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Tyres on my 62 544 444-544

Hi everyone
Just wanted to ask if it’s ok to use 195 SR R15 tyres. Currently, it has 165 SR R15 tyres. What will the difference be??
Thanking you all in advance.
Sunil








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    Tyres on my 62 544 444-544

    A bit of math to help you with your choice.

    A 165SR15 tire is approximately 25.6" tall. Technically, the metric SR tires' aspect ratio is 82% (165/82-15). To do the math take 165mm (section width) and divide by 25.4 to convert to inches = 6.49", then multiply by .82, the aspect ratio. You get 5.32". This is the sidewall height. Since you have a sidewall on the top and bottom, the height of the tire is the wheel diameter + 2x the sidewall height. (5.32 x 2) + 15 = 25.6" tall. A decent approximation of tire height.

    If you go 195SR15 -- follow the same math -- you have a tire height of 27.6". That's going to throw your speedo off. (27.6-25.6)/25.6 = .078 -- or about 7.8%, let's call it 8%. So if your speedo is accurate with the 165 tires, when it says you're going 60mph with the 195's, your actual speed will be about 64.8, call it 65 mph.

    More importantly, if your wheel width is actually 4", then the 165 is about the widest tire you'd want to put on that width wheel. Actually, a good rule of thumb is that you don't want a section width that is more than your wheel width + 2". Your wheel width is 4". So ideally you don't want a section width of your tire of more than 6" == 152mm. So, a 155SR15 tire would actually be a better fit for a 4" wheel. The 195mm section is much too wide for a 4". For tires that are equally sticky on the 4" wheel, you'd likely get better performance out of a 155 or 165 tire than you would the 195.

    Additionally, that taller tire (effectively a "taller rear gear") will slow acceleration a bit. And, it's going to be heavier than a 155 or 165 tire - which will also slow acceleration.

    Having gone into all that -- I'd look for a quality 155 or 165 section tire for a 4" wheel. If you insist on moving up to a 195 section tire -- keep the heights similar. That would be a 195/70/15. And for wheel width -- (195/25.4)-2=5.7". You'd want at least a 5.5" wide wheel, a 6" wide would be even better.








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    Tyres on my 62 544 444-544

    A 195 is wider than a 165 and IMHO too wide assuming you have the stock 4" wide rims.

    A 185 would be the widest I would suggest.
    --
    Eric
    Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
    Torrance, CA 90502
    hiperformanceautoservice.com or oldvolvosonly.com








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      Tyres on my 62 544 444-544

      195 also has a much larger diameter. That will make the car feel very sluggish. Even a 185 is a bit wide for a 4" rim. Certainly no tyre maker would condone it. An off the wall compromise might be the 17/65/15 as fitted to the new type Mini. A good choice available. 185/65/15? Slightly smaller diameter so car will feel lively at the expense of cruising speed noise. A GPS speedo on your phone advised for any change in tyre size.








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        Chart with tire sizes and recommended wheel widths 444-544

        https://www.sw-em.com/Wheels_Tires_Suspension_Notes.htm#Tires_and_Wheel_Sizes








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          Chart with tire sizes and recommended wheel widths 444-544

          looks like 205/65R15 is a good choice if you have 6" rims since they are readily available at reasonable prices. I am thinking of buying the VTO minilite wheels which are 6".

          Does anyone out there know if the 205/65R15 tire on that rim have any interference issues on a PV544? Rear fender wells look a bit tight.
          dean







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