Proper Tire Size

[ssj335]

My 59 Squarebird has tires this size: P195/ 75R14.

Is this the correct and typical size tire for these?

[jopizz]

They're about a size smaller than normal. P215 75/14 is closer to the factory 800 x 14 belted tires but are still slightly smaller. P225 75/14 are slightly larger.

John

[ssj335]

Thank you! So I could go with either of those sizes and be ok? Any disadvantage to what I have on there now being a size small? Appreciate it.

[jopizz]

The biggest disadvantage is that your speedometer will be off using smaller tires. The car will also sit lower than normal. Squarebirds sit low in the back to begin with so with smaller tires you may have an issue backing out of steep driveways. If new tires are in your future I suggest 215 or 225.

John

[ssj335]

Thank you! I only plan on new tires if mine are no good. I will have it looked at. If the car was sitting around a long time I'm afraid they could have rotted some and pop on a drive.

I looked up the 215 and 225, and Firestone only lists those sizes on 15 or 16 inch rims. I believe my rims are 14? I could be wrong but my current tires say 195/75/14 so I think they're 14 inch rims.

The biggest disadvantage is that your speedometer will be off using smaller tires. The car will also sit lower than normal. Squarebirds sit low in the back to begin with so with smaller tires you may have an issue backing out of steep driveways. If new tires are in your future I suggest 215 or 225.

John

[YellowRose]

Proper Tire Size

Kirsten, yes, your tire size tells you that you do have 14" rims on that car still. When you get that car up on a rack, have someone look at the tire date stamped into the back of every tire. Tires made after 2000 have a 4 digit date code stamped into them. If you can't find that code, then those tires were made more than 18 years ago! That code should be the week of the year they were made followed by the two digit code for the year. Like 1615, for the 16th week of 2015. As for how often they should be replaced, some tire manufactures say 5-6 years, some say after 10 years, if wear is not bad and you check your tires thoroughly on a regular basis after 5 years of use. Of course, if you have uneven wear on the tread due to poor alignment or other problems, get them swapped out.

[ssj335]

Thanks Ray will do!

[jopizz]

Are you looking for blackwall, thin whitewall or wide whitewall. If you just want blackwalls Walmart has Hankook 215/75/14's for around $45. Thin and wide whitewall tires are available but are much more expensive.

John

[ssj335]

Thanks for the heads up!

Ideally... the thick whitewalls are my favorite, followed by thin whitewall. Wish I had less expensive taste!

Are you looking for blackwall, thin whitewall or wide whitewall. If you just want blackwalls Walmart has Hankook 215/75/14's for around $45. Thin and wide whitewall tires are available but are much more expensive.

John

[dgs]

They're about a size smaller than normal. P215 75/14 is closer to the factory 800 x 14 belted tires but are still slightly smaller. P225 75/14 are slightly larger.

John

The 215/75R14 are a bit wider but a bit shorter than the original 800-14. The 225/75R14 are a bit wider but a bit shorter than the original, optional 850-14. They are the best alternatives in the modern radial sizes.

There really is no tire in modern radial sizes that match the width & height of the old. However, Coker does now make radials in the old bias sizes and with the old "pie crust" look. They aren't cheap, though, and some folks here have had issues with Cokers.

Here's a link to their 800R14 tire:

https://www.cokertire.com/american-classic-800r14-2-1-4-inch-whitewall.html