All season tyres.

[sgould]

RF is "reinforced" which is the same as "extra load".  Nothing to do with Runflat.

The RF/Xl rating on the smaller tyre seems similar to the 9-5.  The specify RF/XL for the 225/45 17 which was the standard tyre for some time, but the later cars were given 235/45 17 tyres with no RF/XL rating.  The upgrade on the smaller tyre was to counter premature wear of the tyre edge.  Nothing to do with the load or handling, as I understand it.  Maybe the same on the 9-3X?

[Norfolk Jim]

So I read that Will as I could opt for the 235/45 x 18 98Y Cross Climate tyres if I want to?? I know speedo may be out a little but have noticed it does seem to over read slightly. I've noticed when speedo shows at 32 mph that's when signs light up and at 53 for 50. Waze says similar in that speedo shows 30 and Waze says actually 27 - 28 although I know GPS generally shows as approx 2 mph slower than actual speed due to lag and catch up of satellites

Perhaps forget that as they are averaging £185 fitted each corner so some £740 for 4 !!!!!!! I could get 17" alloys with 225/45 x 17 Cross Climates all in for about £600

[Audax]

That's painful on the price of the 18" tyres, around double the price of the 17"!

[wrighar]

If going 17", look for eitehr 225/45 x 17 or 235/45 x 17

Sometimes one is cheaper than the other.

[Audax]

If going 17", look for eitehr 225/45 x 17 or 235/45 x 17

Sometimes one is cheaper than the other.

If you're going for crossclimates you have no choice as the only option is 225/45 R17, having now driving the crossclimates another day over familiar roads I can utterly recommend them as being very very good.

[welshwizard]

I've had Kleber Quadraxers on my 9-5 for a few years now..

Very good in inclement weather but boy are they noisy....?

[Audax]

The Michelin Crossclimates are far quieter on my 9-3 compared to the Falken summer tyres that were fitted.

[sgould]

The new generation of tyres seem to be better for noise.  The Nokian A3 winter tyres are a lot quieter than most summer tyres we have tried. It was really noticeable on the old 9-3 Vector which had a mix of summer tyres on, but mainly Conti sport.

[Norfolk Jim]

I am still considering swapping my GY F1 Eagle Asymmetric 2's for Nokian WR D4's to use all year round - reviews seem to say for my size they are happy all year round - just waiting for the pennies to add up. Cheapest I've found is Openeo (or however you spell it) at £116 each and my local tyre guy will charge 12 quid to fit and balance.

Something I have noticed recently with these very low temps we've had (some days where we live it hasn't crept above 1 deg) is that with these GY's they scrabble like mad to get traction at junctions at anything below 7 deg and the ride feels harder. I'm very wary on cornering on some of our rural roads as lots are greasy from sugar beet movements and salt. However the last 2 -3 days the temp has been between around 10 deg and whether or not it's psychological but the car feels more comfortable and doesn't scrabble anywhere near as much at junctions; car feels more planted.

I wonder if my findings simply prove the rubber on summer tyres is harder in cold weather and traction is poorer.............................By the time my pennies arrive and the said Nokian's are fitted the weather no doubt will become sub-tropical!!!!! knowing my luck.

Anyone else found the same with ride?

[sgould]

I find that the Nokian A3/a4 are quieter than the summer tyre.  OH has run them all year this year on the Carlsson with no issues.  But don't expect the winter tyres not to scrabble.  I find that all the ones I've tried scrabble in the slightest damp.  Nokian, Vredestein, etc.  but they do grip in snow, and are very good with standing water.  And cornering s fine too.  Just the initial pulling away...

[Audax]

I've never had either the Nokian winter tyres or the Crossclimates scrabble in winter apart from pulling away with too much throttle on ice!

[Audax]

The Michelin Crossclimates have started life with 7mm of tread and the car has done 91000 miles so I'm going to keep a record of the wear rate too.

92615 miles today, Crossclimates are at just over 6mm. Maybe I should be a bit easier on them... 

...think I might buy a digital tyre depth gauge so I can be a bit more scientific about this.

[Norfolk Jim]

OOOps................. they ain't gonna last long!!!!!

[Audax]

Yes, it's a bit concerning as the wear rate seems the same front and rear, I've ordered a digital tread gauge which should be with me today so I can record it more precisely. If the tyres started off just under 7mm (say 6.9mm) and they are currently at 6.2mm for example then it won't be quite so bad

[sgould]

7mm seems a bit low to start with, if the tyres were new.  My Nokians are nearer 9mm.  They have built in depth guides.

This is a picture of the ones on the Carlsson after they had been on for two winters and a summer. Just on 8mm.