Tyres 16 inch or 400?

[Anonymous]

My car came shod in 16 inch Taxi tyres. Very nice new tyres but I have been concerned on how safe they will be when the car is being driven. I understand that 16 inch tyres have a internal diameter of around 405mm not the 400 of the rim.
Anyone else had a car on 16 inch tyres?

[Anonymous]

I questioned this when I go time as I was shocked (more disgusted) at the price of the michelin 400’s. In the end I bought them but since then I have chatted to a few who have been using 16″ for ever and they have no issues whatsoever.

I will probably go down the 16″ route next time.

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

@Den Hewitt wrote:

But then you lose the unique Michelin X tread pattern. Michelin used the Traction when developing the Michelin X radial. When Citroen went bust due to the development of the Traction, Michelin were the biggest creditor and ended up owning Citroen.

That is why I would like a “Sunday Best” set of wheels with Michelins and a daily driver set of 16″ wheels…. best of both worlds 😀

[Anonymous]

For now I will use the tyres that came with the car. The other issue is the spare is very tight in the holder due to the extra width. Thanks for your replies.

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

I did that and it is still tight Den. It is a minor problem and I will just lay it flat.

[Anonymous]

@bazessex wrote:

I did that and it is still tight Den. It is a minor problem and I will just lay it flat.

That reminds me, I need to get a spare. My original was too far gone once I had it blasted and painted. It keeps slipping my mind to get a replacement. I do carry the injection spray stuff that most modern cars carry these days, plus a little compressor.

What size tires have you got on there Baz?

[Anonymous]

Hi Ian, they are 175R 16C. I have been told they are Taxi tyres and my local tyre fitter said I should not have any problems too. There are tubes in them and I need to get the little grommets for the valve hole done as the valve is smaller than the hole in the rim. Like most things on our car the rims are pretty much rust free. I will need to get the wheels balanced as it looks like several weights have fell off. These tyres make the steering heavier but since I am putting power steering on I am not too bothered. Shame you are not closer since you could have tried them on yours and seen if they made your PS heavier.

[Anonymous]

@bazessex wrote:

There are tubes in them and I need to get the little grommets for the valve hole done as the valve is smaller than the hole in the rim.

I tried the grommets but the tube valve stems are a different diameter on the tubes I got with the tyres from Longstone to the originals and were too tight and would not go through the rim hole with the grommets in place so left them out.

Wrap the inner centre face of the rim with heavy duty ‘Duck’ tape or similar to stop the rivets/rust damaging the tubes and you will be OK without the grommets.

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

@tripyrenees wrote:

@bazessex wrote:

I did that and it is still tight Den. It is a minor problem and I will just lay it flat.

That reminds me, I need to get a spare. My original was too far gone once I had it blasted and painted. It keeps slipping my mind to get a replacement. I do carry the injection spray stuff that most modern cars carry these days, plus a little compressor.

What size tires have you got on there Baz?

Ian, I think when all is done & dusted on my machine, I should have a spare Slough rim. Let me know next time you’re in the UK.

[Anonymous]

I would be very interested to get the opinion of an expert like Longstone tyres. Personally there is no way I would fit the wrong size tyres or ride in a car that had them fitted. Its a good job Mot’s have been abolished for these cars!!

[Anonymous]

@tractionavant1939 wrote:

I would be very interested to get the opinion of an expert like Longstone tyres. Personally there is no way I would fit the wrong size tyres or ride in a car that had them fitted. Its a good job Mot’s have been abolished for these cars!!

A MOT would not pick up on the tyres. I was very sceptical at first and spoke to several people who are in the tyre trade and have been for years after them measuring the rim and tyre they said that while there is a few millimetres difference but with a fully inflated tube there would be no problem. I would be far more worried driving or being driven on tyres that look fine but have gone well past their life. Of course any expert with a vested interest will find problems.

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