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Tires/2001 Bonneville SE Tires

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Expert: Barry Smith - 10/30/2009


Question
QUESTION: I have a 2001 Bonneville SE.  Somebody is selling me four 215/65R15 winter tires which are smaller than what I have on the car.  Should I put them on my car?

ANSWER: Kim,

Your car takes 225/60R16's - 16" tires.  215/65R15 are 15" tires and will not fit on the rims.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: But the tires come with the rims.

Answer
Kim,

Well, it doesn't matter if we know - or not - if the rims fit the car, the load carrying capacity is lower and that increases the risk of a load related tire failure, which sometimes has tragic results.

So even if the rims fit the car, I would recommend against this.

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Barry Smith

Expertise

I have over 30 years experience in the design, manufacturing, and testing of tires. I have served as the technical advisor to the "800" number. I have authored or co-authored many publications - usually without credit. I can answer almost any technical question, but please don`t ask me to compare brands. I probably have prejudices because of my work experience.

Experience

Member SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Member Tire Society (Tire Technical Organization) SCCA Regional Competiton License holder Authored many training manuals on tires, their care and use.

Organizations
SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Tire Society

Publications
You may want to visit my web site: http://www.barrystiretech.com/index.html

Education/Credentials
I am a graduate of the University of Dayton, Dayton, OH - BME, 1971 I attended graduate school at the University of Akron - but did not complete my PhD - something I regret.

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