Quick survey - completely crazy over the more std. 185/70 or what do you think?

Thanks,
Zach
1990 245 w/244k mi

I've been using 195/75-14 snows with excellent results. Also have used 195/70-14 and even 205/70-14 in the past, also with good results (before I learned about proper tire sizing for 245's). I put 4-5 cement blocks in the rear of each of our Volvos as winter sets in. I like the 4"x8"x18" solid blocks, they take up less space than the more common ones with the two holes.

"completely crazy over the more std. 185/70...?"

185/70-14 is standard for 240 sedans.
185/R-14 is standard for 240 wagons.
185/R-14 converts - depending whom you ask - to either
- 185/82-14 or
- 185/83-14 or
- 185/80/14.
185/R-14 has an overall outer diameter between 25.65 - 26.09 inches

195/70-14 comes in at only 24.75 inches diameter.
Actual speed will be at least 2.3 mph less than shown on speedometer with this size.

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DAMHIK: Don't Ask Me How I Know - - - Sven: '89 245, IPD sways, electric rad. fan conversion, e-codes, 28+ mpg - auto tranny. 500 mi/week commute. '89 245 #2 (wifemobile). '90 244 (spare, runs).

I use 195's for snows while my regular season tires are 185. They work good.

My 'crazy' comment was more in respect to the extra width of the 195 vs 185 with the better snow/ice handling in general of a taller, skinnier tire. I guess I'm just asking if it was going to be significantly worse. Once the inclement weather hits here in Anchorage, and they're predicting an early snow in October with how rainy and cool it has been, it'll likely be around, covering the roads until April. They don't use salt or other deicers up here - just plow and apply rocks/gravel for traction - so there is a 'solid' foundation of snow and ice to drive on.

Zach

Unless there is snow on the ground ALL the time where you live, you probably won't like driving around on 175's on the days when the roads are wet or dry only. I put a few miles on a set of 175/70/14's that came on a '78 240 I bought. Those things are scary in the dry...and I had to be really careful in the wet. They're about as wide as the temp spare that came with my car.

185 are fine in snow, in my experience.

I like 195 just for the better feel they give on wet/dry days. If they have good tread and are of a good design for snow duty, 185 vs 195 shouldn't make a huge difference. Now if you're carving through 8" of snow, the skinnier one will be a little better...
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forums.turbobricks.com

I have a pair of Pirelli 195/75-14 studded snows mounted and ready to go. They have been on five different Volvos over the years. They work really well. No matter what, you need some extra weight in the trunk. The bigger diameter is a real help in getting started as it lowers the effective axle ratio too. Two winters ago I passed a line of cars stalled on a snowy hill nearby. Of the five two were Ford Exploders, and one was an tiny import SUV. Couple of front drive sedans as well. Passed them all with a 23 year old Volvo 240 and those tires, and about 150 pounds of scrap steel in the trunk. Felt good doing it.

Folks up north know the secret well.
For going in snow, you want the tallest (highest aspect ratio) and narrowest tire! Really -- ask anyone from Canada or New England. Best for standard steel wheels would be a 175-14 (which is an 83 aspect ratio) if you can still find it (doubtful), so find a 175/75-14.
Forget low and wide -- that's fine for floatation (e.g., in sand), but you don't really want floatation in snow! Surprised? Here's why:

Sand has the same density throughout the depth (top to bottom) -- there no advantage sinking low (it's as loose deep as it is on top), so staying on top of the sand (floatation) at least lessens the resistance you have to overcome to get (or keep) moving, despite having little for your tires to push against to move you forward.

Snow is different. Snow is denser as you go deeper, and you want the lugs of the snow tires to reach the densest, more rigid packed snow underneath for the tires' lugs to engage and push against! A snow tire on top of snow just spins the flakes around, but if it sinks down, it can get you going. However, it will also have to push the surrounding snow out of the way -- that's where a narrow tire (like the bow of a boat) will have less snow to push aside (like a plow) than a wider tire, so it will have less resistance to overcome.

Good luck.

Nice explanation! I time my new tire purchase for late fall here in Western Ma. so as to get the most tred on the ground as the snow flies. This year going with goodyear Regatta II 195/70/14 on the 91 245. I used this tire last year in a 75 series and they were acceptable in the snow. See the tech. specs on tirerack.com . They give all dimensions including width and revolutions per mile.