I've been driving 240 wagons for 20+ years, and have tried different sizes, brands and types of tires. Good quality all season (standard or touring) in a 195/75 14 work well and make the most sense for me. I need a new set, and while I've always had good luck w/ Michelins, I have Harmonys on another 245 and find them too soft. The Hydroedge has a nice feel, but only comes in a 195/70 14 (and a slightly below norm diameter even there, to the point that I'm considering that size for a sedan replacement tire). The Bridgestone Turanza LS-T sounds good and has a max psi of 44, while other tires in its group/class have max psi of 35. As you all know, the OEM 185R/14 had a max psi of 40 or 44, and Volvo U.S. recommends 36 psi front/rear (with additional for higher loads). Which gets me to the question: Has anyone determined if it's a good idea to go with a tire which will handle the higher psi, or is the standard 35 max more than adequate (stiff enough sidewall and the ability to actually safely handle 38-40 psi)? Thanks Also, any tires anyone particularly likes?
You should be buying a tire that meets/exceeds what the OEM spec was. If the car is calling for 36psi (sounds a little high our 960 is 195 65 R15 and they call for around 28-30 up front and 30-36 I believe in the rear, load dependant) and the tires are only good for 35 psi, then you have the wrong tire IMO. Don't know if you want to spend the extra money, but the Energy MXV4+ is a great tire on our 960 - might work well for your 240 as well. I've also got Nokian WR's on my VW Golf (exact same size and load/speed specs as the Volvo - 195 65R15 91H for both cars) I'm really liking them, tho the front wheel drive and high amounts of low end torque are going to eat the front tires much faster then the rears (fronts are burning thru at twice the rate of the rears)
Please Rob. With all due respect, this is a 245 tire problem/question. Recommended U.S. pressure IS 36/36 psi . Every 245 owner on this NG knows this. Michelin doesn't even make an OEM spec tire anymore. Most manufacturers don't (used to be available for VW campers). Probably 98 or 99% of US 240 wagons have 35 psi tires. BTW, even if a tire had a max psi of 36, the question would remain since there is really no significant difference between 35 and 36 (most gauges aren't this accurate). The real question still is whether a higher max psi tire is advisable due to the 240 wagon's load rating and driving characteristics. Any 245 tire experts out there?
Hi, Bill - - - Our daughter has been driving her mom's original '87 245 for about 10-11 years now (at ~250K miles) using Sears (by Michelin) Road Handlers 195/70x14's. Good performance all around - tread life; wet, dry and snow handling; etc., etc. When this car was delivered, Volvo was fitting Michelin 7.00Xx14, 6-ply rating. Volvo (at least through the 2xx series) considered their wagons as "working vehicles" that were equipped to carry a load as required. Even with the first tire replacement, the 7.00x14 was no longer available and we switched to the 195/70's. Pressure at 35/35. For a good tire at a good price, the Sears-labeled product has proven to be just fine. These tires have also been used on the '95 Subaru AWD wagon that came next and is now driven by our son. Once Volvo "discovered" AWD we became an all-Volvo family. bob noble Reno, NV, USA
Volvo originally speced what was practically a light truck tire for the 245 wagon to allow for heavy loads. These are now almost impossible to find. Unless you are loading your vehicle up to the max I would not be concerned about putting tires which specify a maximum of 35 PSI and running them at 35. John
Thanks John Max loading is my concern. While generally well below load max, it's not unusual for me to have 1000+ lbs in it /on it (weekend kayaking vehicle w/ 4 or 5 adults and 6 kayaks plus gear for shuttles on mountain roads). My son routinely would have close to max load in his 245 w/ bikes, kayaks and a full load of crap to from college (to point of stressing/torquing geometry on exhaust system). I've been getting away with it for years now, but that doesn't mean I should continue to do so if given the choice. In an extended conversation w/ Michelin technical service, person even recommended that they personally would take advantage of Michelin's 30 day money back guarantee (on my new 195/70 14 Hydroedge w/ max 35 psi) and switch to a 44 psi max tire, even outside the Michelin brand such as the Bridgestone Turanza LS-T. That's why I'm trying to figure this out quickly.
The 185R14 car tires that used to be available typically had a load rating of 91, while the 195/75R14 tires that can be used in place typically have a load rating of 92. So the latter should have the needed load capacity if inflated to the pressure listed on the sidewall as giving their maximum load capacity. A lot of 245 wagon owners put on 185/70R14 tires in error. This can be a problem if they load their wagons to the stated capacity, since the 185/70R14 size has a significantly lower load rating than 185R14.
195/70R14 typically has a load rating of 90, which is slightly lower than the 91 that 185R14 car tires typically had. 195/75R14 typically has a load rating of 92, which should make it a safer substitute for 185R14 in terms of load capacity.
Good folks of this Volvo NG, Since this thread has become a recommendation/acknowledgement of sorts for various tire manufacturers and their branding. I wish to offer the Green Diamond Tire product up for discussion. I happen to be the Green Diamond Tire distributor located in Colorado and I also have responsibility for retail internet sales. Should you choose to excuse my overt attempt to offer an alternative tire with my own vested interest to consider, you may wish to visit www.GreenDiamondTire.com to learn more about this Icelandic tire invention. We have less than 200 stocked tires left that will fit the OEM ratings for the Volvo discussed here. I will be happy to discuss, in NG or 1:1 the merits of the Green Diamond Tire. Please forgive the advert/comm'l... but I really believe in this product. Rich Gostenik President Green Diamond Tire - West Green Diamond Tire / E-Commerce I've been driving 240 wagons for 20+ years, and have tried different sizes, brands and types of tires. Good quality all season (standard or touring) in a 195/75 14 work well and make the most sense for me. I need a new set, and while I've always had good luck w/ Michelins, I have Harmonys on another 245 and find them too soft. The Hydroedge has a nice feel, but only comes in a 195/70 14 (and a slightly below norm diameter even there, to the point that I'm considering that size for a sedan replacement tire). The Bridgestone Turanza LS-T sounds good and has a max psi of 44, while other tires in its group/class have max psi of 35. As you all know, the OEM 185R/14 had a max psi of 40 or 44, and Volvo U.S. recommends 36 psi front/rear (with additional for higher loads). Which gets me to the question: Has anyone determined if it's a good idea to go with a tire which will handle the higher psi, or is the standard 35 max more than adequate (stiff enough sidewall and the ability to actually safely handle 38-40 psi)? Thanks Also, any tires anyone particularly likes?
Yes. (1312 for 90 rated 195/70 vs 1400 lb load rating for 92 rated 195/75, but as noted above, Hydroedge not available in 75 series). Intuitively, it would seem that as the aspect ratio increases, sidewall stiffness and/or tire pressure also would need to increase to better resist lateral forces from higher loads, especially in the case of a 245 w/ its tail extending so far beyond the wheels. I don't mean to beat a dead horse (and a 35 psi max tire obviously works and has for years) but comparing apples to apples, the question still is: whether a 195/75 14 w/ a max psi of 44 (and which measures its 1400 lb load capacity at 35 psi, but which can be pushed further for full loads) has a safety advantage over a 195/75 14 w/ a max allowable pressure of 35 psi?
Tire makers always go for a softer setting ,in the real world a couple of pounds more is wise as well there's less rolling resistance .Just think how hot a tire can get flexing so much taxi police and such use a higher pressure in normal conditions its wise .If you check the tire wear it can make +10 % more life at least with less curb damage .A side benefit is sharper steering response..
