Tire question

[ganda1f]

I am about to get new summer tires, complete wheels actually, for my '95 corolla Hatchback. Question is about dimensions. Currently I've been using 175x65R14, but I'd like a little more sideways stability, so I was thinking of getting 185x60R14 instead. Both dimensions have the same total wheel diameter so there is no problem there. Difference in price is not an issue either. It's just the amount of trouble to get the different alternatives. I can get 175x65R14 from Toyota without a problem. 185x65R14, on the other hand, I have to get rims and tires form different places and then have them put togehter and balanced.

Question is: Is the lower profile worth the effort? Will I notice any difference? I mean regular highway driving, not having fun on a track

[REN69]

what?? that's like one of the easiest sizes to get down here! why would they have to sell you an entire set of rims if you want 185/60-14???? I'd say go to a different shop and ask for them, they shouldn't request you to buy a new set of rims for tires.

you can go for either 185/60-14 or 175/65-14 which is the equivalent size. You can also go for 195/55-14 but they might request you buy a performance car for that size.

[Ukrainian102]

Stock Corolla tire sizes came in 185/65/14 for DX/LE models and wagons, and 175/65/14 for base models.

When I uprgraded to 205/50/15 I definitely felt a difference.

However for you the profile of the tire is not changing, because you want to keep the overall diameter the same. With 185/60/14, it'll be the same profile as with 175/65/14, just the tire will be wider. The profile does not change unless you get larger wheels.

[ganda1f]

Originally Posted by REN69

why would they have to sell you an entire set of rims if you want 185/60-14????

It's not that they don't want to put 185/60/14 on the rims I currently have. I need new set of rims, so that I won't have to swap summer and winter tires on the same rims, but instead just swap the wheels. Swapping wheels is a lot easier and cheaper than changing just tires, which requires balancing.

Originally Posted by Ukrainian102

The profile does not change unless you get larger wheels.

True, the amount of rubber in millimeters is the same, but the aspect ratio (height/width) is smaller, so I wonder if that would make any noticeable difference.

[Ukrainian102]

Eh, dunno, I'd def go for it if it's not too much trouble.

What kind of tires are you getting anyway?

[ganda1f]

Thinking Pirelli P6 or if I can't get these, I'll probably go for Bridgestone or Michelin that the Toyota is offering. Dunno what exact Bridgestone/Michelin they have, but I'll check it out next week. I'm not looking for anything high-tech, since my car is completely stock. High-tech would just be "all show, no go". Only performance-ish stuff I have, are platinum spark plugs.

[REN69]

If you're going to do the summer to winter tire swap every season, then why not spend the extra money and get decent set of wheels and tires???? If you're worried about keeping the overall diameter, then you can go to 195/50-15s or even 205/40-16s which keep the same diameter as the 185/60-14s and 175/65-14s. Makes more sense to have the crappy rims for winter and a nice set for spring/summer.