tire size question

hi my 2002 accord comes with 195/65/r15 tires. Is it possible to install
205/65r15 winter tires (friend trying to get rid of them) on it.

I have check on http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html and the difference
does not seem to be much. Any comments appreciated. Thanks

 

Under the heading "any comments": they may well fit, but it probably
isn't a good idea. By installing very wide winter tires you will be
risking 'floating', where the car rises up above the snow and sort of
skis along, or fails to gain enough traction. You want fairly narrow
snow tires to cut through the snow, not extra wide ones.

 

How about using 195/55/R15 ?

 

THere is no difference in the width of the original tires and the ones
that his friend is selling. The difference is in the height of the tire.

 

195 is about the maximum width I would go for dedicated snow tires. 185 is
better while 165 is fairly "hard core" - better traction in the snow but
poorer feel and wear when the snow is gone. The big issue in going narrow is
the load capacity. Narrower tires also have a decidedly squirrely feel when
the pavement is dry.

Mike

 

Wrong. 205's are wider than 195's. The other numbers were the same.

 

Honestly? I don't know. It might work, or you might get the worst of
both worlds: same width, but less contact with the road because of the
smaller diameter...

 

Correct, I'll just add this from TireRack so others may benefit...

Section Width
Following the letter(s) that identify the type of vehicle and/or type
of service for which the tire was designed, the three-digit numeric
portion identifies the tire's "Section Width" (cross section) in
millimeters.

P225/50R16 91S

The 225 indicates this tire is 225 millimeters across from the widest
point of its outer sidewall to the widest point of its inner sidewall
when mounted and measured on a specified width wheel. This measurement
is also referred to as the tire's section width. Because many people
think of measurements in inches, the 225mm can be converted to inches
by dividing the section width in millimeters by 25.4 (the number of
millimeters per inch).

225mm / 25.4 = 8.86"

Sidewall Aspect Ratio
Typically following the three digits identifying the tire's Section
Width in millimeters is a two-digit number that identifies the tire's
profile or aspect ratio.

P225/50R16 91S

The 50 indicates that this tire size's sidewall height (from rim to
tread) is 50% of its section width. The measurement is the tire's
section height, and also referred to as the tire's series, profile or
aspect ratio. The higher the number, the taller the sidewall; the
lower the number, the lower the sidewall. We know that this tire
size's section width is 225mm and that its section height is 50% of
225mm. By converting the 225mm to inches (225 / 25.4 = 8.86") and
multiplying it by 50% (.50) we confirm that this tire size results in
a tire section height of 4.43". If this tire were a P225/70R16 size,
our calculation would confirm that the size would result in a section
height of 6.20", approximately a 1.8-inch taller sidewall.

Internal Construction
A letter (R in this case) that identifies the tire's internal
construction follows the two digits used to identify the aspect ratio.

P225/50R16, P225/50ZR16

The R in the P225/50R16 91S size identifies that the tire has a Radial
construction in which the tire's body plies "radiate" out from the
imaginary center of the wheel. Radial tires are by far the most
popular type of tire today representing over 98% of all tires sold.

If the R in the size was replaced with a D (225/50D16), it would
identify that the internal tire body plies crisscross on a Diagonal
and that the tire has a "bias ply" construction. Tires using this
construction are for light truck and spare tire applications.

If the R in the size was replaced with a B (225/50B16), it would
identify that the tire body plies not only crisscross the tire on a
diagonal as before, but that they are reinforced with belts under the
tread area. This type of tire construction is called "Belted." Tires
using this construction are practically extinct.

Speed Rating
Today, the only tires that continue to include the speed rating "in"
the tire size (P225/50ZR16) are Z-speed rated tires. In this case,
following the two digits used to identify the aspect ratio are the
letters ZR to identify the tire's speed rating (Z) and its internal
construction (R). Since 1991, all other speed ratings are identified
in the tire's Service Description (which will be covered shortly).

Tire and Wheel Diameter
P225/50R16 91S

The 16 indicates the tire and wheel diameter designed to be matched
together.

Tires that have a rim diameter expressed in inches (P225/50R16, as
well as 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 28)
are called "inch rim" sizes, are the most common type of tire size and
are used on most cars, minivans, vans, sport utility vehicles and
light duty light trucks.

While not as common, two additional "unique" types of tire/wheel
diameters are still in use today.

Tires and wheels that have a rim diameter expressed in "half" inches
(8.00R16.5LT, as well as, 14.5, 15.5, 17.5 and 19.5) are used on some
heavy-duty trailers, heavy-duty light trucks and box vans.

Tires and wheels that have a rim diameter expressed in millimeters
(190/65R390, as well as, 365 and 415) are called millimetric sizes.
Michelin initiated millimetric sizes for their TRX tires that saw
limited use on many different car models in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Michelin PAX System run flat tires have been introduced as an
integrated wheel/tire system on a very limited basis as Original
Equipment (O.E.) in North America. An example PAX System size of
235/710R460A 104T expresses tire and wheel dimensions in millimeters
(235 mm Section Width, tire Overall Diameter of 710 mm and a 460A mm
rim diameter, with the "A" in 460A signifying these tires feature
"asymmetric" beads in which the outside bead (450 mm) and inside bead
(470 mm) are actually different diameters.

All of these "unique" tire/wheel diameters were developed specifically
because the tire and wheel design or intended vehicle use required
them to be different than conventional tires and wheels. All of these
tires and wheels feature bead profiles that have a different shape
than traditional "inch rim" sizes.

Tires and wheels with unique rim diameters should never be combined
with traditional "inch rim" tires and wheels.

It is critical that the tire and wheel diameters are always confirmed
to match before the tire is mounted on the wheel.

Service Description
P225/50R16 91S

The 91S represents the tire's Service Description. A Service
Description identifies the tire's Load Index and Speed Rating. Service
Descriptions are required on all speed rated (except for Z-speed
rated) tires manufactured since 1991. For more information on Service
Descriptions

 

Sure you can. The general ruile of thumb is that you can safely go up
or down one size. That doesn't mean you can't do other swaps.