Hey I am the owner of my 3rd volvo, its a 99 s70, and has 15'' wheels.I want to upgrade to 16-17 wheels so it will fill up the fender well.Can i do this and not affect anything with the abs sensor, or do i have to have sensors for the new wheels?I dont even know if it has sensors on the wheels, please help me, i want bigger wheels.

 

Bigger wheels and smaller tire profiles. I'm not 100% sure on this but it should flow asa follows:
15" Wheels, 195/60 profile
16" Wheels, 205/55 profile
17" Wheels, 205/45 profile

Other sizes will effect the speedo. Shouldn't effect the abs. Also, if you fill the wheel well you run the risk of tires rubbing things. Most people lower their cars (an inch or two) to get the results they want in this area.

 

On my S60 2004 I switch between the OEM 205 55R16 AND Summer only 235 45R17.
My S60 AWD manual only lists 2 tire sizes that being the 15 inch rims and the 16 inch rims.

BUT as soon as I put on the 17 inch rims the error messages start. It appears that the anti skid test fails sometimes. Remember the anti skid self test takes place while moving forward during the first 2 min of forward operation, I'm not sure of the test parameters and I'm not looiking them up at the moment,...BUT I can fool the test by driving slowly for the first few miniuts of operation. If I floor it the light comes on each and every time. The light never comes on when I'm using the 15 or 16 inch size rims.

I did not increase the limits by putting washers under them, I live with a slight rubbing when I turn the wheel to the stops. I could put washers under the limits to stop the rubbing, but I'm too lazy at the moment.

SO yes rim size does in fact affect the anti skid system. I persoanlly think the increased size and forces affect the test. Keep in mind the test is a millisecond test that measures the slight decrease in rotation as the brake system is millisecond applied. Most people don't even notice the test takeing place. It is that sometimes very quick clink when you first start moooving.

I like the response of the 17 inche sizes, I live with a slight rubbing and don't have a clue as to what could possibly go wrong with the brake skid light on.


KEEP in mind the proper wheel bolt torque with larger rims,......LARGER RIMS NEED THE FACTORY TORQUE OF 140 NM MORE THAN THE SMALLER RIMS DO. And remember you do not have to torque the cone washer style bolts to 140 nm they only need to be tightened to 110 nm and no anti seize on the bolts.

 

The abs sensors are in the hubs - and "see" a serrated tone ring mounted on the axles. (or the bearing in the rear) -

"fill up the fender well" Larger wheels give that illusion, larger diameter tires will also "fill up the fender well". Larger diameter tires will make the speedometer incorrect and make the car slower to accelerate, and probably rub in front when turning.

Larger wheels with shorter profile tires will work fine. Volvo has many accessory 16 and 17 inch wheels that bolt onto a s70 without a problem.