Wheels/Tyres: Changing from low profiles to non low-profiles

[Laney760]

I have done a search on this but would like to be real gemmed up, I'm asking for my Dad, a pensioner, car a 2.5 850, he needs new tyres and is wondering about changing from low profile to ordinary tyres, I assume for reasons of economy. From what I've read he'll get worse handling but his alloys are less likely to buckle with normal tyres on. Is he wise to do this, will this cause more wear in other steering and suspension components? Many thanks

[scottishvolvo]

Just a guess, I'm sure someone will correct me if it is wrong. Would he need to inform his insurance if the standard fit is low profiles and he is putting non standard on. Like you say it might affect the handling. As you know, insurerers will try everything not to pay out.

[ovlov25]

The numbers on the tyre sidewall can tell you alot.

195/60VR15

195 tells us the tyre is 195mm wide ( a 195 wide tyre, depending on profile will fit on a rim between 5.5 - 7 inches wide )

60 - This is the profile, a percentage of the tyre width

VR - Tells us the speed rating V= 149mph and its a R for Radial tyre.

15 - the wheel diameter in inches


Cars are designed to take various wheel and tyre sizes. Without changing the wheel it isn't really possible to change the tyre profile by any great margin without a compromise.

The 850 range used a few different sizes

195/60R15
205/50R16
205/45R17

All these tyre sizes do have more or less the same overall rolling radius and thus the same gearing. I would deem anything less than a 50 profile to be 'low'

Some of the cars I fit wheels to use really tiny 25 profile tyres, however the width is such that this still gives a decent tyre widewall height.

I would advise your Dad to stick with what Volvo fitted originally, increasing the tyre profile with affect the gearing of the car and more than likely hurt fuel consumption for very little comfort gain. If you can tell me what size is fitted I can advise a little further.

[Laney760]

Thanks, I'll get the size, did try a while back to get him Michellins in his size, he wanted Michellins, very expensive

Edited, about to answer my own question. Turns out whats fitted is 205 502 R16 87W and he had a chance of a set of brand new Michellins on alloys for £200 but wheel size 205 45 R17s. He got fed up with waiting for me and rang Volvo, they told him not to do it, said it would mess up his abs

Many thanks all, I think he was in a hurry so as not to lose out on such a good deal, he didn't explain to me, I could have checked on the wheel & tyre bible. Think he gave me that first tyre size wrong, no didn't

[Juzzaman]

It would be helpful if you posted current tyre sizes and ones proposed aswell?

As stated in previous post, if he changes the profile this will probably knock the speedo out even more then it already is! In every car ive owned the speedo goes out by about 7 mph @ 80mph anyway! Let alone with actually changing the circumferance aswell..

Just my 2p's worth :P

Justin

[Juzzaman]

www.rochfordtyres.co.uk (think it forwards somewhere else)

Very cheap tyres and free delivery.. Cant beat em!!

G/F picked up 2 x Avon ZV5's (225 45 17) for 170 inc delivery (which was free) lol

Hope this helps

Justin

[ovlov25]

Try Camskill.co.uk

So good I even use them when I'm caught short for stock

Changing wheel and tyre size does not mess up the ABS BTW, problems come from throwing the gearing out too much or wider tyres catching bodywork etc. The 850 doesn't have much room to be messing about with tyre sizes.

[Laney760]

Originally Posted by ovlov25

Try Camskill.co.uk

So good I even use them when I'm caught short for stock

Changing wheel and tyre size does not mess up the ABS BTW, problems come from throwing the gearing out too much or wider tyres catching bodywork etc. The 850 doesn't have much room to be messing about with tyre sizes.

Thanks, I normally use this to calculate change in speedo, etc:

http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html

Thought he was just changing type not size, he didn't explain very well in his excitement about his possible bargain!

I'll tell him that its questionable about the abs, thank you

Thanks everyone, I'll check out prices for him now

[cam]

hi laney,inside the fuel flap are 4 different sizes of tyre but only 1 for the 16"you may be able to go up a profile 55 instead of 50 but not much more i would have thought , cam.