Rich,

The difference in the two sizes is ~ 1.4% (it will vary some from
manufacturer to manufacturer).  This shouldn't be significant if neither of
the following is true:

1) You want to perform tire rotations using the spare in the rotation

2) You have a Syncro van

As long as you aren't driving a Syncro and you don't rotate the spare, you
should be fine.

Don in Reidsville, NC
1987 Vanagon GL Syncro

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich Pournelle" <rich@XCOR.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tue 30 November 2004 09:30
Subject: Spare Tire Matching

>I currently have 205/70/14 sears van tires on my van with stock alloy
> rims. I need 4 new tires but I want to avoid buying a 5th tire for my
> spare if possible. I read somewhere that 185R14 tires will match these
> tires and I am considering the Continental Vanco tires and am
> wondering if I will need to buy a 5th tire so the spare will match.
> The details of the Vanco tires can be found here:
>
> http://www.conti-
> online.com/generator/www/us/en/continental/automobile/themes/van/motor_
> home/vanco_8/master_en.html