(Not quite Scooby related I know, but I can't think of a better bunch of people to ask http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif)

I'll be needing some new tyres on my current car soon (not a Scooby http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/frown.gif). The current ones are 165/60 R14.

I'll be keeping the same wheels, but I've never understood how you know if you can fit different size tyres and maintain speedo accuracy etc.

Could I fit different size tyres and what would be the handling implications?

Any advice would be very useful - does any one have a tyre FAQ?

Cheers,

Chris.

From my limited knowledge (but hey, no-one else has replied yet, so...)

If you fit lower profile tyres to aid the handling (less sidewall flex, therefore better turn it, but less ride comfort) you'll be running with a smaller overall circumference, therefore for each turn of the wheel your car won't travel so far, so the speedo will less accurate. This is why lower profile tyre changes go with bigger wheels, so the overall circumference stays the same.

If you were thinking of wider tyres then you need to make sure you're not fitting tyres wider than those skinny rims can support. I couldn't say whether you could get away with 175s, but I imagine that 185s are out of the question.

You should really ask a tyre outfit what you can and can't fit with your current wheels.

Paul

Going on the old Pirreli plus one system from the early 80's ( when you were probably just a twinkle ) if you follow the patern as follows 175 70 13 , 185 60 14 , 195 50 15 , 205 40 16 you won't go far out but its not allways spot on and diferent makes of the same size can vary a smidge
165 60 14 , 175 55 14 or 185 50 14 assuming wheels are at least 5" wide though a friend once put 205 60's on 5" rims and lived to tell the tail
Ian