TIRES: Profile VS. Speed rating

Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14",
S-rated. Which will improve driveability:

Buy same size as above, but H-rated.
-or-
Plus-size to, say, 65R15, staying S-rated.

Thanks,

-Chris

"ChrisCoaster" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14",
> S-rated. Which will improve driveability:
>
> Buy same size as above, but H-rated.
> -or-
> Plus-size to, say, 65R15, staying S-rated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Chris
>

An H rated tire in the same size will generally have a stiffer side wall
reducing the soft ride. This is so the tire will handle better in corners
and how they get a higher speed rating.

Then again going from 14" to 15" and keeping the same diameter (you've not
specified the width which sets the sidewall height) will probably have a
firmer ride due to the shorter side wall.

Brian

Drivability in what regard?

Firmer ride and better cornering?
Smoother ride and better cornering?
Stiff ride and lower vehicle height?

All of the above can be altered using just tire/wheel combos. Depends on
what you want to achieve.

Now taking something like a 84-85 Monte Carlo with 195/75 SR 14 tire and
going to an H rated tire will do very little to vehicle height. It might
make it a bit stiffer ride but that's about it. Body roll and low spring
rate is what hampers those vehicles in the first place.

Now switching to something like a 265/50 16 would lower the vehicle by
about 1/2" and the stiffer sidewalls and wider contact patch would
improve holding power on corners BUT with a large trade off, Namely
harsher ride. Also with the real wide low rubber you risk real damage
from potholes, rocks and curbs. Those are one of the things they forget
to mention when they sell those tires.

--
Steve Williams

"ChrisCoaster" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14",
> S-rated. Which will improve driveability:
>
> Buy same size as above, but H-rated.
> -or-
> Plus-size to, say, 65R15, staying S-rated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Chris
>




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ChrisCoaster wrote:
> Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14",
> S-rated. Which will improve driveability:
>
> Buy same size as above, but H-rated.
> -or-
> Plus-size to, say, 65R15, staying S-rated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Chris
>
define "driveability."
and no, this isn't a smart-ass answer.

What is your objective?
Handling?
Softer ride?
High speed driving?
Long tire life?
Driving conditions? Wet/Dry/Snow?
Cost?

There's a lot more to tires than sizes and speed ratings.

I can buy a 185/75-14 from tirerack.com for $29 or for $67. (each)
For some people, the $29 tire is the right choice.

"ChrisCoaster" > wrote in news:1103633371.578641.52440
@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:

> Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14",
> S-rated. Which will improve driveability:
>
> Buy same size as above, but H-rated.
> -or-
> Plus-size to, say, 65R15, staying S-rated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Chris
>


Depends on what you want....you didnt' really say.
On the sport neon, I went to a Pirelli P215 65HR14, for a bit more
aggressive handling and a touch more acceleration, at the cost of a
stiffer ride and a little poorer fuel mileage, (Still gets 37 mpg)

For the 'ol Ranger 64 mile round trip daily driver pickup, I went with a
P205 75R14 for better gas mileage, at the expense of some acceleration
and handling. (Got me about 2 miles per gallon extra over the 60 series
that were on it)


--
Anthony

You can't 'idiot proof' anything....every time you try, they just make
better idiots.

Remove sp to reply via email

Directional stability and better steering response. The S tires on
this thing lend no clue as to when you are entering or exiting turns.
Secondarily, traction and stability durn turns at "relatively* high
speeds.

that be all,

-CC

In article . com>,
says...

>Suppose I own a typical mid-80s GM midsize, tire size is 75R14",
>S-rated. Which will improve driveability:
>Buy same size as above, but H-rated.
>-or-
>Plus-size to, say, 65R15, staying S-rated.

define driveability.
-----------
Alex

In article .com>,
says...
>
>
>Directional stability and better steering response. The S tires on
>this thing lend no clue as to when you are entering or exiting turns.
>Secondarily, traction and stability durn turns at "relatively* high
>speeds.

In that case, you want to go with the plus 1 sizing. You will get a
shorter, stiffer sidewall that will improve steering response. You may
actually want to look into plus 2 sizing to get even better response.
The wider, lower tires will get you more traction, but not necessarily
stability. That is more a function of the suspension.
-------------
Alex

Alex Rodriguez wrote:
> In article .com>,
> says...
> >
> >
> >Directional stability and better steering response. The S tires on
> >this thing lend no clue as to when you are entering or exiting
turns.
> >Secondarily, traction and stability durn turns at "relatively* high
> >speeds.
>
> In that case, you want to go with the plus 1 sizing. You will get a
> shorter, stiffer sidewall that will improve steering response. You
may
> actually want to look into plus 2 sizing to get even better response.
> The wider, lower tires will get you more traction, but not
necessarily
> stability. That is more a function of the suspension.
> -------------
> Alex
_______________
How about keeping existing size spec, but going up in speed rating,
say, S to H? Will that accomplish the same thing?

-CC