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What was Volvo's official TIRE SIZE spec for 240 Turbo/Virgo wheels?

Bigscreen Bob

Bigscreen Bob

New member
Joined
Jul 10, 2006
Location
Columbus, OH
What's printed on the door sticker?

I'd like to know because I'm about to put Virgo's on my N/A, normal height stock springs, 240 wagon.

What were the stock tires Volvo put on a 240 turbo with Virgo's -- 205/65/15? 205/55/15?

Looking to put on all-season tires. Obviously not a hot rod performance car, just a daily driver, street-driving, normal highway and city driving.

...I know, boring.

Thanks.
 
I've always run 205/55. I'm not sure it's stock but it seems to work the best for me.
 
The stock turbo/Virgo wheel Volvo size tire is actually a 195/60-15. I just prefer the 205/55.
 
N/A wagons came with 185R15 ... which is like an 82 profile.

205/65/15 is a close match for overall diameter, but in no means will it be visually "lowered". 205/60/15 is a happy compromise between lower profile tires + still being close to the original OD.
 
I have a 1982 owner's manual that lists the following.

sedan:
DL 175R14
GL 185/70R14
GLT, Turbo 195/60R15

wagon:
DL (USA)185R14
DL (Can) P185/75R14
GL 185R14
GLT 195/60R15

If you find stats for load capacity, you'll notice that the wagons with Virgos often have a lower load capacity than the DL/GL because of the 195/60/15 tires.
 
towerymt said:
I have a 1982 owner's manual that lists the following.

sedan:
DL 175R14
GL 185/70R14
GLT, Turbo 195/60R15

wagon:
DL (USA)185R14
DL (Can) P185/75R14
GL 185R14
GLT 195/60R15

If you find stats for load capacity, you'll notice that the wagons with Virgos often have a lower load capacity than the DL/GL because of the 195/60/15 tires.
Click to expand...
Did the turbo wagons also have sedan speedometers installed?
 
PWRPUFF said:
N/A wagons came with 185R15 ... which is like an 82 profile.

205/65/15 is a close match for overall diameter, but in no means will it be visually "lowered". 205/60/15 is a happy compromise between lower profile tires + still being close to the original OD.
Click to expand...

Actually the 215/60-15 is a closer match. The 205/65-15 is a tad taller, - 2mph. The speedo error on my 245 with 215's is +1 mph. Going with the 205/60-15 the speedo error is +5 to +6 mph on a wagon, but very close for a sedan.
You could put the 215's on the 6" Vigro wheel, but they work best on 7" wide wheels.

"I've been told the 205/55/R15 will keep my spedo and odometer close to accurate."
No, it will be way off, like 7-8 mph too high on you wagon with the orig speedo.
 
tires

240on280 said:
Did the turbo wagons also have sedan speedometers installed?
Click to expand...

Yes, all manual turbos whether wagon or sedan used a 3.73:1 rear axle with a .980 speedometer. The stock size tires are 195/60-15. I use the 205/55-15 tires and according to the radar trailers that police setup in areas for speed checks the speedometer is accurate.
 
FWIW, I had 205/60 on Virgos, and it sucked. They wallowed like balloon tires, and I had Z rated summer tires, where the sidewall is supposed to be a little stiffer than, say, all-seasons. You could see scrub marks from cornering halfway up the sidewall. If I had the decision now, I would do 205/55 on Virgos.

That was on my 90 245 with V8, so just about the most weight you can get on a 240. A 242 might be a little easier on the tires. Hmm, I just noticed that the OP has a 90 245 as well.
 
83-245 Glt

205's feel heavy in the steering to me,and consume excessive fuel imo.
I like 195-65-15 M&S tires @ 40 PSI,for all around practical purposes.

<a href="http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh136/redwoodchair/?action=view&current=83-240GLTdoorsticker.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh136/redwoodchair/83-240GLTdoorsticker.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
I like my 205-50-15's :)

but they look funny when my car is at stock height otherwise.

any season besides summer I run 185/70/14 i think? just cheap econo tires that do okay in minor snow.
 
Redwood Chair said:
RE: sedan: DL 175R14

80 for radial tires when not specified.
Click to expand...

My memory is lacking, but in seventy era, 75-R was the common radial size...I have no idea in early eighties.

80 is a pinch taller tire...my guess is they meant 175/75R/14...which is standard issue in Canada in 1984.
 
Redwood Chair said:
80 for radial tires when not specified.
Click to expand...

+1 that is what i am told too

ie. a 185r14 (185/80r14) is about the same size as a 205/70r14 or a 195/75r14


http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp

if you're using the same tires all year, i wouldn't recommend something too wide, 'cus you will probably get stuck in snow (if you're in a snowy area) if its just summer wider can be nice, 'cept in the rain, might be a bit of a downer, hydroplaning and all
 
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