JARGON BUSTERS

Sidewall Markings

• XL (Extra Load): A reinforced tyre designed to carry more weight. Essential for heavy modern cars and Electric Vehicles.
• FR / FSL (Rim Protector): A raised rubber ridge that shields your alloy wheels from scratches when parking near kerbs.
• OE Marks (MO, AO, ★): Codes showing the tyre was custom-engineered and approved by brands like Mercedes, Audi, or BMW for their specific vehicles.

Key Features

• 3PMSF (Snowflake Symbol): An official certification proving the tyre is safe and legal for use in severe winter and snow conditions.
• EverGrip Technology: Clever grooves that evolve as the tyre wears, ensuring it maintains excellent wet grip and safety until the very last mile.
• MaxTouch Construction: Evenly distributes the car's weight across the tread to prevent uneven wear, resulting in a longer-lasting tyre.
• EV Ready: Specifically designed to handle the heavy weight and high power of electric cars while maximizing battery range and reducing road noise.

Popular Saloons, Hatchbacks, and Estates (16" Fitments)

• Audi A3 (Hatchback/Saloon)
• BMW 1 Series (Hatchback, with BMW-specific * marked OE tyres)
• Ford Focus (Hatchback/Estate)
• Hyundai i30 (Hatchback/Estate)
• Mercedes-Benz A-Class (Hatchback, with MO marked OE tyres)
• Opel Astra (Hatchback/Estate)
• Skoda Octavia (Hatchback/Combi Estate)
• Toyota Corolla (Hatchback/Saloon/Touring Sports)
• Volkswagen Golf (Hatchback/Estate)
• Volkswagen Passat (Saloon/Estate)

Summer tyres are most common in Ireland, offering peak fuel efficiency mileage and grip when temperatures stay above 7°C. However, they are not the official standard for winter safety. Motorists must show caution in cold conditions; below 7°C, summer rubber hardens, significantly compromising grip and wet braking performance on cold, saturated Irish roads.

All-Season tyres are the superior "fit-and-forget" solution for Ireland's wet, temperate climate. Specifically engineered to remain flexible in the cold, they provide shorter stopping distances on near-freezing, rain-soaked surfaces and carry the 3PMSF certification for frost and light snow. They offer total year-round peace of mind without the hassle of seasonal swaps.

Load Rating: Maximum Weight Capacity Explained

The load index is a numerical code representing the maximum weight in kgs that a single tyre can safely carry. To ensure safety, the combined capacity of all four tyres must exceed the vehicle’s total weight when fully loaded.

Speed Rating: Maximum Velocity Explained

Represented by a letter, the speed rating indicates the maximum kph a tyre can maintain over a prolonged period. Higher speed ratings are engineered to handle the heat and stresses generated at faster speeds more effectively.

Quick Reference Guide

• Check your requirements: You can find the specific requirements for your vehicle on the tyre information plate (usually located on the driver-side door pillar) or in the owner's manual.
• Replacement rule: It is vital never to fit a tyre with a lower load index or speed rating than those recommended by the manufacturer.
• Common Ratings: Standard ratings include T (190 kph), H (210 kph), and V (240 kph). You can view a full conversion table below..

The following 16" sizes for the MICHELIN CrossClimate 3 are available in the Irish market. Most sizes in the range are reinforced (XL) and feature a rim protector (FR) to handle the demands of year-round driving.

Common & Special Versions (XL & FR)

• 195, 45, R16, 84V, XL, FR
• 195, 55, R16, 91V, XL, FR
• 195, 55, R16, 91W, XL, FR
• 205, 45, R16, 87W, XL, FR
• 205, 55, R16, 91H
• 205, 55, R16, 91V
• 205, 55, R16, 94V, XL, FR
• 205, 55, R16, 94W, XL, FR
• 205, 60, R16, 92H
• 205, 60, R16, 96W, XL
• 215, 55, R16, 97V, XL
• 215, 60, R16, 99V, XL
• 215, 65, R16, 102V, XL
• 225, 50, R16, 96W, XL, FR
• 225, 55, R16, 99W, XL