Re: tires...

[Jeff Newton <Jeff_Newton@pmc-sierra.com>]

> All these are 205-50...Does anyone know of somewhere that sells 
Toyo's 
> online?  I'd be interested in a set of T1 Plus 215-45-15 if the 
price was 
> under $100 a pop.  

Hey folks,

For what its worth, a tech I talked to at Toyo recommended against
going with 215-45-15 on our 6.5" rims.  Here is a copy of the email
I got:



<-----------BEGIN-------------->


	-----Original Message-----
	From:	Jeff Newton [mailto:Jeff_Newton@pmc-sierra.com] 
<mailto:>
	Sent:	Wednesday, December 09, 1998 4:15 PM
	To:	toyotech@toyo.com
	Subject:	Information Requested



	I'm looking at the T1 Plus for my 97 VW Jetta VR6 which has a 
15x6.5
rim stock.  Stock tires are 205/50 15.  I'm thinking of staying with 
this size or
trying your 215/45 15.  Question is can I/should I run this size on my 
6.5"
rim?  I always here that the rim should be 80% of the tire width for 
optimum
handling.  The bigger contact patch would aid traction and handling as 
well
but would the steering response suffer? 
	I do autox occasionally and will drive these tires hard.  The
suspension on my car consists of H&R Coilovers with 400lb springs up 
front
and 285lb in the rear.
	Basically I want to hear it from you.  What size T1 Plus 
should I
run on my Jetta for optimum traction, handling, and steering response?
	Thanks in advance for your help.
				Cheers,

	----
	Jeff Newton
	Unix Systems Administrator
	PMC-Sierra Inc.
	

Jeff,

You are correct, response would suffer going to a wider tire on the 
same
size rim.  However, in my experience, the differences in tire 
construction
have a more pronounced effect on response.  

The 15 inch Proxes T1 Plus's have very good response compared to most 
other
patterns.  

As far as optimum width, it changes with aspect ratio.

A 205/40R17 is designed around a 7.5 inch rim, with 7.0-8.0 allowable. 
(That
comes to 93%)

205 times 80% divided by 25.4 equals 6.5 inches.  A 6.5 inch rim will 
not
provide optimum handling in this case.

Each tire size is designed around a 'design rim width'.  When mounted 
on
that size rim, the tire must meet certain dimensional specifications 
in
order to be called that size.

More specifically, the 205/50R15 can be used on a 5.5-7.5 inch rim, 
with 6.5
being the design rim.

The 215/45R15 can be used on 7.0 to 8.0 inch rims, with 7.0 being the 
design
rim.

To answer your question, I cannot recommend the 215 on your 6.5 inch 
rims.

Toyo Germany sells approximately 40 times more 15 inch Proxes T1 
Plus's than
Toyo USA.  Most of those tires are used on VW's such as yours.  These 
tires
are essentially designed for your platform.

Kevin Lakkis
Toyo Tires


<------------END---------------->

----
Jeff Newton
Unix Systems Administrator
PMC-Sierra Inc.