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Re: [T3] Help! Tire size for my Square


On 23 Jan 2002, at 13:26, ken simons wrote:

> Help! I'm trying to replace the tires on my little wagon. Right now shes
> wearing 185 60 15 may-pops on the front, and 165r15s min the back. The
> fronts have to go now, next to no tread, and wobble quite a bit @ about 47+.
> I've been looking around and I can find the 185s but 195s are alot more
> common and therefore cheeper, do ya think they will rub? what if I went to
> 195/65s, they should be taller/narrower? The rear tires will work for a
> couple o' more paychecks, but if I get the 195s I might just go with them all
> the way around.

The correct size for our cars is the 165SR15. These work very well and give 
good economy and handling. Some people like the look of wider tires, so you 
can consider this, but there can be rubbing problems at some point. There is 
also a limit on the width of tire that you can safely mount on the standard 
4.5" rim.

Speedometer readings will change if you get away from the stock size, but 
185/70SR15, and 195/65SR15 will be close. I don't know what you can get 
away with without rubbing, but even the stock tires often rub in the fronts at 
full lock.

Wobbling at speed is an indication of a problem. You should first check the 
tire pressure. Fronts should be 18-20 psi (really!) while rears should be about 
27-36, but varies with load. There is also a steering damper that may need to 
be replaced, plus the ever-common loose sway bar in front that often needs 
attention. Tire balance can aggravate all of these.

> P.S. are all the VW four-lug patterns the same?... 

The lug pattern is the same, but there are differences in rim width and offset. 
It is common to find type 3s with type 1 rims on them by now, but the 
correct rims are 4.5" wide with 46mm offset. Bug rims have less offset so 
they will give a wider track, but if you couple this with a wider tire it will 
increase your chances of rubbing.

-
*******************************
Jim Adney, jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
*******************************

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