Here's a tire size calculator:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

 

Here's a tire size calculator:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Thanks, but that doesn't really answer my question, but thanks anyway. I'm wondering if the 205 is going to be wide enough to fit within the rim safely. I understand that there's always some room to go wider or narrower in tire widths compared to OEM tires, but I'm not sure if the 215 on the steely is at the brink of narrowest I can go or not...

 

There are several issues with you using those tires on your wheels and your van.

• The recommended rim width for 205/70 R15 tires is 6.0", your rim width is most likely 6.5", and while there are many fanbois who subscribe to the tire stretching fan club, most folks consider tire stretching (i.e. mounting tires on rims that are too wide) dangerous. That said, a half of an inch isn't all that much stretch.
• The 205/70 R15 tires that you're inquiring about are too small of a diameter for your van and will introduce speedometer and odometer error (i.e. the speedo will register high, and the odometer will rack up more miles than you actually drive).
• The load rating on the 205s is most likely 95T or less, and that's too low for your van which should have a 98T or better rating.

Long story short, I'd avoid those tires. Period, full stop, the end.

 

The load rating on the 205s is most likely 95T or less, and that's too low for your van which should have a 98T or better rating.

That's the big issue in my opinion.

 

Use the tirerack.com or the manufacture's web site and find out the specs for the tire (diameter, rim width range, etc). If the tire fits the rim you need to figure out what it will do to your spedo/odometer. If the issue comes down to the load rating you just need to decide how much you will need to put into your van at any given time.

 

If the issue comes down to the load rating you just need to decide how much you will need to put into your van at any given time.

It's more than just vertical load, though. Load ratings are also somewhat indicative of the overall design and construction of the tire. As vehicles have gotten heavier, tire sizes have increased also. That's why a 195/65R15 works on my Corolla, but wouldn't work nearly as well on my Town & Country. And just as the tires on my Town & Country wouldn't serve well on my Dodge Dakota.

 

Wny are you so intent on using the wrong tires?!

 

And another thing...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that running tires with a load rating below what the factory recommends can leave the operator of a vehicle open to potential liability issues should an accident occur.

Yes, no? :ask_wsign

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that running tires with a load rating below what the factory recommends can leave the operator of a vehicle open to potential liability issues should an accident occur.

Yes, no? :ask_wsign

I would hope not. For example, my dad went from load range E tires on his Silverado HD to load range D tires. He never carries that much weight on his truck and there just were not very many choices for an E-rated tire.

If your weight limit is the tire and you are within the mfg recommendations of the rim sizing I would hope it is legal. Speedo and ride quality problems aside.

Laws against those with common sense.

 

Although some door placards would contain the numbers like 96T, the placard on my Van only shows the T as AS/T, the AS standing for all season, I guess. There's no 96T or 97T on the placard, therefore other things must come into play like the P-Metric Standards / Tire and Rim Association Standards or whatever, as to what the minimum load rating ends up being for the tire size.

As to liability (mentioned previously), air pressure may be something to be concerned about per the following:
From http://www.safercar.gov/portal/site...7c7e1358fefe0a2f35a67789/?vgnextoid=ed161c82f8a16110VgnVCM1000002fd17898RCRD#q2

What does the psi number on the tire placard or label have to do with tire safety? What are the risks of underinflating or overinflating?

The psi, or pounds per square inch, number on your tire placard or label represents the pressure you should fill your vehicle’s tires with to ensure tire safety. Under- and overinflating tires can both be safety hazards. Overinflating tires can adversely affect vehicle maneuverability, make the ride harsher, and sometimes lead to loss of control and crashes. Underinflating tires – a potentially more serious problem – can result in tire stress due to overheating, irregular wear of tread, tire failure, and sometimes loss of driver control and crashes. So obviously you’ll want to know the correct psi for your vehicle, check your tire pressure at least once a month with a tire gauge, and adjust tire pressure accordingly.

 

Although some door placards would contain the numbers like 96T, the placard on my Van only shows the T as AS/T, the AS standing for all season, I guess. There's no 96T or 97T on the placard, therefore other things must come into play like the P-Metric Standards / Tire and Rim Association Standards or whatever, as to what the minimum load rating ends up being for the tire size.

As to liability (mentioned previously), air pressure may be something to be concerned about per the following:

The Owner's Manual for both of our DGCs include the following language:

• Never use a tire with a smaller load index or capacity, other than what was originally equipped on your vehicle. Using a tire with a smaller load index could result in tire overloading and failure. You could lose control and have an accident.

Following an accident, language like that is almost guaranteed to be cited in a court case against the operator of a vehicle that doesn't have tires with a load rating that at least meets the rating of the OEM rubber.

 

Aha! I knew I was missing something, which is the load index. The 205 tires that I'm looking at are way, way below the recommended load and speed index for the van.

Thank you everybody! Tire shopping is just fun fun fun...