Topic: Can I replace P185/65R14 with P185/70R14?

[Andrew314]

I'm interested in the Goodyear Assurance Tripletred tire.  My stock tires are P185/65R14.  According to the Fountain Tire website, the Tripletred is only available in P185/70R14 and P195/70R14 for 14 inch rims.

I'm wondering about putting the 185/70 tires on my rims.  According to the 1010tires.com tire calculator, the diameter difference is 3.02%, essentially right on the limit of the acceptable difference.  Do you think this is a bad idea?

[mrthompson]

Out of curiosity, these tires are for what kind of car?

[mmorriso]

185/65/14 is a very common and relatively inexpensive size for tires.  you should easily be able to find a tire that fits your performance requirements and budget and not be limited to choosing only the GY Assurance Tripletread.  what about winter tires?

for example (1010tires)
Falken Ziex-912 ("all season") $85.99
Falken Eurowinter (Winter) $89.99
 

[Andrew314]

It's for a Nissan Sentra.

I'm interested in year-round tires with better than average winter handling capabilities.  The car is driven very occasionally and it's just not worth it for me to have 2 sets of tires.  I'm also looking at the Nokian WR G2 and the Hankook Optimo 4S (both of which are available in the correct size).

[mrthompson]

Well, then go for either of those tires in the proper size. 

[Ryan@1010tires]

I'm interested in the Goodyear Assurance Tripletred tire.  My stock tires are P185/65R14.  According to the Fountain Tire website, the Tripletred is only available in P185/70R14 and P195/70R14 for 14 inch rims.

I'm wondering about putting the 185/70 tires on my rims.  According to the 1010tires.com tire calculator, the diameter difference is 3.02%, essentially right on the limit of the acceptable difference.  Do you think this is a bad idea?

We would not recommend going beyond the 3% change in height. Also note going to a 70 series tire will provide worse handling.

[Andrew314]

We would not recommend going beyond the 3% change in height. Also note going to a 70 series tire will provide worse handling.

I doubt that anything magical happens between 2.99 and 3.02.  But thanks for the heads up about the worse handling.  I will accept the wisdom of the crowd and stick with the proper size tires.

Thanks to everyone who responded.

[maritime_storm]

I love listening to people who think they know better argue with experts in their field.

[Nathan@1010tires]

Technically, the industry standard is 2% larger, or 3% shorter for cars. Most retailers use 3% both ways to allow some wiggle room. Not saying 2.99 - 3.02 will make a difference, but you have to draw the line somewhere. The tread depth alone on a new tire versus an old one can easily be 1.5% difference.

[Andrew314]

Technically, the industry standard is 2% larger, or 3% shorter for cars. Most retailers use 3% both ways to allow some wiggle room. Not saying 2.99 - 3.02 will make a difference, but you have to draw the line somewhere. The tread depth alone on a new tire versus an old one can easily be 1.5% difference.

Interesting info, thanks.

[Paul L]

It sounds like you have a early B15 Sentra.  We are driving one too.   What are the tires on you car now and how much thread they have, how bad they are in winter?  If you existing tire is good, there is no point to go for another all season.

 

[Andrew314]

My old tires needed replacing.  I went with the Nokian WRG2.  So far I've been really impressed with the handling in heavy snow and on icy roads - it's a significant improvement over regular all-seasons.

[Paul L]

I think you made a wise choice.  I am looking into that as well.  I ran a set of Toyo 800 which I intalled them without much knowledge about tire.  It made me so nervous when stopping in traffic light or junction.  After I went for a set of X-ice, it is day and night difference.

When my Toyo is gone (probably next summer), I will look for a set like yours and sell the X-ice.  I wish Michelin make something like the WG2 so that I can install them by Costco and get life time balancing and rotation.