fairenough

I recently bought a CPO Q7 that needs new 275/45-20 tires. The all-seasons that are on there are the Continental 4x4 Contact which IMHO don't ride very well and of course are also rated poorly on the TireRack website. I was browsing through the options and the Goodyear Fortera SL looks interesting...highest rated in it's category and is inexpensive. Only difference I can really see is that the load rating of the OEM tire is 110 while the Fortera is 106. Clearly this drops the load limit down a few hundred pounds, so my first questions is whether you consider this a problem for the Q7? I'm guessing since TireRack lists many options for the Q7 in that tire size, some with load rating 110 and some with load rating 106, that you guys consider both to be okay. But would like to hear your thoughts since you've always given me good advice in the past. If it matters, I don't tow anything with the Q7 but I do load it down pretty good on long road trips, etc.

Second question is regarding snow tires...I picked up an extra set of 20" wheels and would like to get the Pirelli Scorpionn Ice & Snow in 275/45 but they are out of stock on the TireRack website. Can you check to see if you'll be getting any more of these in soon? I don't really need "performance" winter tires like the LM-25, which look to be the only other option. And yes, I know many will argue that I should downsize, but for my purposes in the Chicago area these are fine. So please let me know if you think another shipment will be arriving soon or whether you're out of them for the season.

THANKS!!!

EBG 18T [Eric]

The LM25 is listed being a tad narrower which would be nice in the snow too. Plus the Lm25 is $20 a tire cheaper. which would offset the shipping ammount.

fairenough

I ran LM-25s on my B5 S4 and they were a good match for that given that I still wanted a high level of performance in the winter, but they did not have the same ice/snow traction that my wife's Murano had with non-performance winter tires (Grandtrek SJ5).

EBG 18T [Eric]

understanding. perforamance winter tires do give up some snow/ice traction. i run 'q' rates snows on both our cars

fairenough

...but I'm speculating that the Scorpion Ice & Snow has a little better traction than the LM-25, and I don't know of any other options out there.

EBG 18T [Eric]

you only have a couple options unfortunatly. flip a coin and the winner gets ordered..

Gary@Tirerack.com

Both tires have enough load capacity to meet the gross axle weight rating of the Q7 so no problem there. We are expecting more of the Pirellis in this size, but unforunately not until late November. At this point the very capable LM25 is the last available option.<ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AR8&amp;url=/winter/index.jsp">winter</a></li></ul>

fairenough

Looks like the "gross vehicle weight rating" for the Q7 is 6751 lbs, which if I understand correctly includes the vehicle itself, its load, and the tongue weight from anything it's towing, right?

So if the SL tire I'm looking at has a 106 rating for up to 2049 lbs, then four of those tires should be able to handle 8196, assuming the payload is evenly distributed. It wouldn't be of coruse, but there would be 1445 lbs extra capacity to stay on the safe side.

Is that about right? If so, why would Audi put XL rated tires on there in the first place?