Need new tires?

    By Kenny Beghtel

    Lets face it, those cracked, bald, flat spotted, and wrong size tires on your VW are starting to get on your nerves. It seems that your car is the one your buddies are talking about when they joke about new paint and bald tires. You have the money for new tires but you don't know anything about tire sizes and what they mean. It's really confusing to look for new tires. Lord help you if your looking for stock tires on your older VW. Especially  if it's a Vanagon. It seems that tire manufacturers only make tires for SUV's or sports cars nowadays. Here are two examples of buying tires. The right tires.

    Say you have a 1970 beetle. This car is supposed to have 155 70 R15 tires. The first numbers you see in the tire size represent the width of the tire. This measurement is done between the sidewalls of the tire in millimeters or 155mm. The next number (70) represents the aspect ratio of the tire, Or the height of the tire. It just means that the tire is 70% tall as it is wide. Mathematically (.70 X 155) will give you a height of 108.5mm. (remember this formula) The (R) in 155 70 R15, stands for the speed rating. Unless you bug will do over 112 MPH, on the ground, don't worry about it. The 15 stands for the diameter of the inside or the tire, or what diameter rim it will fit. When you go to the salesman tell him that you want 155 70 R15 tires. Some tires have a letter in front of the numbers, P155 70 R 15. That means that the tire is a passenger car tire. If you saw a LT it would stand for Light Truck.

    Later that day... you trade your 70 bug in for a 85 Vanagon. You reach into your gigantic wallet and pull out enough dinero to buy new tires. Your new Vanagon requires 185 85 R14 tires. Problem is this size is nearly impossible to find. Some people change to a different tire size. This can be done safely if you do your math. Heres a neat trick (.85 X 185=157.25). 157.25 is the height of the sidewall. Lets figure out how tall the entire wheel has to be. Keeping in mind that you will cross the sidewall twice when measuring top and bottom (157.25 X 2= 314.5) Now add in the height of the rim (14"=355.6mm + 314.5mm = 670.1mm or 26.38") So you figure out that your entire wheel is supposed to be 26.38" tall. try this; change the aspect ratio to a lower number, the width to a higher number. A 195 80 R14 will give you a height of 26.28", pretty close to stock. Most people that put tires on their Vanagon use this size. Be careful when increasing the width of your tires because you run the risk of the tire rubbing the suspension. Keep in mind that to find the total height of the tire use the formula ( aspect ratio X width = height in MM X 2 + diameter of rim in MM = Wheel height OR .85 X 185 = 157.25 X 2 = 314.5 + 355.6mm =  670.1mm or 26.38"). It's a lot easier to figure out yourself on paper.

   Well, you have the right tire size but what about weight rating? The Vanagon requires a D rated tire. I recommend that you stay with the correct weight rating or suffer the wrath of the Almighty VW god. Using the wrong weight rating can be dangerous. So don't let it happen. I'll let you in on a secret, If you want the tire made specifically for your Vanagon, get the Bridgestone 603VZ's. Expect to pay $300 out the door. Yokohama also makes an exact fit. I think the Bridgestones are a better deal.  I like them because it makes the van easier to steer and the thought of having 6 ply radials to protect me from road hazards is cool too.The tread is good too. VW used the Michelin XZX on the Vanagons from the factory. But they are no longer made. Have fun buying tires. Tell the salesman The Almighty VW God sent you.