My ford escort takes tires of size 175/65/14. Is is safe to put size 185/65/14 tires on it ?

Question

My tire shop has run out of snow tires of the size I need. They are saying it is absolutely safe to go one size up, is that true ?

Answer 1

Did they put your car on the hoist and check clearances?  If not, they can't be sure.  I was talking to the experts at Fountain Tire about my Escort, and they said some Escorts will take the wider, higher tire, but some of them have clearances tight enough that the tire will rub.  Remember, a snow tire is sometimes slightly bulkier than a summer tire.  If they have actually checked, go for it.  One of my neighbours had a Tempo some years back, and took the word of a tire sales person that the one-up-size would fit, and they were fine in the back, but the front rubbed with every bump.

Answer 2

It is safe to go up one size as long as you realize the width is not the only difference in the size.There is also a difference in height of about 10mm. which will affect the acuarcy of your speedometer.If you were to put 185x60 your height would be approx. the same. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Yes it is. What you are getting is a little bit wider tire. As long as you don't have any rubbing in the fender wells the tires should be fine.

Answer 4

Yeah, I found that out because I had a really nice guy at a tire place (many places won't put a different size than the one you have on the car).  With my escort, the original tires were $120 each.  The guy informed me I could put on a wider tire and only pay $60 per tire.