The OE tire for the Chevy Volt is the Michelin Energy Saver A/S passenger tire. The OE tire is rated 91H. (Load Index: 91 (1356 lbs per tire) Speed Rating H: Top speed 130 MPH. If you have a tire with a higher speed rating (such as V) then the sidewall will be stiffer.

I would keep all 4 tires inflated to the same cold tire pressure reading; You can't tell anything by looking at the sidewall unless the tire is almost completely deflated.

 

Ah! you're right. Why did I think (and not check) the OEM was 95H? perhaps because I went to an online sire earlier and was recommended a 95H.

Thank you.

 

So you better not go faster than 130 mph... haha

 

Interesting tidbit about tire ratings -

The load rating is only valid at max sidewall PSI. This means if a tire has a 51 PSI max sidewall, which most of the LRR tires have, running at the 36 PSI recommended on my 2017's door placard means that the tire cannot safely handle the full load it's designed for.

I found this out when Firestone rebutted Ford's explaination on the Explorer tire blowouts and subsequent rollover accidents. Firestone publically stated that the door placard on the Explorer had such a low pressure that the tires weren't safe from blowout with four adults in the vehicle, much less their camping gear or other luggage. Ford had set the tire pressure low enough to lower the center of gravity of the Explorer to make it a more stable vehicle.

Bottom line, never go below the OEM rating for either load, speed, or tire pressure. You can always safely go above the load and speed ratings, and up to the max sidewall pressure, but not below them.

 

With the Volt you also have to consider the weight of the tire, the Energy Saver V rated tire weigh up to 2 lbs more than the current H rated tires. You will loose range at the expensive of a stiffer sidewall.

Been driving 2 months now on the 'New Formula' Energy Savers and they are an improvement on all metrics ... Smoother, Quieter, Better Handling, and most importantly Longer Range.
Highly recommended!

Lots of the OEM P/N tires still floating around in the supply chain, your looking for MFR# 16798 91H

Costco#
1149030 - MFR# 16798 91H 20 lbs - New Thread Formula
1064878 - MFR# 11674 91H 21 lbs - OEM Volt
1136776 - MFR# 33539 91H 22 lbs - OEM Bolt - Self Sealer
N/A ------ MFR# 51569 94V 22 lbs -- V Speed Rating

 

With the Volt you also have to consider the weight of the tire, the Energy Saver V rated tire weigh up to 2 lbs more than the current H rated tires. You will loose range at the expensive of a stiffer sidewall.

Been driving 2 months now on the 'New Formula' Energy Savers and they are an improvement on all metrics ... Smoother, Quieter, Better Handling, and most importantly Longer Range.
Highly recommended!

Lots of the OEM P/N tires still floating around in the supply chain, your looking for MFR# 16798 91H

Costco#
1149030 - MFR# 16798 91H 20 lbs - New Thread Formula
1064878 - MFR# 11674 91H 21 lbs - OEM Volt
1136776 - MFR# 33539 91H 22 lbs - OEM Bolt - Self Sealer
N/A ------ MFR# 51569 94V 22 lbs -- V Speed Rating

 

Not a good idea to mix tires like that. It creates unpredictable handling that could result in a loss of control. It's not as risky now with stability control but still, why take the risk when the OEM tires are readily available?

Stiffer sidewalls improve steering response and cornering behavior at the expense of ride. That's typically why you see the higher speed rated tires on performance models or trim variants - not because the car is expected to go over 150 mph.