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Since Michelin (or no one else, it seems) no longer makes a 185R14 passenger car tire, I'm not certain what to mount on my 240 wagon. From what I can determine, a P195/75R14 appears to be the closest dimensionally to the 185R14, although at 35 psi, the maximum inflation pressure of the P195 is a tad less than the maximum pressure specified on the wagon's tire sticker.
On the other hand, a P205/70R14 can be pumped up to 44 psi and its revs per mile are in the ballpark, yet, I have to wonder if the extra width of the P205 will cause any problems.
Michelin, and others, still offer a 185R14 in a van tire (C or D load rating), but I tired that number once before I will never make that mistake again.
I would appreciate hearing the Voice of Experience from anyone who has been down this road already.
Thanks, one and all,
Rich
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My vehicle: 1988 245A: My local Discount Tire didn't have 75 series in stock the day I was there so he said to try 4 Michelin Symmetry [now discontinued] size 185/70x14. The car sat lower, didn't handle as crisply and looked a little small in the wheel well.[yes, air pressure was correct] He ordered/installed the same tire in 195/75x14 and I was much happier with the height, handling and overall seat-of-the-pants feel for normal, everyday driving. I am partial to Michelin because the bladder construction holds air better than any other brand and I get good even wear [which I realize is as much a factor of air pressure and driving style as anything.] Tirerack.com lists several brands in that size that are not C or D load range.
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I agree, sedan size tires are quite a bit small for a wagon.
--
White 86-245 DL, M 46, IPD bars & Wagon Overloads,Commando Bumpers,SS Belly Pan & Air Pickup,Straight-Shot EMT Chassis & Tower Braces,Scorpius Alloys,2 Belt No AC Conversion,Black POR-15 No Glare Front End
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posted by
someone claiming to be CB
on
Fri Dec 1 13:11 CST 2006 [ RELATED]
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well you know after all this discussion. I need new tires on my 80 240 and the one's on my 87 245 are about 1/2 gone. So I'm thinking to switch the 185/70/14s off the wagon onto the sedan and get new 195/75/14s for the wagon.
Why oh why don't they make 240s anymore :(
75 245(RIP) 80 244 226K, 87 245 172K
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posted by
someone claiming to be CB
on
Wed Nov 29 13:52 CST 2006 [ RELATED]
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FWIW. I've been running 185/70/14s on all my Volvos since 1984
Why oh why don't they make 240s anymore :(
75 245(RIP) 80 244 226K, 87 245 172K
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I vote with CB, for acceleration,potholes,urban running and hauling
195-70-14 on 20 spoke early GT wheels suit me fine.
I ordered some BF Goodrich Momentums,high milege,
and not too pricey.
I still get 30-32 mpg on the open road.
86-245/Speedo says 60,radar says 56 mph.
If mostly freeway,however I would run 195-75-14's.
Ken
--
White 86-245 DL, M 46, IPD bars & Wagon Overloads,Commando Bumpers,SS Belly Pan & Air Pickup,Straight-Shot EMT Chassis & Tower Braces,Scorpius Alloys,2 Belt No AC Conversion,Black POR-15 No Glare Front End
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For a 93 wagon, the 195 75 R14? I have read that a 185 70 R14 could be used as well. Which one would give the most accurate speedometer reading?
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Check your tire label on the passenger door edge.
I'd think it is still there on a '93 car.
Find the size spec'd for your particular car on the label.
Generally, wagons take 185/R-14.
Generally, sedans take 185/70-14.
The sedan tire works out to be a somewhat smaller outer diameter so the two sizes don't completely interchange on the sedans vs. wagons - though they will fit on OK. Speedometer will lie and load capacity will not be the same.
Good equivalent for the wagon is 195/75-14.
Some have enjoyed 205/70-14 however diameter is slightly smaller.
I've suspected that some less common versions like turbo or maybe very late ones take different sizes from what I put above. So check your door sticker.
--
Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, open-front airbox, E-fan, 205/65-15's, IPD sways, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors. Wifemobile '89 245 NA stock. 90 244 NA spare, runs.
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I plan to put 195/75-14s on the next time. You don't need the same maximum
pressure rating as the original tires had because the specified pressure
is lower than that. I had 205/70-14s on a 245 once and they occassionally
hit on the inner fender. I plan to try the Yokohama Avid Touring tires
next time. Lots of good reviews about them on Volvo at tirerack.com:
http://www.tirerack.com/survey/SurveyComments.jsp?partnum=975SR4TOURW&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&tirePageLocQty=%26partnum%3D975SR4TOURW&beenHere=1&additionalComments=Y&autoMake=&autoYear=&autoModel=&drivingStyle=All&drivingConditions=All&miles=All
Wider isn't always better. For snow, rain and fuel economy going wider is a detriment.
John
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I'll second that. I just used up a set of Yoko Avids and was very pleased with them. I plan on getting something similar for my summer tires, but a bit more sporty since they will go on my newly-acquired Virgo rims.
--
Mike F - 1984 244 DL - 261,000 miles
Original engine, transmission, drive train, alternator, starter
Undergoing reconstructive surgery with POR-15
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I used 205/70HR14 Michelin MXV4 tires on my cars (I had three at a time) for about 15 years -- on both sedans and wagons. Never had any problems with them. I only stopped using them when Michelin stopped the 205/70 size as they changed their model to the new "Energy MXV4 Plus" and dropped the 205 size. Then their biggest was only the 195/70HR14.
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posted by
someone claiming to be SL8Brick
on
Thu Nov 30 09:56 CST 2006 [ RELATED]
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After several years of driving on 195/75R14s, I just installed 4 205/70R14s...just in the interest of putting a 'little' more rubber on the road. So far, so good. No rubbing at all. The higher load/speed rating specs have seemed to translate to a tighter ride. Less sidewall flex as well. I went from 195/75R14 92S Yokohama Avid Tourings to 205/70R14 93T Toyo 800 Ultras. The Toyos make more noise than the Yokos, but that was expected. If the car continues to handle this well I'll be satified.
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Well I'm glad to see someone posting a question on this topic who's already done their homework.
I've been running 195/75-14's on our 245s having 14" wheels for several years now. It's worked out well. I think their load capacity is maybe 50 or 25lb. less than the stock tire; really inconsequential. Note that the front end of car is heaviest unless you load up the beast - and (smaller) 185/70-14's can carry that front end, as indicated by the fact that is the spec'd size for the 240 sedans.
I did have 205/70-14s on my own car before that. It's OK but I like the 195/75-14's better. The 205 version is a bit smaller diameter so the speedometer is off by a bit. Also the 205 is pretty wide for the rim width of the stock 14" steelie. The sidewalls have to angle outwards a bit more than would be ideal. Also if you get a surprise snowfall when using all season tires, the narrower 195 will bite in better.
I've been using TireRack.com
Search tires by size. Then sort by price. I usually get the least expensive tire that has decent UTOQG specs - temp, traction, treadwear. Their default sort is by "application type" or something, it's not very useful.
--
Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, open-front airbox, E-fan, 205/65-15's, IPD sways, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors. Wifemobile '89 245 NA stock. 90 244 NA spare, runs.
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Max air pressure is not determined by tire size, but by make/model/design.
So you could probably find tires in either size that have maximums of both 35 and 44 psi, if you care to hunt.
--
Sven: '89 245 NA, 951 ECU, open-front airbox, E-fan, 205/65-15's, IPD sways, E-Codes, amber front corner reflectors. Wifemobile '89 245 NA stock. 90 244 NA spare, runs.
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I'm running Bridgestone Insignias in 195/75/14. I'm very happy with them. There isn't enough difference in diameter from a 185/R14 to worry about. 44 psi is the max pressure.
I'm running Bridgestone 603 tires on my Vanagon. They are D rated and are 185/R14. Max pressure is 65 psi. I suppose one could use these on a 245 without any problems.
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Life used to be so simple for me. At one time, 240's, either sedans or wagons, called for 185R14 tires. Then I bought my first Vanagon and it too called for a 185R14. I had 185R14 tires coming out of my wazoo, but it didn't matter. My world revolved around one size of tire and I was a contender for a feature in that magazine my wife gets: Real Simple (yeah, real simple, all 350 pages of simplicity).
In my quest to reduce my consumption of rubber to the elemental, I once decided to mount the same tire which I used on a Vanagon, a 185R14 D, also on a 240 wagon. At the time, the thought of using not only the same sized tire on all my vehicles, but the exact same tire really stroked my sense of galactic harmony. Unfortunately, a D rated tire doesn't work all that well on a 240; the ride becomes harsh with an 8-ply tire mounted. Also, if you hoist a passenger car 185R14 and then a D rated version, you can't help but notice a BIG difference in their weights. It makes you wonder about what all that extra unsprung mass is doing to the suspension system every time you hit a bump.
The years slipped by with me running 240 wagons and Vanagons and buying tires without a second thought until I bought a '90 sedan for my daughter. When winter rolled in, no sweat, I had a lightly used set of winter tires for her already mounted. Right after that it happened - she got a speeding ticket. She was devasted and she swore she had been well under the 65 + 8 mph real speed limit. Her innocence and my stupidity were well proven whenever I swapped out her tires in the spring. While changing the tires, I happened to lean one of the summer tires, 185/70R14, against one of the Hakkapeliitta's, 185R14, I had just pulled. Golly-gee, that there Hakka was almost 2 inches taller than the summer rubber. My first thought was, who's the idiot who put a 70 series tire on a 240, then I thought of the speeding ticket, then I popped open the door to look at the tire sticker, then I kept my mouth shut and told no one of my new found knowledge.
Thanks to everyone for their input. I've decided to mount Michelins in a 195/75R14 size because I've never had a problem with a Michelin, I prefer a larger diameter, "taller" tire and, perhaps what could be the best reason of all, the revs/mile of the 195/75R14 is nearly identical to the specified 185R14.
Rich
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