Hi, I just bought a 2010 Grand Caravan SE, it comes std with 225/65R16 tires on steel rims. I also have a 2003 Grand Caravan and it uses 215/65R16 tires. Is it possible to use the 215/65R16 on my 2010 van? They are still in great condition but the 2003 van is dead. The guy at walmart tires told me I cannot do it, it messes up the transmission, that small tire size difference seems like it shouldn't be a problem. Any advice?

 

Use the app here to compare for yourself:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

I assume you are going to install 4 tires of the same size.

The stock tire is 28.5" in diameter while the proposed tire from your older van is 28" tall. That is only a 1.7% difference and should not make any difference to the trans or ABS or traction control. When your speedometer reads 60 mph the actual speed will be 59 mph, again assuming your speedometer is accurate with the stock tires.

Good luck.

 

any transmission issues relating to non-standard tires would be limited to those folks putting 4 unmatched size tires on a 4 wheel drive vehicle or unmatched tires on the rear of a vehicle with rear wheel drive and traction control. Mismatched tires may cause transfer case clutch issues on 4wd or differential clutch wear issues on RWD. You are not doing either so you are good to go. the reduction in size is not significant or problematic for your grand caravan.

 

Thank you all for the advice. Glad I can use the 215 tires, they have 90% of the tread still I estimate.

Saving $400 feels good!

 

Yeah they're perfectly fine to swap onto those rims. When I was humoring a 5th gen to replace my 4th gen I was going to swap my very nice studded winters over and run them. Obviously you can't swap the wheels though as they have a different bolt pattern.

 

For next summer driving season I am considering the reverse change to the original poster for our 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan SE model - on the road Dec 2007, so one of the final 4th gen models with actually a few extra options thrown in (using up parts?) before the 5th gen 2008 model came out, with more of the original boxier, "bread-box on wheels" look.

I currently have two sets of rather anodized factory alloy rims with winter and all season tires installed in stock 215/65R16 size.

Looking ahead to next summer driving I see quite a good deal advertized for three Yokohama all season tires in size 225/65R16 with good tread, asking $50, so imagine can likely be bought for $30 - $40 since ad is from Oct.

Now of course I would require a 4th tire in this size to make up a set.

Does anyone see any downside to such a change for these rather cheap tires (here in Canada everyone is buying winter tires right now, so all seasons are off the radar and not in demand).

"3 Yokohama 225/65R16 All seasons $50 - Make an offer- Or Best Offer want gone, need money to fix things up for winter."