tyres question

[sam1970]

apologies if this sounds stupid question...my car tyres are due for change and i would like to know which tyre sizes i could buy as i would like to buy from internet sellers and not get ripped off by the likes of kwik fit. my current tyres read as 225-50 R16 V. i know that the radius (16) cant be changed unless i change the wheels but about the other 2 figures? for example can i fit a tyre 215-55 R16?? any advice will be much appreciated.

[steveo3002]

keep to the proper size...otherwise the speedo will be affected and they might rub on the arches etc

[Stephen Leak]

R is for Radial. 16 is the diameter of the wheel in inches. V denotes the maximum speed.

If you change the width and/or aspect ratio/profile of the tyre you will have to change the width and/or diameter of the wheels.

Keep it to what the bodywork, steering, brakes and suspension were designed for.

On the internet, try etyres, mytyres and blackcircles. Avoid the very cheap budget brand Albanian cart tyres. I recommend going for the best possible brand (again the original equipment one is probably the best bet) but at the best possible price.

Don't dismiss the High Street chains too quickly. Look out for 2 for 1 offers - National had one recently on Avon tyres. Also try to ring them towards the end of the month, when the depot manager might be getting desperate to meet his sales target. At worst, they give you a comparison with the internet suppliers' prices, so you know how much you've saved.

[tomstickland]

Try Blackcircles.

[sam1970]

thank you guys..you were very helpful

[Wig]

It is possible to change the tyre size without changing the wheels. You look in your vehicles handbook under wheels and tyres section. They sometimes list an alternative tyre size that is acceptable.

AFAIK because your tyres are 'V' you have to fit "V" or better to pass an MOT (I think). Assuming it says V in the vehicle handbook.

There is another thread here (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=6776631#post6776631) recently about tyres, you would do well to read that thread, because among other things I disproved the theory that buying internet tyres is cheaper than buying local.

The cheapest method is to phone around the dealers.

[goldspanners]

It is possible to change the tyre size without changing the wheels. You look in your vehicles handbook under wheels and tyres section. They sometimes list an alternative tyre size that is acceptable.

AFAIK because your tyres are 'V' you have to fit "V" or better to pass an MOT (I think). Assuming it says V in the vehicle handbook.

There is another thread here recently about tyres, you would do well to read that thread, because among other things I disproved the theory that buying internet tyres is cheaper than buying local.

The cheapest method is to phone around the dealers.

correct,i used to have a van which had a rare size of tyre on it, i was able to fit different sizes of tyre to that no problem.
as long as the front tyres are the same size as each other and the back tyres are the same you wont get a problem (unless you go too big).

[Iamthesmartestmanalive]

correct,i used to have a van which had a rare size of tyre on it, i was able to fit different sizes of tyre to that no problem.
as long as the front tyres are the same size as each other and the back tyres are the same you wont get a problem (unless you go too big).

The tyres on the car must meet manufacturer guidelines otherwise your insurance company will not pay out stating the car is either not roadworthy or/and that their are modifications

Not really worth the hassle for an extra few quid