I'm a new S80 owner and it's time for my 1st set of tires. I have Pirelli P6's which are 245/40R18, 97Y rated. I am trying to choose between Continental ExtremeContact DWS (93Y), Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (93Y) or sticking with an equivalent 97Y rated tire. Concern is the 93Y vs. 97Y. At least one retailer won't sell me anything less than 97Y, citing that they don't install anything less than the OEM rating on the tires. Learned that 93Y is "standard load" and 97Y is XL. Since I'm driving the S80 as a touring car & for work, will SL tires be good enough? ANy good/bad experiences with either of these 93Y tires?

 

I have the pirelli p6s. As soon as they go I will be gping to the contis. Have not heard anything bad about them.

 

I put 235/45R17 DWS on my S80 and the ride and handling have improved. The wet tracion is outstanding.

 

I did more research and after reading your inputs, I'm going with the Conti DWS! Will post news about their performance once I have some miles on them.

 

I have been selling tires for years ... I would not sell you 93 load index tires when Volvo calls for a 97 load index. You are reducing the weight carrying capacity of the tires. If you would have a "blow-out" due to load capacity , who's responsible ??? Insurance companies live for these mistakes ! Think twice about what you are doing.
Just my 2 cents worth ...

 

Go to TireRack's web site and pull up DWS's specs. You will see they have a XL tire in the 235/45x18. They should fit.

 

I appreciate that you took time share your knowledge about the tires. This is why I asked and did extensive research. The 93 rating = 1433#/tire. 4 Tires would equal 5732 lb load capacity. The GVW of my S80 is 4820 lbs so the Conti DWS should be good enough. The rating of 2 tires exceeded the max axle weights for front OR rear, too. TireRack has FAQs which address the load rating as well as the speed rating. My S80's OEM 97Y tire pressure is 35 psi, same as the 93Y. A 97 rated tire CAN be inflated to greater than 35 psi for additional load bearing capacity, to 41 psi. OK, so I won't have that option. I won't be towing anything and my normal loading of the car is far below the 900# which is the max allowable weight carried or towed by the S80. If I'm missing something, what is it? The 93 load rating is considered "standard load". It appears that a "std load" tire would work well enough.

 

Thanks for the news about the different tire size with the XL rating. Will check that out, too.