Tire sizes - can I go to 205/60 15s?
OEL
Need to get new tires for my '96 SC1 really soon. It's got the factory 15"
alloy wheels on there now (with those crappy 185/65 Firestones). I've seen
some discussion here about brands (dunlop, michelins), but not about sizes.
The wheels are a 6" rim, so technically I can fit 195/60 or 205/60 on there
(have to drop to 60 AR to stay within 3% of the normal hieght). BUT, will
they fit in my wheel wells? It really doesn't seem to me that an extra 3/4"
is going to make any difference (though I haven't been able to put the car
up to look really well).
I called my local saturn dealer (Newark DE), but got some kid in parts that
hardly knew what I was talking about. After just asking if I can put 195 or
205s on the car, he put down the receiver, asked somebody else, and came
back with a simple "no". I don't believe him.
Has anyone here had success replacing their 185/65 R15 tires with 205/60
R15s??
-ed
estewart (at) udel.edu
I have not smoked a cigarette for: Three weeks, six days, 18 hours, 20
minutes and 9 seconds, and counting....
D. Coleman
> The wheels are a 6" rim, so technically I can fit 195/60 or 205/60 on there
> (have to drop to 60 AR to stay within 3% of the normal hieght). BUT, will
I was able to replace the stock P185/65R15s with P195/60R15s on my 96 SL2
without any issues. Don't know about the larger 205/60 size.
Dunlop has a tire size calculator on their size; look for "Fitment Guide" at
www.dunloptire.com. Their site seemed to indicate that 205/55 would work,
but didn't mention 205/60.
> -ed
> estewart (at) udel.edu
>
> I have not smoked a cigarette for: Three weeks, six days, 18 hours, 20
> minutes and 9 seconds, and counting....
Congrats. I used Zyban to help me quit and haven't touched one in 6 months
and counting.
Dan
--
(return address has been changed to protect the innocent)
SHUTOX
JellOwen
i currently am using 195/65's they do wonderfully as far as
205's i asked the guys at goodyear, and they were ready to put
them on, i just didnt really car to at the time, i dont see
where there would be a problem and neither did they, so go for it, if
it doesnt work, you may try a lower profile tire 205/55 or so.
good luck, my goodyear HPs have done a lot for the ride of my SL2
jeffrey lee
97 SL2
Erich
coupe with them. Handled pretty well (of course they were z rated.)
ErichR
94 SL2 HCS
OEL wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> Need to get new tires for my '96 SC1 really soon. It's got the factory 15"
> alloy wheels on there now (with those crappy 185/65 Firestones). I've seen
> some discussion here about brands (dunlop, michelins), but not about sizes.
>
> The wheels are a 6" rim, so technically I can fit 195/60 or 205/60 on there
> (have to drop to 60 AR to stay within 3% of the normal hieght). BUT, will
> they fit in my wheel wells? It really doesn't seem to me that an extra 3/4"
> is going to make any difference (though I haven't been able to put the car
> up to look really well).
>
> I called my local saturn dealer (Newark DE), but got some kid in parts that
> hardly knew what I was talking about. After just asking if I can put 195 or
> 205s on the car, he put down the receiver, asked somebody else, and came
> back with a simple "no". I don't believe him.
>
> Has anyone here had success replacing their 185/65 R15 tires with 205/60
> R15s??
>
Kirk Kohnen
Second Number: Aspect ratio in percentage. 60 means that the tire is 60% as
high as the tread is wide. 205-60 would mean that the tire is 123 mm high
(205mm x 60%).
Third number: Rim diameter in inches.
Sacto Guy wrote:
> Okay... for someone who doesn't know jack about tires... what do all of the
> different numbers mean?
>
> I once went to a Saturn dealership and asked if it was possible to put '98
> SC2 alloy wheels on my '98 SC1 that came with the regular wheels (14 inchers
> and not alloy) and they told me that they'd have to install different joints
> or something like that.
>
> Can someone explain to me if this is true and educate me a little? : )
>
> Christopher
>
> OEL wrote in message <6v2r0b$9bt$1...@news.udel.edu>...
Sacto Guy
Blue87T
>'98
>SC2 alloy wheels on my '98 SC1 that came with the regular wheels (14 inchers
>and not alloy) and they told me that they'd have to install different joints
The wheels would fit fine. They would however, have to change the PCM
calibration in the computer so your speedo would be accurate.
Erich
did put the larger wheels on his SC1 but , since he was into performance, went
ahead and converted the suspension to that of the SC2. I was told once, and this
was some time ago, that it wasn't necessary but advisable to add some component
of the suspension. Reason being in the weight difference between the 15" wheels
and larger tires that come on the 2's vs. the steel wheels and smaller tires on
the 1's.
FWIW,
Erich
94 SL2 HCS
Sacto Guy wrote:
> Okay... for someone who doesn't know jack about tires... what do all of the
> different numbers mean?
>
> I once went to a Saturn dealership and asked if it was possible to put '98
> SC2 alloy wheels on my '98 SC1 that came with the regular wheels (14 inchers
> and not alloy) and they told me that they'd have to install different joints
Blue87T
Dealers swap wheels all the time and don't change the suspension parts.
BiRaceFan
>The wheels are a 6" rim, so technically I can fit 195/60 or 205/60 on there
>(have to drop to 60 AR to stay within 3% of the normal hieght). BUT, will
>they fit in my wheel wells? It really doesn't seem to me that an extra 3/4"
>is going to make any difference (though I haven't been able to put the car
>up to look really well).
>
>
I have 205/55R15 Pirelli P4000 Super Tourings on my OEM 15" geartooth
(sawtooth?) alloys. No rubbing (for sure), fantastic traction, but loud and
rough. That tire in that size is not recommended for stock SL2s. Perhaps a
205/60 if it fits, or a tire with a softer sidewall.
Greg
93 SL2 AT
OEL
Erich <"webmaster"@kartracer.com> wrote in message
<6ve1i1$7r2$1...@winter.news.erols.com>...
>There is a difference in suspension between the 1's and 2's. I know someone
that
>did put the larger wheels on his SC1 but , since he was into performance,
went
>ahead and converted the suspension to that of the SC2. I was told once, and
this
>was some time ago, that it wasn't necessary but advisable to add some
component
>of the suspension. Reason being in the weight difference between the 15"
wheels
>and larger tires that come on the 2's vs. the steel wheels and smaller
tires on
>the 1's.
>
Not sure what you're getting at here. My SC1 came with aluminum alloy 15"
wheels on it. It would really surprise me if the suspension characteristics
between the two cars is different. In 96 all the SC2 had was pop-up
headlights, more adjustable seats and 25 extra HP due to the DOHC. At the
time, I couldn't justify the $1000+ extra for that. But, different
suspension systems? Again, I'd be surprised. Anyone know for sure?
-ed
I have not smoked a cigarette for: One month, two days, 19 hours, 59 minutes
and 16 seconds, and counting....
ea...@fa.disney.com
tires with no problems. Every dealer gave me a different answer as to
whether I could do it or not. One dealer even told me that my engine
wouldn't run correctly! After 56,000 miles on those tires, I will be
going to 205/55R15's to keep as close to the original diameter as
possible.
DG
most likely result in two problems: 1) reduced power, and 2) increased fuel
consumption. Beware.
ea...@fa.disney.com wrote in article <361BB2...@fa.disney.com>...
jcm300zx
experiened no problems with fit. Looks, rides, and handles much better
than the stock Firestones.
John
Sacto Guy
new every day." : )
Thanks again,
Christopher
Erich <"webmaster"@kartracer.com> wrote in message
<6ve1i1$7r2$1...@winter.news.erols.com>...
>There is a difference in suspension between the 1's and 2's. I know someone
that
>did put the larger wheels on his SC1 but , since he was into performance,
went
>ahead and converted the suspension to that of the SC2. I was told once, and
this
>was some time ago, that it wasn't necessary but advisable to add some
component
>of the suspension. Reason being in the weight difference between the 15"
wheels
>and larger tires that come on the 2's vs. the steel wheels and smaller
tires on
>the 1's.
>
>FWIW,
>
>Erich
>94 SL2 HCS
>
>Sacto Guy wrote:
>
>> Okay... for someone who doesn't know jack about tires... what do all of
the
>> different numbers mean?
>>
>> I once went to a Saturn dealership and asked if it was possible to put
'98
>> SC2 alloy wheels on my '98 SC1 that came with the regular wheels (14
inchers
>> and not alloy) and they told me that they'd have to install different
joints
>> or something like that.
>>
>> Can someone explain to me if this is true and educate me a little? : )
>>
>> Christopher
>>
>> OEL wrote in message <6v2r0b$9bt$1...@news.udel.edu>...
>> >Hello all,
>> >
>> >Need to get new tires for my '96 SC1 really soon. It's got the factory
15"
>> >alloy wheels on there now (with those crappy 185/65 Firestones). I've
seen
>> >some discussion here about brands (dunlop, michelins), but not about
sizes.
>> >
>> >The wheels are a 6" rim, so technically I can fit 195/60 or 205/60 on
there
>> >(have to drop to 60 AR to stay within 3% of the normal hieght). BUT,
will
>> >they fit in my wheel wells? It really doesn't seem to me that an extra
3/4"
>> >is going to make any difference (though I haven't been able to put the
car
>> >up to look really well).
>> >
Frank Yang
>
>IMHO using larger diameter tires than the car manufacturer recommends will
>most likely result in two problems: 1) reduced power, and 2) increased fuel
>consumption. Beware.
>
IMHO, your #1 reduced power is correct. I think a larger wheel will give
less rolling resistance thus decrease fuel consumption. Given everything
else is equal, of course.
That reminds me, I should test the rolling resistance on my new Michelin
X-Ones. They are the same size as my Firestones.
- Frank ('95 SL1)
Eric Penn
>
> Hello all,
>
> Need to get new tires for my '96 SC1 really soon. It's got the factory 15"
> alloy wheels on there now (with those crappy 185/65 Firestones). I've seen
> some discussion here about brands (dunlop, michelins), but not about sizes.
>
> The wheels are a 6" rim, so technically I can fit 195/60 or 205/60 on there
> (have to drop to 60 AR to stay within 3% of the normal hieght). BUT, will
> they fit in my wheel wells? It really doesn't seem to me that an extra 3/4"
> is going to make any difference (though I haven't been able to put the car
> up to look really well).
You can put a 195/60-15 (which was an option on earlier SC1's and is the
stock
size on the SC2) or a 205/55-15 for more sportiness. But don't put a
205/60-15
on there because that will be taller and slow the car down and throw off
the
speedo.
> I called my local saturn dealer (Newark DE), but got some kid in parts that
> hardly knew what I was talking about. After just asking if I can put 195 or
> 205s on the car, he put down the receiver, asked somebody else, and came
> back with a simple "no". I don't believe him.
195/60-15 is a stock size. What eedoit answered the phone?
> Has anyone here had success replacing their 185/65 R15 tires with 205/60
> R15s??
Don't do it man!
-eric
kewlbeanz
Eric Penn wrote in message <361DF3...@aol.com>...
Wait, how can a tire with the same sidewall height and 10mm wider be
signifigantly taller than a the same tire that is just one width down?
Beanboy
NYG Sport
Harry C. King III
kewlbeanz <mar...@rpi.edu> wrote:
>
>Wait, how can a tire with the same sidewall height and 10mm wider be
>signifigantly taller than a the same tire that is just one width down?
>
To get the height, you multiply the treadwidth by the second numer and
divide by 100. So, keeping the same (is this the right word?) aspect
ratio, say "60," and increasing your treadwidth will increase your height.
In this case, it would increase increase the height by 6mm. Now, multiply
that by both sides (top and bottom), and you have an increase of rolling
diameter of 12mm, which is about half of an inch.
Harry
--
Harry Crawford King III
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
uucp: ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!gtd845a
Internet: gtd...@prism.gatech.edu
Oolan Zimmer
kewlbeanz <mar...@rpi.edu> wrote:
>Wait, how can a tire with the same sidewall height and 10mm wider be
>signifigantly taller than a the same tire that is just one width down?
>
>NYG Sport
The second number is not the sidewall height, but the ratio of
sidewall height to tread width. 205/60/15 has a taller sidewall than
195/60/15, for instance.
The +0 size for 195/60/15 is 205/55/15, the +1 size is 205/50/16, the
+2 size is 205/45/17. I guess it would be possible to go +3, but I
wouldn't recommend it for the street.
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Oolan Zimmer http://www-csag.cs.uiuc.edu/~o-zimmer|
|Computer Science Department o-zi...@cs.uiuc.edu|
|University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (217)244-7116|
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
Eric Penn
>
> Okay... for someone who doesn't know jack about tires... what do all of the
> different numbers mean?
the numbers tell what size the tire is and what wheels it's for
195/60-15 means a section width of 195 mm, 60 is the aspect ratio
meaning
the sidewall tire is 60% as tall compared to the section width. 15 is
the
diameter in inches of the wheel that the tire will fit. having mixed
mm/inches
sucks but that's how it is.
> I once went to a Saturn dealership and asked if it was possible to put '98
> SC2 alloy wheels on my '98 SC1 that came with the regular wheels (14 inchers
> and not alloy) and they told me that they'd have to install different joints
> or something like that.
they must have been smoking a joint when they said that. the wheels
should fit
with no other mods. it used to be (still is) an option to get 15" (sc2
size)
wheels on an sc1.
> Can someone explain to me if this is true and educate me a little? : )
>
> Christopher
mm kay...
OEL
>The second number is not the sidewall height, but the ratio of
>sidewall height to tread width. 205/60/15 has a taller sidewall than
>195/60/15, for instance.
>
>The +0 size for 195/60/15 is 205/55/15, the +1 size is 205/50/16, the
>+2 size is 205/45/17. I guess it would be possible to go +3, but I
>wouldn't recommend it for the street.
>
Hold on a second. As the original poster (who hasn't yet saved enough $$ for
4 new tires) I'm a bit confused here. The general rule of thumb for +-
sizing new tires is to stay within 3% of the original tire's side wall
height. My car came with 185/65s and thus a 120.25mm sidewall. 195/60 and
205/60 (117mm and 123mm are both within 3% of this number [123.86mm]. BUT,
205/55 (112.75mm) aren't! 120.25-3%=116.6mm.
Thus, even though 195/60s may have been standard, mine came with 185/65s, so
that 205/60 is the +2 size, and not 205/55! Obviously, as stated above, the
+1 for 195/60s would be 205/55. Shouldn't I get 205/60s? PS. they're
cheaper too. Pretty much the only tires that come in 205/55 are v or z-rated
really high-performance tires. I can move up to h-rated 205/60s for like
$65/tire instead of v-rated 205/55s for $85+/tire.
Thanks for all the info so far, but can anyone answer this last part
accurately?
-ed
I have not smoked a cigarette for: One month, one week, one day, 10 minutes
and 26 seconds, and counting....
Harry C. King III
>4 new tires) I'm a bit confused here. The general rule of thumb for +-
>sizing new tires is to stay within 3% of the original tire's side wall
>height. My car came with 185/65s and thus a 120.25mm sidewall. 195/60 and
>205/60 (117mm and 123mm are both within 3% of this number [123.86mm]. BUT,
>205/55 (112.75mm) aren't! 120.25-3%=116.6mm.
It is 3% of rolling diamter. Stock RD is 24.47" 205/55R15s are 23.88"
which is 2.4% smaller. 205/60s are 24.69" which is 0.9% larger. Yeah,
they are closer, but going larger will slow you down, in addition to
increase your liklihood of scrubbing.
OEL
because of the larger tire/higher moment of inertia ==> slower car problem.
Now, the question is, do I need to worry about recalibration of the
speedometer or odometer? Consider the following table:
Width AR Sidewall(mm) Wheel(mm) Circ. %diff Speed
185 65 120.25 381 1952.5 0
60
195 60 117 381 1932.1 -1.0
59.37
205 60 123 381 1969.8 0.88
60.53
205 55 112.75 381 1905.4 -2.4
58.55
Sorry for the crappy spacing, but when keeping to plain text & proportional
font, tables are tough.
The above assumes that my speedo is perfrectly calibrated for my current
tires/wheels (185/65 R15) [valid assumption?]. There is a simple linear
realationship between circumference and speedo reading, so I just calculate
the %difference between original and new circumference and apply it to an
example speed of 60mph. Now, both the /60s are really close to the expected
60mph. However, if I drop to 205/55s, it's about 1.5mph off now. The speedo
will be telling me I'm doing 60, but I'm really only doing 58.5.
Granted, this isn't really too important to me, but the odometer is going to
be similarly changed. I will actually be putting 2.4% more miles on the car
than what's registering. Is this illegal? Should I keep track of it for
3000mi oil changes? Since I should do it every 2928 miles. Again, not much
of a difference, but it could add up. If this car reaches 100,000 miles on
this tire size (65,000 more), than it will actually have travelled 101,560
miles when the odometer reads 100k! Is the recalibration of an odometer
expensive? Is it worth doing?
Thanks for any insight.
-ed
I have not smoked a cigarette for: One month, one week, two days, 22 hours,
2 minutes and 49 seconds, and counting....
Jay Millikan
than 3% overall, you're going to mess up your ABS calibration. Check with
Saturn. They may be able to re-program and help you out!
Jay Millikan
OEL
Hmmm. More to think about. Yes, I do have ABS. I didn't know, however, that
there is a calibration for that. I had always assumed that the ABS kickes in
when one applies the brakes and the angular momentum drops too fast, leading
to a point where skidding would begin. The change in angular momentum
should not be affected by tire/wheel size. However, if there is an absulute
value that is used to tell the system to kick in the ABS, then this could
obviously be affected.
Anyone else got an observation on this?
Darn, and thought swapping tire sizes would be trivial.
-ed
Jay Millikan wrote in message <36250E79...@psyber.com>...
Pete Holsberg
Harry C. King III <gtd...@prism.gatech.edu> wrote:
=In article <6vtrhe$es8$1...@news.udel.edu>, OEL <som...@udel.edu> wrote:
=
=>4 new tires) I'm a bit confused here. The general rule
=>of thumb for +- sizing new tires is to stay within 3% of
=>the original tire's side wall height. My car came with
=>185/65s and thus a 120.25mm sidewall. 195/60 and 205/60
=>(117mm and 123mm are both within 3% of this number
=>[123.86mm]. BUT, 205/55 (112.75mm) aren't!
=>120.25-3%=116.6mm.
=
=It is 3% of rolling diamter. Stock RD is 24.47"
=205/55R15s are 23.88" which is 2.4% smaller. 205/60s are
=24.69" which is 0.9% larger. Yeah, they are closer, but
=going larger will slow you down, in addition to increase
=your liklihood of scrubbing.
I have 225/50R15s on all four corners and get mild rubbing
only at extreme right lock.
Pete
--
Pete Holsberg
MCCC
Trenton, NJ
JellOwen
only at extreme right lock.
Pete
--
Pete Holsberg
MCCC
Trenton, NJ
is that on your factory rims????
Ryan Cassidy
but if you are running 225/50-15's then your speedo is going to be off a
considerable amount. Not a good idea. And if you look at if from a milage
standpoint, I sure that has to be documented in the re-sale of the car,
since you are in effect altering the milage shown from the actual milage
traveled.
--
Ryan Cassidy
Http://www.datasys.net/~ryan
Business Management and Economics Major
Valdosta State University, Valdosta GA
JellOwen <jell...@aol.com> wrote in message
19981019180145...@ng111.aol.com...