Tires SL2

1996 SL2 tire size is rated at 185-65-15

Is it safe to use an alternate size? And what would that size be??

 

I'm using 205-55-15 tires with no problems. Well, maybe a bit of very
minor scuffing on the inner fender at the far extreme ends of the
turning radius. Not enough to worry about.

Ken

 

Ur using a 205? Crippers, I shud be able to get away with a 195 then!!!

 

On factory rims or aftermarket? If, aftermarket, how wide?

 

Factory rims.

Ken

 

I use 195-60/15 on my sl2 factory rims no problem same size as the sc2

 

Thanks all who replied.

 

Of course, keep in mind that any significant change in tire size
will cause the speedometer and odometer to read off.

 

This is true - here's some relevant information.

185-65-15 = 24.47"

205-55-15 = 23.88"

Tire diameter calculator I find with Google.

http://robrobinette.com/tire_diameter.htm

This Tire Program Link shows less than a 2 MPH difference in 185-65-15
& 205-55-15 tires.
http://pw1.netcom.com/~sgalaba/tiresize.htm#ustires


Ken

 

This is true - here's some relevant information.

I don't know what's up with that calculator, but my calculator says a 205-55/15
should be 24.02." Mine is an excel spreadsheet I wrote myself......
manual calculation should go like this:
205 mm = 8.2"
55 percent of that is 4.51"
So 15+4.51+4.51=24.02......so I'm not sure where that other calculator gets
23.88 from.

195-60/15 = 24.36
185-65/15 = 24.62

About a 1% difference which is negligable. I doubt the factory even bothers to
recalibrate the speedo for that difference.

 

BS/FS website gives Napalm's dimensions as being very close, 24.5" for 185s
and 23.9" for 205s. Another important measurement is revolutions per mile,
this will demonstrate speedo/odo changes-850 rpm for 185s and 872 rpm for
205s. Calculating tire size using Bandits method is never acurate, any tire
dealer will have dimension statistics for all tire sizes, and will be glad
to share them with you. The brand of tire is irrelevent, 185/65R15 is the
same no matter who's tire it is.

Steve

 

Where does my method go wrong? The second number is supposed to be the
percentage of sidewall height from the width of the tire. So if you take that
percentage of that number, convert to inches, add twice then rim size........ ?

Not arguing, just curious since it should make sense.

 

I understand your formula, I've tried it myself at work (selling tires) but
all the data books for the tires show different dimensions than I calculate.
It's always off by 3/4" to 1 1/2 " depending on size. I don't know why it
doesn't match, it just doesn't.

Steve

 

I understand your formula, I've tried it myself at work (selling tires) but

Interesting. I'll have to do a little research on that one of these days.......