I have a new Fiesta 1.6 petrol Titanium with the standard 16-inch alloys and 195/45 tyres. Both my wife and I feel that the ride is to firm and hard, unusual for my wife to comment on this, she has never ever said anything about the ride quality of the different cars I have owned in 40 years of marriage, so something is not right.

On one of the Fiesta forums on the internet a gentleman who feels the same way has changed the tyres on his car to 195/55. Now he goes on to say that the ride quality is better and the car still has its excellent road holding etc.

I wonder if this is safe to do this, I would expect I would have to inform my insurance company, but I am concerned about doing this. Can you offer any advice please.