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Subject:Re: Tire Question (not the dreaded tire thread at all)
From:Ben Cichowski
Date:Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:40:13 -0500

Hi Jeff,

We'd have to know the ratio on the first tire (someone probably knows that tire by memory though, it's a popular tire).

The first number is the width in mm and the second number (70 in the case of the Michelin tire) is the % of that first number that makes up the sidewall. So your 205/70R14 is about equiv to a 185/78R14 in overall diameter (143.5 mm of sidewall). 
If that second number is bigger than 78 on your Hancook...then your old tires are larger in diameter...which I'm pretty sure it is indeed larger.

So, if both are 14" tires, I'm guessing your new tires are smaller in overall diameter and will spin faster...i.e. show you going faster than you actually are.
BTW....you are talking about a 205/70R14 as the message said...right? Because that is a pretty common 15" size.....

-Ben

> Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:20:55 -0500
> From: magikvw@GMAIL.COM
> Subject: Tire Question (not the dreaded tire thread at all)
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> Ok, this may seem like a dumb question but oh well -
> 
> If I went from Hankook 185R14 tires to a Michelin 205/70R14 would one expect
> a change in my speedo and odometer accuracy?
> 
> 
> --
> Thanks,
> 
> Jeff
> '90 Carat (Grover)
> '86 (We call this one Parts)
> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus

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