My dealer and Volvo directives are telling me that I can't replace my XC Scorpion 205/65/16 tires on 16" wheels with 235/55/17 tires on 17" wheels even though these will give practically the same overall diameter. They instruct the use of 235/45/17 i.e. the same tire width but a lower profile - meaning more than a 7% reduction in the overall wheel size (and a corresponding speedometer error). The smaller diameter will also look odd on the XC. They threaten me with possible violation of warranty if I have subsequent AWD problems!

Can someone please help me resolve this stupidity - there must have been hundreds of wheels upgrades to 17" the way I want to do it. Is Volvo nuts or am I missing something? I am getting desperate to make a decision. Thanks.

235-45-17 is too small. 235-55-17 is too big. 235-50-17 is closest at only 0.9% difference. now...the scorpions are suv tires...their tread blocks may be a little thicker than normal passenger cars. if not, then definitely go for 235-50-17. whether they rub or not is another issue. also, volvo dealer may have had too many bad experiences with volvo's bevel gears in the awd. it would appear these are very sensitive to tire diameter. the newer systems on the 2002 s60awd don't appear on the volvo xc until next year. also, give tirerack.com a call, or visit a tire size calculating site, like this one www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

235/55-17s should be OK. Their overall diameter is 27.3 vs. 27.18 of the OEM Pirellis.

Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M SR, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., ipd ME7 ECU Upgrade, K&N Air Filter, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys

If you've read ALL the previous issues reported here and at consumer reports on Volvos older AWD systems (like your car) you'ld know that correct running diameter on all 4 wheels at all times is essential OR costly AWD problems occur. XCs do not come with 17" to my knowledge (havent seen or heard of it so far) and so I'd have to think that Volvo has their reasons for that. If Volvo does not offer and/or advise the use of 17" wheels, then I wouldn't go ahead and try it anyway because if you're wrong and damage occurs as a result, the dealer is correct in that it won't be warrantiable.
Personally, I wouldn't take that chance and besides, 17" wheels with low profile tires ride terribly IMHO. If you've driven C70s with 17" tires and low profile tires, you'ld know what I mean as you feel every little piece of tar in the road. Wheels with low profile tires are also very easily damaged from potholes, especially when the owners don't notice that the tire is low on air. I'd rather have a smoother ride with less expensive stock wheels and tires.

Question,

Just now found this list and reading the messages/archives. From other lists I got the impression that the old AWD system had problems but people were not sure what the new AWD system on the '01 & '02s would be like - if it too would have problems. I thought it was not AWD full time that it was FWD until it detected slippage and then kicked into AWD.

I also got the impression that keeping all 4 tires in good shape and making sure none had different wear or could cause damage was more important on the older AWD system and not in the '01s or the '02s. Is there extra worry in the '02s (whether it is the V70 AWD or the XC)?

Considering a Volvo wagon - currently have a '97 4Runner so it doesn't have full time AWD but I can put it in 4WD if I need to. Can't decide if I want to give up that option. Was more interested in the V70 AWD and not the XC that has the higher clearance. Remember just starting the looking process and just found this list so don't blast me if I have my information wrong, just looking for some feedback.

Thanks.

Volvo has nver come out and said "do not use 17" tires"...All you have to make sure is that the overall diameter is not beyong the recommended limits.

17" tires do not necessarily give you "awful ride". The suspensions of the new V70s are night and day compared to the old generation suspension of the 850s and previous 70s. Therefore, you can't and shouldn't compare the ride of a new V70 with 17" alloys to that of a C70 with 17" alloys. Two different cars with very different suspension calibrations.

I can compare the ride of an 850 or S/V70 with 205/50-16 tires to that of my car (it is equipped with 235/45-17 tires) and the difference is night and day. Actually, just in a few years of test drives, I did bend a rim twice with the older cars. I have been driving my car for about 19000 miles and never had a problem.

Is there more chance for damage from potholes? Potentially, yes. But it also depends on the suspension settings and type of tire. Back in the '90s we had many customers who blew up their 16" tires (Michelin Pilot MXMs) which had an aspect ratio of 50. The owners of S80 T6s (225/50-17) and S60s plus V70s (235/45-17) who I know of and have had blown tires are less than the fingers of one of my hands.


Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M SR, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., ipd ME7 ECU Upgrade, K&N Air Filter, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys

Thanks for the replies so far.

Actually, Volvo have no problem with 17" wheels for the 2001 XC but they specify the 235/45/17 tires for 17" wheels which will be smaller in outside diameter than the stock Scorpions on 16" wheels.

Tirerack recommend 235/55/17 tires for this car.

The smaller aspect ratio of 45 recommended by Volvo will certainly give a harder ride. Do you think that 55% will be a reasonable compromise? How come the V70T5 owners with low aspect ration 17" wheel options don't complain of an overly harsh ride?

If there is a problem with the bevel gears, and sensitivity to wheel size, why would Volvo be happy to require a smaller wheel (by 7.7%) for a 17' wheel?

we used to, and we still do...at least on the prev gen 850/70. we had stiff ass rides.. and on skimpy tires...205-45-17 stock. the new v70 chassis is considerably stiffer, so the springs don't have to be so hard and the subframe is also probably better isolated. i realize the 17" on the new v70t5 is 235-45-17, which is smaller than ur xc's 205-60-16. but remember, the t5 doesn't have a raised suspension like the xc. if anything, it has a lowered sport suspension, so smaller 17" tires wouldn't be rubbing the fenders or wheel wells. tirerack asked for 235-55-17? interesting...maybe u could look into their website and find the actual rolling diameter on the 205-60-16 scorpions and find the best 235-55-17 or 235-50-17

The Scorpions (215/65/16) on 16" wheels gives an O/D of 27.1". My proposed 17" wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 235/55/tires gives 27.3" (+ 0.7%). Volvo's directive is 235/45/17 for a 17" wheel and gives a 25.6" diameter (-5.5%). So which do you think is closer to the original?! In any case,if all the front and back wheels are the same size, the size of the wheel will not be apparent to the transmission system unless I am missing something.