195 R14 C or 205 70 R 14?

Post by **Emma&Al** » 14 Oct 2015, 10:09

I have 2 x 195R14C tires on my van and 2 x 205 70 R 14 tires...

which are the correct ones? I have a baldish tire to the front that needs changing and the others are pretty good.

(1990 Caravelle)

Thanks

Post by **printmonkey** » 14 Oct 2015, 10:17

They are both correct sizes. Do you have VW Carat alloys?

If you do they should be 205 70 R14.

Post by **Emma&Al** » 14 Oct 2015, 10:30

Thanks printmonkey - unfortunately I don't have the lovely carat alloys!

So I can opt for either? That sounds great - perhaps I'll use Black Circles , they seem to be a popular choice with people?

Post by **clift_d** » 14 Oct 2015, 10:33

The standard sizes that are in the original owners manual, for both 5 1/2J x 14 steel wheels and 6J x 14 alloy wheels, are actually 185 R14 C or 205/70 R14, both with a 97R load rating. That said the 195 R14 C should also be fine on either type of wheel provided the correct load rating is met. It's just not one of the sizes that VW originally specified.

The big difference that you need to keep in mind between the two is that the 195 R14 has a diameter that is around 5% larger than the 205/70 R14 and so changing from one to the other at the rear will effect your gearing. The 185 R14 size sits between the two in terms of diameter. You can compare the various tyre sizes here.

Post by **printmonkey** » 14 Oct 2015, 10:35

No problem. If you've got steel wheels the 195 R14 C would be the right tyre. Black Circles or Camskill. If you've got the budget I'd get 4x new tyres.

Post by **Emma&Al** » 14 Oct 2015, 20:43

Thanks all!
So I should have the same type all round ideally. I'd like to change all the tyres simultaneously, if I can fit it into my budget

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