The "Not Another Which Tyre" Thread
08-04-2005, 03:51 AM
#26
Originally Posted by labrat
I guess what it comes down to is that for 3 months I have been looking around for a tyre which will suit my requirements for good highway performance without noticeably compromising handling, and not compromising on wet performance. It should also be relatively quiet. I'm not looking for an ultra-performance tyre of the sort which can be used for occasional track work such as the tyre you mentioned. Oh, and I'm looking for a tyre that I can afford. Paying $450 -$600 is not an option for me.
This is the first time in web searching that I have come across anything remotely like an objective assessment. I'm a technologist, and having lived and worked in Germany and Switzerland, I know the TUV to be a highly respected organisation. It is funded by industry members, and companies pay for testing services, but they also have to take their lumps if the findings are adverse. This can extend to having a plant shut down if equipment doesn't pass regularly scheduled tests. TUV testing has legislative authority in some areas. They handle the regular roadworthy checks on all cars, and a TUV roadworthy test is way tougher than anything we have in Australia
As far as the "passenger" category is concerned, if you look at a number of tyre manufacturer sites, high performance tyres are still listed in this category. In German, the expression is "PKW", the acronym for Personenkraftwagen, which simply means "car". This covers all types of normal passenger carrying cars. A 911 is a PKW. They differentiate for LKW (trucks) and 4x4.
I read in another forum where a driver was complaining that the wear factor claimed for his performance tyre did not accord with his experience. Someone else commented that the manufacturers self-test this parameter, and they have been known to fudge the results. Is this true?
This is the first time in web searching that I have come across anything remotely like an objective assessment. I'm a technologist, and having lived and worked in Germany and Switzerland, I know the TUV to be a highly respected organisation. It is funded by industry members, and companies pay for testing services, but they also have to take their lumps if the findings are adverse. This can extend to having a plant shut down if equipment doesn't pass regularly scheduled tests. TUV testing has legislative authority in some areas. They handle the regular roadworthy checks on all cars, and a TUV roadworthy test is way tougher than anything we have in Australia
As far as the "passenger" category is concerned, if you look at a number of tyre manufacturer sites, high performance tyres are still listed in this category. In German, the expression is "PKW", the acronym for Personenkraftwagen, which simply means "car". This covers all types of normal passenger carrying cars. A 911 is a PKW. They differentiate for LKW (trucks) and 4x4.
I read in another forum where a driver was complaining that the wear factor claimed for his performance tyre did not accord with his experience. Someone else commented that the manufacturers self-test this parameter, and they have been known to fudge the results. Is this true?
In regard to all tyres being passenger tyres. You might be right and all tyres are passenger car tyres but then the medium to good classification would probably have to be further down the scale. I don't see any of the major brands (and specific models) in this test and that worries me as the major companies must have something to equal these and lots that are better (but they are probably in the good to excellent class?)
I believe some of the info on the sides of tyres can be derived from test that are carried out by the manufactures. I would imagine that if there were enough flexibility in legislated requirements the manufacture will make the test look best for them. Since tyre wear isn't as important as speed and load ratings, I would also assume that it is more likely to be loosely regulated and more prone to error.
I doubt that the more important speed and load ratings would be fudged.
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