Tyre Size

[Lewiejack]

Sorry for posing a question which has probably been asked a thousand times! I have not long taken delivery of my bongo following a full conversion and the original tyres prior to conversion (fresh from japan) were as follows:

Front 195/70 R15 C
Rear 215/ 65 R15 C

One of the rear tyres had a split in the tyre wall so I asked for it to be changed. I checked again today and they are all now as follows:

Front 205/65 R15 C
Rear 195/70 R15 C

As you can see what was the front pair are now on the rear, and the front ones are not the recommended size.

My question is - are they safe to run as is, or would they be likely to cause damage to the 4X4 transmission or possibly invalidate any insurance as they stand. I have a 2001 2.5TD 4X4.

Im feeling anxious!

Thanks for any replies!

[Gasy]

Hi and welcome
195 should not be on the back due to weight rating I beleave
205 are fine on front
Loads run 205/215 all round

[Lewiejack]

Thanks Gasy, that being the case what if I were to just swap the front and rear?

[Bob]

Hi, and welcome.

What Gasy says is correct and very important.

The wider tyres are to take the extra weight at the rear and the load rating of the tyres is also important.

There will be a number like 92 or 96 after the size, these are the minimum ratings for front and rear, a higher number is fine.

Having the set up you describe will likely invalidate your insurance, and it is vital on a 4wd to have the same rolling circumference, 195/70 and 215/65 would be the same.

Not sure if 205s are up to the job on the rear, either, but more knowledge will be along.

[Lewiejack]

Thanks Bob, thats very helpful indeed. I will certainly have this looked at pronto!

[Northern Bongolow]

the sizes are ok, just on the wrong wheels.

click on the tab tyre size comparison.

http://tire-size-conversion.com/tire-size-calculator/

[Lewiejack]

Thanks Northern Bongolow, thats very interesting Maybe a swap over is all that is needed? The speed ratings are over 100 on both sets so that should be ok too?

[Bob]

Yep, a higher number is 'Stronger' so fine.

Cheap fix.

[wonkanoby]

its load ratinmg you need to be sure of

[Simon Jones]

Load rating (if that was meant by 100) is fine. The only reason Mazda fitted narrower tyres on the front was to improve the handling & steering. As other people have suggested, keeping the same size all round will cover you for all eventualities & means you can have a full size spare to match.