I know tires with lower aspect ratios tend to have worse rides--less sidewall to absorb road bumps. Better handling, but at the expense of isolation. [I am ignoring suspension here, can't change too many variables at once.] Yet I've come across a couple of antedotal reports from people changing from their 195/70R14's to 205/65R15's and having a better ride. I realize that this isn't a big change in tire size; but as I contemplate tire choices, and include 205/55R16, I'm unclear why people find these lower profile tires ride better. Maybe it's more to do with the tires they choose, and less to do with tire size?
Tire size and ride
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Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
My 205/65-15 tires on the Camry seem cushier than the 195/70-14 I had on the other one. Although they have different suspension, Fairly new Munro Quick struts in the 97 and Toyota OEM struts with 100k miles on this one.
Interesting, as I have new Monroes on mine. I'd swear, my Tundra rides better--it gets jiggly on some roads, but handles bumps initially better. Neither is "beating me up"--but this Camry just isn't that nice riding. Not that I'm complaining (much) as it's my beater.
Edit: right now it has some worn-out Mastercraft Strategies; maybe RT43's in the same 14" size will be better?
Edit: right now it has some worn-out Mastercraft Strategies; maybe RT43's in the same 14" size will be better?
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Originally Posted By: supton
Yet I've come across a couple of antedotal reports from people changing from their 195/70R14's to 205/65R15's and having a better ride. I realize that this isn't a big change in tire size; but as I contemplate tire choices, and include 205/55R16, I'm unclear why people find these lower profile tires ride better. Maybe it's more to do with the tires they choose, and less to do with tire size?
When you do the math, sidewall height of 205/65 tire is about the same as 195/70. And yes, a lot has to do with the particular tire model as well.
Yet I've come across a couple of antedotal reports from people changing from their 195/70R14's to 205/65R15's and having a better ride. I realize that this isn't a big change in tire size; but as I contemplate tire choices, and include 205/55R16, I'm unclear why people find these lower profile tires ride better. Maybe it's more to do with the tires they choose, and less to do with tire size?
When you do the math, sidewall height of 205/65 tire is about the same as 195/70. And yes, a lot has to do with the particular tire model as well.
Same inflation on both tires?
So the thing is that if you increase tread width to slightly wider than rim width (say 8" tread on 7" wide rim), you can run lower tire pressures w/o wearing the outside edges of the tire as if it was normally under-inflated. That will allow for a softer ride.
I see so many guys running the opposite and very high tire pressures for that razor sharp handling. That's fine on a prep'd track. But it really takes it's toll on streets with pot holes and pavement joints.
I look at off-road truck racers. A lotta rubber there between them and the rocks and they still run upwards of 120 MPH. You don't need a 40 sidewall to go fast. You need to know how to drive
I see so many guys running the opposite and very high tire pressures for that razor sharp handling. That's fine on a prep'd track. But it really takes it's toll on streets with pot holes and pavement joints.
I look at off-road truck racers. A lotta rubber there between them and the rocks and they still run upwards of 120 MPH. You don't need a 40 sidewall to go fast. You need to know how to drive
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I converted two I 4 Gen 4 Camrys to 205 65 15 on alloys, the V6 size, in part because the bigger wheels would allow V6 sized brakes to fit. The handling and ride improvement was substantial on both and the cars don't look whimpy any longer.
My newest Camry used 215 60 16s which seem just about right. I have a family member running a rand new V6 Camry with 17s, the ride isn't as good.
My newest Camry used 215 60 16s which seem just about right. I have a family member running a rand new V6 Camry with 17s, the ride isn't as good.
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My merc 300d rides on Hankook 724 185/75/14s and they corner quite miserably, as you'd expect. It had ten year old yoko avids on before, in 195/70/14, that were better. The hankooks do in fact ride like being on a cloud, which is all I ask. The hankooks have a more curved footprint while the avids had more of a 90-degree angle where the tread met the sidewall.
My camry, on sensen struts and with 205/65/15 Starfire SF340 tires, rides just perfect.
My HHR with 215/55/16s rides choppy. Has overpowering sway bars to counter the fact that it's a tippy CUV and not much for suspension travel. Handles okay, but rides choppy.
My camry, on sensen struts and with 205/65/15 Starfire SF340 tires, rides just perfect.
My HHR with 215/55/16s rides choppy. Has overpowering sway bars to counter the fact that it's a tippy CUV and not much for suspension travel. Handles okay, but rides choppy.
I believe the Starfires are made by Cooper.
The Matrix also has a choppy ride I think because of the short wheelbase.
The Matrix also has a choppy ride I think because of the short wheelbase.
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
I converted two I 4 Gen 4 Camrys to 205 65 15 on alloys, the V6 size, in part because the bigger wheels would allow V6 sized brakes to fit. The handling and ride improvement was substantial on both and the cars don't look whimpy any longer.
My newest Camry used 215 60 16s which seem just about right. I have a family member running a rand new V6 Camry with 17s, the ride isn't as good.
Yeah, my 2011 Camry rides pretty good I think, no complaints on its handling nor ride quality. I don't push any of my vehicles on cornering though, at least not intentionally.
I guess I'll sleep on it. There is some RT43's in my size at a decent price that I'm tempted to get, along with another set of 14" rims as (again) the price is right. I'm a bit hesitant to play with rim sizes as I don't think I have much room around the struts to play with.
I'm a bit surprised that minor tire size changes can make a big difference.
I converted two I 4 Gen 4 Camrys to 205 65 15 on alloys, the V6 size, in part because the bigger wheels would allow V6 sized brakes to fit. The handling and ride improvement was substantial on both and the cars don't look whimpy any longer.
My newest Camry used 215 60 16s which seem just about right. I have a family member running a rand new V6 Camry with 17s, the ride isn't as good.
Yeah, my 2011 Camry rides pretty good I think, no complaints on its handling nor ride quality. I don't push any of my vehicles on cornering though, at least not intentionally.
I guess I'll sleep on it. There is some RT43's in my size at a decent price that I'm tempted to get, along with another set of 14" rims as (again) the price is right. I'm a bit hesitant to play with rim sizes as I don't think I have much room around the struts to play with.
I'm a bit surprised that minor tire size changes can make a big difference.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
New tires in general can greatly improve ride quality.
My VW had Michelins which rode extremely harsh (replaced at 6/32" tread) Put on Pirellis and it was like I was driving on a cloud. It was a completely different car even over speed bumps.
My VW had Michelins which rode extremely harsh (replaced at 6/32" tread) Put on Pirellis and it was like I was driving on a cloud. It was a completely different car even over speed bumps.
I remember when I put the RT43's onto my Jetta (195/60R15? 195/65R15? forget now). No change in tire size, but I replaced bald Nokian entyres (which had replaced a number of other tires, Conti Contact Pro, Nokian i3, Nokian WRG1). Wowzer, what a marshmellow ride. It may have ridden better, but it took a while to get used to the tread squirm. Didn't notice a change on the Camry though.
Come to think of it, one time I ran some 185 wide winter rubber, but don't recall a difference.
Come to think of it, one time I ran some 185 wide winter rubber, but don't recall a difference.
Originally Posted By: supton
I know tires with lower aspect ratios tend to have worse rides--less sidewall to absorb road bumps. Better handling, but at the expense of isolation. [I am ignoring suspension here, can't change too many variables at once.] Yet I've come across a couple of antedotal reports from people changing from their 195/70R14's to 205/65R15's and having a better ride. I realize that this isn't a big change in tire size; but as I contemplate tire choices, and include 205/55R16, I'm unclear why people find these lower profile tires ride better. Maybe it's more to do with the tires they choose, and less to do with tire size?
The difference in ride harshness between tires of the same size is much greater than the difference between tires due to a small change in size. It should not be a surprise to find people who change size and their ride quality either doesn't change much or changes counter to conventional wisdom.
That's because it is the stiffness of the lower sidewall that plays a large role in ride harshness - and that is generally controlled by the height and stiffness of the filler.
I know tires with lower aspect ratios tend to have worse rides--less sidewall to absorb road bumps. Better handling, but at the expense of isolation. [I am ignoring suspension here, can't change too many variables at once.] Yet I've come across a couple of antedotal reports from people changing from their 195/70R14's to 205/65R15's and having a better ride. I realize that this isn't a big change in tire size; but as I contemplate tire choices, and include 205/55R16, I'm unclear why people find these lower profile tires ride better. Maybe it's more to do with the tires they choose, and less to do with tire size?
The difference in ride harshness between tires of the same size is much greater than the difference between tires due to a small change in size. It should not be a surprise to find people who change size and their ride quality either doesn't change much or changes counter to conventional wisdom.
That's because it is the stiffness of the lower sidewall that plays a large role in ride harshness - and that is generally controlled by the height and stiffness of the filler.
as quatto mentioned, if the overall side wall height remains the same (same RPM), then I don't expect noticeable change in tyre flexing. But of course the handling and gripp is affected.
There are far too many variables in the tyre constructions which affect handling, grip, comfort and noise. So to draw a meaningful conclusion, you need to compare the same make and model of tyres on the same car and yet not forget the ageing effect of the suspension/ shock absorbers...
There are far too many variables in the tyre constructions which affect handling, grip, comfort and noise. So to draw a meaningful conclusion, you need to compare the same make and model of tyres on the same car and yet not forget the ageing effect of the suspension/ shock absorbers...
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