tyres - 195-60-15 or 195-60-14

[snowy]

My cavalier 1.8 Expression is fitted with 195/60/15 tyres. But every book or manual I read states that the 1.8 should have 195/60/14 tyres fitted.

I have checked the speedo compared to my GPS and the car thinks it is travelling 1 - 2 mph faster than it is. Which I can live with as it gives a safety margin for speed cameras.

But is 195/60/15 correct for the expression?

Thanks

[iangsi]

Both are correct sizes for the wheel size pre-facelift cars came with the 14" wheels & most face cars fitted with 15" wheels,

[colin1]

...I have checked the speedo compared to my GPS and the car thinks it is travelling 1 - 2 mph faster than it is...

At what true vs indicated speed?
Best expressed as a percentage ie 1-2mph at 30mph may translate into 4-5mph at 60mph etc

There is a potential percentage error inherent in speedo operation whereby it is possible to be travelling slower than your speedo is indicating but forbidden by UK law to be travelling faster than your speedo is indicating.

re your question I would go with 15" rims if only for the state of UK roads generally. If your car's come with 15s then the previous owner has saved you a bit of shelling out (in my opinion).

[Robsey]

Both are correct sizes for the wheel size pre-facelift cars came with the 14" wheels & most face cars fitted with 15" wheels,

My facelift 1.8 LSi (1994) came with the wheels normally quoted for diesels.

That is 175 wide 14" steel rims.

[snowy]

Thanks for the comments.

With the wheels fitted the car is travelling 1-2 mph faster than indicated all the way through the range. So constant. So I'm not sure what you're trying to say?

Thanks

[James McGrath]

The Expression is a special edition and is not accounted for in most handbooks.
I can confirm that all facelift Expressions should be fitted with 15 inch alloy wheels with 195/60/15 tyres. So you are fine.

Most gauges are out by a few miles an hour, it's normal and is to allow for any inaccuracy in the speedo. 1-2 MPH is very good actually.

My facelift 1.8 LSi (1994) came with the wheels normally quoted for diesels.

That is 175 wide 14" steel rims.

That's also normal. Later LSs were fitted with 195/60/r14 tyres to go with their 14" alloys but up until late 1994 they came with 175/70/r14 tyres and steel wheels.

[snowy]

I've actually gone for 185/60/15 tyres all round. They aren't much smaller in diameter but the car drives so much better with them than the 195/60/15 tyres.

Thanks

[James McGrath]

I used 185/60/14 Michelin tyres for a while on my CD manual before going to 195/60/14 also Michelin.

I found they offered noticeably less grip. They will give you slightly better fuel economy however.

[snowy]

I used 185/60/14 Michelin tyres for a while on my CD manual before going to 195/60/14 also Michelin.

I found they offered noticeably less grip. They will give you slightly better fuel economy however.

I thought I'd give a bit of feedback after driving the car with these tyres fitted in all weather now.

You can not notice any difference in grip what so ever. In fact I'd say the grip is much better in the wet than with the 195 tyres fitted.

So if you want a better choice of tyres then go 185/60/15. Or at least I found that I could get a better choice at a much better price.

[eddiebrockjra]

I think both are correct sizes

[Robsey]

Both sizes are available and correct.

The issue here is whether one is better than the other.

In my mind, if you have gravel or slush, rain or similar (potentially slippy or loose surface), then the narrower the tyre the better they are to "cut through" the loose / wet surface, rather than sliding around over the top of it.

Oddly though, on hard ground , narrower tyres tend to be a little noisier regarding ambient droning or drumming noise on the tarmac or concrete, especially at high speeds.

If you are on solid surfaces (tar or concrete), then the wider tyre should provide better grip due to the contact area of each tyre on the road.
Wider tyres can however be a little heavier to steer.

Overall though - a huge amount of the variation is due to tyre pressures, tracking and the load being carried, as well as personal driving style / habits.
Also - manufacturers give huge variations in construction materials and therefore tyre performance.

[cavalier1990]

Noticed I've got one 185/60/14 fitted to my front and the rest are 195/60/14. Fromreading above it looks like the LS later model is fitted with 195s as opposed to 94 and earlier with 175s, mind you mine is a 94 model so I'm not exactly sure what it left the factory with.

The haynes manual also states the pressure should be 27psi (front) for 165/13, 175/70/14, or 195/60/14 and 24psi (Rear), but below that is listed only 195/60/14 again, and pressure is stated as 32 psi (Front), 29psi (Rear) doesn't tell you what model, just tyre size. Assuming the first listing is for pre-facelift perhaps, any ideas?

[Robsey]

Have I done a VIN check on your car.?
The only 1994 M plate that I have listed besides my own shows it left the factory on 195 / 60 / 14 wheels.

My August '94 LSi left the factory with 175s... same as recommended for the diesel models.

I always did my 175s to 31psi at the front and 28 psi at the rear.

Can't remenber what my 195 / 60 / 15s should be - lol

[Mk3alan]

I've always had 32 front and 29 rear in my 195 60 14's (1990 CD) always worn well and even.

Alan

[ilovedmymantas]

Noticed I've got one 185/60/14 fitted to my front and the rest are 195/60/14.

How does that happen

When I bought the '94 sri it had aftermarket 195/60/14's fitted.
Months later, when I needed it after a sidewall puncture, I discovered the spare was a 185!

It didn't seem to make any difference to the car and kept me sensible for a week until two new tyres arrived.
Best wet grips I could afford, it is Scotland after all

The cdx is 195/60/15, I use 34 front 32 rear. My recommended is 34f/31.5r, so close enough

matt

[cavalier1990]

Have I done a VIN check on your car.?
The only 1994 M plate that I have listed besides my own shows it left the factory on 195 / 60 / 14 wheels.

My August '94 LSi left the factory with 175s... same as recommended for the diesel models.

I always did my 175s to 31psi at the front and 28 psi at the rear.

Can't remenber what my 195 / 60 / 15s should be - lol

I think you did at some point somewhere. I'm suspecting mine is about the same age as yours so probably left factory with 175s. Not that I find any issues at all with the 195s.

[cavalier1990]

Noticed I've got one 185/60/14 fitted to my front and the rest are 195/60/14.

How does that happen

I tend to go to a local tyre place who sells runners, they are quite good, but I think I do still get mixed up with the tyre I'm looking for, so probably asked for a 185 instead of a 195 at one of the visits!

[Robsey]

Thanks to Matt, he was able to point me to an old thread...

Here you go.

viewtopic.php?f=70&t=16350&p=165093#p165093