Can someone please help me with some information about tires? I had my stock tires (Pirelli Rosso's) replaced at about 20,000 miles, with Pirelli PZero Nero's M+S. My question is regarding the size and ratings. The Rosso's and the Nero's are both 215/45R18 93W. What would be the difference if I had purchased 215/45ZR18 tires? Also, someone told me that the rating of tires for my car should be Z rated, however these tires are rated W. I'm so confused. Please Help.

 

That's the speed rating the higher letter the higher performance rating. I would go with a z rated tire but, this means the tire is softer so it will wear out faster the average a rated tire will be bald at about 15k miles. So do u want traction or milage?

 

the speed rating doesn't have much to do with tire wear....I install tires for a living......it means that you can go at a higher speed with the tire and it will not fail.....as for what shows tire wear......if you look at the side wall of a tire....you will see a 3 difit number.....followed by to sets of letters....those represent temp and traction ratings......the LOWER the treadwear number...the softer the tire...meaning you can corner better under load because the rubber is softer.....BUT...the trade off is you will have to replace the tire sooner......I had the 215/45/18s on my car also....went thru those in like 4 months.....I switched sizes....I'm running a 225/45/18.....there is more choices and the prices are better IMO......got any more questions.....feel free to ask....

 

Well, thanks guys. So far the tires I got haven't given me any trouble. They were replaced in Nov 07, and I have put less than 12,000 miles on them. But the service manager at the dealership said that the stock tires were Z rated and that's what they should be replaced with. But those tires aren't Z rated, are they? I really don't know much about tires. I have never had to replace tires on any vehicle before. And especially not all 4 at once. Do you think I did the right thing, or should I have gotten something else?

 

Alrighty if u say so! It must be a Cali thing cause every where else in the word a Z rated tire gets crapy wear! This would be y almost no Z rates tires have no warnt. U say u install tires... Did u just start yesterday cause im ASE certified and have been working in shops for almost 5 years now.

 

Don't mean any disrespect......cool that your ASE certified...but speed ratings don't have anything to do with tire wear.....yes I agree that Z rated tires have crappy wear.....but that due to the softer rubber.....I'll even link up some pages that support my statements.....

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=35

http://www.sullivantire.com/tires/speed_rating.aspx

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...4043009AA3uLW0

http://www.goodyeartires.com/kyt/readingATire/


the last link should help you out the next time you wann buy tires....

 

I don't mean that a z rated tire directly says u will get xxxxx miles. But it's a def fact the higher the speed rating the lower miles u will get out of it! Let's think about it ...... Higher speed rating has a softer runner compound for better dry traction, so it is going to wear
Much faster! My a rated tires on my car came with 10 depth and moe 3000 miles later they are at 7 ( no burnouts neither). Hmmm it's funny how that works ...... U can read and belive all u want but at the end of the day nothing beats real work experience! I'm real surprise that u claim to change tires and u do not k ow this unless u don't have any repeat customers. On paper they Canclaim all they want but ask anyone with z rated tires how many miles they get