Acceptable 15" tire sizes?

Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives

My 98 'Tour is a base model that comes with the 14" steel wheels and plastic wheel covers. I picked up a nice set of Ford OEM 15" alloy wheels from eBay in the spring. These...

[image]http://f3.yahoofs.com/users/434d140dz4e13227b/ec4dre2/__sr_/caedre2.jpg?phwz7sEB7l5ghJyx[/image]

Now I've got the opportunity to pick up a very low mileage set of Toyo Proxes T1-S tires at a great price from a fellow NECOer. I've got the same Toyos on my Cougar for summer tires and they are fantastic. I want to use them for summer tires on the 'Tour and use the steelies for winter.

Is that wheel the stock SE wheel that came with 205/60-15 tires?

The tires I have a line on are 195/55-16. Is this an acceptable size? Not too narrow? I checked the tire size calculator, but don't have enough experience to decide if that size is close enough. Any thoughts on using 195/55-16 tires on those wheels?

Thanks.

yes stock 15" tire size is 205/60-15

try this to figure out the size you need to keep the speedo correct

Originally posted by Linkman:
... I picked up a nice set of Ford OEM 15" alloy wheels from eBay in the spring. .......

The tires I have a line on are 195/55-16. Is this an acceptable size?... Any thoughts on using 195/55-16 tires on those wheels?...

Your 15" wheels will not fit the 16" tires.
http://www.goodyeartires.com/kyt/readingATire/

BTW, did you get the wiring issue sorted out? If you did, post to close out the thread.

Sorry, typo! Correct size is 195/55-15

I do know enough to read the tire diameter, I'm just not clear on what is too narrow for a particular rim - if the stock tire that came on that rim is 205/60-15, is 195/55-15 too narrow?

Speedo is only off by I think 3 MPH at an indicated 60 MPH.

(No, wiring issue not sorted out just yet. Fourth holiday and CougarFest last week made working on the 'Tour a no-go. Will try to get back to it this week. Thank goodness for the still running Tempo!)

Originally posted by Linkman:
Sorry, typo! Correct size is 195/55-15

I do know enough to read the tire diameter, I'm just not clear on what is too narrow for a particular rim - if the stock tire that came on that rim is 205/60-15, is 195/55-15 too narrow?

Speedo is only off by I think 3 MPH at an indicated 60 MPH.

(No, wiring issue not sorted out just yet. Fourth holiday and CougarFest last week made working on the 'Tour a no-go. Will try to get back to it this week. Thank goodness for the still running Tempo!)

Width should be fine. The 205s are a little squeezed on the stock rim.

Your picture didn't work for me. Which OEM wheel is it?

Quote:

Your picture didn't work for me. Which OEM wheel is it?

Well, crap. Worked for me earlier, now doesn't work for me either.

The wheels are the silver painted alloys, eight spoke, center cap with a blue Ford emblem and fake screw heads ringing the center cap.

Maybe this eBay link will work... not the auction I bought from, but the same wheel.

I only ask because my early rims are 15x6.5", but IIRC, the ones you're talking about might be 6". Either way, I still think you're fine with the 195 width.

Originally posted by RogerB:
I only ask because my early rims are 15x6.5", but IIRC, the ones you're talking about might be 6". Either way, I still think you're fine with the 195 width.

I believe that the auction the photo is linked from indicated 15x6.5 inches, but I will try to find something stamped on the wheel itself to be safe. I think I'll grab up those tires as soon as NewCougar.org comes back up from the hosting migration, so I can message the seller.

With Toyos on once the 'Tour is running again, I might be able to get through winter on the all-season tread that remains, but if I drive on them during summer/fall, the all-seasons will definitely need replaced prior to winter.

Thanks for the input guys

Originally posted by Linkman:

Quote:

Your picture didn't work for me. Which OEM wheel is it?

Well, crap. Worked for me earlier, now doesn't work for me either.

The wheels are the silver painted alloys, eight spoke, center cap with a blue Ford emblem and fake screw heads ringing the center cap.

Maybe this eBay link will work... not the auction I bought from, but the same wheel.

that is the rims that are on the 99 se sport. i am running those rims with 215 60 15 no rubing.. but stock size is 205 60 15