Tire size

[ElFenix]

you don't happen to have aftermarket or option wheels, do you? that might further complicate things

 

[OGOC]

YEAR / MAKE / MODEL?? You come here for help, and have been asked this numerous times already. We can't appropriately help you without this info! This should be MANDATORY if you are in ATG asking for help!

Past that, it's hugely insulting that you intentionally ignore this important question while wanting accurate advice that NO ONE can give without it! Look at all of the replies and time you've wasted by not giving us the information we have repeatedly asked for!

Even with your edits this is ridiculously confusing.

I don't know why that keeps getting ignored. Only thing I can think of is some people might be embarrassed to say they own an old or certain kind of car, but even if that's the case people can own multiple cars, and the Ferrari might be in the shop so you have to drive the Yugo that day.

Not too much else to say, though. If the car is not 4WD/AWD, then just make sure the front pair match each other for size and the back pair match each other for size. (People can argue about tire wear differences and different brands. That would be really low on my worry list.) If he likes the taller look, then get another one for the other side. If not, then replace it with the same size that's already on the other three.

I would think there is a good probability he was in a hurry and annoyed that day and "kind of maybe heard but forgot" the shop say they have a tire, and it's not the correct size, but it will work for now. I would think a shop would have to be pretty ballsy to put an obviously-taller tire on one corner of a car and not expect the owner to notice. I'm sure there are some shops that ballsy out there, but I think the probability is lower than the first sentence of this paragraph.

This is also a good time to remind people to, assuming their car even has a spare tire, to make sure it has air in it. When's the last time everyone here checked the air in their spare tire? ...That's what I thought. Go check it.

 

[Craig234]

you don't happen to have aftermarket or option wheels, do you? that might further complicate things

No, just normal.

I did say it's front wheel drive to another post question.

The question for me now is the same - whether to tell the shop they did wrong and should fix it, or just buy another 215/75, or get all 205/70, or what.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Drives me nuts, and is a common problem in ATG.


Reading between the lines, the shop did tell him it was a larger tire and wouldn't affect anything as long as he bought one to match for the other side.

He took that at face value and told them to do it. While not a 'great' thing for a shop to do, I can't say I fault them as long as he was notified.

Now $50 to mount/balance is something that I do have an issue with.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

No, just normal.

I did say it's front wheel drive to another post question.

The question for me now is the same - whether to tell the shop they did wrong and should fix it, or just buy another 215/75, or get all 205/70, or what.

I refuse to help you until you tell us year/make/model.


For all we know you have a FWD with LSD and it could change our recommendation.

It is irresponsible for anyone to tell you what to do without having all of the needed information.

 

[Craig234]

Drives me nuts, and is a common problem in ATG.


Reading between the lines, the shop did tell him it was a larger tire and wouldn't affect anything as long as he bought one to match for the other side.

He took that at face value and told them to do it. While not a 'great' thing for a shop to do, I can't say I fault them as long as he was notified.

Now $50 to mount/balance is something that I do have an issue with.

If I remember, they showed me the tire and said it wasn't an exact fit and was the only one they had (after they'd said they could do it and I had the car dropped from the tow), and I asked was the difference that it was a little wider and they said yes that was the difference and I said ok, then when it was done it was obvious the diameter was larger and I reminded them they said the issue was that it was wider, and they said oh it's no problem at all to drive, just get a second one next week.

Saturday afternoon, the only other option was to leave the car for the weekend and find transportation home, and then find transportation back again next week.

I probably should have refused it, but had trusted them havng used them before.

I guess the actual labor was $40 rather than $50, considering about $10 tax on the $90 tire. Check your pm's also. What is ATG?

 

[Throckmorton]

IIRC Craig makes a lot of money. He can afford to just replace all tires

 

[KDKPSJ]

Since OP doesn't want us to help, let's just done with it.

OP, just match all four tires same size, and done with it. Original was 205/70, 215/65, 215/75, not matter. Just choose whatever size you feel like to, and match all four with the same size. Since you already have new 215/75, just match the other three with that. The worst can happen from having different size from original is your speedo will off and may get busted by cop for speeding or driving too slow.

But matching all the same size will solve safety and excessive wear issue.

 

[JCH13]

Get all 4 the same size. Now.

Running two larger tires on one axle vs the other will change the chassis rake and thus your entire alignment. It will change the braking balance. It might even throw off your DSTC/ABS systems depending on how sensitive they are.

Having the one big wheel will screw up your cars corner weighting a lot. Maybe enough to make your vehicle handle unpredictably. Having significantly dissimilar wheel diameters is very bad on the driven wheel axle because your differential will be wearing out exceptionally fast. This wear is amplified if you have some flavor of LSD. If you have a locking diff of some sort you could cause serious damage.

These effects might be minimal or unnoticeable during normal driving, but will negatively impact your vehicle's performance in an emergency situation.

I am disappointed that the shop would suggest this, a little, I would not expect them to understand the ramifications to vehicle dynamics. You took on the responsibility of the poor decision by accepting it after they explained it to you. Don't screw around anymore. Get 4 matched tires and be done with it. Literally everything is riding on your tires, don't make dumb compromises.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

<snip>

Literally everything is riding on your tires, don't make dumb compromises.

So much +1 to this.


There are lots of things where it's "ok" to be cheap... air filters, oil, car wash soap, crap like that... If it fails, it's just money.

But tires, brakes, and suspension components are NOT something to cheap out on.

 

[Craig234]

Update: I spoke to the shop and the agreed to take the 215/75 tire back, and sell me the right size instead 205/70/15.

The first thing is, the rear tires seem in good shape but are 215/65, so I need to decide:

1. Buy two new 205/70 tires for the front, run with mismatch to rear.
2. Buy two new 215/65 tires to match the rear.
3. Buy four new 205/70 tires so there's a match for all four.

The shop is pushing one tire - the 'Hercules Iron Man RB-12'.

Thing is, he wants about $99 a tire - and say he'll install them for $480. That'd be about 4x $100 + $9 tax + some $5/tire disposal fee, leaving labor only about $25.

But a quick online check finds those same tires for $63 + $14 shipping. So I don't get a good feeling it's a fair price.

When I mentioned other brands like Michelin and Goodyear, he said 'oh Michelin are like $160 a tire', but I'd called Sears this morning and think they said $120 - and that there's a special buy 3 get 4 as well. So again not a great feeling about the fairness of the price, but of course if I want to return this one I suspect I need to buy new tires from him.

Sooooo. The current choices to make:

Which brand to get? Go with these 'iron man' or something else?
Go with option 1, 2, or 3 above?

 

[Raduque]

I'm curious as to why you're refusing to provide the make/model/year of the vehicle in question.

 

[KDKPSJ]

Well, basically, you were already arse raped by the shop to begin with, and whatever they do to 'correct' will make you in worse financial situation.

With that being said, I would do this if I were you.

1. Take 205/70/15
2. Order two 215/65/15 to replace fronts (Right tires from right brands, not Hercules crap)
3. Sell 205/70/15 on craigslist

Things are already messed (or fxcked) up bad, but it will be a little less messed up at the end.

 

[Craig234]

Well, basically, you were already arse raped by the shop to begin with, and whatever they do to 'correct' will make you in worse financial situation.

With that being said, I would do this if I were you.

1. Take 205/70/15
2. Order two 215/65/15 to replace fronts (Right tires from right brands, not Hercules crap)
3. Sell 205/70/15 on craigslist

Things are already messed (or fxcked) up bad, but it will be a little less messed up at the end.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not attracted to selling a 'used' tire on Craigslist, though.

But on a couple points, you are suggesting that the Hercules Iron Man tires are poor quality and a bad idea? And that sticking with 215/65/15 over the recommended is ok?

While his pricing on this seems poor, I can consider the refund amount as a factor.

 

[KDKPSJ]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm not attracted to selling a 'used' tire on Craigslist, though.

But on a couple points, you are suggesting that the Hercules Iron Man tires are poor quality and a bad idea? And that sticking with 215/65/15 over the recommended is ok?

While his pricing on this seems poor, I can consider the refund amount as a factor.

I am not into either, but that's only reasonable way to get rid of whatever the one that's not right. If you can get full refund (which I highly doubt), that'd be the best. But if you have to buy at least one tire from local shop, buy the cheapest one then get rid of it anywhere. eBay, Craigslist, local used tire shop, wherever you can. Or have them replace it with 215/65/15.

I don't care Hercules is good or not. All that matter is whatever your local garage is trying to sell you is overpriced, and I am trying to minimize money wasted with them. Even if Hercules were good tires, I wouldn't buy from the local shop anyway.

Again, I wouldn't care what size was original or recommended per manual, when the other three are 215/65/15. All that matter is same size for all four. It doesn't matter if your manual calls for 205/70/15 or 255/50/15 or whatever. The other three are 215/65/15 and I would stick with that. Consider replace them back to original size of 205/70/15 when it's time to replace all four. But feel free to change all four with 205/70/15 if you like to. Again, all that matter is the same size.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I have done lots of tire testing, both motorcycle and car, and will only buy michelin or pirelli.

For cars, almost always michelin as that's what my favorite alignment shop sells.


An accident is not worth saving a couple hundred bucks over the life of a set of tires. Even as a careful and safe driver things can still happen. From hydro planing to stopping distance, not to mention grip,

 

[JCH13]

Get the originally designed size or very close (<3% different).
Get good tires, even if they cost extra.
Get four of them.

Stop. Screwing. Around.

You're quibbling about saving, maybe, a few hundred bucks at the cost of a lot of hassle and a compromise in vehicle safety. This is a really bad way to do things. Spread out over the life of a tire the cost is trivial, literally <$0.01/mile. Do it correctly this time, otherwise you'll be fixing and replacing more tires soon.

 

[kitatech]

Get the originally designed size or very close (<3% different).
Get good tires, even if they cost extra.
Get four of them.

Stop. Screwing. Around.

You're quibbling about saving, maybe, a few hundred bucks at the cost of a lot of hassle and a compromise in vehicle safety. This is a really bad way to do things. Spread out over the life of a tire the cost is trivial, literally <$0.01/mile. Do it correctly this time, otherwise you'll be fixing and replacing more tires soon.

This is the appropriate advice to give to take...when I got my used Camry it came with a very used 5-yr old pair at the rear and a new pair that THE DEALER had put UP FRONT...THE MOST DANGEROUS way to mount tires...THIS from the OEM DEALER...thankfully the tires were the proper size...

I spent the next month looking for a matching pair to replace the rears and did find 2 "like new" pull-offs (replaced with "upgrades" likely) at a used tire shop ($35/ea incl. mt/bal/tx)...and a used 5th for the spare...the car rides much better with a good set of MATCHING tires...the only way to go...

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Have a reputable shop install 4 new correct sized tires of at least decent quality. Take the new tire you bought from previous shop and sell it for $50 on craigslist. Take the money lost as a life lesson and move on. Do not give that shady tire shop a single penny more.

 

[Throckmorton]

Update: I spoke to the shop and the agreed to take the 215/75 tire back, and sell me the right size instead 205/70/15.

The first thing is, the rear tires seem in good shape but are 215/65, so I need to decide:

1. Buy two new 205/70 tires for the front, run with mismatch to rear.
2. Buy two new 215/65 tires to match the rear.
3. Buy four new 205/70 tires so there's a match for all four.

The shop is pushing one tire - the 'Hercules Iron Man RB-12'.

Thing is, he wants about $99 a tire - and say he'll install them for $480. That'd be about 4x $100 + $9 tax + some $5/tire disposal fee, leaving labor only about $25.

But a quick online check finds those same tires for $63 + $14 shipping. So I don't get a good feeling it's a fair price.

When I mentioned other brands like Michelin and Goodyear, he said 'oh Michelin are like $160 a tire', but I'd called Sears this morning and think they said $120 - and that there's a special buy 3 get 4 as well. So again not a great feeling about the fairness of the price, but of course if I want to return this one I suspect I need to buy new tires from him.

Sooooo. The current choices to make:

Which brand to get? Go with these 'iron man' or something else?
Go with option 1, 2, or 3 above?

DON'T BUY A HERCULES TIRE or any other similar no-name brand!! Go to Sears and buy a set of 4 good tires, and return the wrong one to the shop. They said they'd take it back so they better. If not, move on. You make enough money that this shouldn't be an issue. Stop being cheap!

 

[phucheneh]

Yokohamas from Discount Tire = ~420 installed plus tax

That's $89 a piece plus install. They have some Falkens for $66 a piece.

Your shop eats asshole. And I also find it comical that this thread is about to go to two pages, and you never would mention the car you're talking about. Someone embarassed about their Ford Windstar? No reason to be. Be embarrassed for being cheap and silly.

 

[JCH13]

This is the appropriate advice to give to take...when I got my used Camry it came with a very used 5-yr old pair at the rear and a new pair that THE DEALER had put UP FRONT...THE MOST DANGEROUS way to mount tires...THIS from the OEM DEALER...thankfully the tires were the proper size...

I spent the next month looking for a matching pair to replace the rears and did find 2 "like new" pull-offs (replaced with "upgrades" likely) at a used tire shop ($35/ea incl. mt/bal/tx)...and a used 5th for the spare...the car rides much better with a good set of MATCHING tires...the only way to go...

That is terrifyingly irresponsible of them. Good on you for noticing and replacing them. Most people would not have noticed and would wind up spinning their car!

 

[kitatech]

That [used tires at the rear, new ones up front] is terrifyingly irresponsible of them [the OEM dealer selling their own brand used car]. Good on you for noticing and replacing them. Most people would not have noticed and would wind up spinning their car!

2 other safety issues I did make them correct before the buy...replace the front windshield that had a 2" wide swath of wiper blade scratching all along the passenger side, (that their insurance would replace for free) and had them remove a dead newt in the headlight shell that could have caught fire...

I don't plan on having that dealer work on my car...

 

[Zenmervolt]

DON'T BUY A HERCULES TIRE or any other similar no-name brand!!

Hercules has been around for over 50 years. They're made by Cooper. They're only a "no-name" brand to people who haven't been around cars for a long time.

ZV

 

[phucheneh]

That is terrifyingly irresponsible of them. Good on you for noticing and replacing them. Most people would not have noticed and would wind up spinning their car!

No they wouldn't have. Don't start this again.

At best, it's like saying people would be spinning out if you mildly increased the roll stiffness at the rear of their car. No, it would result in people not noticing any difference, because they don't take their cars around corners at more than half the speed they're capable of.

Irrelevant to OP, anyhow. Buy new tires, cheapskate.

Hercules has been around for over 50 years. They're made by Cooper. They're only a "no-name" brand to people who haven't been around cars for a long time.

I'd never heard of them. Most people around here have probably never even heard of Cooper, TBQH. Perhaps it's a regional thing. Cooper dealers just tend to be very rare. I don't think I've ever seen them at any of the big chains; only small shops. And honestly, I don't know why anyone would buy tires at a small shop...there's a reason many of them just decline to sell tires. They can't come close to competing on price with the big stores.