Tire question

[twizzler]

I need new tires on a small SUV (2WD, basically a large station wagon). Currently it has 245/70-16's - which are the factory original size.

Looking at tires, I have frequently found a pretty substantial price difference between a 245mm width and a 235mm width. My question is can I use the slightly narrower tire without any problems (driveability, safety, etc.)? If I do go with the narrower width, would I need to go with a different aspect ratio?

[sgrizzle]

You can go a smaller or wider. Some good information on sizes can be found here:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=31

Use this calculator to see the effect in changing width and aspect ratios:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

You might consider online ordering of tires from someplace like tirerack if your tires are pricy locally. I bought substantially wider tires for less than I could've bought stock tires locally.

[Red Arrow]

Check your owner's manual. Sometimes there are alternate tire sizes listed.

The Tire Rack site is very good.  I also recommend it.

You will do best if you keep nearly the same load rating as your present tires.  That will be a number of pounds at a designated pressure. For example: Max Load 1764 Lbs at 44 psi. Your numbers will probably be different since my tire size is different than yours.

[ttownclown]

I'm a big fan of using the exact tires (brand and all) that my owner's manual recommends.  It's been my experience that my vehicle drives better with the original brand of tires.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by ttownclown

I'm a big fan of using the exact tires (brand and all) that my owner's manual recommends.  It's been my experience that my vehicle drives better with the original brand of tires.

after testing other brands of the same size I would have to agree.  In only one case did I find out that Yokohamas were better than Bridgestone.  But I no longer own that vehicle.

A good colleague of mine said he never buys tires with "good" "bridge" or "fire" in the name.  I tend to agree.

[Red Arrow]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by ttownclown

I'm a big fan of using the exact tires (brand and all) that my owner's manual recommends.  It's been my experience that my vehicle drives better with the original brand of tires.

after testing other brands of the same size I would have to agree.  In only one case did I find out that Yokohamas were better than Bridgestone.  But I no longer own that vehicle.

A good colleague of mine said he never buys tires with "good" "bridge" or "fire" in the name.  I tend to agree.

I have had reasonably good luck with Goodrich T/A series on my GM cars. I get the "H" speed rated tires.  My mom had some terrible luck with original Bridgestone tires on her Astro. Bad wear patterns even though the front end was checked and found to be in alignment. The tires were also rotated per the recommended Chevy intervals. We put Michelins on the van.  So far so good but there are not enough miles to be sure.  I have Michelin MXV4s on my weekend car. Three of the four leak air and require additional air every few days.  I guess good luck with tires is where you find it.

[sauerkraut]

I understand if the car has 4-wheel drive full time you need to buy a set of 4 tires, you can't just replace 2 tires.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

I understand if the car has 4-wheel drive full time you need to buy a set of 4 tires, you can't just replace 2 tires.

it is a bad idea to ever just get 2 tires, unless you are just unbelieveably poor or were too stupid to rotate your tires regularly.

[Red Arrow]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

I understand if the car has 4-wheel drive full time you need to buy a set of 4 tires, you can't just replace 2 tires.

it is a bad idea to ever just get 2 tires, unless you are just unbelieveably poor or were too stupid to rotate your tires regularly.

I can think of at least 2 reasons to buy less than 4 tires that don't involve being stupid. The first should be obvious with all the complaining about Tulsa roads: tire damage. Another which would be less common would be for a car that does not have the same size tires front and rear. They cannot be rotated to even out the wear.

[sauerkraut]

quote:Originally posted by Red Arrow

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

I understand if the car has 4-wheel drive full time you need to buy a set of 4 tires, you can't just replace 2 tires.

it is a bad idea to ever just get 2 tires, unless you are just unbelieveably poor or were too stupid to rotate your tires regularly.

I can think of at least 2 reasons to buy less than 4 tires that don't involve being stupid. The first should be obvious with all the complaining about Tulsa roads: tire damage. Another which would be less common would be for a car that does not have the same size tires front and rear. They cannot be rotated to even out the wear.

I have another reason to buy only two tires, it's less expensive and cheaper to do. My wallet thanks me afters. I buy tires in pairs of two and always have. I can't remember a time I ever bought 4 tires at once. I tool around in a 1990 truck

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by ttownclown

I'm a big fan of using the exact tires (brand and all) that my owner's manual recommends.  It's been my experience that my vehicle drives better with the original brand of tires.

I find that to be the worst idea in most cases. Keep in mind the ford flipping problem was only with the tires made specifically for new fords by bridgestone. I've also checked reviews online and found that the tread life and traction reviews for the tires put on at the factory are the usually the lowest of any tire in their size range.

The manufacturer is putting the cheapest tire they can find on the car. If you compare trim packages you will generally find the lower trim packages have a different tire & manufacturer than the higher trim packages, even for the same size wheel. Now if the tire is just fine then why do the high dollar clients get a different one?

Think about it, when you buy a toy or a remote control with "batteries included" what brand are those? Usually something like "fuji/novel" that sell for about 5c a piece.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by Red Arrow

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut

I understand if the car has 4-wheel drive full time you need to buy a set of 4 tires, you can't just replace 2 tires.

it is a bad idea to ever just get 2 tires, unless you are just unbelieveably poor or were too stupid to rotate your tires regularly.

I can think of at least 2 reasons to buy less than 4 tires that don't involve being stupid. The first should be obvious with all the complaining about Tulsa roads: tire damage. Another which would be less common would be for a car that does not have the same size tires front and rear. They cannot be rotated to even out the wear.

well if you were smart up front you would have purchased road hazard to replace any tires damaged by city and state roads.  and unless you are busy roasting off the drive axle tires, even a car with unmatched sized tires should have all 4 replaced at the same time.

[Red Arrow]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

Originally posted by Red Arrow

Originally posted by inteller

Originally posted by sauerkraut

well if you were smart up front you would have purchased road hazard to replace any tires damaged by city and state roads.  and unless you are busy roasting off the drive axle tires, even a car with unmatched sized tires should have all 4 replaced at the same time.

I find it highly unlikely that any road hazard policy will replace all four tires if you damage one.

Drive axle tires will wear faster than non drive axle tires even if you aren't making smoke out of your tires.