Winter Tires and Steel Rims

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

R.E. - 30 Oct 2004 19:06 GMT

I looking for some advice regarding steel wheels to mount snow tires.
Volvo spare parts lists a 16" x 7" wheel. 3rd Party I am only able to
locate 16" x 6.5" wheels. I wouldn't think it would matter, but are
there any implications with the slightly narrower rim?

Tires to be mounted are 215/55R16. Original All-Seasons are 225/50R17
on a 17" x 7" Alloy. The Volvo dealer has 215/55R16 Tire and Rim sets
but the price is insane.

Reply to this Message

Daniel - 01 Nov 2004 03:51 GMT

>I looking for some advice regarding steel wheels to mount snow tires.
>Volvo spare parts lists a 16" x 7" wheel. 3rd Party I am only able to
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
>

You didn't say what model you have. If it's an R model with Brembo
brakes, I'd be careful going any narrower as you may have problems
with clearance between the inside of the rim and the outside of the
brake caliper.

Reply to this Message

R.E. - 01 Nov 2004 05:33 GMT

>>I looking for some advice regarding steel wheels to mount snow tires.
>>Volvo spare parts lists a 16" x 7" wheel. 3rd Party I am only able to
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>with clearance between the inside of the rim and the outside of the
>brake caliper.

It's a 2000 S80. I was under the impression that the rim diameter
could affect the brakes but, not the width of the rim. I'm thinking
that the .5" difference in the rim width should only make a minute
change in the profile of the mounted tire.

Reply to this Message

Mike F - 01 Nov 2004 16:46 GMT

> It's a 2000 S80. I was under the impression that the rim diameter
> could affect the brakes but, not the width of the rim. I'm thinking
> that the .5" difference in the rim width should only make a minute
> change in the profile of the mounted tire.

Look at the specs from the tire manufacturer. They'll list an
acceptable range of rim widths for each one of their tires.

For example, this page on the Toyo Proxes FZ4:
http://www.toyo.com/tires/tire_specsheet.cfm?id=4
lists a minimum width of 6", design width of 7" and a maximum width of
7.5" for your size.

Signature

Mike F.
Thornhill (near Toronto), Ont.

Replace tt with t (twice!) and remove parentheses to email me directly.
(But I check the newsgroup more often than this email address.)

Reply to this Message

Andrew Potter - 01 Nov 2004 23:11 GMT

The wheel offset is important to maintain lateral caliper to wheel
clearance. I think this is the issue that was being pointed out. As you
say, a narrower rim should not be an issue with regard to radial clearance.
In fact, you should have more clearance inboard around the suspension
providing the wheel offset distance is not reduced & this will ease the use
of snow chains if you plan to use them. Wheel offset is normally measured
between the centreline of the rim to the inside bolt face, but a check of
distance between outboard edge of caliper & inside surface of wheel is
effectively the same.

Andy P.

>> It's a 2000 S80. I was under the impression that the rim diameter
>> could affect the brakes but, not the width of the rim. I'm thinking
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> lists a minimum width of 6", design width of 7" and a maximum width of
> 7.5" for your size.

Reply to this Message

Jjsegr - 04 Nov 2004 01:10 GMT

I got my winter wheels by mail order from Tire Rack in Indiana (tirerack.com)
Their prices were good, service excellent. They also sell tires.

Reply to this Message

Spanky - 06 Nov 2004 09:48 GMT

I bought the same steel wheels that Volvo sells for the S80 for not much $$
at Les Schwab.

Then I put on a set of Michelin Artic Alpin's and the car is awesome in the
snow and ice! Sticks like glue.

> I looking for some advice regarding steel wheels to mount snow tires.
> Volvo spare parts lists a 16" x 7" wheel. 3rd Party I am only able to
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> on a 17" x 7" Alloy. The Volvo dealer has 215/55R16 Tire and Rim sets
> but the price is insane.

Reply to this Message