Commercial tires for passenger car?

[Piwoslaw]

For the 3rd year in a row I'm promising myself to replace Svietlana's summer tires. Now that it's getting urgent, I searched for tires with larger diameter than the 195/65R15 she has now, it appears that any tire with profile larger than 65 is only for commercial vehicles (delivery vans). Some of these have parameters not worse than what I'd find on tires for private/passenger vehicles. For example, I found Nokian cLine Van 195/70 R15 104/102 S C, which would give a 3% diameter increase, and it has FE category of C (on a scale of A to G), Rain handling A, and noise 70 dB. I can't find it's max sidewall pressure, but I'm sure it would be more than my current 51 psi.

Ideally, I'd like to find 185/80R15's as this would increase diameter by almost 7%, but the one's I've seen have worse parameters.

But before I search any further, is it safe (and legal) to mount van tires in a passenger car? Are there any potential downsides?

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

I can't find it's max sidewall pressure, but I'm sure it would be more than my current 51 psi.

Don't be so sure, the Conti Vanco's on my Kangoo are only rated to 51psi. I know Conti and Michelin have van tyres with 'B' economy ratings, and I think there are a few 'A' rated tyres around too.

But before I search any further, is it safe (and legal) to mount van tires in a passenger car? Are there any potential downsides?

You'd really have to check with local authorities, but generally going up in load rating won't be a problem. My van tyres (Michelin and Conti) grip every bit as well as those on my passenger cars. I'd even say the Michelin Agilis on my Transporter grip better than the Conti's on my Fiat.

[CapriRacer]

How about going wider? Will a 215/65R15 fit?

[deejaaa]

Utes aren't very popular in the states. but that doesn't matter to you because you're not in the states.
here is a good tire calculator:
165/80-R15 vs 185/80-R15 Tire Comparison - Tire Size Calculator
the link on this one isn't better:
Source for 185/80-R15 tires | The H.A.M.B.

[cosmick]

Your first concern for taller tires has to be what ha[[ens if you go over a bump while turning tight? Get it rubbing too much, with the entire frint weight of the car on the rub point, the tire will lock up, possibly causing a crash.
The best way to check is fit the proposed tire with the front springs removed entirely, but that's a lot of work and cost, tires can't be returned once mounted. That's why the WheelMate was invented.

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

Don't be so sure, the Conti Vanco's on my Kangoo are only rated to 51psi. I know Conti and Michelin have van tyres with 'B' economy ratings, and I think there are a few 'A' rated tyres around too.

Unfortunately, the tire sites I visited did not allow sorting results by FE ratings, even the advanced search options So I just checked a few of the first search results.

[oldtamiyaphile]

Vanco Eco's are "B" rated:

Continental Tyres / Van / Continental ContiVancoEco Continental Conti Vanco Eco - 235/65 R16 C 118R TL Fuel Eff.: B Wet Grip: B NoiseClass: 2 Noise: 72dB Van Tyres - Trailer Tyres - Caravan Tyres - Motorhome Tyres - Minibus Tyres - 16" R16" - 235/65/

Michellin Agilis also make 'B' rated van tyres.

[RPM]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Unfortunately, the tire sites I visited did not allow sorting results by FE ratings, even the advanced search options So I just checked a few of the first search results.

Hope this helps: Nasza oferta w rozmiarze 195/65 15 Opony letnie - oponytanio.pl

[freebeard]

Get it rubbing too much, with the entire frint weight of the car on the rub point, the tire will lock up, possibly causing a crash.

Are you sure? I've driven (times past) with that problem, and I think you'd get rubber smoke and shavings before it acts like a brake.

[Sven7]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....5ASC&tab=Sizes

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
196/65-15 5.0in 12.5in 25.0in 78.6in 806 0.0%
215/70-15 5.9in 13.4in 26.9in 84.4in 751 7.3%

* BluEarth Low Rolling Resistance Tire

Orange Oil technology uses oil extracted from renewable orange peels to improve the molecular bond between natural and synthetic rubber to enhance tire treadlife, vehicle fuel efficiency and traction in all seasons.

I have these on my Civic, and I didn't do ABA testing but did get some pretty good numbers.