Compatibility of Wheels and Tires

My son has a 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier (2 door).
Currently he has 4 * P195/70R14 All Season Radials on this car.
The tread on these tires is quite low.

A neighbour used to own a Cavalier (not the same model/year).
He has 4 tires on rims with really good tread.
They are BF Goodrich P195/65R15 89S mud and snow (Touring T/A SR4).
Is it OK to use these rims and tires?
Are there any potential issues?
If these are OK, I assume that they would not have to be rebalanced.

Thank you very much in advance for the advice.

If I was your son I'll get the 205/60/15 size. better handling and more grip.

I had them on my old 98 Cavalier. They did good on the snow.

If I was your son I'll get the 205/60/15 size. better handling and more grip.

I had them on my old 98 Cavalier. They did good on the snow.
The neighbour has offered the tires and rims for FREE.
Do you think we should go for the offer?

This is not a good idea. Your neighbor's tires are smaller in load capacity.

Overloaded tire failures can be pretty ugly sights!

This is not a good idea. Your neighbor's tires are smaller in load capacity.

Overloaded tire failures can be pretty ugly sights!
I am not really familiar with the breakdown of the size information and what it all means.
What exactly does P195/65R15 89S mean vs P195/70R14?
Which part are you referring to in terms of 'overload'?

Thanks again.

I lnow they are free but they are very dangerous especially for the winter. I had that size befor and I hated them. Thats why I recommend the 20/60/15.

If ou get the 15/65/15 then you going to have prolblems like braking traction. I would get the 205/60/15 or stay with the 195/70/14. You can try Firestone, Sears for some deals.

I am not really familiar with the breakdown of the size information and what it all means.
What exactly does P195/65R15 89S mean vs P195/70R14?
Which part are you referring to in terms of 'overload'?

Thanks again.

Try this webpage:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46

It explains what the numbers mean. But what isn't explained is the tire size vs load capacity relationship. Generally the larger the tire is physically, the larger the load capacity. A P195/65R15 has a load index of 89 (as you've indicated), but a P195/70R14 has a load index of 90.

Hope this helps.

I lnow they are free but they are very dangerous especially for the winter. I had that size befor and I hated them. Thats why I recommend the 20/60/15.
I had no idea that the 195/65R15 would have traction problems.
I would have never suggested them if I knew that regardless of the bargain.
We live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and snow is an issue for months each year.
Thank you for the enlightement :).

If ou get the 15/65/15 then you going to have prolblems like braking traction. I would get the 205/60/15 or stay with the 195/70/14. You can try Firestone, Sears for some deals.
Actually, he is complaining about traction in rain with the 195/70R14.
I wonder if it is because of the tread.
The tires aren't bald but I am really worrying about the approaching winter.

Try this webpage:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46

It explains what the numbers mean. But what isn't explained is the tire size vs load capacity relationship. Generally the larger the tire is physically, the larger the load capacity. A P195/65R15 has a load index of 89 (as you've indicated), but a P195/70R14 has a load index of 90.

Hope this helps.
Now, I understand (I think).
But, the load factor is only a difference of about 50 lbs isn't it?

I lnow they are free but they are very dangerous especially for the winter. I had that size befor and I hated them. Thats why I recommend the 20/60/15.
Sorry, but I forgot to ask the following:
Isn't the traction, handling, etc partially determined by other attributes of the tire that aren't described in the size?
For example, you can have 2 tires the same size and one has a great tread pattern?

I think you guys are forgetting the biggest thing of all, to run any tire size ending in 15, he needs to buy new rims which I doubt he wants to do.

The load rating is not a problem because I'm sure those tires are still very capable of carying a cavalier

205/60/15's will offer the best handing of the sizes listed, but of course, he would have to get new rims to run those.

I think you guys are forgetting the biggest thing of all, to run any tire size ending in 15, he needs to buy new rims which I doubt he wants to do.

The load rating is not a problem because I'm sure those tires are still very capable of carying a cavalier

205/60/15's will offer the best handing of the sizes listed, but of course, he would have to get new rims to run those.
My neighbour is offering the P195/65R15 * with * the rims.

then go ahead and get them, they will make the speedometer read about 1% too low, but thats not significant.

Yea you are right drd. She might have 14 inch rims. I had goodyear tires on my old cavalier.

then go ahead and get them, they will make the speedometer read about 1% too low, but thats not significant.
Do you mean that I should get the rims (for free) and then buy/mount 205/60/15 on them
OR
Put the P195/65R15 that the neighbour is offering already mounted on the rims on the car?

either way, the 195's he has on there should work fine.

either way, the 195's he has on there should work fine.
I must admit that I really do not know what to do.

Some advice in this forum states that the 195/65R15 should * really * be avoided and others say it is OK.

I must admit that I really do not know what to do.

Some advice in this forum states that the 195/65R15 should * really * be avoided and others say it is OK.


If you get 195/65r15. Make sure they got alot of tread on the tires.

If you get 195/65r15. Make sure they got alot of tread on the tires.
My neighbour says they have about 20,000 kilometers. That is about 12,000 miles.

My neighbour says they have about 20,000 kilometers. That is about 12,000 miles.

Thats not bad so the warrannty on those tires are still good.