I have a 2004 V70 Turbo with Pirelli 235 14 17 tires, which are in need of replacement. I stopped at a tire shop to find new ones. While talking, I mentioned how I don't like the low profile ride and they said that 35K miles are the norm for this size tire. Since I want to keep the car for many years, I don't relish the thought of new tires every 2 years. We discussed converting to 215 55 16s, which would give me a better ride and last longer. The OD is 25.3 (whatever that is) for both size tires.

The Volvo dealer parts manager said switching the rims to the 16" would screw up the computer. There is no 'low tire pressure' light or anything on this model, so I'm not sure what would be screwed up. He's checking with Volvo, but I was wondering if anyone had experience with this. Advice?

 

I just had those EXACT tires taken off of my 2004 V70 R. Mine is also a turbo....The tire guy said no dice on going narrower...I got good advice here and think I could go to a little narrower but not any smaller rims....as it is I have lots of wheel well room and I think the 16 inch rims would look too funny.... JMHO
I have some nice affordable and easy to get Michelins on my car...

 

I assume the parts manager meant the speedo and odometer but tirerack.com lists 205/55-16 as original equipment so I do not know why that would mess up anything. They list 235/45-17 as optional original equipment.

To go down to 16 in rims would cost some $ which would cut down the tire savings, right?

Go tothe local tire dealer and get a "second opinion" No reason to buy tires from a dealer (or take their advice)! Many people go up or down a size 17 to 16 or 16 to 17...

 

But if you got to 16" you have to buy new wheels along with new tires. The "OD" is the Outside Diameter and as long as this is the same, you will not mess up anything with the oddometer or speedometer. You can get tires for the 17" wheels that are fine and will last 60K miles, but stay away from Pirelli. Like Natalie just said she got some Michelins for hers. That would be my fist choice also. Next would be Bridgestone followed by Yokohama to save some money.

 

I trust Jim above all others...he is my Volvo advice GURU...

 

Thanks everyone for replying. I called around and found someone who agreed that there is no issue with going with the 16". It may cost me a bit more upfront, but in the long run, I'll be happier with these tires.

 

What are you going to do with your 17" wheels? They look like really nice wheels and the problem may just be with your tires. I have had really bad luck with Pirelli tires. Before going through the expense of buying new wheels, why not get a satisfaction guaranteed deal on a set of Michelins and see how they feel? If you don't like them take them back and go with Plan B.

 

ARGH....more things to think about. I'm still torn. I got a call from the dealer parts manager. He called the Volvo tech line and was told, whatever size is on the sticker in the gas cap is what I need to stay with, or else they will have to download new software (which I still don't understand if the diameter stays the same).

Question on the 17" tires - the first place I checked with said that any 17" tire is only going to give about 35K life and still a lousy ride and be much more expensive than the 16" tires. That's what has driven me to consider conversion to 16". Do you know if this is true, or will good Michelins give me what I want?

 

You need to go over the tirerack.com website and just play around comparing tires. I don't have time to do it today like I did for Natalie the other day. But just in a matter of minutes I found the following Micheclin tire with a 45,000 mile warranty. It is and H rated tire that I have on my V70. As long as you go with Z rated tires, you will not get a mileage warranty, but if you go with H rated or some V rated tires you get a warranty.

As I said to Natalie, I would take Michelin as my first choice followed by Kumho or Yokohamma if I wanted a decent tire for less money. I have Michelins on my V70, Kumho's on my 850 R and Yokohamma's on my 850 T5R. I am not familiar with the size tire you are dealing with but I have a lower profile 17" Yokohamma on my T5R and they ride very good. Not as good as the 15" wheels on my other two cars, but they look way better and handle better when I don't feel like slowing down going around a curve. I did have to get one of my wheels straightened though to get the ride to be acceptable on the 17" wheels.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....es&place=1

 

My Michilins have such a better ride than those Pirelli's. True story..the prevous owner of the car took the car to the shop several times for the steering feeling funny anf the lousy ride....I got these new tires and they are AWESOME! mush smoother...I noticed right away. I actully called him and tiled him mystery solved it was the tires....

 

True story:

I once thought the front of my car was falling out. Literally pulled off the road and looked under the car for a problem. Seriously considered being towed to the Volvo dealer where I bought the car. Drove it there thinking the front wheels were going to fall off on the way. Got there and they told me my tires were bad, and I actually did not believe them. The belts had separated from the rubber causing the car to wobble even though they had plenty of tread left on them. Put new tires on to replace the Pirelli's and problem solved.

Few years later my father in law had same feeling in his Volvo. I told him his tires were bad. He didn't believe me and took the car to the same dealer I took mine to. They told him the same thing and he replaced his Pirelli's also and problem solved. He never doubted me again.

 

Ok, I'm done thinking. I took your advice and am sticking with the 17" - ordered the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S. I've spent more time researching and thinking of this than I did in buying a house! Thanks so much for all your assistance - Happy driving!

 

Good! If you don't like the ride send them back and do a 'do over'. Make sure your wheels are all straight, cause that is the biggest problem with 17" wheels. If you take it to a reputable shop to have them mounted and balanced they will tell you if the wheels are staight. Probably should get a wheel alignment too. Good luck.

 

Thanks Jim for your help. I've got the tires on order, and will make sure the wheels are straight and alignment is done. Now if I could just get the car out of the shop, where it is for the second time in a week with a power steering failure.....but that's a new story!

 

I just read this posting and thought I would throw my two cents in. Most Volvo's that came standard with 17 inch wheels had much larger brake rotors than the 16 inch equipped models. The 70 series that your auto came with 302 mm rotors and the 16 inch series had 280 mm rotors. Had you changed to 16 inch rims you would have found that your rotors and caliper brackets would have to be changed also! IE: you cannot put smaller diameter wheels on a Volvo that came originally with large diameter wheels..... 17 inch vs 16 inch.

r.

 

Both my R's were bought with 15" wheels on them, but came standard with 17" when new. I've never had any braking problems. I switch back and forth from 17" and 15".

 

Hi - Just got back from having new tires mounted. Ended up with the Michelin 17" Pilot Exalto A/S. So far so good. I've been driving a 2007 V70 XC for 2 weeks while my car was in the shop for new steering rack, vacuum pump, fuel pump, brake pads, headlight. The handling is a bit different in my car, but the new tires are definitely an improvement over the Pirellis. Thanks to everyone for your help in this matter!