[RalphB]

I replaced my Goodyear Assurance tires with Hankook Kinergy ST tires.

The tire size specified for 2016 Volt is 215/50/17r, but they installed 215/60/17r. I understand that the 60's will have the speedometer off by about 4 mph at 60 mph, which I can contend with. But how will it affect the mileage in gas and EV?

The other claim is that higher tires give a smoother ride.

I am figuring that without a recalibration of the speedometer that the odometer would probably be incorrect also.

I already took the car back because they installed non-low rolling resistant tires on the vehicle (Uniroyal - which is not what I requested to be installed).

I hate to have them change the tires again.

 

[Prohidium]

Is this a gm dealer? Did they discuss any of this with you or explain anything to you on how it would work with tire size differences? It appears your dealer isn’t very good at recommending proper tires and maybe is sticking you with something they are trying to get rid of or get extra profit from vs. your own best interest.

 

[Don M]

Correct tire size on any modern car is pretty important. Things are programmed based on the stock size - Probably even more so on something as high tech as a Volt. While it is true that 60 series tires will give you a noticeably more comfy ride than 50 series tires, I would make sure they put the correct size on this time if it was my car - I'd want LRR rated tires too

Don

 

[JRRF]

... maybe is sticking you with something they are trying to get rid of or get extra profit from vs. your own best interest.

GM dealer or not, this is likely the case.

What shop in Maryland did you get this from?

 

[pianocaddie]

I replaced my Goodyear Assurance tires with Hankook Kinergy ST tires.

The tire size specified for 2016 Volt is 215/50/17r, but they installed 215/60/17r. I understand that the 60's will have the speedometer off by about 4 mph at 60 mph, which I can contend with. But how will it affect the mileage in gas and EV?

The other claim is that higher tires give a smoother ride.

I am figuring that without a recalibration of the speedometer that the odometer would probably be incorrect also.

I already took the car back because they installed non-low rolling resistant tires on the vehicle (Uniroyal - which is not what I requested to be installed).

I hate to have them change the tires again.

Confused: which tires did they install? I agree with others: unless a different size was requested and discussed, their action isn't ethical. Keep asking questions, and get what you want!

 

[jcanoe]

Larger diameter tires can provide a smoother ride. Besides speedometer/odometer accuracy concerns the larger tires will weigh more that the OE spec size tire. This will increase the effective unsprung weight of the vehicle and can affect fuel economy.

 

[Stockholm Volt]

They made a mistake. Have them change it back to recommended size.

 

[RalphB]

Yes, it was a GM dealer. They special ordered the tires in. The info in the door jam specifies 215/50. Checked pricing the 60's are less than 50s.

 

[RalphB]

The installed the 215/60s and the specs call for 215/50s.

 

[RalphB]

It was a GM dealer in West Virginia. Just across the MD line. They did not have them in stock. They had to order them in. I am going to contact the service manager.

 

[pianocaddie]

Still confused. You mentioned 2 different tire brands in your post. Which tires did they install?

 

[Barry]

Larger tires can have clearance issues within the wheel well. The worst case scenario there is that interference could damage or puncture the tire while driving (potential accident/injury). The clearance changes depending on how much the suspension is compressed, so this may not be visible while the car is sitting still. Realistically, the small change in size may still have enough clearance, and this is probably what your dealer would say, but can you be sure? The designing engineers did not spec the 60 tire, so you are a test pilot.

As for efficiency, you might get a gain from the increase in the final drive ratio, but the cost is less acceleration and the speed/odometer/range and efficiency calculations will all be thrown off.

I would not accept the wrong size tires if it were me. I don't see any upside and there are some real as well as potential downsides.

 

[RalphB]

Still confused. You mentioned 2 different tire brands in your post. Which tires did they install?

In the end, Hankook.

 

[RalphB]

Larger tires can have clearance issues within the wheel well. The worst case scenario there is that interference could damage or puncture the tire while driving (potential accident/injury). The clearance changes depending on how much the suspension is compressed, so this may not be visible while the car is sitting still. Realistically, the small change in size may still have enough clearance, and this is probably what your dealer would say, but can you be sure? The designing engineers did not spec the 60 tire, so you are a test pilot.

As for efficiency, you might get a gain from the increase in the final drive ratio, but the cost is less acceleration and the speed/odometer/range and efficiency calculations will all be thrown off.

I would not accept the wrong size tires if it were me. I don't see any upside and there are some real as well as potential downsides.

I have requested that the proper size tires be installed. I am waiting for call back from service manager. There is a four pound weight difference between the tires also.

 

[pianocaddie]

You posted in another thread (oops...double post...not a good idea!) that this is the 2nd time they've installed the wrong size.

Do they still have your old tires? Have them put back on the car, and don't go back. I wouldn't trust them to do anything...

 

[RalphB]

You posted in another thread (oops...double post...not a good idea!) that this is the 2nd time they've installed the wrong size.

Do they still have your old tires? Have them put back on the car, and don't go back. I wouldn't trust them to do anything...

No, I do not have the old tires. I have been dealing with this dealership for a good many years and they have always treated me right. They are going to correct the issue with the proper size tires.

I realized that the first post I made was under Gen 1 Volt, instead of Gen 2. It wasn't intentional, a mistake - kind of like the tires.

 

[9G-man]

Get the Michelin Energy-saver. Its an awesome LRR tire and your gas mileage will improve if you pump them up to 40 psi.

Try to verify proper work done before you leave the dealer.

 

[RalphB]

Get the Michelin Energy-saver. Its an awesome LRR tire and your gas mileage will improve if you pump them up to 40 psi.

Try to verify proper work done before you leave the dealer.

That is what came installed on the car, when purchased. I ran them at 42 psi. I was not happy with the results of the tire compared to what results I got out of the Goodyear Assurance on my 2014 Volt. Yes, they were quieter, but I didn't get the same improvement with higher psi, like the Goodyear. I am trying the Hankook with $200 rebate and $20 less a tire, compared to $70 rebate. Hankook's weigh 19 lbs, compared to Michelin at 20 lbs. We will see how they work out overtime.

 

[somms]

I am trying the Hankook with $200 rebate and $20 less a tire, compared to $70 rebate. Hankook's weigh 19 lbs, compared to Michelin at 20 lbs. We will see how they work out overtime.

Hankook Kinergy AS EV Tires Help Electric Cars be Better

Let us know how these work out. Suppose a few folks will be looking forward to Hankook's EV tires when they become avail next year...

 

[KenC]

According to Tirerack, the 60s are 23lbs, vs 19lbs for the 50s, and the tread width is 6.9", vs 7.4". Otoh, they have a higher load rating, 1565lbs, vs 1356lbs. Sadly, that's pretty much all the specs they have, no tire revs/mile, so no exact mileage comparison.

I replaced my Goodyear Assurance tires with Hankook Kinergy ST tires.

The tire size specified for 2016 Volt is 215/50/17r, but they installed 215/60/17r. I understand that the 60's will have the speedometer off by about 4 mph at 60 mph, which I can contend with. But how will it affect the mileage in gas and EV?

The other claim is that higher tires give a smoother ride.

I am figuring that without a recalibration of the speedometer that the odometer would probably be incorrect also.

I already took the car back because they installed non-low rolling resistant tires on the vehicle (Uniroyal - which is not what I requested to be installed).

I hate to have them change the tires again.