Hi,

Have heard that there is only one brand of tire to use for Jaguars. Is this true? I have a 1994 XJ6 - what are the proper tires for this car? Thanks very much.

George

 

Hi George. If your vehicle is still fitted with 'TD' wheels then your tyre choice is restricted to either Dunlop's TD SP Super Sport D7, 220/65 VR 390 or Michelin's TDXV, 220/65 VR 390. The reason for this is that TD wheel/tyre packages as used to be supplied by Jaguar incorporate a special groove in the rim which prevents the tyre coming off the rim in the event of a blowout, helping the driver maintain control of the car. For safety reasons, normal tyres cannot be used with this type of wheel & to prevent this from happening the whole TD wheel/tyre package are in metric sizes (normal wheels/tyres are imperial diameters)
It will be easy to see what type of wheel/tyre you have, just check the markings on the tyre. If they read something like '225/60 ZR16' then you have normal imperial wheels fitted & much more choice of tyres, if they read '220/65 VR 390', then they are metric & you are indeed restricted to the two types of tyre above. The important factor in the two tyre sizes I have highlighted are 16 (inches) and 390 (millimetres)

 

Thanks, MessyXJ. Really appreciate the information. Mine has the normal imperial wheels, which, as you said, gives me a much wider choice. I'm wondering now, is there a "preferred" tire used on Jaguars? Pirellis, Dunlop, Michelins? Thanks.

George

 

Hi George, Personally I still run TD wheels with Dunlops on my XJ40. I have previously used Pirelli P6000 imperial tyres on a 1985 BMW 'Sharknose' 735 & would thoroughly recommend them as I found these tyres to be extremely grippy & well mannered in all conditions from 30c heat to blizzard conditions. I also believe that Pirelli's P-Zero is a very good tyre, although I'm not sure if the correct size would be available for your car.

 

Thanks, MessyXJ, for your kind advice. Really appreciate it.

George

 

Not a problem. I hope that this has been a help to you, I understand the Pirelli's are not the cheapest of tyres by a long shot but what price your own (and other's) safety, not to mention driving pleasure???
Let me know what you think of them on the Jag. When they've scrubbed in. Cheers, Dan. [sm=smiley20.gif]

 

Hi, very interesting, mine are the original Pirelli P5, now the car has 57.000 km, seems that soon need to change to new tires, do you know where i get the original P5 Pirellis?
as they look fantastic and even run very smooth. Thanks soo much in advance. Sebastian

 

I would imagine that any tyre fitters worth their salt would have no trouble ordering up the correct boots for your vehicle. If you struggle to find a source, a Jaguar dealership may be able to help, although they may be a little pricey. Alternatively you could contact Pirelli themselves...