[shashanka]

Originally Posted by RSR

Does the Eeco come with a stock size of 155/65 R13 in the first place?

That looks more like the size.......tend to be harder for increased load bearing ability. Steering may become a bit harder on 175/70 R13 tyres.

Thank you RSR,

I'm on board a vessel at present & so cannot up load a photo of the tyres on my Eeco. But trust me, this (155/65 R13) is what it came shod with from Spectra Motors, S.V. Road, Goregaon (West).

Yes I understand the advantages of a wider tyre. Since putting up the thread I did some crawling on the net and came up with some empirical data put up by Indian websites and came to know of this +3% limit.

It seems that the over-all diameter of the new, wider tyre should not be more than 3% of the OE tyre diameter, to be within the optimum range (fuel eff., ride & handling characteristics etc), other specs. remaining unchanged. This is the empirical bit.

And overall dia is derived by adding rim dia (13" in my case) to sidewall height (tyre width X aspect ratio %).

From the above bit of rocket science, it turns out that the wider 175/60 R13 tyre diameter(54.02 cm) is +1.59% more than the OE tyre dia (53.17 cm) - ie, less than 3%, and I'm home & dry!

For higher aspect ratios (175/70 R13) the increase is 57.52 cm which works out to +8.18%, falling outside the optimum range.

It all seemed grim and stern, but gradually the fog is lifting a bit - though I plan to wait for some more feedback from other members on their practical experience with tyre upgrading, before deciding.

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by lurker

hi there, even 195 doesn't scrape wheel well. BUT be prepared for slightly more maintenance of suspension in form of retorquing lower arms and wheel alignment at more frequent intervals.

Okedoke, that seems to be a reasonable risk one should prepare for. I also hope to avoid changing my original rims, unless the temptation is too strong!

[RSR]

Originally Posted by shashanka

Thank you RSR,

I'm on board a vessel at present & so cannot up load a photo of the tyres on my Eeco. But trust me, this (155/65 R13) is what it came shod with from Spectra Motors, S.V. Road, Goregaon (West).

You're welcome.

This baffles me. 155/65 R13 stock tyres on your Eeco means that either Maruti Suzuki have changed the tyre specifications recently but forgot to update the website (possible, but a bit unlikely), or the dealer has changed the factory-fitted tyres to 155/65 R13 ones on your Eeco.

When you're back on land, do step into a Maruti Suzuki showroom or stockyard to have a look at the tyres on the new Eeco(s) present there. If they are shod with 155 R13 LT tyres as mentioned on the website, then you may demand an explanation from your dealership (Spectra).

155/65 R13 tyres have relatively small sidewalls. This may be okay for an Alto k10 or an Estilo, but would result in quite a harsh ride quality on an Eeco. No wonder then, that you feel a strong need to upgrade them.

195/60 R14 or 185/70 R13 sizes are perfectly acceptable upgrades for 155 R13 LT (i.e. 155/82 R13), as the overall diameter difference is less than 1% in both cases.

However, the overall diameter difference turns out to be around a whopping 10% if you are comparing 195/60 R14 or 185/70 R13 sizes with 155/65 R13.

[shashanka]

Originally Posted by RSR

You're welcome.

This baffles me. 155/65 R13 stock tyres on your Eeco...........the overall diameter difference turns out to be around a whopping 10% if you are comparing 195/60 R14 or 185/70 R13 sizes with 155/65 R13.

Hello RSR,
I'm taking your suggestion and have every intention of following up the issue with Maruti after I get back. In the interim I have sent an email to spectra goregaon, with a cc to Maruti Suzuki India, stating the facts (I also went & checked on the Eeco website) and asking them to clarify the discrepancy.

If the 2015 Eeco's wheel-well size continues to be suitable for 155/82 R13 then of course it puts my mind at rest - I can go for the 185/70 R13 (within 3%) without much worry. I am looking forward to Spectra's reply!

In any case, RSR, thanks a lot for putting me on the right track.