Car Tyre Sizes

[Chriss]

Hi

I've currently got 215/50 R16 tyres on my car, however, my local tyre fitter is saying that I should change to 205/55 R16, as it'll work out cheaper for me. These ones also happen to be the ones they have in stock.

Anyone tell me if there's any cons to doing this?

Thanks in advance.

Chriss
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[WildGoose]

What does the manual/manufacturer recommend?

He is just some chimp trying to sell you something, has no interest in safety or handling implications, just making the sale.

Smaller tyres will always costs marginally less.

Essentially they are 1cm thinner.

What car is it? The 215 size stated seems to be much rarer (ultra high performance type low profile shite, read expensive) than 205/55 so are you certain the car has the correct tyres in the first place?

215/55 is much more common a size.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[Chriss]

It's a T reg (if it makes any difference) Ford Cougar 2.5 V6. Pretty sure it's the standard tyre size.
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Check what it should have, but a bit either side is normally OK (depends on the size of the rims).

215 is an unusual size, and that alone will put the price of tyres up.

If you go for 205/50 then you will land up with a 5mm smaller radius. Go for 205/55 then you will land up with 5mm larger radius tyre.

Looks like 215 is the standard size:-

https://www.tyresite.com/fitment.asp?psearch=Ford

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Mr Nice Guy]

Stick your sizes in here -

https://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
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Suzuki GSX-R750K4 ~ Mivv GP

[Dischord]

It's such a small difference you'll hardly notice, especially if you don't drive the car hard. I'd just go for the cheaper option.
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2012 KTM EXC 250

Check out my vids - https://www.youtube.com/user/KTMSparky/videos

[WildGoose]

michelin primacy HP V 205/55 R16 94.38

michelin primacy HP V 215/55 R16 £121.05

One example of the price difference for an average "high performance" tyre in those sizes.

In the 205/55 size on black circles, premium tyres start at £53

In 215/55 they start at £75.

So you stand to save 20 quid a tyre roughly or £80-100 quid a set. Quite a saving when you look at it like that.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[WildGoose]

Get a van, the most expensive tyres I can buy are £55
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[Chriss]

So 205/55 will be fine for my car? I don't drive it 'hard' (well, never done a track day) just occasionally 'fast'. I don't care if it loses a bit of performance, but safety is something I just won't risk (ie risking the tyre falling off the rim, I don't know how these things work exactly!
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[WildGoose]

If 215 is the standard you should be fine for 1cm either way. It's very common to find oversize.

185 to 195 for example, so shouldn't be a major issue.

If 215 is narrower already then it might be more of a problem, hard to know without seeing. I just wouldn't trust the 'extensive' knowledge of a tyre fitter, if they know anything about it, it certainly wasn't through their training.

In other words they learn the same way you or me would.

From a personal point of view if the manual says 215 then I would buy 215's because its just another thing insurance could claim is an undeclared modification and refuse a pay out. Or load your premium if you tell them.

Just my personal view, and i've never had a car with seriously expensive tyres. Nor would I, probably.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976

[WildGoose]

The second number i.e 55 is a measure of the profile as a percentage of the width. I.e 55% of 215. Changing profile significantly can affect speedo readings. I doubt it will affect much in this particular case.

https://www.tyresite.com/tyrecalc.asp

That site will tell you buy how much, if you are fussed.
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So in other words, he stopped you for being flagrantly in posession of a motorcycle in direct contravention of the Hippies, Darkies and People Whose Face I Don't Like The Look of (Police Powers) Act. 1976