Hi Guys and Girls,
I recently changed the wheels on my 2016 V40 R-Design. Did a lot of research on tyre sizes, steering limiters, and software upgrades. Apart from the research I tested a couple of sizes, read forums and had discussions with my local Volvo dealer. I thought I would share my recently learned wheel knowledge in case anyone wants to change their wheels as well.
First, let’s start with the basics. Our car’s factory wheel specs (2012-2021 (Non CC)) are as follows:
Wheel studs: 5x108
Bore: 63.4
Offset (ET): 52.5 (ET50 is also used by Volvo on the V40 , so acceptable)
Wheel nuts: 12x1.5
OEM and accepted tyre sizes:
205/55R16
205/50R17
225/45R17
225/40R18
235/35R19
235/30R20
OEM and accepted wheel sizes:
6.5x16"
7x16"
7x17"
7.5x17"
7.5x18"
8x19"
8x20"
Steering limiters:
Cars that left the factory with either 16 or 17-inch wheels with 205 width tyres do NOT have the steering limiters installed and have limited wheel choices. Later installation is difficult and takes a lot of time.
Cars that left the factory with 225 or 235 width tyres DO have the limiters installed and can be fitted with every OEM size option.
I did some testing with my car (no steering limiters) and discussed with local Volvo dealer. We found out that the following wheel and tyre sizes work without a problem.
For cars WITHOUT steering limiters:
6.5x16" - 205/55R16
7x16" - 205/55R16
7x17" - 205/50R17 / 225/45R17
7.5x17" - 225/45R17
For cars WITH steering limiters:
All sizes work.
Software updates:
For every tyre size, Volvo offers software. This is to correct the speedometer, power steering, steering systems like auto parking and ESP. It’s advised to install new software when changing tyre size, but it’s not mandatory. Do note that the above-mentioned corrections can be wrong then. The most noticeable is the heavier steering when going to a wider tyre size.
When installing the steering limiters new software is required! This is to stop the power steering from breaking the plastic limiters.
*Disclaimer: All the information in this post is based on personal testing on my 2016 V40 and contact with the Volvo dealer. Information should be applicable to all cars, but try at own risk.
I recently changed the wheels on my 2016 V40 R-Design. Did a lot of research on tyre sizes, steering limiters, and software upgrades. Apart from the research I tested a couple of sizes, read forums and had discussions with my local Volvo dealer. I thought I would share my recently learned wheel knowledge in case anyone wants to change their wheels as well.
First, let’s start with the basics. Our car’s factory wheel specs (2012-2021 (Non CC)) are as follows:
Wheel studs: 5x108
Bore: 63.4
Offset (ET): 52.5 (ET50 is also used by Volvo on the V40 , so acceptable)
Wheel nuts: 12x1.5
OEM and accepted tyre sizes:
205/55R16
205/50R17
225/45R17
225/40R18
235/35R19
235/30R20
OEM and accepted wheel sizes:
6.5x16"
7x16"
7x17"
7.5x17"
7.5x18"
8x19"
8x20"
Steering limiters:
Cars that left the factory with either 16 or 17-inch wheels with 205 width tyres do NOT have the steering limiters installed and have limited wheel choices. Later installation is difficult and takes a lot of time.
Cars that left the factory with 225 or 235 width tyres DO have the limiters installed and can be fitted with every OEM size option.
I did some testing with my car (no steering limiters) and discussed with local Volvo dealer. We found out that the following wheel and tyre sizes work without a problem.
For cars WITHOUT steering limiters:
6.5x16" - 205/55R16
7x16" - 205/55R16
7x17" - 205/50R17 / 225/45R17
7.5x17" - 225/45R17
For cars WITH steering limiters:
All sizes work.
Software updates:
For every tyre size, Volvo offers software. This is to correct the speedometer, power steering, steering systems like auto parking and ESP. It’s advised to install new software when changing tyre size, but it’s not mandatory. Do note that the above-mentioned corrections can be wrong then. The most noticeable is the heavier steering when going to a wider tyre size.
When installing the steering limiters new software is required! This is to stop the power steering from breaking the plastic limiters.
*Disclaimer: All the information in this post is based on personal testing on my 2016 V40 and contact with the Volvo dealer. Information should be applicable to all cars, but try at own risk.
