Forgive the newbie-ness of my post. I'm going to be taking a foreign language in "Auto Mechanic".
I just got my '95 Jaguar XJS a couple weeks ago and have read thru the owners manuals.
I've gone thru the receipts that the former owner had given me and the Carfax that I had pulled.
I will be going thru a lot of maintenance that I think was neglected to get my beautiful car pristine.
I have seen on the receipts that the tires have been rotated.

One of the next items on my checklist is to replace the tires.
From looking at the current tires (as well as the receipt it was purchased) it appear the tires are all the same - 225/60R-16
From reading the vehicle care manual it states that there are 2 different sizes of tires need for the car - 225/55 ZR-16 (front) and 225/60 ZR-16 (rear)
Recommended Type is the Pirelli P 4000 E 225/60 ZR 16 (Pirelli P4000 are discontinued)

My question is, should I get the 2 different sizes of tires for the front and back or stay with the 1 size all the way around.
What would you recommend for a performance and all season type of tire.

 

Congrats on the car purchase!

You've read the handbook slightly wrongly. Late XJS were fitted with either 225/60 16 OR 225/55 16. But they have the same tyre on all 4 wheels.

In the UK, Coupes came with Sports suspension and 225/55 tyres whilst Convertibles came with Touring suspension and 225/60 tyres.

Personally, I prefer 225/55 and changed to them many years ago. A slightly stiffer tyre.

So, its the same tyre all round. Just a choice of what you prefer.

Cheers

Paul

 

It is advisable that the tire size shall not be mix matched. The circumference difference will have a great balance impact on the performance of your vehicle. In some European countries that will also bring you unwanted traffic fines.

 

If it was my car - and assuming you're not planning on driving it in the snow - I would take a look at the BF Goodrich T/A in 225/60-16. About $150 a tire and it's a Grand Touring All Season (Deliver a satisfying balance of good year-round traction, comfortable ride and reasonable tread life.) tire.

If you are planning on driving in the snow and are not planning on a set of dedicated snows, I would look at the $135 Firestone Weathergrip (it's a Grand Touring All Season with the 3PMSF symbol) but just remember it's a compromise tire. I'd also look at the Nokian WR G4 that is their All Weather tire with the 3PMSF symbol.

 

I was very happy with the BF Goodrich Advantage TA 225/60x16. Had two sets of them. Great all-purpose tire, V-speed rating, 98 load rating, 560 wear rating. Quiet, excellent in the wet, no vices that I could discover.

Note that BFG makes many different tires with the "TA" designation. I'm talking about the "Advantage TA"

Cheers
DD

 

Yep - that's the one I was talking about.

 

Agree with other posters, never mix tire sizes.
I have always been happy with Pirelli, and that extends to the P-ZERO.

 

Thanks everyone!
I got the tires replaced with Michelin Defender 225/60 R16.
The records i had showed the tires have been rotated but was last purchased in 2008.

I forgot to get the spare tire replaced but that's going to be a different day.

 

I just had new tires installed... went with the Michelin Premier A/S 225/60R16 98H... they were $165 a pop, and had all 5 replaced (old spare was barley used, but due to age and potential tire rot, replaced it as well), now with the new shoes she is a happy cat.

 

Just curious - what are the rules in the US on tyre ratings / insurance etc ?- T and H wouldn't be OK in the UK, whilst they generally wouldn't raise too much of an eyebrow with law enforcement it could if they were so inclined, and in an accident insurance are likely to null and void you - Jaguar XJS needs to be at least V and preferrably W I believe - it is irrelevant how fast you drive since anything past 70 isn't legal here anyhow, if you provide an out for an insurance company they will take it and leave you high and dry.

 

Not an issue at all. Nobody cares, looks, or notices what kind of tires you have and insurance companies have no such provisions/exclusions.

I suspect this is because tire failures account for only a very small percentage of accidents. I can't remember the exact number....something like 3%. And, of that 3%, the majority of cases involve under-inflated tires or worn-out tires. Having the wrong type/size tire would likely account for a miniscule percentage of accidents/claims.

An exception would be those who attempt driving in ice/snow with the wrong tires. That's not very smart and causes a lot of crashes. But, in the USA, insurance is there to protect us against the stupid things we do

Anyhow, I'd be furious if an insurance claim was denied due to wrong tires if the accident had nothing to do with the tires. Does that ever actually happen in he UK?

Cheers
DD

 

Regrettably it does happen, they will null and void insurance for not being road legal and that means license, insurance, MOT - not something some states in the USA have - basically our cars have to submit to government testing once per year, they will also send engineers to inspect your vehicle post accident in some cases and if you don't pass inspection - insurance void - you are obligated to maintain the car in what is considered a roadworthy condition. Whilst many shrug off the potential risk this exposes you to 3rd party claims that can get significant and if there's no insurance to cover it you had better have deep pockets and significant reserves.

If there's a get out clause / option they will take it here.

 

Vehicle safety checks in the USA have fallen by the wayside over the decades; I don't think very many states require them nowadays; maybe a dozen or so. And it can vary county-by-county within a state.

Those remaining are not very in-depth, I imagine.

Emissions checks are another matter but, again, varying by state or county. A contentious subject best avoided on a nice Saturday morning

Cheers
DD

 

Even if the accident has nothing to do with the condition of the vehicle?

It seems very unfair.....nay, outright wrong.....to nullify coverage in such a situation.


Grrrrrrrr !


Cheers
DD