Date:         Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:40:21 -0400
Reply-To:     The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         The Bus Depot <vanagon@BUSDEPOT.COM>
Subject:      Re: 185 tires on Stock Alloys
In-Reply-To:  <BAY152-ds5F860FE09152D415DA092A0CE0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

> Yes the 185R14 will work. Depending on where you live 
>  also consider that these are not good winter tires.

Assuming you're referring to the tire size in general (185R14 vs.
205-70R14), all things being equal a thinner tire will concentrate weight on
a smaller point and will actually outperform a wider tire in snow.  Quoting
from cars.com:

"Intuition tells us that a wider tire gives better traction in snow, but in
this case intuition is wrong. In most conditions, a narrower tire will dig
down into snow and gain traction, where a wider tire is more likely to ride
up onto the snow like a toboggan."

Other references:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090530114633AARBL6E

http://www.standardshift.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9735

It will also be less prone to hydroplaning in wet weather for the same
reason; a larger surface means more tendency to hydroplane.

As for the Hankooks specifically (as I recall that being the original tire
mentioned), I have found them to be among the best all-season tires in
Pennsylvania snow and ice. That being said, no all-season tire can compare
to a  good snow tire.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215)  234-VWVW

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