Pirelli P4000 215/70ZR-15 tire?

[Duke W.]

Re: Pirelli P4000 215/70ZR-15 tire?

Fortunately, they are not manufactured by Coker, but Coker is the exclusive U. S. distributor for Michelin vintage tires, which I believe are still manufactured in-house by Michelin in Europe.

Duke

[Mark H.]

Re: Pirelli P4000 215/70ZR-15 tire?

Tire Rack shows one more option, though in a slightly smaller size -- the Kumho Solus KH16 all season grand touring tire is listed in the 205/70R-15 size with an "H" speed rating. $69 each. Unfortunately, I cannot locate any information about their construction.

[Duke W.]

Re: Pirelli P4000 215/70ZR-15 tire?

I've never seen a H or above rated tire that didn't have a spiral wound nylon cap belt. Below that two steel belts and two rayon or polyester radial plys is typical.

You might be able to find the construction basics on the mfgs. web site, and it is alway molded into the sidewall the the tire.

Duke

[Mark H.]

Re: Pirelli P4000 215/70ZR-15 tire?

I found this on the TR site (not sure how I missed it the first time around): "On the inside, twin steel belts are reinforced by nylon belt edge strips to provide high speed stability and durability, while polyester body plies provide carcass strength and a smooth ride." In some sizes, the tire is rated "V."

[Duke W.]

Re: Pirelli P4000 215/70ZR-15 tire?

Yeah, I forgot about that. Some H-rated tires have a nylon wrap at just the edges of the steel belts rather than a full width nylon belt, and some even have both.

Tread separations usually start at the edges of the steel belts, so a tire can earn a H rating with just the edge nylon belts, and they go a long way in preventing tread separations at normal speeds, which are WAAAAAAY to common on T and below rated tires that don't have ANY form of nylon wrap reinforment of the tread area.

Duke