P215/60ZR16. Yes, "ZR" tires. Help...

Ginger FerroChrome

Ginger FerroChrome

Joined
Mar 23, 2025
Messages
14
Hello! I'm Ginger. Thanks for having me on the forums!
Not much to say about myself but I got three cars and one of them is a clean 1994 Taurus SHO MTX. I am keeping her stock...and that's where I'm now running into trouble.

She needs new tires and factory spec on her is P215/60ZR60. Which are, unsurprisingly, hard to find. Really tires like that ought to be overkill for a car with a supposed top speed of 143mph, but whatever. I believe she came with Goodyear Eagle GT+4, which haven't been made in like, what, 20 years?
Anyways, I just need a little help finding tires. I would love to hear your suggestions for a good performance tire, but I will take literally whatever I can get.

Thanks in advance!
 
How do you drive it daily, track, recreation, long trips? How many miles on it? is snow or ice a concern? What qualities are you looking for besides just that Z speed rating? Lots of good choices in the V rating which is up to 149mph.

I had some different sedans that came with and spec'd V on the placard. My daily commute never broke 80mph, usually 1/2 that in rush hour and even getting crazy where I could MAYBE got to 100. Wet weather performance, noise, longevity and choices for those vehicles many wound up with H rating and made for nice drives.

You said stock but if I wanted more performance option that would probably entail spare wheels in different size rim for reduced sidewall. 225-15-17 or 225-50-17 was option depending on trim level on my base trim Sonata that came with 215-60-16.

Tire Rack 215-60-16
 
Not daily (well, at least not when my Kia is running right). She never sees snow. Mostly highway, but the annual club meet sometimes gets her on the track or the drag strip.

As for what I need, you're right. I don't need that high. I want that high because that's what is actually on the door sticker. That's what's in the brochure. This is a stock job and while the true OE's are long gone, I want to get as close as I can. And as far as I'm concerned, that means matching the door sticker.
 
JohnnyJohnson said:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Yokohama...res/3933397738?classType=REGULAR&from=/search
Click to expand...
A T (118 mph) speed rating isn't the best in this size. Even if you don't hit the rated speeds, your car's suspension is tuned for the stiffness of properly rated tires. OP knows this and is trying to pursue it.

Tire Rack has a selection of 149 MPH tires if you think "V is the new Z". Z was 149+ back in the late 80s, V is 149 (no plus) now that the tech has improved, and the alphabet ran out of letters.

I like Kumho so the Kumho Solus TA51a may be worth looking at.

Finally, welcome to Bitog, Conan O'Brien. 😁
 
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W is 168 (which is past Z which is 149+)
Y is 186

so anything W Y or Z rated.

Stock size 215/60r16 has nothing over V rated.

Alternate size 225/55R16 have some nice tire choices.
1742749466521.webp
 
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eljefino said:
A T (118 mph) speed rating isn't the best in this size. Even if you don't hit the rated speeds, your car's suspension is tuned for the stiffness of properly rated tires. OP knows this and is trying to pursue it.

Tire Rack has a selection of 149 MPH tires if you think "V is the new Z". Z was 149+ back in the late 80s, V is 149 (no plus) now that the tech has improved, and the alphabet ran out of letters.

I like Kumho so the Kumho Solus TA51a may be worth looking at.

Finally, welcome to Bitog, Conan O'Brien. 😁
Click to expand...
Having said that unless your going to track the car where you going to drive it 118MPH?
 
You got the wrong tire size there..... @Kalle.J

Ginger FerroChrome said:
That can't be completely true. I know I've seen at least one or two W tires.

On the track. The SHO club usually has a track day at out annual meets.
Click to expand...
If you found some and there is only 1 or 2 available what is the question again? and why didnt you link them?

I should have clarified DT and Tirerack dont list any.

There is a goodyear that simpletire carries.. but its a UHP summer tire and sorta meh.
1742760731565.webp
 
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Where are you from? Does it get cold where you are? Will it ever be driven when it's below 40F? :unsure:

There is a cheap Chinese tire with a Y speed rating :D

Rand said:
You got the wrong tire size there..... @Kalle.J


If you found some and there is only 1 or 2 available what is the question again? and why didnt you link them?

I should have clarified DT and Tirerack dont list any.

There is a goodyear that simpletire carries.. but its a UHP summer tire and sorta meh.
View attachment 269622
Click to expand...

This is a good choice if summer tires are acceptable and the car will never be driven below 40F. The EfficientGrip in the 215/60-16 size is available with H, V, and W speed ratings.
 
Well, trying to choose between the two and I can't find anything about the UTQG for the Kumho. Also their customer service won't answer any of my emails.
 
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