Winter Tyres

[NorwegianBuick]

I own a 1988 Buick Century Ltd.

Last winter I drove on rather old stud-less tyres meant for vans. So this winter I would like to put on some realy good stud-less winter tyres. As I live in Norway I would like to put on some scandinavian quality winter tyres. (I drive Cooper tyres in summer.) There are lots of snow here, hills and rather changing temperatures, from minus 20 C to pluss 10 C during just one day, so Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden and Finland) have their own winter tyres not sold many places else. That is part of my problem, as original tyres for a '88 Century is either 185/75/14 or 195/75/14. The only winter tyres sold here that are also produced in that size, is Bridgestone Blizzak WS50, but that tyre has clearly lost its grip since 2002 compared to the new winter tyres sold from Continental (ContiVikingContact 3). So my question, if any one would be kind enough to answer, is what tyre in a smaller profile (70 or 65) would fit my Century and how wide may I go? Would for instance a 205 tyre fit within the limits?

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF. 205 is too wide for the stock Century wheels, you do not want to put on 65-70 series tires as the wider width reduces the " bite" of snow tires. If absolutely necessary you could use 205/70 14's in a pinch, the height is the same as the 195/75, but again the wider width is not as good in the sno as the 75 series. Go to tirerack.com for tire interchanges and recommendations.

[NorwegianBuick]

Thank you for your answer. 75 is a profil not normaly marketed in Norway (my Cooper summer tyres are imported from USA). 80-profil is however marketed. Maybe I should consider 175/80/14?

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by NorwegianBuick

Thank you for your answer. 75 is a profil not normaly marketed in Norway (my Cooper summer tyres are imported from USA). 80-profil is however marketed. Maybe I should consider 175/80/14?

Too small.