What size tyre? 165/70 or 185/60?

Stu · 26 Jul 2008 at 10:59

I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to cars, so I'm hoping from a quick response from you lot to help me!

I'm going to replace all 4 tyres on my little Fiat Punto today... it currently has 165/70 tyres on 14" steel wheels.

Fiat say that I could have 185/60 tyres on these wheels, which Fiat consider as an upgrade.

There's £2.35 difference per tyre.... which should I get and why? What's the difference beteween then other than dimensions?

ScoobyDoo69 · 26 Jul 2008 at 11:05

You'd actually be going slower than whats registered on the speedo with the 185/60's

Stu · 26 Jul 2008 at 11:27

ScoobyDoo69 said:
You'd actually be going slower than whats registered on the speedo with the 185/60's

Do take that as a vote for the 165?

GravyMonster · 26 Jul 2008 at 11:29

Yeah, I'd stick with the 165s to maintain the rolling radius. It'd be an upgrade if you actually go with a better brand of tyre, not a different size.

ShakenNstirred · 26 Jul 2008 at 12:41

ScoobyDoo69 said:
You'd actually be going slower than whats registered on the speedo with the 185/60's

speedo will read 60 and you will be doing 59
so nothing to worry about lol

ScoobyDoo69 · 26 Jul 2008 at 12:46

Considering speedo's already under read, would you want it to read even less?

Wicksta · 26 Jul 2008 at 12:48

ScoobyDoo69 said:
Considering speedo's already under read, would you want it to read even less?

Come on it's hardly a big deal. How do Fiat deal with it anyway if you get the bigger tyre option, do they reprogram your ECU or something? I very much doubt it.

ShakenNstirred · 26 Jul 2008 at 12:49

ScoobyDoo69 said:
Considering speedo's already under read, would you want it to read even less?

if it was 5mph sure but not 1mph, thats not even worth worrying over

dalin80 · 26 Jul 2008 at 15:28

ShakenNstirred said:
speedo will read 60 and you will be doing 59
so nothing to worry about lol

Yeah, the tread wearing down would make just as big of a difference.

richolmes72 · 26 Jul 2008 at 16:24

The difference in the diameter between the 2 is just 9mm.

The difference between new tyres and illegal tyres is 13mm so that just goes to show it's really nothing to worry about...

Go for the cheapest - or if you fancy a change, go for the 185's. In theory the handling and grip on the 185/60's *should* be better and the 165/70's should provide a more compliant ride.

aproctor · 26 Jul 2008 at 19:42

Spunkey said:
Yeah, I'd stick with the 165s to maintain the rolling radius. It'd be an upgrade if you actually go with a better brand of tyre, not a different size.

or he could just get 185/70's?

Mr Footlong · 26 Jul 2008 at 19:59

If you aren't really fussed with the speedo accuracy being out a bit more then go with the wider/lower profile tyres. The benefits outweight the loses in my opinion. Just get good rubber or you may gain nothing.....

saitrix · 26 Jul 2008 at 20:02

aproctor said:
or he could just get 185/70's?

So he has a far too big tyre then? Remember the 70 stands for 70% of the tyre width, not 70mm.

Stu · 27 Jul 2008 at 10:43

I went for the 165s in the end. Great service and price from Costco for some Michelin Energy Savers.

Would you advise that I also get them 4 wheel aligned now? I gather that there are two different kinds of alignment - one that is using lasers and costs about £80 and an alternative method that costs about £30... what's the deal there?

Mr Footlong · 27 Jul 2008 at 11:08

Normally you only have a 4 wheel laser alignment if you are noticing problems with the car's handling, odd vibrations, uneven tyre wear etc and normal tracking/alignment hasn't sorted it. That or you want a top job done first time (subject to equipment and more importantly the monkey using it!)

I tend to get a laser 4 wheel alignment done once every couple of years or if something is off but £80 is worth it for a powerful 4wd car.

aproctor · 27 Jul 2008 at 15:17

saitrix said:
So he has a far too big tyre then? Remember the 70 stands for 70% of the tyre width, not 70mm.