 May 2006 00:50 GMT

> It's time to replace my Pirelli PZero Rosso tires (225/45-R17 94W XL).
> I'd like to get something cheaper and with a better tread-life. I don't
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Thanks.

Shane,

Here's what I would (and will) do. Get a set of BFGoodrich g-Force Sports:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+Sp
ort&vehicleSearch=true&partnum=245ZR7GFSP&fromCompare1=yes&place=40

They are Z rated summer tires at very reasonable price and I have never
yet heard a bad thing about them. The price is low enough (~$100 ea)
that even though they may wear out like a z rated tire, you won't feel
the pinch of the high buck models.

YMMV,

Signature

-Fred W

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Shane Almeida - 12 May 2006 02:10 GMT

>> Anyone out there know what the minimum recommended load rating for a 2004
>> 9-3 Aero (17" wheels) is? Any recommendations for replacement tires? I
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> that even though they may wear out like a z rated tire, you won't feel
> the pinch of the high buck models.

Thanks Fred.

I checked BF Goodrich's site: they don't recommend the g-Force Sport on my
car. Actually, they say they don't have any tires that fit my car. I'm
guessing they're trying to meet or exceed the 94 XL load rating, which
they don't offer in the 225/45-R17 size.

I'm still not sure if the load rating matters, but I think to be safe I'm
going to get a tire that's 94 XL. Kumho has three tires that meet the
spec: Ecsta SPT, Ecsta AST, and Ecsta ASX. All of them are under $90 and
have decent ratings for tread-wear (320, 400, and 420 respectively). The
ASX is the only tire on Tire Rack in that size that has a tread-life
warranty (30,000 miles).

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Fred W - 14 May 2006 19:22 GMT

>>>Anyone out there know what the minimum recommended load rating for a 2004
>>>9-3 Aero (17" wheels) is? Any recommendations for replacement tires? I
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> ASX is the only tire on Tire Rack in that size that has a tread-life
> warranty (30,000 miles).

I would rather get a good tire (BF Goodrich) with a slightly lower load
rating than a crappy tire (Kumho) with the correct load rating.

...unless you plan on hauling cargo with the car I guess. You carrying
cement blocks or sand bags or something in the Aero?

Signature

-Fred W

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Pooh Bear - 14 May 2006 21:00 GMT

> >>>Anyone out there know what the minimum recommended load rating for a 2004
> >>>9-3 Aero (17" wheels) is? Any recommendations for replacement tires? I
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> ...unless you plan on hauling cargo with the car I guess. You carrying
> cement blocks or sand bags or something in the Aero?

I'm really not convinced the load rating is very important. I reckon anything you buy ( with all the othe right specs ) will do the job.

Graham

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