Tires: Tires for 1993 Bentley Turbo R, toyo tires, wheel diameters

Question
QUESTION: I purchased this car nine months ago. It had new Toyo tires
P225/170R 15 100T as the car had been sitting for about 2  years
they were installed by the leasing company who had the auto on
consignment. I paid for the tires and their intent was to save me
money!! These tires are rated at 1753max weight each  which appears   
to be insufficent. The GVRW is 6410 while the GAWR is 3925 F and R.
The Bentley specs call for 255/65R15 106V.
Any suggestions?

Many thanks

Geoff.


ANSWER: Geoffrey,

First, the tire you put on do not have enough load carrying capacity.  They also do not have enough speed capability.

I would suggest you replace those tires with something more appropriate.  Unfortunately, Bentley decided the car needed an unusual tire size - one that Tire Rack says is unavailable from any manufacturer.

I've done a little calculating and I think a P235/70R15 is the best fit for a more available tire size.  A tire this size is used on small SUV's - and that's what's available - and worse, none of them are an H speed rating or better.

What that means is you are not going to find tires that are appropriate for your vehicle unless you change wheel diameters.

I also checked to see if there were readily available wheels to fit - and no luck there as well.

Bottomline:  Unless you go to the trouble of having someone carefully select wheels - and maybe even doing a custom fit - you are stuck with tires that are not nearly up to the capability of the car.  I would get the 235/70R15's and then drive gently.  No high speeds, no severe cornering.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have only taken the Bentley up to 90mph, very briefly and do no hard
turns 70 to 75 will be may Max on smooth highways. I wonder what is
considered high speeds? One bad thing about changing the tires is
that tha car drives VERY smoothly up to 90 with the Toyo tires I have.
However  I'll  follow your advice on the P235/70R15, I don't want any
blowouts!! Thanks very much, Your assistance is much appreciated.

Geoff

Answer
Geoffrey,

The problem with the tire size is the risk of failure.

Being down one step in tire size is like being down 2 steps in speed rating - and you are already under what this vehicle ought to have for speed rating.

But tires remember every injustice that is committed against them - and it shortens the time to failure.  Remember the Firestone tires?  They didn't fail right away.  They failed many miles and much time after they first went into service.  Same situation here.