On Nov 16, 8:38*am, AD > wrote:
> Parking here is extremely tight. Hence softroading is common if not
> mandatory :-[
> I got onto a packed dirt embankment lately and it looked like the rear
> right was nearly off
> the ground (A4 with sport suspenders has extremely beefy front and
> rear sway bars and i think
> that was a contributing factor to my one-wheel-in-the-air scenario).
>
> The Michelin X-Ice 2 are 195 65R15 and the front right tire was
> severely squished,
> as if it had 10psi (it actually is inflated to 32).
> It seems that two diagonally opposed tires (FR & RL) were severely
> overloaded while FL was
> carrying maybe 1/8th of the car weight. XI2 survived somehow with
> about 3800lbs worth of
> a car essentially resting on 2.5 tires; thusly I wonder
> to what extent the passenger tires are overbuilt.
>
> Me thinks if I have 91 load rating that's 1356lbs and 3800/2.5 is
> 1520lbs.
> If one manages to get two tires in the air that's 1900lbs per tire -
> waaaay over the 1356lbs rating.
> A blowout is sure to follow or not?
>
> Now suppose I deflate to 25lbs before venturing into soft sands, load
> capacity should drop lower yet, right?
>
> thanks
____________________

Just as an aside - what are the speed ratings of your tires?
Typically you'll see an S,T,H, or V rating mixed in with the size.
Mine are P-205/60*H*R-16. The answer you give may explain the
appearance of your sidewalls.
-CC