Date:         Fri, 3 Mar 2006 12:04:47 -0800
Reply-To:     mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Power loss with 15" wheels?
Comments: To: jeff livingston-carr <jlivingstoncarr@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <601490620603031138r3661e7d2r6ae4b5b5e9b283c6@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

It is the overall diameter of the tire that counts. Switching to taller
tires can make a big difference. I have put taller tires on most of my
Vanagons and there was always a drop in power. How much of a drop
depends on how much larger. I like 215/75/15 because that the largest
practical 15" size, IMHO. That is about a 7% increase in gearing effect.
Power thus drops by about that much. With a heavy load and up hill it
matters.

Mark

jeff livingston-carr wrote:

>Hi All,
>Does anyone think switching from 14" to 15" wheels will cause a significant
>loss of power as perceived by the driver?  I've heard that the bigger tires
>and wheels may slow the vehicle.
>
>Thanks.
>
>Jeff
>1991 MV
>
>
>
>