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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / December 2004TIRES: Profile VS. Speed rating
Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14", S-rated. Which will improve driveability: Buy same size as above, but H-rated. -or- Plus-size to, say, 65R15, staying S-rated. Thanks, -Chris > Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14", > S-rated. Which will improve driveability: [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > -Chris An H rated tire in the same size will generally have a stiffer side wall reducing the soft ride. This is so the tire will handle better in corners and how they get a higher speed rating. Then again going from 14" to 15" and keeping the same diameter (you've not specified the width which sets the sidewall height) will probably have a firmer ride due to the shorter side wall. Brian Drivability in what regard? Firmer ride and better cornering? Smoother ride and better cornering? Stiff ride and lower vehicle height? All of the above can be altered using just tire/wheel combos. Depends on what you want to achieve. Now taking something like a 84-85 Monte Carlo with 195/75 SR 14 tire and going to an H rated tire will do very little to vehicle height. It might make it a bit stiffer ride but that's about it. Body roll and low spring rate is what hampers those vehicles in the first place. Now switching to something like a 265/50 16 would lower the vehicle by about 1/2" and the stiffer sidewalls and wider contact patch would improve holding power on corners BUT with a large trade off, Namely harsher ride. Also with the real wide low rubber you risk real damage from potholes, rocks and curbs. Those are one of the things they forget to mention when they sell those tires.  SignatureSteve Williams > Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14", > S-rated. Which will improve driveability: [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > -Chris > Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14", > S-rated. Which will improve driveability: [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > -Chris define "driveability." and no, this isn't a smart-a.s answer. What is your objective? Handling? Softer ride? High speed driving? Long tire life? Driving conditions? Wet/Dry/Snow? Cost? There's a lot more to tires than sizes and speed ratings. I can buy a 185/75-14 from tirerack.com for $29 or for $67. (each) For some people, the $29 tire is the right choice. Directional stability and better steering response. The S tires on this thing lend no clue as to when you are entering or exiting turns. Secondarily, traction and stability durn turns at "relatively* high speeds. that be all, -CC >Directional stability and better steering response. The S tires on >this thing lend no clue as to when you are entering or exiting turns. >Secondarily, traction and stability durn turns at "relatively* high >speeds. In that case, you want to go with the plus 1 sizing. You will get a shorter, stiffer sidewall that will improve steering response. You may actually want to look into plus 2 sizing to get even better response. The wider, lower tires will get you more traction, but not necessarily stability. That is more a function of the suspension. ------------- Alex > >Directional stability and better steering response. The S tires on > >this thing lend no clue as to when you are entering or exiting turns. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > ------------- > Alex _______________ How about keeping existing size spec, but going up in speed rating, say, S to H? Will that accomplish the same thing? -CC "ChrisCoaster" <ckozicki@snet.net> wrote in news:1103633371.578641.52440 @f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com: > Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14", > S-rated. Which will improve driveability: [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > -Chris Depends on what you want....you didnt' really say. On the sport neon, I went to a Pirelli P215 65HR14, for a bit more aggressive handling and a touch more acceleration, at the cost of a stiffer ride and a little poorer fuel mileage, (Still gets 37 mpg) For the 'ol Ranger 64 mile round trip daily driver pickup, I went with a P205 75R14 for better gas mileage, at the expense of some acceleration and handling. (Got me about 2 miles per gallon extra over the 60 series that were on it) SignatureAnthony You can't 'idiot proof' anything....every time you try, they just make better idiots. Remove sp to reply via email >Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14", >S-rated. Which will improve driveability: >Buy same size as above, but H-rated. >-or- >Plus-size to, say, 65R15, staying S-rated. define driveability. ----------- Alex |
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