It’s not a good idea to reduce weight capacity
I have a quick question for you on tire size. Would it be safe and OK to put P195/60R15 tires on a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero that says it needs P205/60R15 tires? I know it’s not much of a difference, just a few kilometres per hour slower on the speed, from what I’ve read. I’m a student and I need to buy used winter or all-season tires for when I leave for college. I’m having a hard time finding used P205s, but there are lots of used P195s kicking around.
The difference in overall diameter of the two tire sizes is about half an inch, with the 195s being the smaller tire. That’s a bit over the norm for a size change. However, what is more important is that a 205 tire has a load index of 94 (1,477 pounds) and the 195 tire has a load index of 01 (1,356). That loss of 121 pounds per tire of weight capacity is not a good idea.
Under heavy braking or cornering load, much of the weight of the car is transferred to the tires doing the work on the front of the side. It is never a good idea to reduce the weight capacity of the tires on your car. An alternate size that has the correct load index is a P215/60R15. It was also a size available on the Alero when it came from the factory as an option.
I don’t know what city you are in, but there are a fair number of used tires in both your correct sizes on kijiji.ca and craigslist.ca in the Toronto area. I think that for safety’s sake, you should stick to one of the two correct sizes.
I own a 2014 Ram Promaster Van, 136-inch wheel base. I am converting it to a motorhome. It has OE 225/75R16 C Vanco Fourseason six-ply tires by Continental with 3,195 lbs. maximum load rating. I would like to convert to a softer ride and a wider tire (for looks). I do not require all-season, as I snowbird down south for six months.
That Ram is a great base to create your own RV. By building the van into an RV, you will be adding weight, not subtracting it. That basically removes tire choices on the softer or wider side of life. The Continental Vanco tire is specially designed and built for commercial vans. It has a much higher load rating than a normal tire of the same size. Most LT tires in your size can carry just 2,336 lbs., so you are already ahead of the game with load capacity.
All of an RV’s weight must be supported by a strong, tall side wall and high air pressures. Both of these are the opposite of the softer ride you are after, so no ride quality improvement will be possible.
Roadtrek make some luxurious Sprinter van RVs. In order to compensate for the added weight, they actually go to a taller LT215/85R16 tires and double up with dual rear tires.
You may have to go that same route, depending on how much weight you add to the vehicle. I think the dualies are a good safety margin and give the van a better-looking stance.
I’m an Oakville geezer who has had company cars forever. My first new car is a 2012 Cadillac SRX Premium SUV. It has P235/ 55R20 tires front and rear. The treadwear rating is 440, traction A. They are Michelin Latitude Touring HP tires with 68,000 kilometres. I use them all year, even down to Ellicottville, N.Y., in the snowy winter!
How long should I expect these to last? The dealer has rotated tires at oil changes. My company cars usually went 80,000, then new tires were needed. The SRX has no spare tire, so should I carry a can of stuff in case I get a flat tire? What replacement brand of tires should I get, when needed? You are the Gretzky of tires! Many thanks.
With regular rotation and no alignment issues, you can expect your Michelins to last 80,000 to 90,000 kilometres. Yes, with no spare tire, a couple of cans of tire sealant and an air compressor are both very good ideas. The tire seal compound will plug most holes and keep you mobile. If you use it, be sure to tell the tire shop when you go for a repair.
If I were going to a heavy snow or ski area, I’d seriously consider winter tires for that beast. Those would be the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2s. I’ve used these on several SUVs and they work wonders in deep snow. But if you can avoid driving before the snowplows get out, the all-seasons may do the job for you.
If you are happy with the Michelin Latitude Touring tire, then stick with it at replacement time. In your size, I like the Yokohama Parada Spec-X; it has a more aggressive tread pattern, useful if you are leaving it on all year round. But the Michelin will be smoother in the summer. Thetireguy_1@hotmail.com