posted by
someone claiming to be saskia smith
on
Wed Oct 12 14:51 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
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First of all *thanks* to previous responses to my posts. I finally found a wagon to buy. It's not the turbo I wanted, but the engine is in great shape and it was a good buy. I'll slowly start posts re: improving performance, but for now I'm at the basics!!
The front tires are worn. It has Cooper Lifeliner Touring 205/60R15 tires. Costco has a $60 off Michelin tires and recommend replacing all four tires at once. They are expensive tires, so I was wondering what the pros/cons are for just replacing the front tires--or moving the rear to the front, and putting the new ones in the rear?
Also, Costco sizing recommends 195/60VR15 size. The Cooper tires online are half the Michelin price. I don't know where to get these Cooper tires--are they really much cheaper quality? If better tires dramatically improve the drive I'll go for it. Otherwise I'd rather spend the money on performance upgrades such as filters, etc.
Thanks,
Saskia
What is the difference between the 205/60 and the 195/60?
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Buy the best tires you can get, that is probably the best performance change you can make.
The BEST performance mod that is cost effective on a regular 850 (perhaps the only performance mod) is to start on top of a steep hill!
Spend your bucks on the tires, there are no mods to save for.
--
'96 855R, '95 855, '95 854, '64 PV544, 395,000 miles put on 8 bricks
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Do you think that adding a good airfilter, like K&N, would help at least to minimally improve performance?
In the meantime I went down the street and got some 'used' tires...they have really high treadware...I think Bridgestone 930's...it rained a lot today in LA and they perform very well. A little noisy. $50 bucks for both tires is a cheap temporary fix. So I'll probably get all four new tires in a few months. But now with everyone's help I have a good idea of what I should get and how important it is to have good tires and the right psi!
Now the transmission is making a funny noise...I think the shop messed it up, if that is at all possible. Ugh. ! I posted a question about it today.
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posted by
someone claiming to be ksg
on
Thu Oct 13 08:47 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
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Before buying any tire I think you should be sure you are clear on the meanings of the UTQGS (uniform tire quality grading standard) system. If not, Google UTQG or do something else to get the information so you will be buying tires with the correct treadwear, speed and traction ratings for your car and driving style. I think tirerack.com may reproduce at least some of this information on their site.
If you are using non-speed rated tires (no H or V in the size designation, or something called a "touring" tire) it might be best to replace all of the tires with speed-rated types. My experience is this can make a huge difference when you encounter a dangerous driving situation like needing a quick evasive maneuver, black ice, etc. Besides the higher speed rated tires if you can afford them make the car much nicer to drive.
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I agree with Klaus about best tires to the front and I'll add that you'll need to take care not to "fish tail" on the corners. When you got grip in the front and not in the back, the back has been known to go on it's own. Best would be 4 new and a proper rotation every 5k miles but if you can only afford 2 then put them in front and when you can, get 2 more put them in front. Then rotate on schedule.
Tirerack good place for tires and they have customer reviews posted with each tire to help you decide which is the better tire for you. Especially good if you are getting tires at Costco as I doubt they are real knowledgeable tire experts. With tirerack keep in mind to ship a set of four will likely cost about $80 (strangely thought to ship 2 sets of four is only a ltile more - so shop with a friend). Also installation price needs to be considered. Check this link for tirerack.com's tech section where you can get info on tire sizes... http://www.tirerack.com/about/techcenter.jsp
Check on inside of gas tank filler flap for you tire info. The 205 being a little wider is better on dry pavement but narrow better for snow/rain conditions. I have an 850 wagon with 195/60VR15 and an 850 sedan with 185/65HR15. So it depends on where and how you will be driving as to which size you get. Since non-turbo you'll do great with the 195 in most all condictions and save a few dollars, unless you plan on more 'performance' driving in mostly good weather condictions.
Good Luck and as gas prices go up you'll enjoy the non-turbo
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I used to think that 2 best tires should go on the front too, but I was proven wrong...it's down right dangerous. Take a look at this from the Tire Rack:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=52
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.
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David,
Good article at Tirerack, but having learned how to drive in a VW beetle, I prefer oversteer to sliding off the road with no steering or front brakes. My style, I guess. The preferred situation is to always buy 4 tires, of course, but a lot of people cannot afford $400 all at once, so what to do? Probably drive more conservatively and not go through wet corners pretending to be a F1 racer.
Klaus
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(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)
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Good point...of course depends on driving style, but for most people, I think that Tire Rack's recommendation is very sound. Michelin also has a video showing what happens usind a FWD Volvo. Scroll down to the bottom and click on the video for "Mounting Two Tires." http://michelinman.com/care/tip6.html#5
--
1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon
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There isn't much difference between the two sizes, about 1/2 inch. Because it is front wheel drive, putting 2 new tires on the front would be better than moving the US Bald Eagles to the back. For wet/snow traction, get 4 new tires and start rotating them every 5,000 miles. Much safer that way.
Check out tirerack.com for prices. Discount Tire chain is also a good place if they are in your town.
Klaus
--
(1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)
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Have looked at the tire prices on Tire Rack, and what with shipping and mounting, you're about the same off with going to Costco and letting them do it all. Don't forget to check out the Wal-Mart Superstore, if you have one in your area. They too sell Michelins, and are competitive with Costco. Don't be afraid to get a quote from one and go to the other and see if they will beat it by their 10%. I looked very hard at Michelin's Hydroedge which just came out and which Costco had on sale this summer with a $60 rebate. Is this what you're considering? I didn't buy them because it wasn't made in a 205-45-17, a spec for my R wagon. I'm using Michelin MXV4 Plus, 195-60-15's on my 97 GLT turbo wagon and am very happy with them. However, when I buy another set it will be Michelin's Hydroedge. With an 80,000 mile warranty and superb traction on wet highways, it's hard to beat, especially if there's a rebate. Dick
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posted by
someone claiming to be saskia smith
on
Thu Oct 13 08:29 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
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Thanks for all the great advice!! Quite a debate about the front vs. back, eh?
I live in Los Angeles, so I guess that is why there are the larger tires on the car already. The Volvo wagon is my urban combat solution. I figured if I had any hope of survival in a non-SUV this wagon has to be it, with the four airbags, etc. So..basically..snow/rain is the non-norm (altho when it rains here the oil slick can be scary). Trips up north to Seattle (hometown) through the mountains might happen now and then. But I guess I could use chains. I might stick with the larger tires.
Are the larger tires worse for fuel ecomony? Yeah, I'm glad for the non-turbo with the high gas prices...so after tires I'm going to do my best to improve the mileage.
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From tirerack.com articale on rolling resistance:
If the vehicle equipped with standard Original Equipment low rolling resistance passenger tires normally provided 25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, installing tires with 20% greater rolling resistance would only drop fuel mileage by a calculated 3% (to 24.25 mpg) in the city, and a calculated 5% (to 28.5 mpg) on the highway. While this is a measurable difference, it probably isn't much more of an influence on real world fuel economy than being stuck in rush hour traffic a couple of times a week or being stopped at every red light instead of continuing through a string of green lights.
Translation - going back to stock (195/60) should save on fuel 3-5%. But you also need to consider your plans & style of driving. If I do say so myself, I do fine on my 185/65 (perhaps not a good size for a wagon) and would think you'll be fine with the 195/60
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