How are you fitting 19s on your MKV legally?

[noisuf]

Hi All,

Just wondering how you are fitting 19s to your MKV legally without breaking the rule around load ratings/index?

My 19 inch VMR dream is fast crumbling around me due to tyre ratings/index.

Cheers,

Michael

[Corey_R]

Sorry man, what exactly do you mean?

Are you saying you cannot find a suitable tyre with a high enough load rating? Such as 235/35R19 92Y etc?
There are plenty of options out there. The MK6 Golf R has a factory 19" option and there are a few different brands of tyre which have been arriving on those wheels, depending on what is in stock at the Wolfsburg factory at the time. So there doesn't seem to be any shortage of suitable options.

[noisuf]

Gday Corey,

Yep, it's finding a legal tyre that is killing me.

The R32 came with 18s rated at 92. The tyre placard states 92 for 18s and 94 for 17s.

I can't find a tyre (apart from Chinese cheapies) that are rated at least 92 in the size 235/35R19, the highest is 91. 225/35R19 would be a closer fit to stock but is even worse, the tyres max out at 88.

The Golf R did come with 19s but I wouldn't have thought it's load ratings would be applicable for the R32?

[Corey_R]

The sidewall height has an effect on the load rating. So as per your tyre placard, the 17's need 94, 18's 92. If it also stated 19's it'd more than likely state 91.

I've just checked the placard on my R, and whilst it doesn't have a 17 listed (wouldn't clear the brakes), it lists 18's as 92Y and 19's as 91Y.
91 = 615kg btw, so that'd still be more than enough for the R32

[noisuf]

The sidewall height has an effect on the load rating. So as per your tyre placard, the 17's need 94, 18's 92. If it also stated 19's it'd more than likely state 91.

I've just checked the placard on my R, and whilst it doesn't have a 17 listed (wouldn't clear the brakes), it lists 18's as 92Y and 19's as 91Y.
91 = 615kg btw, so that'd still be more than enough for the R32

92s are rated at 630kg so all up, only 60kgs difference. But the big problem I have is, what do the boys in blue and my insurance company think in event of accident when my r32 placard states 92 as minimum?

Can't believe 60kgs can be my undoing...

[Corey_R]

As I said, that placard rating of 92 is for 18" tyres, not 19's.

On cars with placards that list 18 and 19" wheels where the 18's are rated for 92, the 19's are rated for 91.
If the boys in blue and your insurance company are that worried over your placard, it wouldn't matter what 19's you have, because 19's are not listed...

[noisuf]

As I said, that placard rating of 92 is for 18" tyres, not 19's.

On cars with placards that list 18 and 19" wheels where the 18's are rated for 92, the 19's are rated for 91.
If the boys in blue and your insurance company are that worried over your placard, it wouldn't matter what 19's you have, because 19's are not listed...

Good point, I should be able to argue from the point that cars with 18's state 92 and their 19 in options state 91. You would think I would be able to argue from a like for like standpoint?

I'm feeling better from a legal/moral point of view.

[Corey_R]

Well, I don't think there is any legal/moral issue there. As I said, the value lowers with lower profiles. 17 94Y, 18 92Y, the next thing lower than 92 is 91 Hence why no one who is anyone makes a 235/35R19 92+

[noisuf]

Thanks mate...appreciate your thoughts and advice!

[brad]

Go to the dealer & order the tyre placard that lists 19" rims with 91 load rating & replace your existing placard. One of the T5 van people had a similar issue & a new (updated/latest) placard sorted the issue. IIRC it was ~$15. Possibly, you'll need a VIN - maybe if you're lucky, Corey could help you with that offline.

I doubt 99.9% of Policefolk would understand the "if 18s are 92 then 19s will be 91" argument.

[noisuf]

Go to the dealer & order the tyre placard that lists 19" rims with 91 load rating & replace your existing placard. One of the T5 van people had a similar issue & a new (updated/latest) placard sorted the issue. IIRC it was ~$15. Possibly, you'll need a VIN - maybe if you're lucky, Corey could help you with that offline.

I doubt 99.9% of Policefolk would understand the "if 18s are 92 then 19s will be 91" argument.

I will try but would there be an updated placard if the MKV R32 never came out with 19 in wheels?

[brad]

I will try but would there be an updated placard if the MKV R32 never came out with 19 in wheels?

Were they not an option?

Does the MkVI placard look like it would look out of place?

Could you send an enquiry to VW?

[Corey_R]

Guys. I think that you're both thinking about this too hard.

Police and Insurance companies are unlikely to care what stickers you have on your car. (And the tyre placard is simply that, a sticker).
They care whether your care complies to the ADR's and any rules published by your state's motoring authority in relation to road worthiness.

Before a new car is sold, it is complianced, which certifies that it obeys all these rules in its stock form.

There is a "modified car" process where when you change it from "stock" must get your car engineered. The car will then be stamped (i.e. a metal plate attached) stating that it is modified with brief description, and you then must forever carry around the engineers certificate which detail the modifications.

Now, since the motoring authorities aren't completely stupid, they allow a range of things to be done to your car without having to get it engineered. Things such as changing your stereo. Tinting your windows. Changing your tyres, and yes, changing your wheels. Each state documents what you can and can't do without having your car engineered, and including what you can do in relation to your wheels and tyres.


Now, think about it - the placard in your fuel cap doesn't just say "18 92Y". It actually lists the full thing "225/40R18 92Y".
So would someone with 235/40R18 92Y then be booked?
What about someone who's put 16" wheels on so they can attach snow chains?

The rules in relation to changing wheels for your state will document that to allow for these examples, and others.
The placard is not a "legal specification", it is simply there as a guide to you, not determine "what is legal" to be placed on the car.

[noisuf]

Corey, many thanks for your advice and thoughts.

I'm glad that my tyre placard doesn't state this but I've seen a R32 tyre placard explicitly stating "The tyres fitted to this vehicle shall have a max load rating not less than 630kg or a load index of 92..."

My tyre placard doesn't states this but part of the reason why I was so iffy.

[99_FGT]

And any modification must meet the specification on the tyre spec as a minimum. Doesn't matter that it is not listed. If you replace the tyre placard you should be fine from the cops, but it is still not a legal mod if you fit 91 rated tyres.
Al..