When 235/75 R16 isn't 235/75 R16 - Cooper Discoverer ATR

Uffe · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:30 pm

I received my new tires yesterday and got them fitted and balanced today.

A set of Cooper Discoverer ATR 235/75 R16 is what I ordered and this is also what it says on the tires themselves. They were a witch to mount as the rim was "too wide" for a normal inflation procedure. We had to kick the tires around to get the air to stay inside and "pop" them in place. The spare was impossible, and we had to go to a local shop to use special tools to keep the air inside the tire to inflate and "pop" it to the rim.

However, comparing the width of the inflated tyre with my old Goodyear Wrangler ATR (235/70 R16) was puzzeling. The Cooper tires are not far from just 215mm wide even though it clearly says 235 on the tire, on the webpage and on the billing material. The tire has the correct height (well,I didn't do a proper measurement but it's taller than the Goodyears which is what I wanted).

So far I've covered 120km(70miles) on the tires at varying speeds (0-110kph) and I must say they are absolutely silent. I will soon test it on the highways but I am convinced that they will be quiet as well. After fitting these this is the first time I've heard the soothing sound of the wind acting on the car while I drive. The radio on its normal volume setting (with the other tires) sounds way too high. I can't say anything but I'm very happy with the new ones at the moment. The only drawback is the width is not what they say they are. That does give me more room for the pinch weld - but I was still expecting better...

Oh yeah - the tailgate spare tire cover also works just fine with these tires.

The KJ is now properly confused. The size of its tires are that of a Renegade. The cruise control and EVIC reminds it of a Limited and the seats and remaining interior trim is a Sport.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:34 pm

The 235 is section width - which is the widest point of the sidewall - not the tread.
the tread width varies
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=46

Uffe · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:59 pm

Not all manufacturers measure it like that apparently.

If I had measured the Goodyear 235s by maximum width I would have gotten 245 or 255 at least. They were wider than the Coopers in all places of the tirewall.

The coopers will just notch up to 235 if I measure it on the sidewall. The goodyears measured 235 on the tread (by measurement). That gives at least 20mm in favor of the Goodyears.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:35 pm

Yeah - I went from Goodyear MTR's to Kumho KL78's at 245/75 and the MTR's were about 20mm wider than the Kumho's at the tread.
next set will be wider.

on the other hand - the folks who have Cooper ATR's have been real impressed with them - have you found any rain/snow to test them in yet?

When 235/75 R16 isn't 235/75 R16 - Cooper Discoverer ATR

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