195 tires on 7" wide wheels

[JHZR2]

Hello,

For 195 width tires, 7" wide Is the maximum wheel width ghat seems to be acceptable by the manufacturers (according to tires I've looked at on tirerack). The tires would be 60 or 65 aspect ratio.

What are the downsides to going to the manufacturer's max rim width? Does it make a difference which aspect ratio I choose if stretching out to the max width?

Thanks!

 

[CapriRacer]

The allowable rims widths are designed to be largely inconsequential to tire performance.

And, yes, different aspect ratios have different ranges.

But if I remember correctly, you were looking at 195/70R14's and possibly changing to a larger diameter rim. If that is still part of your query, then be absolutely sure you are not going down in load carrying capacity. Use the Load Index as a guide - and larger is better.

 

[229]

If it's the recommended maximum then it is fine no matter the aspect ratio. The downside when off-roading or perhaps curbing the tires on-road would be unseating the bead and causing air loss.

 

[JHZR2]

Comparing options, from thd tire size calculator, I get:


Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
195/70-14 5.4in 12.4in 24.7in 77.7in 815 0.0%
195/65-15 5.0in 12.5in 25.0in 78.5in 807 0.9%
195/60-15 4.6in 12.1in 24.2in 76.1in 833 -2.2%
205/60-15 4.8in 12.3in 24.7in 77.6in 817 -0.3%


Comparing Michelin Harmony tires (because they are available in sll sizes) all but the 195/60 tire are either 89 or 90 load rating, with load at 1279-1301#. The other was an 87, IIRC, and was in the 1100's.

Regardless, for a 3400# car, would all be sufficient, less the 87 rated tire, or perhaps even including that one?

Thanks!

 

[CapriRacer]

JHZR2,

One of the lessons out of the Ford / Firestone thing a few years back was the vehicle manufacturers needed to do a better job of sizing tires - as in they tended to be a little on the smallish size. Your car is from that era - and even though it is of a European design - this tendency existed back then even for those types of cars.

So I think the 195/60R15's should not be considered appropriate for your vehicle - too small!

 

[JHZR2]

Because of the weight capacity? What about the 195/65-15?

I'm afraid that bigger than 205 may not fit clearance-wise...

What would the optimal size be in your opinion? Never noted thermal issues on long, high speed journeys in these cars, using the 195/70-14 tires.

I always overinflate a bit as the placard says to add 4psi per tire for fully loaded or high speed driving. So I run 32/36 instead of the standard 28/32.

Thanks!

 

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Because of the weight capacity?......


Yes!

Quote:
...... What about the 195/65-15?......


Those have the same capacity as the 195/70R14's, so those are OK.

Quote:
.......I'm afraid that bigger than 205 may not fit clearance-wise...

What would the optimal size be in your opinion?........


Optimal implies we are maximizing some property - and that usually results in compromises elsewhere. I'd consider the 195/65R15's as a direct replacement.

But you should know that Tire Rack says a 205/60R15 will fit.

 

[JHZR2]

Yes, TR says that and others use that size (205). 205 doesn't seem to change my initial issue though, as 7" seems to be the widest for them too...

 

[teddyboy]

I have two late 90s Camrys that spec 195/70/14 tires. Discount Tire carries two high quality tires: the Pirelli P4 and the Michelin Destiny. The Destiny is basically the same as the Harmony. I've owned and been very pleased with both the Pirelli and the Michelin. Given the number of Camrys sold during that era, it's extremely unlikely that at least some good tires won't be available in that size. You could purchase a good set of tires and have the wheels repaired for a lot less than changing wheel size.

 

[IndyIan]

A 205 and 7" rim should be fine, from what I've read. Going to the maximum recommended width rim for a tire, is ideal for handling purposes and especially feel.
I recall a Grassroots motorsports article where they did an autocross test and actually got better times from a narrower tire on the correct rim than a wider tire on the same rim.

 

[JHZR2]

The pirellis are not us made.

Given that we've gone from ~60 to 14 options in the last few years, I'm holing they will stabilize... But I'm not counting on it.

I'm expecting these 70/80s MB diesels to be on the road a long time more, especially worldwide. Hopefully the candies and similar cars do too... To keep those three or four US made tire lines pumping...