Wider tires in back
sgbuick
05-02-2009, 12:48 AM
On 96 Caprice, I currently have 215/75 R15 tires which are apparently very hard to find. I have 2 nearly new 235/70 R15 tires sitting in my garage from a previous Buick Roadmaster, can I put them on the back? If I do, will it cause any issues?
silicon212
05-02-2009, 01:06 AM
On 96 Caprice, I currently have 215/75 R15 tires which are apparently very hard to find. I have 2 nearly new 235/70 R15 tires sitting in my garage from a previous Buick Roadmaster, can I put them on the back? If I do, will it cause any issues?
It might mess your speedo calibration a little but it should otherwise work.
It might mess your speedo calibration a little but it should otherwise work.
Blue Bowtie
05-02-2009, 10:13 AM
215/75-15 should have a circumference of 87.012" whereas a 235/70-15 should be 87.816". That will decrease the speed indication by a factor of 0.99079, or less than 0.09 percent.
sgbuick
05-02-2009, 04:11 PM
So, other than the speedo being off a little, everything else regarding ride/handling should be OK?
MagicRat
05-02-2009, 07:23 PM
So, other than the speedo being off a little, everything else regarding ride/handling should be OK?
You might notice a slight increase in understeer during hard high speed cornering (if you do that sort of thing.) But for regular driving, you should be fine.
Just take a peek in the rear wheel wells and make sure the wider tires will not rub when the suspension is compressed. I seem to recall Caprice cop cars used 225's or 235's and were just fine.
You might notice a slight increase in understeer during hard high speed cornering (if you do that sort of thing.) But for regular driving, you should be fine.
Just take a peek in the rear wheel wells and make sure the wider tires will not rub when the suspension is compressed. I seem to recall Caprice cop cars used 225's or 235's and were just fine.
sgbuick
05-02-2009, 11:58 PM
Yeah, the tires I am talking about came from a 96 Roadmaster, which has enclosed wheel wells (fender skirts), so I am guessing that they would not rub on a Caprice with open wheel wells?
MagicRat
05-03-2009, 10:00 AM
Yeah, the tires I am talking about came from a 96 Roadmaster, which has enclosed wheel wells (fender skirts), so I am guessing that they would not rub on a Caprice with open wheel wells?
I did think of that, too. IMO put them on and just take a quick look. If you do not see any obvious interference, imo you are good to go.
I did think of that, too. IMO put them on and just take a quick look. If you do not see any obvious interference, imo you are good to go.
j cAT
05-06-2009, 01:26 PM
Yeah, the tires I am talking about came from a 96 Roadmaster, which has enclosed wheel wells (fender skirts), so I am guessing that they would not rub on a Caprice with open wheel wells?
since these other tires are greater in circumference be cautious when driving in speed restricted areas as your speedo will read lower speed than you are actually going...
don't want a speeding ticket....
since these other tires are greater in circumference be cautious when driving in speed restricted areas as your speedo will read lower speed than you are actually going...
don't want a speeding ticket....
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