Rotation a small price to pay for convenience

John Mahler

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Q: Last winter I bought a set of Nokian WR tires after reading about them in your column. They are excellent, but I think your readers should be made aware that they have directional tread. This is a real disadvantage to anyone planning to leave them on year round.

A:Yes, the tires are directional and should not be run in the incorrect direction. Sorry, I can't agree that the tire's directional tread pattern is an issue. For rotation just move them front to back and vice versa.

For every second rotation, if the wear is uneven, they do have to be taken off the rims and moved to the opposite side of the car, then the next time front to back again.

Granted, every second tire rotation costs a bit more but to me it is worth it to be able to run one tire all year.

Q: I have a 2009 VW Jetta Wagon with a 2.5 L gas engine. Specs call for a P205/55R16 tire rated 91 H.

I'm interested in the Canadian Tire Goodyear Nordic tire listed in your top 10 picks and which is currently on sale at a very good price. However, in this size the tire is only rated 89 S. The salesman I spoke to says this "doesn't make a difference."

We drive mostly around Barrie, occasionally on highways at or slightly above the limit, usually without any load other than two people. Would the lower-rated load and speed ratings still be safe?

A: Changing speed and load ratings down is never a good idea. However, for winter it is often done because winter tires usually come in lower ratings. The load index 91 indicates a capacity of 615 kg for the tire. An index of 89 equals a 580 kg rating per tire. To achieve that load rating the tire must be run at its maximum inflation of 35 psi.

Your car calls for 34 psi on its OE tires. That equates to slightly less than the full 615 kg of load capacity (load capacity is always measured at maximum psi). So the load difference of less than 45 kg seems to be within an acceptable range for the winter if you make sure to keep the new tires at full inflation at all times. The lower speed rating is fine; again make sure to maintain pressures. There is little chance of overheating during the winter.

PERSISTANCE PAYS: Chalk one up to determination. Three New Brunswick mothers who lost their sons two years ago in the crash of a school van have secured the loan of a multi-function activity vehicle (MFAV) minibus for tire testing.

The women launched their campaign after learning that minibuses used to take kids to extracurricular sports events in New Brunswick are equipped with winter tires in the rear and all-seasons In the front. Transport Canada recommends using winter tires on all axles.

No MFAV minibus has ever been tire-tested in North America. Two weeks ago in Wheels, I urged the New Brunswick government, or any other willing party, to provide such a vehicle for this purpose.

Happily, MicroBird by Girardin Minibus Inc. of Drummondville, Que., has offered a new MFAV minibus for the test. Continental Tire has agreed to do the testing at its own expense at its test facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. And the Loblaw grocery chain will pay to transport the MFAV by flatbed truck from Quebec to Michigan.

The tests should finally show which tires are safest for school vehicles.

Email tire questions to John Mahler at thetireguy_1@hotmail.com. Please include vehicle's make, model and year, tire brand and size, as well as your name, address and phone number.

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