For those still needing 14" tires Made in USA!

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jetmech1

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I just recently scored a 1990 Buick LeSabre with 63,000 original miles. I once had an '89 Park Ave that had 15" wheels, but Lo and Behold this had 14"! As you know there's not a lot of choices left in 14" compared to 15" and up. Of course it needed tires.

I went to my local dealer and found some Cooper Lifeliner GLS in P215-70-R14 (same diameter as original size was 205/75/14).
I found some earlier posts that said this model tire had Made in China on it, but mine say made in USA! So far, I'm really pleased with them. Paid $84.00 each mounted & balanced with new stems. Thought that was a pretty good deal...........
 
A lot of GMs had big 75-series tires in the 90s. Even saw that in 15 inch wheel size. Pretty sure a lot used 75-series and not 70-series.

Can we get a run-down of what tires are made where? I gave up trying to keep track some time ago. Even same manufacturer with same name on the tire can be different plants.
 
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Originally Posted By: 45ACP
Can we get a run-down of what tires are made where? I gave up trying to keep track some time ago. Even same manufacturer with same name on the tire can be different plants.


My latest Michelin Super Sport 235/40/18 95Y's were made in the USA.
 
Quote:
I gave up trying to keep track some time ago. Even same manufacturer with same name on the tire can be different plants.


I don't think it's possible. It seems our best bet is to keep one another updated here.
 
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Tirerack has that info. Some sizes for some tires are made in Indonesia, others in US for the same model; crazy


I tried that, but Tire Rack doesn't list Cooper as one of the brands they currently offer.
 
That's good to know-

And as a guy who has cars with 14s, you have:

BFGoodrich tires (touring ta/traction ta/prem touring)

Yokohama- Avid touring/TRZ

Mich X radials/Harmony


And quite a bit through Coopers line (Mastercraft,Dean) that are USA made....
 
Originally Posted By: jetmech1
I went to my local dealer and found some Cooper Lifeliner GLS in P215-70-R14 (same diameter as original size was 205/75/14).
I found some earlier posts that said this model tire had Made in China on it, but mine say made in USA!

What is the date code on them? Can you give us the DOT number of one of the tires?
 
My first car had 13" wheels. Current stable has 14, 15 and 16 respectively. All are family car/minivan. I suspect my next sedan/minvan will have 18/19 inch wheels.

Where is this inflation coming from? Is it really necessary to have huge wheels in grocery getters these days?

- Vikas
 
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My first car had 13" wheels. Current stable has 14, 15 and 16 respectively. All are family car/minivan. I suspect my next sedan/minvan will have 18/19 inch wheels.

Where is this inflation coming from? Is it really necessary to have huge wheels in grocery getters these days?


IMHO NO! I think it is strictly "style driven". It seems to have started with the "tuner" enthusists. Judging from my arthritic joints, it makes the vehicle ride harsher as there is less sidewall to help absorb road shock. Vehicle suspensions just can't do everything. Also from what I've seen, these tires are more expensive too.
 
The other factor in the manufacturers moving to larger wheels is that they look better proportioned to the goofy tall, gun-slit-window look of modern vehicles. With such an expanse of painted metal visible in profile due to tall hoods, tall roofs, and high window lines, the smaller wheels that looked fine on older vehicles would look like coaster wheels on modern vehicles.
 
Originally Posted By: rpn453
The other factor in the manufacturers moving to larger wheels is that they look better proportioned to the goofy tall, gun-slit-window look of modern vehicles. With such an expanse of painted metal visible in profile due to tall hoods, tall roofs, and high window lines, the smaller wheels that looked fine on older vehicles would look like coaster wheels on modern vehicles.


Yeah, it is getting out of hand and it just costs the owner more. I loathe buying a new car because they all have these high beltlines and tiny windows now and even the "commuter" cars are rolling on 18" wheels. It seems only a handful of models are resisting the trend (Audi A4 comes to mind..they kept the beltline fairly low). Sitting next to a modern sedan in my Civic feels like sitting next to an SUV 10 years ago, all I see is door.

Just one more reason to keep rolling with my 12 year old Civic I guess. Especially after sinking 2 grand into it this month, including a new set of Michelin Harmonys. Unfortunately the Harmony is made in the UK, but I had to go with the positive reviews. So far so good after a full week on them and about 500 miles, including some rain.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Vikas
My first car had 13" wheels. Current stable has 14, 15 and 16 respectively. All are family car/minivan. I suspect my next sedan/minvan will have 18/19 inch wheels.

Where is this inflation coming from? Is it really necessary to have huge wheels in grocery getters these days?

- Vikas

fashion is one, but larger wheels are need for the larger brakes. my Mazda5 has front rotors almost 12" diameter and 17" wheels; I think the rotors on my '85 golf w/ 13" wheels were less than 9".
 
Originally Posted By: mpvue
fashion is one, but larger wheels are need for the larger brakes. my Mazda5 has front rotors almost 12" diameter and 17" wheels; I think the rotors on my '85 golf w/ 13" wheels were less than 9".


True, but they still often go way beyond that need with their wheel choices. Our Mazdas do have larger rotors than most comparable vehicles, and Mazda is pretty good about not going overboard with wheel sizing. We could go as small as 16", which looks fine, but 17" gives a little sharper handling and still leaves a reasonable sidewall without dwarfing the brakes. Anything bigger would be silly.

Check out the 21" wheels on the Infiniti FX35 for an extreme example of ridiculous wheel oversizing!

FX35-wheel-450x337.jpg
 
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