Hi everyone,

I'm looking for advice on choosing all-season tires for my Fiesta. Currently, I’m using tires in the 195/50 R15 size, but both sets are due for replacement.

Since I don’t drive much (mostly in the city, with occasional longer trips of 300-500 km every couple of months), I’ve decided to go for all-season tires.

I have a few questions:

1. Is it worth switching to 195/60 R15? According to the recommended sizes (as per the sticker on the door), both 195/50 R15 and 195/60 R15 are acceptable. Has anyone made this change, and what are the pros and cons?
2. I’m also considering 195/55 R15, as these were used in facelifted models. However, I noticed this size is significantly more expensive than both 50 and 60 profiles. Is it worth paying extra?
3. On my current tires, I’ve noticed that the car overstates the speed by about 5 km/h. Would changing to a different tire size help fix this issue?
4. Which premium models would you recommend? I’ve been looking at brands like Michelin, Goodyear, and Yokohama. Do you have any specific recommendations?

Thanks in advance for your help and for sharing your experiences! 😊

Michelin cross climate 2 have been a good tyre for me. Work in all weathers.

Can't guarantee any make as I only use economy tyres but did change from 195/50/15 to 195/55/15 as the 50s would let you feel every bump..the 55s made a hell of difference. 

I use a company called value tyres on the net and order a week in advance...still get tyres fitted a d balanced for under £50

As you are clearly non-UK, it may be difficult for UK drivers to help you - tires/tyres even with the same model name are often considerably different across the world due to differing local regulatory standards.

The UK south also has a mild/wet climate - the north has more snow/ice, but still nothing like northern Continental Europe.

Are you Europe or further afield?

I live in Central Europe, so the winters here vary a lot. Sometimes there’s no snow at all. For me, the main issue is tire size. The standard size, 195/50, is reasonably priced, but 195/55 costs about 15–20% more, while 195/60 is the same price as 195/50. I’m a bit torn about which size to choose, although when it comes to model I’m leaning toward the Michelin CrossClimate 2.

Hi Altu,

Couple of quick thoughts... as all the sizes you suggest are acceptable according to the door sticker, I'm not sure how to decide re which size. Am sure either a 55 or 60 profile will give a suppler ride than the 50s as Danny said above.

Re speedo error, higher profile tyres will reduce the over-read for sure. I don't know whether a 60 profile might even make your speedo under-read slightly.

I've no experience of them but the CrossClimate 2 gets good reviews from sites like tyrereviews.co.uk 

🤓

I had a previous car with 195/55/15 as standard.  I owned several of the same model over a few years (about 15 in total).

Unfortunately previous owners would often fit 50 profiles because they were much cheaper, being 'Fiesta size' and more economical for suppliers to buy in bulk.

The ride on 50s was much worse.  And they looked a bit ridiculous as they no longer filled the wheel arches as designed.

I would think 60's are too big for a Fiesta, will give a more wobbly ride, will obviously cause a bigger speedo discrepancy, and may even rub at full lock.  Even though they're more expensive, I would stick with 55's personally.

Thanks for all your help. I'll try to find a good deal on 195/55.

On 12/2/2024 at 11:32 PM, Altu said:

I live in Central Europe, so the winters here vary a lot. Sometimes there’s no snow at all. For me, the main issue is tire size. The standard size, 195/50, is reasonably priced, but 195/55 costs about 15–20% more, while 195/60 is the same price as 195/50. I’m a bit torn about which size to choose, although when it comes to model I’m leaning toward the Michelin CrossClimate 2.

Very satisfied with Goodyear vector 3.

Is it worth paying a few extra euros for tires that have 92V instead of 88H? Are there any advantages?

5 hours ago, Altu said:

that have 92V instead of 88H?

Those numbers and letters are the tyres "loading" capability. It specifies how much side loading the walls of the tyre can withstand and the amount of torque. It is commonly referred to as the speed rating but that is only part of what those numbers mean.

Factory fitted rating was most probably 87V (check tyre info on the door label)

To change to a lesser specification would be unwise, but as they say "it's your life" 🙁

3 hours ago, Altu said:

Is it worth paying a few extra euros for tires that have 92V instead of 88H? Are there any advantages?

As unofix says, 92V is a higher load and speed rating than 88H - maybe the key thing is to check the recommendation in the handbook or on the door sticker and go with that?