have a 2004 V70 2.5T AWD with 180,000KM on it, time for new tires again. Currently have 235/45/17 on it, can I change to 205/45/17? There does seem to be a bit of a price savings of about $30 to $40 a tire for the ones I have been looking at. Do not want to go to the expense of changing rims.

 

Hello, I don't know if you can do this. At first glance losing 30mm (1.18") of tire width doesn't seem like nothing. Start asking everyone you can think of who is in the tire business both in person and on-line. Definately send an e-mail to Volvo and see what they say. Keep track of who you ask, their answers and how comfortable they seemed when they answered. See if your wheels have a range of acceptable sizes listed. See which cars take a 205 tire to start with and measure the width of their wheels. It's been my experience that tire people clam up when they're not absolutely certain of an answer. Spreading a tire's beads 30mm apart might be OK in the taller sizes; but in a 45 series tire? Please post back with anything you learn. Kira

 

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

just to give you an idea how big the tire difference is going to be.