tissueboxonwheels
I nearly had an accident yesterday. Our Volvo 240 fishtailed in the wet rain. It was rainy in Melbourne.
I was the first guy in a turning lane. Stopped at the traffic lights.
When the lights turned green, I drove off. But it was not getting traction. The tyres were spinning. I eased off the accelerator and the car went forward. I changed to 2nd gear and turned the corner but the car suddenly fishtailed with the rear end having a mind of its own and swinging around. I panic a bit. The car swung left and right. Thankfully I regained control. Something didn't seem right with the car though.
When I got home I could see that the left rear wheel (passenger side) seemed a bit low. The next day it went flat. Pulled it out and found a nail had gone through it.
I went to Bob Jane Tyre shop and I had a free puncture option (because I bought from them). But I also wanted to do a wheel alignment as at high speed the steering was a little bit shaky. Wheel Balancing and Alignment would cost $90.
But the tyres were fitted in October 2013. Nearly 5 years (50+ months) ago. So I thought might as well replace the lot.
BJane tyres guy offered me Yokohoma AE1 x 4 fitted including wheel balancing/alignment for $450.
I agreed.
The tyres might have lasted another year or more. But the fishtailing incident freaked me out.
What tyre pressure do other Volvo 240 owners use? Or just follow the manual/sticker at the back of the petrol lid.
tissueboxonwheels
Oh tyres are Yokohama BLUEARTH AE01 Tyres 195/65/r14H89
GingerNinja
What tyre size are you using? Steel wheels on your car or something wider?
tissueboxonwheels
I think its just the standard steel ones that came from the Volvo showroom back in 1990
arebee
Old tyres are a real problem, especially if they are predominantly outside (probably related to UV radiation), they go hard, and the grip drops off dramatically, they can become quite dangerous.
As for tyre pressure, for normal road use, I'd suggest around 34 psi (minimum) to say 38 psi maximum.
195 width is fine for normal driving. In my view, there is nothing wrong with the suggested Yokohama tyres (I trend toward Pirelli's and Michelin's).
Good luck,
Cheers, Richard.
tissueboxonwheels
Is it wise to respect the 4 - 5 year lifespan of the tyre ? I think its done about 60,000km. (The chaps at Bob Jane threw out the older tyre book which had the info on it).
Dauntless
35psi is probably a good place to start, but running budget tyres will not help.
deleted_user_2040
That is not the correct tyre size. You should have got 185/70/14 if you drive a sedan.
Dauntless
195/65R14 won't cause any issues. 14" tyres are hard to find these days too, it would be worth upgrading at least to 15x6 steelies from a 740.
arebee
Dauntless;133245 wrote195/65R14 won't cause any issues. 14" tyres are hard to find these days too, it would be worth upgrading at least to 15x6 steelies from a 740.
Agree, I have done this on my 240 Rally car, and they work fine, certainly easy to get good affordable 15 inch tyres, the 6 inch rim width works very well with 195 width. Note: if you are predominantly driving on gravel roads, better to use slightly narrower tyres, they grip better, I use 175 width for most autocross events (the narrowest tyre Volvo recommended on a 240 that I am aware of....)
pieboyfresh
The original tyres on my car were 12 year old Toyos which while they had enough tread, made the car slide around and fishtail at nearly every corner in the wet, crappy braking distance too.
Got 5 new 165/70R14 Sunfires (Chinese manufacture, American design) on the factory 14x5.5J ET25 steelies, and an alignment for $500 at the local Tyrepower. Some of the best money I've ever spent, drives very predictably now in any weather.
jamesinc
The real advantage of upgrading to the option 15"/16" wheels 240s had is that you can run a wider tyre entirely, like a 205, which means more contact with the road.
I've always found on the stock tyres, 240s are quite tail happy. If you do have that happen (fishtailing) and feel you're not in control, often the best thing to do is just let go of the controls so that you're not fighting the car. It will find traction again quickly enough.
tissueboxonwheels
I'm curious. So ozvolvo users use 35psi on their tyres even though the volvo manual says 26/28psi front and rear?
egads (she/her)
Manufacturers generally spec much lower than ideal to keep the ride super soft
tissueboxonwheels
jamesinc;133269 wroteThe real advantage of upgrading to the option 15"/16" wheels 240s had is that you can run a wider tyre entirely, like a 205, which means more contact with the road.
I've always found on the stock tyres, 240s are quite tail happy. If you do have that happen (fishtailing) and feel you're not in control, often the best thing to do is just let go of the controls so that you're not fighting the car. It will find traction again quickly enough.
I wish I had known that earlier. I would have got 15" rims. Any particular brand to get?
Dauntless
tissueboxonwheels;133319 wroteI wish I had known that earlier. I would have got 15" rims. Any particular brand to get?
Are you asking about wheels or tyres?
pieboyfresh
If it's wheels, whatever takes your fancy and fits your budget. There are a few factory 15" designs, plenty of aftermarket stuff, or for other OEM stuff the PCD is the same as a Holden HQ/Torana, Jaguar, Ford Focus, some Citroen and Peugeot models, etc. How long is a piece of string?
nugget_940
Standard 15x6 steelies from a 700/900, or 15x6 alloys from a 740. Whatever tickles your fancy
DCW242
Volvo Draco alloys are a good option. they are 15'' and bolt directly onto 240/260 models, they suit the look of the later 240s pretty well.
tissueboxonwheels
What's a good price for a set of Volvo steel rim wheels?
