thanks for your comment Phil, But thats the problem, as well as speedo reading Only realised today that sizes of tyres suitable are on the passenger side pillar which gives 195/55R15V and 195/45 R16V don't want to go down road of firmer tyres(195/45) so looks like I will opt for 195/55 R15V with new rims etc and not 195/60 R15V.

I will wait for answer from FORD then move forward

Yeah that sounds like a good idea. You could get a set of dedicated winter tyres on the new rims, then you can easily swap between summer and winter tyres and you won't spend any extra on new tyres in the long run. The temperatures are still too high though, and I think you only want to be using winter tyres if the temperature is consistently below 7-8°C (that doesn't apply to Crossclimates because they use a summer tyre compound I think).

Thanks Phil for your reply.

I have just received this reply from Ford " I am unable to comment on information regarding the tyres for your vehicle as this is not something that we hold here.

I can only advise that you stay in contact with the tyre manufacturer as they will be able to provide you with the best advice and assistance on the matter."

Not at all helpful and to me smacks of a complete disinterest in assisting customers concerns, and this was from the '"Ford Customer Relationship Centre"

I have already told them Michelin have no plans for manufacturing this size.

I have now decided to go for the Michelin cross climate tyres 195/55 R15 V with new rims and pressure sensors but will pursue Ford for a more positive answer, as I find their replies completely unacceptable.

Sorry they don't do 195/50 16's Jerry. As much as i would say this size will be better for stability. The 195/55/15 will improve comfort. The actual tyre is very grippy and has been amazing for the climate we have right now. If it gets worse it can only get a little better.

Cross climate all around has felt quite nice from summer tyres. I'm sorry i never got to try these on the fiesta before i sold it. My civic would slip and slide on slick roads. The actual tyres is rock solid. I love it.

Hi all

the saga goes on----

went to dealership to get approval to change diameter of rims with tyres to suit (see page 182 of owners manual You have to get approval or your National Type Approval will be invalid) and spoke to the Service manager. He phoned and spoke to the dealerships tyre manager who after consulting with his tyre computer indicated that wheel diameter could not be changed. ???!!!! after bit of bit of discussion SM said he would takes this matter further by speaking to tyre manufacturers etc., and come back to me with advice.

Jerry,

Can you not just stick to your original tyre size on current rims to save you the hassle?

I'm sure there are plenty of premium branded summer tyres & all season tyres in that size if worried about grip in winter.

the saga still goes on.

thanks Martin

the problem is the size, as there are no premium brands (all season tyres) making this size, and i am trying to get Fords recommended alternative sizes. The latest from Fords Customer Relationship Centre is "they will not communicate any further" after I asked about their complaints procedures ==So much for customer relationships. When I started this I thought it would be a very simple request ( and it is) as there are many forum Q.& A's about changing tyres and rims, within and without acceptable parameters. However Ford don't seem to be interested and just provide a blank wall.

I am hopeful the Ford dealership will come up with an answer, but so far has been only been able to confirm changes to wheel diameter are not allowed and the tyre manufactures he has contacted have not got a suitable tyre. May I remind anyone reading this to read my previous posts as to why I am concerned about the OE tyres fitted.

Maxxis AP2 come in 205/40/17-84V they are new all season tyres and get a decent write up by magazines.

What's the top speed of your car that ford specify?

V speed rating is up to 150mph.

hi all

and particularly, Martin>> the tyre fitted is a 195/50R16V so top speed is <150. But your suggestion would mean a change in tyre size, which Ford is saying NO to. Maxxis do make an all weather tyre to exactly match and came 4th In the Auto Express all season tyre test 2015 which did not include the Michelin Cross climate tyre. When I started this search for change I thought it would be simple, EVERYONE seemed to change their rims and tyre to suit their wants. No problem!!!. See previous posts for the Saga.

If I could change the rim and tyre diameter I could get the type of tyre that I think would be most suitable for the British weather namely the Michelin Cross Climate or the Goodyear Vector 4 and be within 5mm of the diameter of the existing tyre. Maxxis while good in some aspects, has not got all the parameters I am looking for. It is interesting to note that Both Ford and Goodyear have just announced that the Goodyear Vector 4 all season tyre will be an OE option for Fiestas and other models, but I have no other information as to when, how, sizes etc., regarding this.

Hi Jerry,

Must apologise I was looking at the tyre size at the start of this thread (not yours).

I've looked again and maxxis AP2 are in your size as mentioned but that's all I can find.

I was unsure what tyre to get between crossclimate & weatherproof - chose the weatherproofs in the end as better reviews.

Your right though in that not all tyres are good at everything and unfortunately as crossclimate don't come in your size might have to make do with alternative.

Hi Martin

my thinking re xclimate in preference to weather proof is >>> weatherproof a winter tyre varied to less severe conditions so therefore excellent in snow but not so good in dry. Staying West Coast of Scotland my experience is wet slushy roads, not a lot of heavy snow, and many days when it is very cold but dry roads. so I have tried to balance the thinking between that, therefore climate or GY vector 4seasons. I have had discussions with Nokian and found them very helpful and very responsive, even had an e-mail after 11pm during the last F1 race. there WRD4 winter tyre is an exact match but that is a fall back solution. My choices seem to be diminishing by the day--1 wait till Goodyear produce a suitable size,(maybe January) 2 go with winter tires on new rims? 3 forget about it and stay indoors when wintery conditions are around. 4 hope the Ford dealership comes up with a satisfactory solution. It should be noted that Ford themselves have been no help at all and are the most unhelpful customer care people I have ever come across. Auto Express have an test of all weather tyres including a summer and winter tyre to demonstrate the differences.

Edited November 15, 201510 yr by jerry3

On the subject of tyres can anyone recommend good winter tyres? At present I have Firestones which frankly reduce the cars ride quality quite a bit. Fortunately new tyres here are quite cheap, typically €250 including fitting for most major brands.

ps. Winter tyres are compulsory here.

Hi Rod

firstly Looks like your car is still under warranty -so ask your distributor for advice to ensure that your choice does not infringe the warranty--changing tyres usually don't, but changing dia. of rims will (might). make sure you inform(ask) your insurance. search google for "winter tyre tests" the difficulty is getting the tyre size to match a fiesta--whats your tyre size? Don't be tempted to buy cheap. ==think save a life --not get a life== think about fitting tyres to new rims. as this makes changing (twice a year) can be carried out easily by yourself. Nokian are best for snow but there are others. also consider all weather tyres or michelin cross climate tyres.

But since where you stay? winter tyres are probably best ====tyres' as fitted' are probably 'Continental conti premium --contact 2' not suitable and are dangerous in wintery conditions --see winter tyre tests 2012 of auto express--good luck with your search--I am still looking for permissions and correct size from ford distributor. don't be fooled by list of tyres in manual which is simply a list --of, if this tyre if OE fitted -then that is the pressure for the tyre fitted under various conditions as is decal on passenger pillar.

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for your detailed reply. I am based in Luxembourg. The Firestones I currently have (and have done since Winter 2014 but were put on again yesterday) were the same prices as all the others, indeed there was no option for more or less expensive. I will ask my dealer when the car next goes for a service. The ride of the car just becomes much firmer and also road noise increases.

Cheers,

Rod

hi Rod

Firestones winter tyre seem to be in the lower half of the winter tests and have a higher decibel nos. than the best ie., much noisier. It also is much much cheaper than the better winter Tyres ( Maybe just in UK) don't leave it too long --I also believe its rolling resistance is high therefore reducing fuel efficiency. Remember if you want more comfort as well think about reducing rim diameter and increasing the % of the side wall no. i.e. reduce from 16" to 15" Dia. and increase tyre from 195/50 to 195/55 would roughly give you the same dynamic radius and therefore circumference, maintaining speedo readout, Your ford distributor should advise you( get their approval). My car goes into distributor next week to get computer readout for correct tyre. (I hope) I will post results

Hi again Rod

Could you tell me

1 the summer tyre size

2 the firestone winter tyre size

3 was it a ford distributor that sold and fitted the tyre

4 what model of car you have

​As I have said before --ford have been most unhelpful--- distributor has already given conflicting advice--and stated rims and therefore tyres cannot be changed??? see Standard options when buying this offers variable options. Different models have different options

Hi Jerry,

Ok, thanks again. Please find the info below:

1) summer - 195 50 15 82H (Han Ventus S1 EVO) - these came with the car

2) winter - 195 50 15 82H (Firestone Winterhawk 2 Evo)

3) No it was a tyre company here

4) It's an Ecoboost 1.0 couple, 100HP, so nothing flash.

All tires have a lot of tread left on them.

I will stick with the tyres for now as so far I have only been a very low milage driver, also right now we are getting 11-16 degrees C most days. Also they all have a good bit of life left in them yet. However, once they come up for renewal I will look at something better. Also I should say that so far I have not felt unsafe with the Firestones, its more the car feels a lot less fun than before.

Cheers,

rod

Just had 2 tyres fitted the same as yours for 81 pounds from a place in Bolton

Sent from my iPad using Ford OC

81 pounds each all fitted

Sent from my iPad using Ford OC

Hi- decision is made -michelin 195/50R16 Alpin 5 ordered wed 9th dec from Pneus-online and delivered today from Germany (astonishing service)-fitting tomorrow,--Not changing rim size as new rim and pressure sensors where going to double the costs.

Thought this was the right place to post sins you guys already on the same topic, I have a Titanium spec 2011 fiesta and it came with 195/45/16 I wanted to go up in profile to 195/50/16's but finding tyres in those sizes are just crazy expensive, the only ones I could find were Dunlops and that was Friday, by Monday the supplier told me there were only two left in the country and so the search started again, the only tyres they could find for me that wasn't close to 100 pound per corner was Yokohama AR1's they are a bit more expensive then the Dunlops and the only size they could find that will fit will be 205/50/16's so that's what I will be going with, the 50 profile I am happy with, but the 205 tread will probably affect my fuel efficiency? any comments from anyone that has the same size tyres?

hi jeff

I understand your problem-- the later model of titanium x is fitted with 195/50R16 tyres and an exact match is expensive and difficult to find-- but your choice of 205/ 50 R16 maybe the wrong choice!. ---195/45= 87.75 mm tyre depth while the 205/50= 102.5 tyre depth resulting in an increase of 14.75mm in depth or increase of 29.5mm to the diameter and approx 93mm in the circumference. This would result in inaccurate speedo readings etc and may cause problems with clearances etc.,. It would increase the comfort levels being a much deeper tyre. The upgraded 2015 tit.x gives an option of 205/40R17 tyres but may not suit your car i.e. maintaining the overall dia. and circ. nearly. You could go down a rim size and deepen the tyre but again expensive. its a good car so maybe deserves the spend. Have a look at 'tyre tests"and learn more about the effects of changing the parameters of tyres before you finally choose

good luck

I already looked at what I can and can't put on, 205/50/16 fit's 100%, the 50 profile will change the speedo a bit, but still with in legal limits, the 205 tread will fit, put more tread on the road, better handling, but can affect the fuel efficiency, if I were to go to 215's that would maybe affect the fit of the tyre, but 205's is not a problem.

We do not get the Titanium X in SA, most of the standard Titanium X fittings comes as standard in our Titanium, but we do not have the 17" option, only the ST's have them, I like the look of the 16" but the ride is a bit harsh especially for our roads, so the 50 profiles will give me almost the same look, but with a bit more comfort, or at least that's what I am going for

I would be interested in your thinking on how 205/50R16 fits?

a quick look at tyre calculators indicate your proposed change results in a 4.9% change whilst a 2.5% change max. is recommended, but it is your choice