Can Wuling Hongguang 175 Use 185 Tires?
4 Answers
Wuling Hongguang 175 cannot use 185 tires. Additional information is as follows: 1. Introduction: Wuling Hongguang is the first self-developed crossover product between commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles launched by SAIC-GM-Wuling. This product features a smooth exterior design, diversified and practical spacious driving space. 2. Exterior: Wuling Hongguang adopts the currently very popular double U front face design and three-dimensional vertical waterfall chrome-plated air intake grille, which not only makes the front part look more fashionable and dynamic, but also inherits some characteristics of the GM series. The eye-catching eagle-eye crystal diamond headlights and feather-shaped crystal diamond front fog lights further enhance the vehicle's sense of grade.
I've helped a friend with this before. When he upgraded the original 175 tires on his Wuling Hongguang to 185, there were a few points to note. The key was checking the wheel width - the Hongguang's rim J-value typically supports widths from 175 to 195, so 185 should theoretically fit. But after installation, we had to test whether the tires would rub against the fenders when turning. My friend's vehicle experienced tire edge rubbing against the wheel arches during full-load turns, which was later resolved by adding wheel spacers. The increased tire width added about 0.8L per 100km to fuel consumption. While wet road grip noticeably improved, the tire noise became significantly louder on dirt roads. For annual inspections in our area, they required reverting to original specifications, so he ended up keeping two sets of tires to pass the checks.
From a vehicle engineering perspective, the Wuling Hongguang's 6J wheel rim width is indeed compatible with 185mm tire width. Key considerations include: The 185/70R14 tire increases diameter by 12mm compared to OEM 175/70R14, causing ~3% speedometer deviation (actual speed 2km/h faster than displayed). The widened tread increases contact patch by 18%, improving braking but raising steering torque. Front suspension ball joints should be inspected - worn components may cause irregular tire wear. Note that some regions' GB7258 compliance inspections now classify tires extending beyond wheel arches as illegal modifications. Retain OEM wheels/tires for possible regulatory inspections.
I've been repairing Wuling vehicles for over a decade and advise against randomly modifying tires for utility vehicles. The factory 175 tires cost 300 yuan each, while 185 tires cost 450 yuan and consume more fuel. Last week, a customer who switched to 185 tires for mountain driving experienced noticeable engine strain when fully loaded, with the water temperature alarm triggering on uphill climbs. Inspection revealed inner edge wear on the front tires, caused by altered suspension geometry due to the increased tire width. If you must change, opt for 185/65R14 specification which has minimal diameter difference, and always perform a four-wheel alignment. Pay attention to the tire load index - for Hongguang MAX models, choose 94T or above to prevent bulging when carrying loads.
