1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

"B" Temperature Rating on Dunlop SP10, Okay?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by cb474, Oct 10, 2010.

  1. cb474

    cb474 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2010
    12
    0
    0
    Location:
    MC
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm just reading up about replacement tires for a 2003 Prius. Not wanting to get into fussing with tire pressure with non-standard tires, I basically choosing between the two OEM tires, the Bridgestone Potenza RE92 and the Dunlop SP10.

    I noticed the Dunlops get a "B" temperature rating, compared to an "A" for the Bridgestones. Should I be concerned about this? I am in an area that gets a fair amount of hot (over 90 degree) weather. Could the lower temperature rating be an issue for driving on the freeway on hot days?

    That aside, I also read in another couple year old thread someone saying the Dunlops have been discontinued, although I still see them for sale at Tire Rack. Should I assume any Dunlops for sale have been sitting on the shelf for a long time?

    Thanks for any help.
     
    #1 cb474, Oct 10, 2010
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    3,850
    1,843
    1
    Location:
    Trumbull, CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    I have had a personal policy for many years of ONLY buying tires with an "A" temperature rating. Anything lower is (IMHO) unsafe at highway speeds in hot weather.

    JeffD
     
    #2 jdenenberg, Oct 10, 2010
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,472
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Dunlop SP10 is still shown on the Dunlop website so I assume it remains in production:
    Dunlop Tires - Find The Right Tire - Tire Specifications=

    Temperature rating A is better than B. However tires with temp ratings of C can be sold. I used SP10 tires in the past when I owned my 2001. They are about the same as the RE92 tires in terms of handling and tread life.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Oct 10, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)