[Bob Denman]

… and I'd rather stay with the OEM wheels and tire sizes.
165/65-15 and 185/60--15
What would you suggest for a tire that'll give me decent traction; yet not hurt the
excellent fuel economy?

 

[mattwithcats]

For the rear, I suggest General RT-43's in "H" speed rating...

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=AltiMAX+RT43+%28H-+or+V-Speed+Rated%29&partnum=86HR5AMRT43&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

[Rambo4]

I ran Michelin Commander 2s and Goodyear Assurance 3s and by far the Uniroyal Tiger Paws are the best for Snow rain and the occasional ATV trail. (Smart cars fit... ...SUVs not so much!)
..

 

[Big453]

… and I'd rather stay with the OEM wheels and tire sizes.
165/65-15 and 185/60--15
What would you suggest for a tire that'll give me decent traction; yet not hurt the
excellent fuel economy?

vulcantire.com lists Vredestein Quatrac 5 tires in 185/60R15 88H and 165/65R15 81T sizes. Notice that the 185/60R15 88H is an extra-load tire and the 165/65R15 81T is a standard load tire. An extra-load tire can be pumped up to 51psi instead of the standard 44psi. The T speed rating is up to 118mph and the H speed rating is up to 130mph.

vulcantire.com also lists Vredestein Quatrac 5 in 195/60R15 88H and 175/65R15 84H sizes. Neither of these tires are extra-load tires so can be pumped up to the standard 3 Bar 44psi. Also the speed ratings match. These tyres would increase the gearing by about 2% when new, but when the tread has worn down by 6mm they will match the gearing of new 185/60R15 and 165/6515 tires.

185/60R15 is a common size, but unfortunately 165/65R15 is not. This severely limits the choice of matching replacement tires.

Also consider 185/60R15 front and rear, simply because of the limited choice of 165/65R15 tires. However, I would rather match 195/60R15 rear tires and 175/65R15 front tires, than have 185/60R15 all round. This makes it less likely that you will lose your rear end, as the car will tend to understeer when on the limit with these narrower and less grippy front tires. ie. understeer is safe, oversteer is not.

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks, Guys! I kept seing the Continental ProContacts coming up, and they weren't exactly thrilling me...
The front tire size... I actually have a set of 165/65-15 tires in the garage. I was going to use them on the front of my Can Am Spyder... before I sold the dang thing!
I might still use them, and try the Vredsteins out back… ?