Slight tire question

[Brogy]

Hi, my new car, a 94 accord LX, has the stock wheels, but the previous guy upped the size (he went from 185/70R14, to 195/70R14). And I need new tires soon, im going to get the michelin Xradials at BJs. Is there any advantage to the bigger tire, am I giving up anything or gaining anything by going back to the original size?

Thanks

 

[Lorenzo]

A wider tire can give you a bit more grip at the expense of wet traction and a small amount of fuel economy. Most people really do it for the look of a wider tire.

One thing for sure, the prior owner messed up by increasing the width without also changing the aspect ratio. This increased the diameter of the tire by about half an inch, effectively raising the gearing of your car.

Either go to the stock size or use the snazzy mita.net tire size calculator to find a combination that keeps the diameter the same as stock:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
195/65-14 is closer but not exact. I'd just go with stock size.

 

[alreadygone]

Lorenzo says height increase of 1/2 inch. probably pretty close, but since there is no industry wide size uniformity, there can be almost that much difference from one brand to another. He is correct about raising gearing, this also makes spedo show 1-3 mph slower than what you're actually traveling. P195/65R14 would be a decent choice without changing wheel size though.

Bob

 

[Brogy]

Cool thanks, ill change back to stock size then. The tires at B Js are cheaper in the stock size, plus they might not have mounted the plus sizes. And if all im giving up by going back to stock is some grip, im fine with that.


I dont think the prior owner was too smart, he also put high performance tires on this car, his commuter car that he drove 100 miles a day with, his commuter car with a 4 cylinder engine, cause everyone knows 130 horses are just too many for a touring tire!

Thanks again

 

[The_Jeff]

More than likely he stopped at a gas station after getting a flat and it was the closest size they had in their little tire rack. Naturally ernie the hilbilly said don't worry, these will do.

When I bought tires at a warehouse club they had to look my car up in their computer and wouldn't sell me any other size unless it was a factory option. Liability most likely.

 

[Kestas]

When I was younger and needed four new tires for my 71 Cutlass, the local tire shop gave me some real wierd size (F70-R14?), that most tire shops didn't carry. I'm glad to have worn them out and gotten rid of them.

 

[Lonnie]

In modern cars there is so much tied together in the gearing, the fuel controls and smog stuff that staying with the stock size in tires is a good idea. A larger tire might be better for mileage you'd think, but why mess. They might not. Put you effort in keeping the tires inflated correctly. The fact that you figured out the size problem is a sign that you're on the right track with owning a car.

 

[Strakes]

Quote:

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More than likely he stopped at a gas station after getting a flat and it was the closest size they had in their little tire rack. Naturally ernie the hilbilly said don't worry, these will do.

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I had a friend that had 2 flats on one side of his Ponitac because of road debris on the interstate. "Ernie the hillbilly" put on 2 new 225/60R16 on one side instead of the stock 205/55R16 for him. It looked so funny!

I've used 195/65R14 instead of the stock 185/70R14 on our Subaru, but never noticed any real improvements. The 185/70R14s are so much cheaper. Good choice.