Volvo 340 Tyres
Volvo 340
Volvo 340 Tyres
- Vehicles released in the 340 - 60 range left the factory with either 155 - 13 or 175 - 13 tyres.
- The ideal 155 R13 tyre is either the 155R13 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 or the 155 HR 13 Michelin XAS FF.
- For these tyres the Michelin 13D is the ideal innertube.
- The Michelin XAS was constructed taking into account the different kinds of work done by the shoulders, sidewalls and different parts of the crown, depending on whether they are on the inside or outside relative to the car, making the XAS the first tyre with an asymmetrical tread pattern.
- The best 175 tyre for the Volvo 340 is the 6.40/7.00 SR 13 Michelin ZX, which is also a fantastic tyre.
- For these tyres the Michelin 13F is the correct innertube.
- Our period fitment guides suggest that all 300 series Volvo's fitted tubeless wheels as OE. Innertubes are not required for these wheels to function providing that the wheels are in good condition and still hold air.
Volvo 340 Recommended Tyres
Other Options for Volvo 340 Tyres
History of the Volvo 340
The Volvo 300 series, which was produced between 1976 and 1991 and was based on DAF vehicles, began as a rear-wheel-drive hatchback and ultimately evolved into a saloon. The Volvo 340 was first badged as the 343 and 345 before becoming the Volvo 360 in 1983 when the third digit signifying the number of doors was eliminated from Volvo naming practices.
DAF wanted a partner to produce its new bigger model after creating a series of small cars. Volvo was first hesitant owing to the expense, but they were subsequently persuaded by DAF's access to Renault engines. This allowed Volvo to increase its model lineup without incurring the high costs involved with producing a new model.
Visually, the 340 clearly bears the Volvo family DNA, resembling a smaller sibling of the 240, which was introduced the previous year. The 300 Series' chunky bumpers, 'egg crate' grille, and the bare minimum of curves distinguish it as a Volvo, despite the fact that the initial design was done by DAF.
Mechanically, though, the 340 is a family outsider - the back end features a transaxle transmission, which improves weight distribution and handling. This was a feature used later by the Porsche 944, but we're talking about a Volvo hatchback! The 300 Series offered three petrol engines: a 1.4-litre, a 1.7-litre, and a 2.0-litre. The 1.4-liter B14 was powered by a 71-hp Renault C-series OHV pushrod engine.
A diesel engine producing 53.5mph for the 340 was only offered in certain export countries and was added to the 340 models in 1984. This diesel, like the petrol 1.7, was a Renault F-series, and it was only available with a 1.6 L naturally aspirated engine - the "D16" in Volvo jargon.
Volvo's 300-series was a best-seller. Sales started slowly, hampered by the lack of a manual transmission option, but steadily rose as the selection expanded. The cumulative output of the 300-series exceeded the 100,000 mark on December 12, 1983, with the total reaching 102,000 by the end of the year. The Dutch Red Cross received the 100,000th automobile, which was completed in white.