tyre question, higher profile

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wizdumb

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so my car's tyres has lasted over 81k km, now the std tyre size is 195/50R15 (ford fiesta). now i am thinking of going up in profile size, to something like 60 or even 65....

...now my question is, how would this affect my cars handling etc

ps: my reason for this, is just for a partially softer ride
 
Just deflate your current tyres to a lower pressure:)
 
Last edited:
BigBear said:
Lower = damn hard, have the same 1 on the POlO.
What you could try:185/65R15
Softer ride same tyre size.
Depends on what fiesta you have?
Whatever you do don't drop the tyre pressure on LP below 2.1/210
It is dangerous!
http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
http://www.overlander.com.au/equipment/index.php?id=39
Click to expand...

Yup, much harder. there are ways to combat that tho. Upgrade your lowering suspension. Promblem solved.

Get a set of adjustable coil overs ;) Best of both worlds.
 
i'm looking at, still continentals, but maybe
195/60R15 or
195/65R15

i have a fiesta 1.4 trend, and std size is 195/50R15

i always keep my tyre pressure on 2 to 2.1

i don't want to go lower, as lower looks nice, but ride is hard...and my reason for going higher is soften the ride a bit

Going up to 60 - 65 will increase your rolling diameter which will affect gearing and speed read outs
Click to expand...

will it be serious or will i be ok?
 
It wont be serious. It wont affect your speed read out, it wont even affect your gearing.
 
What would actually be better if you went for a 185 width tyre and increased the sidewall then you would save fuel and have alot more comfort, especially on a 1.4i
Depends on how much cornering/spirited driving you do.
The 60 is usually a very good compromise and works great.
60-Sporty/Softer than 50
65-Less Sporty/ Alot Softer more comfort
These small changes won't affect gearing speedo as much as say:
245/75R15
33" 11.5 R15
/
15"-19"
R2 D2 don't know how long you have been racing or modding or whatever, but they do affect them and alot of other things to.
A car is designed with specific alowance in wheel travel and such with std tyres on std suspension.
Change suspension then you are in your own experimental field.
 
BigBear said:
What would actually be better if you went for a 185 width tyre and increased the sidewall then you would save fuel and have alot more comfort, especially on a 1.4i
Depends on how much cornering/spirited driving you do.
The 60 is usually a very good compromise and works great.
60-Sporty/Softer than 50
65-Less Sporty/ Alot Softer more comfort
These small changes won't affect gearing speedo as much as say:
245/75R15
33" 11.5 R15
/
15"-19"
R2 D2 don't know how long you have been racing or modding or whatever, but they do affect them and alot of other things to.
A car is designed with specific alowance in wheel travel and such with std tyres on std suspension.
Change suspension then you are in your own experimental field.
Click to expand...

Been racing for more than 10 years. As i posted in another thread. Changing the size of your tyre will affect your car in certain ways. Heavier the wheel, your bearings will go quicker, you would need to roll your arches sometimes, fuel costs etc.

I was merely saying that changing a wheel size will not leave you speedo out by 20km, as previously stated by another user. Thats ridiculous, i am yet to see this happen.

Lower the car with a proper quality suspension, then i dont see any probs.
 
cool thx for all the input...

...so i can safely assume that upping to 60s wont negatively affect my car (maybe just make my ride a slight softer)

Yup, much harder. there are ways to combat that tho. Upgrade your lowering suspension. Promblem solved
Click to expand...

what would you suggest?
 
wizdumb said:
cool thx for all the input...

...so i can safely assume that upping to 60s wont negatively affect my car (maybe just make my ride a slight softer)



what would you suggest?
Click to expand...

There are lots on the market. Goto your local racing accessory shop for some options.

Where do you live?
 
kempton park.

but not looking for el'cheapo products...as i would want something that lasts ie quality
 
Goto Autoquip, they will probably have what you are looking for.

i would put a Koni kit on.
 
R2_D2 said:
Goto Autoquip, they will probably have what you are looking for.

i would put a Koni kit on.
Click to expand...
I don't really now about drop kits,but the fuys on the FordSTOwnersSa forum only put Eibach on they're Fiesta and Focus ST's and i saw and felt the ride of the eibach in a Fezz and it is really alot better than a std looks awesome!
if you are in PTA go and speak to Duigan Brothers
http://www.duiganbrothers.co.za/
They are the Experts in anything ford performance/Aftermarket related.
 
so checked out continental's site

and they recommend from 195/50R15, if i'm going up in profile to go for 185/60R15

i see bigbear also said something like that.

not why 185 and not 195 if i'm going the 60s route?
 
You could always try a larger wheel size, ie 16" wheels...? Cause in some scenarios if your wheel is larger your tyre will be less prone to going into each bump and thus you can get a smoother ride. So it's possible to have a better looking ride while maintaining a similar profile for performance...
 
Don't know about upgrading a wheel size it would increase the weight the 1.4 has to pull around and cause other problems like more expensive to replace 16" inch tyres and rims.

You ahve to decrease the width from195 to 185 because the profile is a percentage/ratio of the width of the tyre, check the tyre/wheel calculaters(miata.net)
in the other posts.

if you still use the 195 with the 60 it could fall out of the manufacturers design specs and cause rubbing and other side affects on the suspension, they could sometimes also void your warranty because it was not designed to handle that size tyre according to them even if it works ok and there are no problems, insurance cases also fall back to non-std tyres as an excuse not to pay out.
The 185/60R15 would more or less fall more into the specification level and be more or less the same as the 195/50, on the 1.4 it would also give you better fuel economy small footprint less drag and resistance from the tyre on the engine to make it move forward.
185/60 would also be cheaper and more generally available in remote areas, it would have more than enough grip as long as it is a good make like the Conti's you are considering.
Go for the 185/60 you won't be sorry.
 
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