Which TIRE SIZE should I choose?

[white89euro]

Hi! My two Century Wagons (both six cylinder 4 speed automatics) have two different tire sizes. My '87 has 185/75R14 but my 1990 has 195/75R14.

I'm not sure which size came from the factory. Would anyone know?

Also, my 1990, at least with the current 195 series tires, seems to run a little higher than actual on the speedometer. For example when the speedometer shows 55mph my auctual speed is more likely 50mph.

So which tire size should I choose?

Thanks,
George

[Duke George V]

Factory size is 185-75-14. "Performance" variants came with 195s. Check this page (http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html) to see how far off your speedometer is for a given size.

[CamoDeafie]

for some years/models of the A-line, you could get 215s (note, these usually include the 14x6 and 14x6.5 alloys)
the door sticker SHOULD say what size...sounds like the195 should b 70 series not 75....

[lemons bob]

185/75 r14 is the right size 195/75s are close but just a bit larger diameter which should mean if your speedometer says 50 you should be going 52. Are you sure its not a 195/70 r 14?

bf goodrich radial t/a 215/60 r14will fit the standard rims. They will be a little smaller but should be close to the same diameter but your speedometer would show a slightly higher speed by a couple mph.

[CamoDeafie]

the buick century i had before, listd 195/70/R14 on the door stickers, the oldsmobile wagon listed 185/75/r14, the 83 has 185/80/R13s; I know of the XCs having 215s, same with GS and T Types, for the 14" wheels, i dont remember what size was recommeneded for the 15" wheels on that one year only GS model...i think the early celebrity listed 175/85/R13...

[Duke George V]

Pretty sure no A-body came with 15s from the factory. Even the GS used 14s.

[LordDurock]

Hi! My two Century Wagons (both six cylinder 4 speed automatics) have two different tire sizes. My '87 has 185/75R14 but my 1990 has 195/75R14.

I'm not sure which size came from the factory. Would anyone know?

Also, my 1990, at least with the current 195 series tires, seems to run a little higher than actual on the speedometer. For example when the speedometer shows 55mph my auctual speed is more likely 50mph.

So which tire size should I choose?

Thanks,
George

both wire will have to same over diameter.... the tread width is was is different. 195's will have more width... i would put 215/75R14 on your car as they

i dont get how you are thinking there taller?

[Duke George V]

The second number in a tire size is the height as a percentage of the width. 185-75-14 means a tread width of 185 mm, and a sidewall height of 75% of 185 mm. That means height is variable even with the same number. A 195-75 tire is slightly taller than a 185-75. A 215-75, like you're saying, is quite a bit taller, almost an inch. That's pretty close to too tall for our cars.

[LordDurock]

The second number in a tire size is the height as a percentage of the width. 185-75-14 means a tread width of 185 mm, and a sidewall height of 75% of 185 mm. That means height is variable even with the same number. A 195-75 tire is slightly taller than a 185-75. A 215-75, like you're saying, is quite a bit taller, almost an inch. That's pretty close to too tall for our cars.

geuss i learned something.....cool! and now i know why my 215/75 fill me wheel wells nicely :)

[86euro]

Pretty sure no A-body came with 15s from the factory. Even the GS used 14s.

Did the AWD's have 15's?

All of mine have been 185/75, or 195/70 on the Eurosport models. The 185's are just too dinky though, the only real use is in the winter time.

[Prospeeder]

i was gonna say AWD 6000s and some of the other high model SEs and STEs got those same 15 inch wheels on AWDs and Transport Vans. Ahh nice another plus for the 6000

[lemons bob]

There are Ponitac 6000s that came with 15 inch wheels. not sure if it was just the ste's or optional for all of them.

http://www.finishlinewheels.com/PONTIAC/6000/1987/A-01667U15/

[white89euro]

Thanks for all the advice. It sounds like the 185/75/14 is the best size to go with for my 1990 Century which currently has 195/75/14 - if I'm correct the 185 series will help my 5mph over actual speedo error be reduced somewhat since the 185 is just a bit shorter tire. Right?

George

[mechanizeddeath]

My Ciera has the 185s. Super tiny, easily the smallest wheel and tire combo I've ever had. All of my cars have been on 15 or 16 inch wheels, mostly with relatively low profile tires.

Of course the benefit of the smaller wheels is cheap tires. That and I don't bend a super expensive 16" factory wheel when I hit a pothole the size of a VW bug.

[CamoDeafie]

the best tires i've experienced; 205/65/r14 Goodyear Radials. for the A-body that is. for others, the BF Goodrich T/As on my dad's 78 vette many years ago (sadly we don't have it)...and i've ridden in a balding 215 Eagle equipped XC...but because the tires were balding..it wasn't that good of handling. had a set of Toyo 195/70/14s on Bruno's 14" alloys...there IS a 15" GS wheel i know of, its 9 spokes i think? BigNastyGS would know for sure.

[sd_focus]

Some of you have mentioned 195 width being for the cars with a performance package. My '91 ciera came with 195 width tires. Is there suppose to be some other kind of performance upgrade?

[Duke George V]

Yeah, the earlier "performance variant" cars, like the GS, GT, and VR had wider tires. Seems like GM went with the wider ones in later years for all cars.

[dcjredline]

Yes my AWD came with 15" rims. The tire size is no longer available and that stinks. I think it was 205/70/15 or something like that. I have 195/75/15's on it now.

[Zaloryan]

215/60-14 BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. My happiest tire choice yet. Next time I may get Firestone Indy 500s...

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m289/mitchythekid_2006/1990%20Cutlass%20Ciera/CIMG1311.jpg

Also see my eval video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5fi9Z2HGIo

[CamoDeafie]

pinstripe the rim edges man! lol looks very nice!

[Duke George V]

Yes my AWD came with 15" rims. The tire size is no longer available and that stinks. I think it was 205/70/15 or something like that. I have 195/75/15's on it now.

205-65-15 is a close match for stock. I'm running that size on my Century.

[Century7667]

Thanks for all the advice. It sounds like the 185/75/14 is the best size to go with for my 1990 Century which currently has 195/75/14 - if I'm correct the 185 series will help my 5mph over actual speedo error be reduced somewhat since the 185 is just a bit shorter tire. Right?

George

....or 195/70 should be pretty close too. My '96 runs 195/70 tires. Good wear, good traction, and the speedo is son the money. It sits nice too, w/o looking ridiculous.

Ken T.

[Prospeeder]

id just like to add that blue ciera is freakin awsome with those wheels

[86euro]

215/60-14 BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires. My happiest tire choice yet. Next time I may get Firestone Indy 500s...

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m289/mitchythekid_2006/1990%20Cutlass%20Ciera/CIMG1311.jpg

Also see my eval video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5fi9Z2HGIo

I just noticed your fender emblems are above the body line. Has it always been that way?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, your car looks awesome!

[Zaloryan]

id just like to add that blue ciera is freakin awsome with those wheels

High praise from a Pontiac man - thank you. :D


I just noticed your fender emblems are above the body line. Has it always been that way?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, your car looks awesome!

After I had the car repainted I had forgotten specifically where the emblems went. I settled with placing them above the fender line because I wanted it to stand out just a little more. As it turns out, that wasn't the factory location - nevertheless, I'm happy with it. I used 3M double sided tape to mount the emblems & have had no problems.

And comments like yours & Prospeeder's make my day. I put my soul into that car, I guess it's my therapy, my outlet. That picture is a few months old - I'll eventually start my own project thread so everyone can see it's progress.

[white89euro]

Well, I decided to go with the 185/75/14's - it's the factory size and the cheapest tire size too.

The '90 wagon is getting freshening-up this fall. It's five years since the restoration and it needs rust-repair again. That, and a good interior detailing. I'll be installing a like-new drivers seat from an identical '90 century salvage car, and probably the "new" door interior panels from that same car. Eventually I'll post pics. Thanks for all the help!

George

[lackneramanda]

Well, I decided to go with the bf goodrich all terrain (http://www.carparts.com/BF-Goodrich-Wheels-Tires-Accessories/4199999237-600022832.car) 185/75/14's - it's the factory size and the cheapest tire size too.

The '90 wagon is getting freshening-up this fall. It's five years since the restoration and it needs rust-repair again. That, and a good interior detailing. I'll be installing a like-new drivers seat from an identical '90 century salvage car, and probably the "new" door interior panels from that same car. Eventually I'll post pics. Thanks for all the help!

George

I am in desperate need of new tires for my car. The tires I have on now are the michilen pilot mxm, anyways, they are about 180 on up. I cant afford these type of tires this summer.. money problem.. so i know i was wondering what is a good tire to get for the summer that wont break the bank. I know i will lose some performance, but I really dont know whats out there and dont want to go to a tire dealer and have him try to sell me something that I will not like. i have 225/50/16 on now

Thanks.