[Vwdiesel] 89 Jetta D Harsh Ride - Tires

[Sandy Cameron]

Another Jetta owner's tire experience. Mine.

I started in 1990, when I got "Goldie", my 87 Jetta TD. She came with
175/70 R13 Conti's, originals, I think, as they were almost worn out at
100,000 km. I noticed the ride was noisey, and somewhat harsh. 

Because they were done, I soon replaced them with the same kind and size.
suddenly, the ride was much quieter and smoother.

Since this was my daily commuter, and traveled the same streets and
highways, I was familliar with the music of the asphalt surfaces.

As it was my first VW, I had many things to learn, most by observation.

As time and tires wore on, at about the 75,000k mark, I noticed the music
was geting louder. 

Somewhere along the road, I had to re-tire again, and bought a set of
175/80R13s at walmart. Not the highest quality (they didn't last as long as
the conti's) but I learned that the taller sidewalls sure reduced the road
noise and hammering on little ridges in the road. 
The purists will tell you that they "reduce the cornering and handling"
characteristics, but in a VW diesel?? who's flogging it through the corners??
Kid stuff.

Later I purchased a set of winter tires from a local FLAPS Canadian chain
store called Canadian Tire Corp.
I chose to try the 175/80 R13s again to get a taller, narrow profile tire,
known to be better in snow and slush. Less tobogganing and hydroplaning.
 Notwithstanding the aggressive tread, these were the quietest, smoothest
tires I had run yet on the volks, and romped along the highways with what I
found to be perfect handling.

About this time, I parted out a couple of 90-91 A2 rustbuckets, and
inherited a bunch of 14" wheels and tires, (VW orig. equip. stock by that
time) some hardly used.

A set of these found their way on to Goldie's hubs, and I was amazed at how
much quieter they were, and the somewhat softer ride.

They were 185/60s I missed the better snow performance given by the narrower
tires, and the extra "lift" the 80 profile gave the 13" tires, and now I'm
operating 14" alloys on both cars, with 185/65 R14s, an acceptable compromise.
I think the 14 inch wheels are a little too wide for 175 style tires, so I
don't think I'll try to go back there unless I pick up a set of 13" alloys.

I did try a set of 185/75 michelins on the "Berlin Buick", my 94 JettaTD,
and they worked well for many years, and got "hard" before they wore out.
Became VERY loud on pavement at speed.  I think tires get hard after 4 or 5
years, and get noisey and rougher riding from then on..  I can't remember if
the info I got last year on tire "hardening" was here on the forum, or local
news.  All tires bear a date of manufacture on their sidewall, and reputable
dealers will discount or not sell stale ones. 

The date is usually molded in a oval on the sidewall, 

Example:  (3408)  means manufactured the 34th week of 2008, my current snow
tires, getting long in the tooth but still long in the tread. Probably
getting near "old" but snow tire tread rubber is softer and ages better.

I suspect the worst tires for hardening would be those advertised as "high
miler) types. 

My experience, YMMV.

Check the Mfg. date on your tires, how old are they?

Sandy, VE3AAC