What is too wide for a 14 inch tire?

[Edster]

I'm looking to replace my tires, 235 60 R14 on bac and 205 60r 14 on front is what I have now. I think that the difference in size has thrown off my front end geometry and is the cause of my traction issues when turning in the rain. I would like to put the 235 60 r14 tire on all four wheels but I'm afraid that may cause hydroplaning issues in the rain. my other option is 225 70 r14. Also I am on kind of a budget so I can't spent a whole lot. I'd like to keep it under 300 dollars. I think I can do it but I don't want to get the wrong size and have traction issues in the rain because they are too wide.
Thanks,
Edster

 

[RogerC62]

Your performance in the rain is more a function of tread design than tire size. Do some research on tires and find yourself a good wet weather performer. A year and a half ago I was looking for new tires for both my ZX2 and my wifes sable. I was pretty much sold on the Perelli P4 Four Season tire. I ended up at then Big O tires (NTB, Tire Kingdom depending on your location) and bought their comparable all season tire as they didn't stock my size in the perelli and a delivery date couldn't be nailed down. I was surprised how well they perform in wet weather. Like I said, do your research to determine what suits you.

 

[D.Hearne]

I think based on handling in the rain, the 70's will do better than the 60's, as they have somewhat softer sidewalls.

 

[Edster]

I'm not looking for handling in the racing sense but more like the normal driving sense. The car slides rather easily when the pavement is wet when even light throttle is applied in a turn especially when I make a turn at an intersection. I had the same problem w/ a Falcon which had the same engine and same rear tires (back when they were new). I reckon part of the problem is front end geometry being that is the rear is slightly higher than the front causing the caster to be off. I was concerned about hydroplaning as I was told that this can happen in the rain with too wide of a tire. That is why I was concerned about width. I understand about having adequate tread.

 

[dbfarr]

14 inch tires

I don't know what tires you are running now, considering 235 60 14, probably the BFG's or coopers. The BFG's while nice looking, are really an old, sad pathetic tire. They were designed at least 25 years ago, have an S speed rating, are loud, and aren't worth a damn in the rain or snow...

Goodyear used to make a tire, called the wing - something, in the 235 60 14 and 245 60 14 size, but I could not get my hands on them when I sold tires in 1998, so I don't imagine you'll have much more luck there.

I did buy a set of Dunlop GTQ's in 245 60 14 when I bought the Cougar. They do pretty well in the rain, grip pretty well, as in they don't slide out, and are fair to lousy in the snow and ice. Trouble is, they seem hard to find these days as well.

The truth is, 14inch 235 60 aspect ratio series tires don't have a recent, think 20 years, OEM application. Furthermore, very few cars, if any, are coming out with any 14 tire at all. As time goes on, these sizes, 235 60 14 and 245 60 14, are going to cost more and more $$ as they become specialty items.

The same goes for 15 tires in a wide, 60 series, aspect ratio.

Still, if you can find them, the Dunlop GTQ's do pretty well, 235 or 245, so, that's my two cent's.

Don