1991 740 tires size - 215 60 15

steelheaddan · Post by **steelheaddan** » 28 Feb 2011, 21:40

Hi

This is my first post. First, thanks everyone that for such an informative and helpful site!

I recently purchased a 1989 Volvo 740 wagon, and a 1991 Volvo 740 turbo wagon. I'll add a couple of pics of my new toys.

I'm looking to swap tires with the ones on my dead Chevy Malibu. I put brand new tires on it right before it died, and I want to swap them before I junk the car!

Here are the tires:
2002 Chevy Malibu - 215 60r 15
1991 Volvo Wagon - 195 60r 15.

Can I make this tire swap? Width OK?

Thanks everyone!

Here's a couple of pics of my new cars. Thought I would share them as part of my introduction. Thanks!

: 1989 740 wagon on left, 1991 740 wagon on right; IMG_1714.JPG (152.87 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

: I just finished replacing my heater core yesterday! Here it is dismantled; IMG_1708.JPG (129.87 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

: And here she is all put back together. I'm pretty proud of this fix, as I'm just learning how to fix cars. Wonderful resources, like this site, has made it possible!; IMG_1710.JPG (125.19 KiB) Viewed 2871 times

Post by **billofdurham** » 01 Mar 2011, 11:54

Welcome to Matthew's Volvo Site.

I have been told by more than one contact in the tyre trade that it is perfectly acceptable to go up one size, which would be 205/60-15. This usually means a difference in diameter of about 2%. Going to 215/60-15 would make a difference of 3.9%. Your speedo would be reading that amount slow so at 60mph indicated you would be travelling at 62.3mph. Not a great deal of difference but my contacts warn that the extra width of going up two sizes can cause rubbing of the tyre on the chassis/body.

Bill.

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 01 Mar 2011, 20:02

Hi Bill

You are totally accurate on the error the larger tire size will have on the speedometer, but I am sure there will not be any issues with the larger tires rubbing. I personally have 225-45/16 on the front and 245-45/16 on the rear of my 740 and they clear the fenders and struts.

steelheaddan · Post by **steelheaddan** » 01 Mar 2011, 21:07

Hi

Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely going to pull the tires off my junked car before I sell it. I appreciate the responses.

FWIW, the speed difference doesn't matter, because neither of my 740's speedometers work.

It's on my list of things to fix.

Thanks!

Post by **billofdurham** » 02 Mar 2011, 12:29

Hello Volvord,

The information I was given was for cars in general. Having seen pictures of your 740 I accept that it does not apply to that model.

By the way, where have you been hiding for the last 3 years?

Bill.