giturner1703 Learner Dubber
10 posts · joined Jan 2014 ·
Any thoughts or experiences running 185-80-15 tyres on std beetle 4" rims?
185-80-15 tyres
Uber Kafer Wolfsburg Wizard
414 posts · joined Nov 2009 ·
one consideration would be to check that the rims have the 'safety' bead.
Correct me if I am wrong but I got the impression the 4 inch rims are the earliest ones and dont necessarily have the bead. It locks the tyre lip in place.
Correct me if I am wrong but I got the impression the 4 inch rims are the earliest ones and dont necessarily have the bead. It locks the tyre lip in place.
hulbyw Insano Dub Head
819 posts · joined Sep 2009 ·
My '68 Beetle had 4" rims from the factory. Standard type of rim as far as I am aware (safety rim).
I expect the wheel and tyre standards for Australia would say a 185 tyre is too wide for a 4" rim. Any tyre fitter would b able to confirm.
165's are ok, however the standard radial tyre for my beetle according to the manual was a 155. Big difference to a 185
I expect the wheel and tyre standards for Australia would say a 185 tyre is too wide for a 4" rim. Any tyre fitter would b able to confirm.
165's are ok, however the standard radial tyre for my beetle according to the manual was a 155. Big difference to a 185
waveman1500 Also rides a Honda
1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 ·
185/80R15 is too tall, as well as too wide for the rim.
The original tyres are approximately 155/80R15, so a 185/80R15 is over 7% larger in circumference, ie. your speedo will read 7% slower. You could use either 185/65R15, or 185/70R15, as they are both within 2% error of the original circumference. If you want taller gearing for highway use you could run the 185/80R15 on the back though.
As already mentioned by hulbyvw, the 185 section width is really too wide for a 4" rim, you ideally would need at least 5.5" or 6" for that. I run 195/70R14 on a 6" wide rim and they sit just right, with a bit of 'bag' in them still. I would imagine that even on a 5" rim, the 185 might be too wide.
The original tyres are approximately 155/80R15, so a 185/80R15 is over 7% larger in circumference, ie. your speedo will read 7% slower. You could use either 185/65R15, or 185/70R15, as they are both within 2% error of the original circumference. If you want taller gearing for highway use you could run the 185/80R15 on the back though.
As already mentioned by hulbyvw, the 185 section width is really too wide for a 4" rim, you ideally would need at least 5.5" or 6" for that. I run 195/70R14 on a 6" wide rim and they sit just right, with a bit of 'bag' in them still. I would imagine that even on a 5" rim, the 185 might be too wide.
giturner1703 Learner Dubber
10 posts · joined Jan 2014 ·
thanks for replies, think I'll just go with 165's to be safe