[ibbryn]

Here's the most basic tire question anyone could probably come up with.

2000 Passat V6 station wagon currently has Michelin Energy MXV4 plus 195 60 15r.

I believe the stock size is 195 65 15r. Don't know how I got 60s there.

Since yesterday the front passenger tire shredded itself at 85mph on the freeway (very fun! But wife in the passenger seat was not as amused. Sick cat in back seat going to vet with us, even less so.) I want to replace all tires and upgrade if possible.

For better handling and stability, can I go to the 205 60 15r without any problems?

And no, I don't know why the existing tire failed. Didn't hit anything that I saw, was rotated and inflated properly, had lots of tread left.

 

[3U36]

You should be fine with the 205's.

 

[J Unit]

Yep those are fine... your speedo will be slightly faster than your actual speed tho

 

[doctrsnoop]

I doubt it'll make a significant difference either way. I think type of tire and manufacturer is more important

 

[thirtysixspokes]

The speedo is off by 3mph from the factory anyway, so you could have done 205/65 if you wanted.

The 205/60 will most likely read the same on the speedo as 195/65. The extra treadwidth makes the overall diameter of the tire a little bigger despite the shorter sidewall.

 

[ibbryn]

Thanks all.

And when looking at the car again last night I saw that the fine folk at Costco who installed the tires 5 years ago put 195/65 15r in three places but the fourth tire is a 195/60 15r. :thumbdown

When I looked at the size 2 days ago I looked at the 60 and assumed they were all 60s.

I'm getting them all replaced with 205/60s.

 

[euroking83]

i went from 195 to 205 and i got a lil better handling since its a bit wider but no rubbing

 

[Troy Jollimore]

Damned good thing you didn't have a 4Motion. That's a recipe for differential destruction right there. I'm surprised you didn't notice earlier. The difference between a 60 and 65 profile for the same tire size is pretty significant...