Question by JC: What happens if I drive with tires different than ones that are recommended?
I drive a 98′ Chevy Malibu and I need to change my tires. The recommended sizes are 215/60 R15-225/60 R15. I have an extra set of tires from another one of my cars and they’re 205/60 R15, would there be a problem with those? I heard that my car would just shake more, but that’s about it, any truth to this?
Best answer:
Answer by answerman
The ride will be worse and you could wreck your suspension. Hardly seems worth saving a few bucks on tires.
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I doubt that these would create any problems – the speedo may be a little off, but they’re close enough in size as to not appreciably effect the ABS system.
no that s is smaller tire i wouldnt do it 205 is smaller than 215 or 225….. no shake unles the tire s are bad… but a smaller tire will casue you to drag in place that you dont need to be and it will be smaller casuing a it to sway more…. theyare too small to be on your car try a tire store and try and trade up or get used one or new ones you will be safer
Tire size is based on the following dimensions:
215/60R15
215 is the width in millimeters of the tread
60 is the ratio of the sidewall to the tread
R is radial
15 is the bead diameter in inches
Since you are talking about going from a 215 to a 205, you will notice a slight increase in the tendency to skid when stopping or turning hard. since you have a smaller tread width at the same ratio, your sidewall will be 4mm shorter. This will cause your speedometer to be off a little bit, showing a faster speed than you are actually traveling. Your odometer will roll up mileage slightly faster, and you will get a little worse gas mileage.
you should always put the correct tire size on a vehicle because the vehicles handling and suspension are engineered for that size….changing the size will make ur speedometer and odometer inaccurate, and could wear out susension parts and strain the transmission. you should not go to a smaller size especially because you will get less control with a smaller tire….spend the extra money and put the correct size so that u will be safe.